good cover letter for a hospital

Healthcare Cover Letter Example (w/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

You've clocked in countless hours in hospitals and clinics, dedicating your skills to healing and caring for the sick. The sounds of heartbeats and monitors are as familiar to you as the rhythm of your own breath.

Your commitment to healthcare speaks volumes.

Yet, when it comes to writing a cover letter for your job application, you feel like you're attempting surgery with a stethoscope.

We know your struggle, and we’re here to help.

In this article, we’re going to guide you through perfecting the cover letter for your next job application.

Here's what we'll dive into:

• What a Standout Healthcare Cover Letter Looks Like
• 5 Simple Steps to Writing a Stellar Healthcare Cover Letter
• 3 Essential Cover Letter Tips for Healthcare Professionals

Healthcare Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Healthcare Cover Letter

You've just glimpsed what a job-winning healthcare cover letter looks like.

Now, it's your turn to write one . Just follow the steps we're about to share, and you'll be on the right track:

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

When it comes to writing your healthcare cover letter, it all begins with your contact information, just like on your resume .

Let's dive into what you should include:

• Full Name. Make sure your complete name is right at the top of the page.
• Professional Title. Match the professional title on your cover letter with the specific healthcare position you're applying for. Hiring managers often sift through numerous applications, so clarity about the role you're targeting is a real plus.
• Email Address. Opt for an email address that's both professional and straightforward. A combination of your first and last names works best. (e.g: [email protected])
• Phone Number. Make sure that the phone number you provide is accurate so the hiring manager can easily reach you. If you're applying for a healthcare job abroad, remember to include the international dial code.
• Location. Typically, your city and state or country are sufficient. However, if you're considering relocation, be sure to mention it.
• Relevant Links (optional). If you have any relevant websites or social media profiles, such as LinkedIn, feel free to include them.

Once you've squared away your contact information , it's time to add the hiring manager's details:

• Company Name. State the name of the healthcare organization you're applying to.
• Hiring Manager's Name. If possible, include the name of the hiring manager for the specific healthcare department you're interested in.
• Hiring Manager's Title. If you discover that the hiring manager for this job ad has a more specific title, such as department head, you can use that instead of the generic "Hiring Manager."
• Location. Specify the city and state or country of the healthcare facility, particularly for organizations with a global presence. If you want to be extra specific, you can even include the exact street address.
• Date of Writing (optional). For a professional touch, consider adding the date when you wrote your cover letter, though this is optional.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

The next step to writing the perfect healthcare cover letter is to address it properly.

And we strongly advise against using the generic "To Whom It May Concern."

Getting the greeting right can make a positive impression on the hiring manager.

Do a bit of research first. Take a look at the job listing and the company's website, or check their profiles on LinkedIn or other social media. This can help you uncover the name of the person who'll be reviewing your cover letter, so you can personalize your cover letter’s greeting .

Next, address them in a formal yet friendly manner. Use "Ms.", "Mr.", or a title like “Dr.” when applicable, followed by their last name. If you’re not sure about their gender or marital status, just use their full name. Here are some examples:

• Dear Ms. Rodriguez
• Dear Dr. Rodriguez
• Dear Julio Rodriguez

If you can't find specific information about the hiring manager or the department head, it's perfectly okay to address your letter to the department or the company in general. Maintain a professional and friendly tone:

• Dear Healthcare Department
• Dear Hiring Team
• Dear Human Resources Team
• Dear Head of Department X

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

The truth is that hiring managers don’t take more than a few seconds to decide if your cover letter is worth reading in depth.

So, making a strong first impression is vital for a successful healthcare cover letter.

Begin your cover letter’s opening paragraph by introducing yourself and explaining why you have a genuine interest in the role. Expressing your enthusiasm for the healthcare industry or the specific position is a compelling way to capture the hiring manager's attention.

Doing some research on the healthcare organization can be useful here. The more you learn about the employer, the better you can emphasize your alignment with their work culture and mission. This demonstrates to the hiring manager that you're not just casually applying everywhere and seeing what sticks—you have a sincere interest in this particular role.

If you have the experience, you can boost your introduction by highlighting a significant accomplishment or mentioning a skill that makes you an ideal fit for the position. Just remember to keep this part snappy. You only have to spark the hiring manager's interest and encourage them to explore the finer details of your healthcare cover letter.

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

Now that you’ve captured the hiring manager’s attention, it’s time to dive into the details.

The body of your cover letter is where you need to prove you’re the best candidate for the position. But don’t make the mistake of just repeating everything from your healthcare resume . This is the place where you can tie in your professional skills and experiences in a manner that sets you apart.

The best way to outshine the other applicants is to use the job advertisement as your compass. Read it carefully and keep in mind what skills and experiences the company expects from its candidates.

Whether it's expertise in a particular medical field or proficiency in a specific type of medical software, make sure to mention these in your healthcare cover letter. Based on the information you find, pick out a few of your relevant achievements and use them to convince the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the role.

Illustrating your knowledge of the company, its healthcare initiatives, or the industry itself can also be a great advantage. If you're familiar with the company's healthcare services, specify so in your cover letter to prove your alignment with their mission and organizational culture.

And don’t forget to infuse enthusiasm into your writing. Your passion for the role should shine through as much as your healthcare know-how. Convey your confidence in your skills and experiences, and express your eagerness to contribute to the company's healthcare mission.

If you need more inspiration, check out these other cover letter examples !

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Once you’ve written the bulk of your healthcare cover letter, it’s time for the finishing touches.

Knowing how to end your cover letter can make the difference between winning a hiring manager over or getting tossed into the “no” pile.

Make sure you leave a positive impression on the hiring manager with a strong conclusion that reinforces your suitability for the role. Summarize your standout skills and why you're the ideal candidate.

Afterward, include a compelling call to action, inviting the hiring manager to delve deeper into your application. This proactive approach can boost your chances of securing an interview.

Lastly, sign off your letter like a professional. Choose an appropriate closing and include your full name, like so:

Please feel free to reach out to me via the provided email or phone number to discuss my application further. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore my qualifications with you.

Best regards,

Frank Jenkins

And remember, if you find "Best regards," too common, there are alternative sign-offs to consider, such as:

• Kind regards,
• Respectfully yours,
• Thank you for your consideration.

3 Essential Bartender Cover Letter Tips

We’ve covered the fundamentals of writing a healthcare cover letter, and now it's time to take it to the next level.

Just follow these useful cover letter tips :

#1. Match Your Resume

Ready to carve a path as a healthcare professional?

Make sure your healthcare cover letter aligns seamlessly with your resume template . This makes it much easier for the hiring manager to pick your documents out of the pile.

Your contact information should be clearly visible on your resume’s header, and the body of your text should fit neatly on the page. Maintain consistent font styles and sizes throughout your documents, and adjust the page margins and line spacing of your cover letter so it sticks to one page .

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Don’t have time to start from scratch?

Just use our free resume builder and pair it with one of our matching cover letter templates .

Say goodbye to your struggles with the formatting or layout. Our templates are your shortcut to a polished cover letter that complements your resume. Made with input from global hiring experts, they guarantee you a professional, industry-ready application in minutes.

#2. Mention Qualifications

Don't let your cover letter be a missed opportunity by skipping out on your relevant healthcare qualifications.

Sure, your healthcare resume already lists your education, but your cover letter lets you really dive deeper. It's your chance to tell the story behind that medical degree or that special training you took. Help the hiring manager see why those experiences make you a great fit for the role.

It's all about giving them the full picture of what you bring to the table, which increases your odds of getting an interview.

#3. Be Formal

Keeping your cover letter formal is essential. This isn't a casual email; it's your introduction to a healthcare institution, and missing the mark is a huge mistake .

Being formal shows that you're dedicated and professional. However, this doesn't mean you can't show some of your personality. It's all about balancing professionalism with polite friendliness.

Make sure you’re using the appropriate language and steer clear of slang. For example, instead of saying you can "handle things," specify that you're "competent in patient care." Maintaining formality positions you as a reliable and professional candidate who’s taking this healthcare role seriously.

Key Takeaways

That's it for crafting the ideal healthcare cover letter!

We hope you feel more confident in writing your own cover letter, and we have no doubt you’ll land your dream job in no time.

Before we say goodbye, let's revisit some of our article’s key points:

• Start your healthcare cover letter by clearly listing both your contact details and those of the hiring manager. Accuracy is crucial here since a single typo could mean missing out on an interview opportunity.
• Grab the hiring manager’s attention right from the beginning. If the opening paragraph doesn't engage them, they might not make it to the crucial details that follow.
• Use the main body of your resume to dive deeper into your standout achievements and skills. Align them with the job advertisement to make your case compelling.
• End with a compelling reason for them to get in touch, whether it's a call or an interview invite.
• Make sure your application is a matching set, so your resume and cover letter stand out from the rest. If you're pressed for time, consider using one of our matching resume and cover letter templates for a polished look.

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Health Care Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2024

• Cover Letter Examples

How To Write a Health Care Cover Letter

• Cover Letter Text Examples

A great health care cover letter can make all the difference during the job search. The key is to demonstrate your unique clinical background and commitment to quality patient care using your most impressive career achievements. This guide offers health care cover letter examples and expert tips to help you craft an eye-catching cover letter and land your next job opportunity.

Health Care Cover Letter Templates and Examples

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

A great health care cover letter has several key elements. It needs to encapsulate your professional experience and accomplishments and tell your unique journey within the medical field. As you build your document, focus on crafting engaging content that truly captures your passion and commitment to improving the quality of life for patients. Below, we’ll walk you through each section of your health care cover letter:

1. Contact information and salutation

In the header of your health care cover letter, list your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL. Be sure to address the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.” Avoid salutations such as “To Whom It May Concern,” as this language is more direct and personal.

2. Introduction

Open your health care cover letter with a powerful introduction to draw the reader in and entice them to read further. Start by introducing yourself and conveying your interest in the role. Emphasize your years of experience within the health care industry and any clinical expertise that matches the organization’s needs. Include a defining career achievement to demonstrate your proven track record of success as a medical professional.

I am interested in the medical director position with the Seattle Washington Medical Center. In my 15-year career within the health care industry, I’ve developed an array of expertise in clinical program development. I’ve also served as both a medical director at St. Francis of Assisi Hospital and as a licensed physician at Virginia Mason Hospital.

3. Body paragraphs

Continue to feature your accomplishments and clinical expertise in the body paragraphs of your health care cover letter. Start by mentioning something specific about the hospital’s reputation, culture, or mission statement and why this draws you to apply for the opportunity. For example, if an organization is known for providing cutting-edge cancer treatments, emphasize how this relates to your unique background in oncology.

Seattle Washington Medical Center’s reputation for providing cutting-edge cancer treatments attracts me to apply for this opportunity. During my time at St. Francis of Assisi Hospital, I developed a clinical program strategy for the Oncology department. My experience as a health care executive would be an asset to your organization based on my previous successes:

• Led large-scale change management initiatives to increase the utilization of evidence-based care approaches, resulting in a 5% reduction in patient mortality rates
• Collaborated with hospital leadership, physicians, and nurses to develop hospital guidelines and policies, which included driving patient-centered care and advocacy
• Oversaw a $40 million operating budget and reduced medical equipment costs by 15%

4. Health care skills and qualifications

Rather than including a list of skills, use your health care cover letter to show how you’ve applied your medical knowledge to treat patients in fast-paced clinical environments. Feature health care-related skill sets that match the hospital’s needs using tangible examples from your career. Below, we’ve compiled a list of key terms to keep in mind when building your health care cover letter:

5. Closing section

The conclusion of your health care cover letter provides one last opportunity to impress potential employers. Include a call to action that invites the hiring manager to bring you in for an interview. Reinforce how your unique medical background can enhance the quality of patient care for their organization. Be sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration in the last sentence.

I look forward to speaking more about how my background in change management can aid the Seattle Washington Medical Center in the medical director role. I’m available by phone and email at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

Jane Langston, MD

Health Care Cover Letter Tips

1. feature your clinical expertise.

Your clinical expertise should serve as the focal point of your cover letter. As you build your content, carefully review the job description and feature medical skills that align with the hospital’s needs. If you’ve completed a certification in a key clinical area, mention this in your introduction.

2. Highlight patient-centered care and advocacy

Patient-centered care is an important trend in health care delivery, as it helps maintain the voice of the patient throughout treatment. It also helps align the treatment planning process according to the patient’s physical, emotional, and cultural needs. Branding yourself as a patient advocate also shows hiring managers more about who you are as a person and as a health care professional.

3. Quantify your health care achievements

Quantify your career achievements using hard numbers and metrics to establish a sense of scope for the reader. For instance, you might mention that you achieved a 95% patient satisfaction rating in a large hospital with a 1:5 patient ratio. This sends a clear message to hiring managers that you can deliver quality care to patients in high-volume, clinical environments.

Health Care Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

Sarah Engels  Licensed Professional Counselor | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Portland, OR 12345 | LinkedIn

January 1, 2024

Roger Smith Hiring Manager Lifestance (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Mr. Smith,

I’m interested in applying for the therapist position at your organization. As you’ll see from my resume, I have expertise in trauma-based interventions and family counseling. My commitment to emotionally-focused therapy (EFT) strongly aligns with Lifestance’s mission.

Upon graduating from the University of Colorado with a Master of Psychology degree, I began work as a counselor trainee at the Boulder Medical Center. It entailed delivering counseling services to individuals, couples, and families with diverse cultural backgrounds. I can help improve the quality of life for your patients based on my career achievements :

• Conducted evidence-based trauma interventions for diverse patient populations and supported initiatives to provide additional resources and professional services
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop EFT models
• Utilized standardized assessments to measure patient progress and successfully reduced depression and anxiety levels in 90% of patients

I hope to have further discussions on how my expertise in EFT can benefit your practice. You may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Sarah Engels, licensed professional counselor

Heather Cline  Medical Surgical Nurse | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | San Jose, CA 12345 | LinkedIn

Arnold Rosenberg Hiring Manager Palo Alto Hospital (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Mr Rosenberg,

I am interested in applying for the medical surgical nurse position with the Palo Alto Hospital. I feel that my extensive background within the health care industry would be an asset to your organization. As a board-certified medical surgical nurse, I developed expertise in case management and disease prevention while employed at the San Diego Hospital.

Palo Alto Hospital’s commitment to patient advocacy is what draws me to apply for this opportunity. At San Diego Hospital, I delivered patient-centered care to patients in alignment with cultural, physical, and emotional needs. I can help drive positive patient outcomes for your organization based on my career achievements:

• Delivered compassionate care to patients in a 400-bed hospital, communicated symptoms and treatment options with empathy and understanding, and achieved a 92% satisfaction rating
• Supported process improvement efforts to better patient flow and enhance clinical outcomes, resulting in a 15% reduction in average patient wait times
• Collaborated with physicians, nurses, and multidisciplinary teams across various medical units

I look forward to speaking with you further about how my expertise in patient-centered care can benefit Palo Alto Hospital. If you have any questions, you may contact me via phone or email at your convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Heather Cline, registered nurse

Jane Langston  Medical Director | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | Seattle, WA 98122 | LinkedIn

Christa Johnson Hiring Manager Seattle Washington Medical Center (987) 654-3210 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Johnson,

Seattle Washington Medical Center’s reputation for providing cutting-edge cancer treatments draws me to apply for this opportunity. During my time at St. Francis of Assisi Hospital, I developed a clinical program strategy for the Oncology department. My experience as a health care executive would be an asset to your organization based on my previous successes:

Health Care Cover Letter FAQs

Why should i include a health care cover letter -.

Although cover letters aren’t always required for a job application, including one can sometimes help differentiate you from other candidates. In addition to reinforcing your strongest qualifications, the cover letter allows you to convey a genuine interest in the job opportunity. Mentioning something specific about the hospital’s mission or reputation shows you’ve done your research beforehand and can increase your odds of landing the interview.

Are cover letters becoming obsolete? -

According to a LinkedIn poll conducted by Forbes , 70% of correspondents voted that cover letters are no longer needed during the application process. While cover letters aren’t always required, writing one demonstrates your enthusiasm and genuine interest in the role you’re applying for. This can sometimes make all the difference in generating interviews during the job search .

Should I use an artificial intelligence tool to write my cover letter? -

Using an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to get started may be a viable option, but never let it write your cover letter in its entirety. Despite recent advancements, documents produced by AI run the risk of being overly derivative and generic. Your cover letter should express your passion and commitment to improving the lives of your patients. Relying solely on an AI tool strips the document of your unique voice.

Craft a new cover letter in minutes

Get the attention of hiring managers with a cover letter tailored to every job application.

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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Medical Doctor Cover Letter Samples & Examples That Worked in 2024

Writing a medical doctor cover letter may seem daunting, but with the right tools and tips, you can craft a compelling narrative that catches the attention of prospective employers. This guide will provide insights and examples to help you master the art of cover letter writing.

Remember, the goal is not merely to summarize your CV. Your cover letter should complement your resume , engaging HR in a way that makes them want to delve deeper into your qualifications.

Read on and learn all about:

• Formatting your medical doctor cover letter
• Writing an effective cover letter header
• Crafting an eye-catching headline for your medical cover letter
• Customizing your cover letter greeting
• Writing a compelling cover letter introduction
• Highlighting your skills and accomplishments in the body of your cover letter
• Ending your cover letter persuasively
• Avoiding common mistakes in a medical doctor cover letter
• Average salary and job outlook for medical doctors
• Medical doctor's resources

1. How to properly format your medical doctor cover letter

Correct formatting ensures that your cover letter is easy to read and professional . Use these guidelines to create a well-structured cover letter:

• Font: Choose a standard, readable font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. The size should be between 10 and 12 to maintain readability.
• Margins and spacing: Aim for one-inch margins on all sides of your document. Spacing between lines should be 1.15 or 1.5 for an uncluttered look.
• Alignment: The text should be left-aligned for maximum readability.
• Sections: Divide your cover letter into four essential sections which include: your contact information and salutation, introduction, body, conclusion, and signature.
• Brevity: Keep your cover letter concise. One page is sufficient. 
• File format: Save your cover letter as a PDF to preserve formatting across different platforms. Name your files professionally, such as "John_Doe_CoverLetter.pdf"
• Proofread: Check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.
• Consistency: Ensure your cover letter mirrors the formatting of your resume. This consistency applies to font style, size, heading styles and even the paper you're printing on if you're delivering a hard copy. It shows attention to detail and creates a cohesive application packet, making it more visually engaging and professional for the hiring manager. 

By keeping these formatting tips in mind, you'll ensure that your medical doctor cover letter is crisp, easy to navigate, and leaves a positive, professional impression on potential employers.

Create your cover letter fast with artificial intelligence.

2. how to create a medical doctor cover letter header.

The header is the initial part of your cover letter where you include your personal contact details and those of the employer. Correctly formatting the header is crucial since it sets the tone for the rest of your document .

Your header should include the following:

• Your full name
• Your professional title
• Your address (street, city, state, zip code)
• Your contact details (phone number, professional email address, optionally LinkedIn profile)
• The recipient's name, title, organization name, and organization address

Incorrect medical doctor cover letter header

Dr. Sam, New York, [email protected], July 2021, Dr. Johnson, Hospital

Why is this example wrong? This header is incorrect because the information is incomplete and poorly presented. It doesn't clearly distinguish between the applicant's details and the recipient's. Plus, using an informal email can seem unprofessional. 

Correct medical doctor cover letter header

Dr. Samantha Green 123 Peach Street, New York, NY, 10001 +1 212-111-2222 [email protected] July 15, 2021

To: Dr. Henry Johnson Human Resources Director St. Patrick Hospital 7979 Blueberry Ave, New York, NY, 10002

Why is this example correct? This header is clear and complete. Each piece of information has its place and purpose, and it's also written in an easily readable format. The use of an email address further enhances the document's professionalism.

Always take the time to lay out your header correctly. It not only helps portray you as an organized professional, but it also ensures that potential employers have your information at a glance.

3. How to write a compelling medical doctor cover letter headline

Once you’ve got your header in place, the next crucial section is the headline. The headline is a single line statement that introduces you and your intention to apply for the specific role . This one-liner should be punchy, persuasive and leave the hiring manager intrigued to read more.

Here are a few tips to crafting a compelling headline:

• Be specific: In this line, clearly state the position you're applying for. Explicit mention of the job title and perhaps the job reference number ensures that your application lands in the right pile.
• Showcase your professionalism: Use your professional title or key certification in the headline. This immediately shows that you're qualified.
• Highlight your value proposition: In a few words, summarize what unique value you bring to the role.

Let’s take a look at the following headline examples:

Incorrect medical doctor cover letter headline 

Looking for a Medical Doctor Job

Why is this example wrong? This headline is too vague and unprofessional. It doesn't state the specific job or offer any value proposition.

Correct medical doctor cover letter headline

Board-Certified Cardiologist with Proven Leadership Skills Seeks the Cardiology Consultant Position [#12345]

Why is this headline correct? Now, this headline adds a soft skill (leadership) to the mix, making it more compelling. Not only does it state the professional title and specific job but it also introduces an additional strength that could be relevant to the job.

The added value proposition gives the hiring manager a hint that you have more to offer beyond just your medical expertise. It invites them to delve deeper into your cover letter to find out more about your qualifications and unique offerings.

Your headline is the first taste of your cover letter content, so make it count. Leave your prospective employer looking forward to reading the rest of your cover letter.

Find out your resume score!

4. How to customize the greeting on your medical doctor cover letter

Starting your cover letter with a well-tailored greeting is the first step towards making a personal connection with your prospective employer . It shows respect, professionalism, and that you have taken the time to research the organization.

Here's why using a personalized greeting is vital:

• Respect and professionalism: Addressing the hiring manager by their full name or title represents respect and acknowledges their position and authority within the organization.
• Demonstrates your efforts: When you have taken the time to learn about the person to whom you are writing, it displays your genuine interest in the position and the lengths you're willing to go for it.
• Breaks the impersonality: Customized salutations can make your cover letter feel less generic and more personal. 

Now let's explore some examples of greetings, their uses, and impacts:

• Formal/Reserved: "Dear Dr. [Last Name]," — This is the most professional greeting, especially when you're sure of the hiring manager's name and title. 
• Neutral/General: "Dear [Team/Department Name] Hiring Manager," — Use this salutation only if you can't find the specific hiring manager's name, but you know the team or department. 
• Last resort: "Dear Hiring Manager," — You can use this phrase when you have exhausted all options to find a name or specific department.

Here a few examples of personalized greetings on a cover letter

• Dear Hiring Manager Alex Peterson,
• Dear Mr. Peterson
• Dear Dr. Peterson,
• Dear Alex Peterson,

Always prioritize finding the hiring manager's name, but be careful to use it correctly. If unsure about their title or gender, it's better to stick to neutral phrases like 'Hiring Manager' to avoid any faux pas.

5. How to write a compelling introduction to your medical doctor cover letter

The opening paragraph of your medical doctor cover letter directly influences the impression potential employers form about you. The introduction should succinctly cover your career and academic background, purpose for seeking the position, and mention any shared connections, if any. 

Experienced medical doctor cover letter introduction example

Dear Dr. Thompson,

As a seasoned Geriatrician with over ten years of experience in providing compassionate care in high-stress hospital environments, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my expertise to the Geriatric Medicine opening at Wellspring Health Center. I have always admired Wellspring's patient-centric approach and innovative medical practices. Notably, Dr. Anderson, Chief of Internal Medicine at your facility and a former colleague, suggested I apply, believing my patient handling skills and dedication would contribute positively to your institution.

Why is this opening strong? This opening statement packs a punch with a demonstration of robust experience, a clear reason for applying, and a mutual connection suggesting a fit for the company culture. 

Fresh medical graduate cover letter introduction example

Having just completed my residency in Pediatrics at City General Hospital, I am eager to apply for the Pediatrician position at Wellspring Health Center. I believe your clinic's focus on combining cutting-edge research with attentive patient care matches my ambitions perfectly for a fulfilling practice. Samuel Martin, a senior faculty member at CGH and alumni of your facility, recommended I consider your institution for its nurturing and comprehensive care environment.

Why is this opening compelling? For a fresh graduate, underlining the successful completion of relevant education, expressing their motivation, and validating their choice through a mentor's suggestion can significantly resonate.

All in all, ensuring your introduction is tailored, concise, and compelling invites the employer to read further, significantly boosting your chances of consideration.

6. Highlight your top skills and accomplishments as a medical doctor

After the introduction, it's time to lay out the substance of your medical doctor cover letter — your skills and accomplishments . Here, you persuasively illustrate why you'd be an ideal fit for the role and for the organization. 

The body of your cover letter should be divided into two or three short paragraphs. Start with your most significant achievement or an aspect of your work that sets you apart. Then, delve into your relevant expertise, experiences, and skills . Be specific and try to link your abilities to the requirements mentioned in the job description.

For instance, instead of merely stating that you possess excellent diagnostic skills, narrate a brief instance where your diagnostic ability made a significant difference in patient care or treatment outcome.

• For professionals with experience , you can discuss contributions you've made at your current or past place of work. Quantifying these achievements with percentages, numbers, or time frames can give them more impact. For example:

Seasoned medical doctor cover letter body paragraphs example

In my role as a General Practitioner at HealthFirst Medical, I led a dedicated team of healthcare professionals to streamline our patient triage system. We successfully managed to reduce patient wait times by 30% over a 6-month period. This achievement not only increased patient satisfaction rates, but also enabled our team to operate in a more calm, collected and efficient manner.

Moreover, I also spearheaded the implementation of a new electronic health record system, which enhanced our medical documentation efficiency by 40%. My ability to manage change and lead innovation without disrupting service delivery further solidified my leadership skills and dedication to efficient healthcare

• If you've recently graduated and lack professional experience, focus on your rotations, internships, or any special projects during your medical training. What did you learn? Did you receive any commendation for your efforts? Highlighting such experiences portrays your commitment, enthusiasm, and learning potential. 

Fresh graduate cover letter body paragraphs example

During my final year of medical school, I was part of a team managing an infectious disease breakout during my pediatric rotation at Grand City Hospital. Our efforts were focused on both treatment of affected patients and preventive measures within the community.

We successfully reduced the spread of the disease by 50% within the first month. My role was primarily patient management and I was directly responsible for monitoring patient symptoms and the effectiveness of treatments. The head of the Department acknowledged my consistent efforts and iterated that my actions helped deliver exceptional patient care under pressure. This experience amplified my passion for pediatrics and strengthened my crisis management skills.

Each paragraph in these examples is focused on a singular achievement or experience but paints a broader picture of the candidate's professional assets. Always remember, the objective is to pique interest and encourage the hiring manager to explore your skills further via your resume or an interview .

7. How to conclude persuasively your medical doctor cover letter

The conclusion of your medical doctor cover letter holds significant importance. It is your closing argument , the final opportunity to persuade the reader of your suitability for the position. It also lays out the next steps in your application process. 

In your conclusion:

• Summarize your competence for the role in a sentence or two
• Reiterate your enthusiasm about the opportunity
• Indicate your availability for further discussion
• Include details on how and when you can be best contacted and your plan for follow-up
• Sign off professionally

Here’s an example of a strong cover letter conclusion

The prospect of bringing my patient-centered care and diagnostic expertise to the medical team at Wellspring Health Center genuinely excites me. Available at your earliest convenience, I welcome the opportunity to explore how I can contribute to maintaining and improving patient care standards at your facility. I will touch base next week to follow up on my application. However, please do not hesitate to contact me at your convenience, via phone (555-555-5555) or email ([email protected]). 

Thank you for considering my application.

[Your Full Name]

This conclusion is succinct yet comprehensive, conveying excitement and forward momentum in the application process. It ends on a respectful note, with a professional sign-off. 

Remember, your overall aim is to leave a lasting, positive impression on the hiring manager, urging them to take the next steps with you.

8. How to avoid common mistakes in a medical doctor cover letter

Your medical doctor cover letter is your opportunity to make a good first impression. However, certain common missteps could derail your chances of landing that coveted role. Here are some tips to help you avoid those errors:

• Sending generic cover letters: Customizing your cover letter for each application is critical. Using generic, "one-size-fits-all" cover letters implies a lack of effort and interest. Tailor each cover letter to the specific role and organization.
• Including too much information: While it's essential to provide enough detail to pique the employer's interest, avoid overwhelming the reader with excessive information. Stick to highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences.
• Failing to proofread: Errors in punctuation, grammar, or spelling can convey negligence and lack of attention to detail. Always double-check your cover letter for mistakes. 
• Writing in a complicated style: Write as clearly and simply as possible while maintaining a professional tone. Avoid using jargon or overly complex language.
• Talking too much about yourself: While it's important to market yourself, the employer also wants to know how you can add value to their organization. Ensure you balance information about yourself with how your skills and abilities can benefit prospective employers.
• Forgetting to follow instructions: If the job ad asks for specific information or a certain format, make sure you adhere to these requirements.

By keeping in mind these common pitfalls and how to navigate them, your medical doctor cover letter is much more likely to stand out and make a lasting impression on potential employers. 

9. Average salary and job outlook for medical doctors

If you're considering a career in medicine or already on that path, it's essential to understand the job market and salary expectations. 

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average yearly salary for a medical doctor was approximately $229,300 as of May 2022. This figure, however, can vary widely depending on specialty, experience, and geographic location.

In terms of job outlook, the BLS projects a steady growth for the medical profession. Overall employment of medical doctors is expected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032. This growth rate is on par with the average for all occupations. 

Although the growth percentage might not seem high, in real terms, it represents a significant number of job openings given the size of the field. Specifically, about 24,200 openings for medical doctors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

10. Medical doctor’s resources

Feeling lost while job hunting as a medical doctor? Don't worry. There are plenty of resources to help you find your way:

• Networking platforms: LinkedIn allows you to create a professional profile, network with other medical professionals, join relevant groups, and search for job openings. What’s more, you can easily turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume with just one click!
• Professional associations: Associations like the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American Association of Physician Specialists (AAPS) provide opportunities for networking, professional development, and job listings.
• Job search sites: Health eCareers , PracticeLink , DocCafe and MedJobCafe are some of the many job boards specifically tailored to healthcare professionals.
• Online courses: Various platforms offer online courses to enhance your skill set and knowledge. Websites like Coursera or Khan Academy have collaborations with top universities and organizations to provide high-quality, relevant courses for medical professionals. This not only enhances your learning but also adds value to your CV.
• Residency programs: For those embarking on their professional journey, consider a residency program. These enlisted on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) database offer hands-on experience in the medical field while under the supervision of an experienced physician.
• Medical journals: Subscribing and regularly reading relevant medical journals like The New England Journal of Medicine or The Lancet can keep you abreast with the latest medical trends, research, and news in your specialty area. It helps to be knowledgeable about changes in the field during interviews.

Remember, hunting for a job as a medical doctor involves both showcasing your unique skills and standing out from the crowd. By availing yourself of these resources, you'll be well-equipped to find and secure the right position for you.

Medical Doctor Cover Letter FAQ

What's the difference between a resume and a cover letter.

While both documents complement each other, they serve different purposes . A resume is a concise summary of your skills, experiences, and achievements. A cover letter, on the other hand, is a personalized letter to the employer explaining why you're the right fit for the specific job role.

How long should my medical doctor cover letter be?

A cover letter should ideally be one page long. Keep it concise yet impactful, ensuring you've highlighted your most relevant skills, experiences, and why you're a good fit for the role.

I have no work experience. What should I highlight in my cover letter?

If you're early in your career, emphasize your medical training, rotations, or internships in your cover letter. Discuss influential projects or coursework and any commendations you've received.

Should I attach both my resume and cover letter in the job application?

Typically, a job application requires you to submit both your resume and cover letter. Follow the instructions provided in the job listing. If unsure, it's better to include both.

Can I use the same cover letter for multiple job applications?

It's best to tailor your cover letter to each job you're applying for. Using the same cover letter may make you appear less invested in the specific role, reducing your chances of landing the job. Always align your cover letter with the requirements of the particular job listing.

Julia Gergelova

Julia is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW™) and an active member of the Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC™). She is also a passionate translator and graphic designer. Julia holds degrees in translation and interpretation and has international work experience in various countries across Europe, as well as in China and Panama. Julia formerly taught academic writing and contributed as a graphic designer to outlets such as The Business of Business. You'll often find her with a book in one hand and a specialty coffee in the other, always on the lookout for new insights.

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25 Nursing Cover Letter Samples & Writing Guide for 2024

• Nursing Cover Letter
• Nursing Cover Letters by Type
• Nursing Cover Letters by Role
• Write an Outstanding Nursing Cover Letter

Nurses tackle difficult situations for their patients, providing care under stressful circumstances. Nurses are there when patients need help with medicines, a drink, or someone to talk to.

But despite tackling the most precarious situations at work, writing a cover letter to complement a nursing resume can feel more daunting than handling a crowded emergency room. Do you even have the time and energy after a 12-hour shift?

Luckily, we can help with our nursing cover letter examples and tips that will impress any medical director. Then, polish your application off with our free resume builder and AI cover letter generator to create stunning documents in no time.

Nursing Cover Letter Example 

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Why this cover letter works

• Especially in your opening and closing, include details like why you applied for the position, what you appreciate about the company, and what you hope to achieve in the future. 
• Your cover letter isn’t the place to be modest; beyond just metrics, name things you’re good at and what you want to accomplish in your future company.
• Some good skills you can include are collaboration, leadership, and technical abilities. Just make sure your examples relate to the job description in some way. 
• So long as you focus on your skills and how you can use them, you’ll exude confidence, not arrogance.

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Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Nursing New Grad Cover Letter Example

• Luca perfectly executes this in his nursing new grad cover letter by sharing his stint during Hurricane Harvey, where he helps with wound care. Personal moments like these, supported with transferable skills , can be your lever into your professional world.

Registered Nurse (RN) Cover Letter Example

• Describe a situation that reveals your expertise if relevant to the job description. Perhaps you were part of a rapid response team or alerted the doctor when a patient woke in the middle of surgery. Think back on a challenge where you emerged victorious.
• For example, if you want to be a critical care nurse, mention how your time as a forensic nurse helped you develop decision-making skills when helping patients with psychiatric disorders.
• Pick work experience according to what the employer needs. Are they looking for an ER nurse, someone with pediatric experience, or an oncology RN? Include experience within those fields.
• If you don’t have expertise in a particular area, talk about previous positions with transferable skills. 

Experienced Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Here’s a bummer, though: the hiring manager doesn’t want to hear about those misadventures with friends (save them for the breakroom once you get the job, not your application). But a heartfelt snippet about that visit to a local hospital years ago painting a picture of the moment you knew nursing was your calling? That’s the kind of story that grabs hold and doesn’t let go.

Nursing Preceptorship Cover Letter Example

• You want to keep your nursing preceptorship cover letter concise, ideally to a single page. And it’s not just about brevity; it’s respect for the recruiter’s time and demonstrating your ability to prioritize and articulate information well. Even so, focus on what matters—your qualifications, passion for the practice, and readiness to contribute to the facility). Otherwise, you’ll get the same response you got last time—the heartbreaking silence.

Nurse Manager Cover Letter Example

• Take James, for example. He doesn’t just mention his job duties; he dives into a story about spearheading a data integration project that reduces time-to-insight by 16%. And he doesn’t stop there—see how he layers on other must-have skills for a nurse manager (we’re talking communication, decision-making, and team coordination). You don’t want to be just in the running but leading the pack for that coveted interview.

Nursing Instructor Cover Letter Example

• The hiring institution wants to see how you nurtured nursing students and generated an impact. So, go ahead and paint the town red with anecdotes of meaningful student engagements and measurable outcomes (Cue improving program completion rate by 8%).

ICU Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Once you know what you do differently, you can measure your results against others and find the numbers you need for your ICU nurse cover letter.
• Double-check for special requirements, like a copy of your BLS and ACLS cards.

Director of Nursing Cover Letter Example

• So, here’s the thing: unlike your resume, your director of nursing cover letter doesn’t have a skills section, making bringing them to life in a recount your best, if not only, option. Like, say you championed an initiative to save time, and boom, that’s flaunting your teamwork skills right there (a must-have interpersonal soft skill for any leadership role).

School Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Got a Master of Science in school nursing? Flashing it in your school nurse cover letter isn’t just dropping another credential; it communicates that you’ve devoted time to acquiring the knowledge required to practice and yield desirable results. That might just be the final push needed for the hiring manager to pick up the phone and dial your number.

Labor and Delivery Nurse Cover Letter Example

• It’s simple: consider what the hiring organization is looking for and demonstrate how transferable skills mastered from previous roles translate into the role. The critical thinking, meticulous organization, and ability to perform under pressure cultivated in my previous role… from Sofia’s cover letter makes for an excellent example of this strategy in action.

Nursing Residency Program Cover Letter Example

• Sprinkle some personal touch into your piece. How, you wonder? Swap out the impersonal tone for a hearty first person (I) and go ahead to express your aspirations for the role. After all, you’re selling yourself and you’ve got to capitalize on every chance to say “Hey, I’m not just another application but someone deeply passionate about joining your team.”

Pediatric Nurse Cover Letter Example

• There’s no magic tech that lets you edit your cover letter once you release it to the recruiter, so before that, read it carefully, word for word, to ensure that it’s free of errors. And if you’re falling short of confidence, don’t hesitate to leverage Grammarly or other spell checkers.

Emergency Nurse Cover Letter Example

• But then, what’s the right way to address recruiters? First, steer clear of hey and hi — they’re just too casual. Instead, use dear like Aisha does. Also, do a little digging to find the recruiter’s name to stand out and let them know you took the initiative to learn more about the hiring company.

Aesthetic Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Say, for example, you led a team of 23 to achieve operational targets and reduced operational costs by 16%; put that in your aesthetic nurse cover letter. It even makes it more compelling by thrusting your exemplary leadership skills into the limelight.

NICU Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Customizing your NICU nurse cover letter is pretty easy; ensure it aligns with the target role. Let’s say, for example, the hiring organization is after specific skills. Mention and demonstrate them in your cover letter to maximize your chances.

Neonatal Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Maya’s approach is pretty commendable here. She goes beyond expressing interest, specifically praising Hartford Hospital’s “Help Me Grow” initiative and clearly states her enthusiasm to further their mission. That screams someone already on board with the team’s vision.

Dental Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Jump in with a positive (and intriguing) fact that shines a light on your personal connection with the practice. For instance, Kai opens with “Growing up, I was fascinated by the impactful role compassionate healthcare professionals play in nurturing young smiles.” Now, that isn’t just an intro; think of it as an attention-grabbing headline that sets you miles apart from the rest.

Operating Room Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Ideally, pick a two-column operating room nurse cover letter template. For an added flair, bold your first name, the hiring manager’s, and the date, then use a different font color for your last name. Harness such subtle enhancements not for aesthetics, but to showcase your organizational skills.

Psychiatric Nurse Cover Letter Example

• For your case, go for a standard professional font (think Arial, Cambria, Calibri, Times New Roman, etc.) to ensure it’s neat and legible and lessen the recruiters’ eye strain to make a positive impression.

Charge Nurse Cover Letter Example

• Ace that first paragraph by kissing up to the company you’re applying to. For example, Clara goes with, “ Diving into the feedback from over 2,903 staff on Indeed and the impressive 3.7 rating from more than 1,778 votes on Glassdoor, I was captivated by the positive reflections of…” A cakewalk, right?

Travel Nurse Cover Letter Example

• But don’t stop at the praises. Show how you can boost the hiring establishment’s reputation, with your narration coming across as professional and authentic. You want to focus on putting your proficiencies and skills under the limelight, aligning with the need for versatility and adaptability in travel nursing.

Nurse Case Manager Cover Letter Example

• To ensure you don’t miss out on a wonderful opportunity, always include your up-to-date professional contact information prominently at the top of your nurse case manager cover letter. And that includes your name, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile link. Simply put, make it easy for the prospective employer to reach you.

Nursing Faculty Cover Letter Example

• Ready to capitalize on the rev-chron layout for your nursing faculty cover letter? Here’s how to do it: describe your most recent job and go backward; most recruiters have a thing for this format because it aligns with modern hiring practices. Plus, they don’t have to try too hard to find the candidate’s deets.

Acute Care Registered Nurse Cover Letter Example

• You probably have a desired salary range in mind but mentioning it can be off-putting, alongside telling the hiring manager when they should call you or anything else you expect from them. Remember, presumption is the quickest path to losing the race.

Does your nurse resume need a little TLC?

Hopefully, our cover letters have given you the confidence you need to personalize your own. Don’t neglect your nurse resume, though, because we’ve got tons of resume samples you can edit—just like this one here.

Nursing Resume

Need a resume to pair with your nursing cover letter?

or download as PDF

3 Tips for Writing an Outstanding Nursing Cover Letter

As a nurse, you know the value of research, critical thinking, and compassionate care for each patient, but did you know you can use those same skills to write your cover letter? 

All you need is to research the company, share relevant successes, and monitor your tone to create a cover letter that will catch any manager’s eye.

Tip 1: Get to know the organization

You wouldn’t walk into a patient’s room without knowing their medical history, so you shouldn’t write a cover letter without some research first. But don’t worry—this research is far easier than studying for the NCLEX exam. 

Start by looking at the job description and the company’s website. Once you know what the employer needs, find a way to incorporate their requirements into your cover letter. 

Does the company need a certified nephrology nurse? Be sure to mention your time in a dialysis clinic. Do they want someone experienced in labor and delivery? Write a paragraph about your previous position as a midwife. 

Don’t forget: similar to how you customize your care for each patient, you should customize your cover letter for each new position. Employers will have different requirements even if you’re applying for niche roles.

Tip 2: Go a few steps further than your resume

Repetition is usually good, but not regarding your cover letter and resume. Both are essential documents, but they should support, not mimic, each other. 

Your cover letter is the best way to show your personality, which is especially important in nursing. Your employer needs to determine more than just your qualifications; they’ll want to know you’ll work seamlessly with their team. 

To achieve this, include any  experience and skills  you have solving complex medical problems or times when your personality traits significantly improved your patients and the organization.

If you’re wondering where to start, look at this example from one of our cover letters: 

As an LPN at Cedar Ridge Clinic, I frequently saw entire families. Beyond greeting patients and assessing their condition, I engaged with each one personally, remembering details from their previous visits and asking about family members. Moreover, I researched ways to reduce their medical bills, such as requesting assistance from the clinic’s charity funds. By developing a relationship with my patients and helping them find affordable care, they were 48% more responsive to the doctor’s suggestions, and we reduced their clinic stay by 28%. 

Although this example includes metrics and responsibilities, it also underscores the nurse’s compassion and interpersonal communication skills, which are major green lights for employers. 

Tip 3: Tone is everything

Nursing relies heavily on decorum and empathy, so your cover letter should sound professional and compassionate, but where do you start? Let’s walk through it step-by-step.

For example, a local hospital needs a pediatric nurse who’ll care for special needs children. Working with challenged children requires patience, high emotional intelligence, and strong critical thinking skills, so you’ll want to reflect those abilities. 

To do so, start by picking what experience to include and what to omit to keep your cover letter to one page. Any longer, it will likely be thrown into the recycle bin since recruiters and managers have limited time.

Once you’ve condensed, work on adopting a kind tone. Use words with positive connotations, limit jargon, and adjust your syntax to be direct (but not blunt). Think of it this way: you’re trying to demonstrate your ability to communicate with anyone, so your writing needs to be understandable, easy to read, and compassionate. 

Use words with positive connotations, limit jargon, and adjust your syntax to be direct (but not blunt) .

But don’t stress if you haven’t found the right words yet; revision is the next step. Ask someone to read it through, find any grammatical or punctuation errors, and determine if they would hire you based on what you’ve written.

Use Our Informative Outline to Start Your Nursing Cover Letter

Any great strategy needs a solid structure to make it succeed; use our outline to plan your cover letter for your next nursing role. 

How to start a nursing cover letter

Your contact info:  If your employer doesn’t know how to contact you, they can’t hire you. Don’t leave them in the dark—include your address (city and state) and phone number.

• Formatting : Leave your name out of your address if using a block format. 

Date:  Every letter needs a date, even a cover letter. Include the date near the top, and make sure it reflects the day you submit, not the day you started writing. 

• Formatting : Write the full date, e.g., January 5, 2023.

Inside address:  An inside address is the employer’s address, including the hiring manager’s name and title, plus the medical organization’s physical location. 

It may sound silly to include the employer’s location since they’re reading the letter, but it adds credibility. Addressing the manager by name and listing their location demonstrates your research, especially if there are multiple locations within the organization.

Casey Matheson, StarRN Recruiter West Valley Medical Center 1717 Arlington Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605

• Formatting : Each part of the address should be on a new line. Double space between the inside address and greeting to make it aesthetically pleasing. 

Greeting:  A proper salutation is always a good idea in a cover letter. Since most healthcare organizations are pretty formal, use the standard “Dear Ms./Mr.” followed by the manager’s name. 

We know this isn’t always as easy as it sounds. Finding the person in charge of hiring at your clinic, hospital, physician’s office, or other healthcare location can be as difficult as getting an IV in a deep vein.

However, don’t skip over this step because it’s hard. This small inclusion demonstrates your research; everyone likes personal acknowledgment, so it’s a win-win. We recommend scouring LinkedIn or the company’s website and medical job boards to find details about the company and its employees. 

• Formatting : Use a colon after the greeting instead of a comma per business standards.

Dear Ms. Matheson:

How to write your nursing cover letter

Body:  The body of your nursing cover letter should be three to four paragraphs that convey your eagerness for the job, qualifications, and interest in further discussion. 

Opening paragraph:  Nursing can be thrilling, but you’d be surprised at how many cover letters make it sound like the most boring job in the world, starting with the opener.

Many opening paragraphs sound downright sterile and robotic, like this one: 

Good day—my name is Laura Howell, and I am inquiring about the Travel Med Surg RN position. I have four years of experience in the healthcare industry and the necessary knowledge and skills to help your organization take better care of its patients. 

Besides including their name, this opener is entirely depersonalized and generic. Having several years of experience means nothing if you don’t qualify or quantify it, and nothing about this opening suggests real passion for the company (or even nursing in general). 

Instead, mention the organization by name and explain why you’re interested in the position:  

As a nurse, I always want to provide safe, quality care to every patient, which Natchaug Hospital embodies. Your success stories about helping others with addictions and mental illnesses convinced me that your hospital truly upholds the values of equity, safety, and integrity. I am confident that as an RN at Natchaug Hospital, I can lead my fellow nurses, develop modernized treatment plans, and collaborate with healthcare staff to make our patient’s experience more effective and comfortable.

In just one paragraph, you can quickly tell the candidate’s passion for nursing, their goals as a nurse, and why they want to work at Natchaug Hospital.

Paragraphs 2-3:  Your cover letter should reflect more than basic skills; nursing is more than just “preparing documentation” and “assessing patients.” 

These paragraphs need to provide evidence for your assertions in the opening paragraph. Make each one a spotlight on one of your achievements.

Did you diagnose a patient when even the doctor was stumped? Did you save someone’s life through your attention to detail? Find your best moments, and don’t be shy about relaying your successes.

If you’re wondering where to start, use one of our examples as a guideline: 

My last position was in the ICU for St. Maisha Hospital. While there, I treated many non-English speaking patients who lived below the poverty line. Though challenging, I learned to assess patients and communicate with them and their families regardless of language barriers and lack of funds. I petitioned for yearly fundraisers to provide resources for families to get the care they deserved and established volunteer-based language classes for nurses and doctors. These initiatives mean patients were treated 27% faster and spent 46% less time in the hospital.

Although this paragraph has metrics, it focuses on the nurse’s ability to communicate and relate to people. It’s personal without being sentimental and professional without being cold. 

Closing paragraph:  You are excellent at ensuring patients have what they need before leaving your care, so do the same in your cover letter. Summarize how your values and qualifications align with the organization’s needs and express your desire to discuss further. 

Whatever you do, don’t leave them hanging like this:

As you can see, I have the experience and the skills to be a nurse at your location. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

If ever there was a more generic closing paragraph than this, we haven’t found it. This closer offers nothing unique about the applicant or the business and hardly sounds enthusiastic. 

Instead, give the hiring manager something to remember with details specific to you and the job: 

Providing adequate care for my patients is only the tip of the iceberg; I connect with patients personally and consistently seek to improve. As a nurse with HCA, I will provide individualized care to patients and collaborate with families, doctors, and healthcare staff to create better patient care plans. Thank you for raising the standard of healthcare in the US, and I eagerly await your response.

This closer effectively concludes the conversation while demonstrating their interest in the position and why they’re the best choice for the employer.

• Formatting:  Single-space your nursing cover letter but double-space between paragraphs. 

Signature:  End your cover letter on a high note and with a “thank you” if you haven’t already said so. 

Chase Turner

• Formatting : If you’re presenting any hard copies of your nursing cover letter, quadruple space to sign your name in blue/black ink. 

Enclosure(s):  Adding an enclosures section is greatly appreciated in the healthcare industry. This section lists other documents you’ve included in your application, reminding the reader there’s more to come. 

Nursing cover letter enclosures can include the job application, a resume, a transcript, writing samples, and licensure documents, to name a few. 

Enclosures: Resume Georgia RN License Copy of BLS & ACLS cards

• Formatting : Use the singular or plural form of “enclosure,” depending on how many things you attach.

Check the Health of Your Nursing Resume

Congrats, you’ve finished your nursing cover letter! You’re one step closer to the nursing job you’ve always wanted. 

But wait—don’t forget you still need to  write a resume . Whether you need to build an  outline of a resume  or are in the finishing stages of filling out a  resume template , we have the tools you need to write a great nursing resume. 

If you’re finding it hard to start, you can edit this nurse resume directly.

ICU Nurse Resume

No matter where you’re at in the job hunt, remember: you’re a great nurse, and your patients know it. Now go out there and prove that with a stellar resume and cover letter!

Ideally, you should connect with your role as a nurse and the type of medical organization you’re applying to. For instance, if the position involves providing care to elderly patients, then connecting with why you want to help elderly patients maintain a good quality of life and minimize pain could be great points to focus on.

You can lean on how your associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing has equipped you to be successful in the role, such as how you achieved excellent grades in your pathophysiology classes. Also, connect your passion to the role and desire to help others as much as possible to stand out.

Nurses need a large skill set, but detailing every ability you possess in your cover letter wouldn’t be the best idea since it would likely lose a hiring manager’s attention. Instead, focus on the primary needs of the job. Will you be in an emergency response sector? Then focusing on skills like wound dressing or controlling bleeding may be essential to emphasize within your cover letter.

1 Healthcare Cover Letter Example

Healthcare professionals are the lifeline of any medical institution, proficiently diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients while ensuring their comfort and well-being. Similarly, your cover letter is the lifeline of your job application, adeptly presenting your skills, experiences, and dedication to patient care. In this guide, we'll delve into the best cover letter examples for Healthcare professionals, helping you to craft a compelling narrative that underscores your commitment to health and healing.

Cover Letter Examples

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The best way to start a Healthcare cover letter is by directly addressing the hiring manager, if their name is known. If not, "Dear Hiring Manager" is appropriate. Begin by introducing yourself and stating the position you're applying for. Then, briefly mention your most relevant qualifications or experiences that make you a strong candidate for the role. It's also beneficial to show enthusiasm for the healthcare field and the specific organization you're applying to. This shows you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the role.

Healthcare professionals should end a cover letter by summarizing their interest in the position and the unique skills they bring. It's important to express enthusiasm for the opportunity and to thank the reader for their time. For example, "I am excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills and experiences to your team and am confident that I can bring value to your organization. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing this opportunity further." It's also crucial to include contact information, even if it's already on your resume. This makes it easier for the hiring manager to reach you. Always end with a professional closing like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your name.

A Healthcare cover letter should ideally be about one page in length. This is because hiring managers often have many applications to go through, so a concise, well-structured letter is more likely to grab their attention. In terms of word count, aim for between 250 to 400 words. This length allows you to clearly and succinctly express your interest in the position, highlight your most relevant skills and experiences, and explain why you would be a good fit for the healthcare organization. Remember, the cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong first impression, so every word should count.

Writing a cover letter with no experience in healthcare can seem daunting, but it's all about showcasing your transferable skills, passion for the field, and eagerness to learn. Here's a step-by-step guide: 1. **Start with a Professional Greeting**: Address the hiring manager by name if possible. If you can't find their name, use a professional greeting like "Dear Hiring Manager". 2. **Introduction**: Begin by stating the position you're applying for. Mention where you found the job posting. If someone referred you, mention their name and position. 3. **Express Your Interest**: Explain why you're interested in the healthcare field. This could be a personal reason or a professional goal. Show enthusiasm and passion for the field. 4. **Highlight Transferable Skills**: Even without direct experience, you likely have skills that are relevant to healthcare. These could be soft skills like communication, empathy, and problem-solving, or hard skills like data analysis or proficiency in a second language. Use specific examples to demonstrate these skills. 5. **Education & Training**: If you have any education or training related to healthcare, be sure to mention it. This could be a degree, a certification, or even a relevant course or seminar. 6. **Show Willingness to Learn**: Emphasize your eagerness to learn and grow in the healthcare field. This shows potential employers that you're committed and motivated. 7. **Conclude Professionally**: Thank the hiring manager for considering your application. Express your hope for the opportunity to further discuss your qualifications. 8. **Sign Off**: End with a professional sign-off like "Sincerely" or "Best regards," followed by your full name and contact information. Remember to keep your cover letter concise and to the point. Use a professional tone and language, and proofread carefully for any errors. Tailor your cover letter to each job application, focusing on the skills and qualifications mentioned in the job posting.

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Nursing Assistant Cover Letter

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Healthcare Cover Letter

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How to write a cover letter.

In the previous section, Ch.2: Cover Letter Format , we covered how to professionally build your cover letter to meet the expectations of recruiters. Here, we'll discuss how to write your cover letter , section-by-section to create the best letter possible to land an interview.

The better your cover letter, the better your chance of securing an interview and leading to a potential position.

Knowing how to write a cover letter is key to coming off as a professional and landing the job interview you want. Since it's the first impression a prospective employer will have of you, make sure the document is clear and concise and conveys how you want to be received.

Typically, employers and hiring managers will read the cover letter before opening up the resume. This means that if your cover letter is deemed as unprofessional or doesn’t sell your skills for the open position, they might not even consider opening your resume and reviewing your professional experience.

Luckily, writing a cover letter has become very standardized, which means there aren't that many differences when it comes to format.

However, fitting your qualifications and achievements into three small paragraphs can be much more difficult than writing something long-winded - as you might be unsure of what to include and exclude.

While learning how to write a cover letter, be sure to keep in mind that you can only include so much, so only include the most important, most relevant factors to get your point across.

Part of the tricky thing writing a cover letter is that you need to know what to exclude, and what to include. Including too much information will feel like a tall task for the healthcare recruiting and hiring manager to sift through. Whereas including too little will make it seem as if you aren’t qualified for the position itself.

Writing a good cover letter is a balancing act, and we’ve got all the things you need to consider when crafting your cover letter.

How to Write a Cover Letter:

A strong cover letter is comprised of 3 components: the introduction salutation, the body paragraphs, and the conclusion, including salutation, signature, and other information.

(The numbers in the document above match the sections below)

1. Introduction Salutation

Show them you did research and know whom you are talking to. If you can, used social media outlets like Facebook and LinkedIn to find out who'll be receiving your application and address it to them.

You'll catch their attention much more efficiently by stating their name, giving your application priority over others.

Including their name will also highlight that you have written a personal cover letter to them, and not just some generic one you send to every healthcare recruiter or hiring manager.

The more personal your cover letter feels to them, the more authentic you will come across in your desire to have a position with the company you are applying for.

2. Body Paragraphs

This is where you should let your uniqueness shine. Use the body section to show where you came from, what you've achieved, and what skills you have to meet their need.

Write about situations that are relevant to the job and highlight a skill they're looking for without restating the information on your resume.

Give them great examples and tell compelling stories, engaging their attention. Highlight your key accomplishments and show them how you can fulfill the job position. Give the employer something they want.

Remember, when writing these various sections - it’s important that you showcase value.

You want to showcase the value that you can provide the company and why you should be considered for the available position over other candidates.

Employers don’t want just want do’ers, they want achievers. So think about that when crafting each individual section.

First Paragraph

The first paragraph should remain relatively short and concise and use it to grab them with a strong introduction -- introduce yourself, and explain why you're contacting them. Include your name, the position you're applying for, and where or how you found out about the position.

If you know anybody that works at the company (or any person you can name drop) list them; tell how you know them or that they referred you. Referrals have much more impact on employers than blind-hires.

In addition, in the first paragraph you want to detail some of your general qualifications. Some of these general qualifications include: basic info about yourself, degrees obtained, area of study, area of expertise, and career goals.

After detailing some of the general qualifications above and providing a little bit of a background for yourself, you want to detail how those general qualifications and your background align with the goals of the company.

As we mentioned earlier, it is important to showcase how your background aligns more closely with the company goals, more-so than other applicants.

Second Paragraph

The second paragraph is where things can become more in depth since it's the heart of your letter. Use this section to show how you can meet the company’s need, as well as, show how you’ve addressed similar situations - using specific examples and prior experience.

Essentially, this paragraph is useful for talking about the job description. One thing you want to do before writing this section is to research the company.

It’s one thing to know what a company does and detailing how your goals align in the first paragraph - it’s another thing to detail how you are well versed in their industry and current and future trends.

Showcasing this knowledge is a great way of showing your passion for the industry itself. One of the common questions in an interview is how familiar you are with the industry itself.

Those applicants who showcase their experience in the industry can set themselves apart from those applicants who know nothing about the industry.

When an applicant is perceived as having little knowledge of an industry, companies worry that they might have to spend extra time and effort in getting the employee up to speed with current trends and future directions.

Another great tip to use in your second paragraph of your cover letter is to include specific keywords that were in the job posting itself.

In this way, if the company you are applying to requires a cover letter submission through an applicant tracking system that pulls keywords and information out of each document, you can have several keywords and keyword phrases that relate to the job posting itself.

Something every employer is happy to see, as it highlights the fact that you did your research on the position itself.

Highlight aspects of recent work that relate to the position you're applying to, and how you've gone above and beyond to accomplish goals relating to it.

You're allowed to use experience from education, work, or volunteer/charity as long as you don't simply repeat what's on your resume.

You can also use this section to elaborate on accomplishments that your resume might not speak about; use this paragraph to highlight your strengths and make a good impression to your employer.

Lastly, use this paragraph to help transition to the third paragraph, tying everything together.

Third Paragraph

Tie everything together and show/explain how you're the best candidate for the position with the third paragraph. Further tailor yourself to the position and summarize your accomplishments in a way that casts you as the candidate who will solve their problem. This is what the main objective of the third paragraph is; tell them how you can help.

You can elaborate on aspects of your qualifications that don't directly relate to your experiences as well, but would be beneficial to the employer.

Think outside the box here and be creative with the connections you make; everything in this paragraph should show them how you can solve their issues.

Another thing you wish to accomplish in this third paragraph is to create a call to action. You want to drive the individual reading your cover letter to invite you to an interview or the next step in the application process.

Lastly, tell the employer that you look forward to hearing from them and specify a date in which you intend to follow up on your application.

It is important that you tactfully ask for an interview in the closing; which, leads into the final section of the letter content.

In addition, you want to thank them for spending time and reading your cover letter.

3. Closing Salutation & Signature

Ask for the interview. There is one reason for writing a cover letter and resume, and that's to get an interview. Thank them for their consideration in advance, and let them know you would like a follow up and put a future meeting on the table.

Again, don’t drag it out; be clear and concise. Rewrite your phone number and give them an invitation to call you anytime to schedule an interview.

Cover letter conclusion example:

Cover Letter Tips - Dos:

Writing your cover letter with these three blocks will set the foundation for your document, but it is important that you follow a few rules to enable your cover letter to hit a homerun. Here are six things you need to consider while writing:

1. Know your audience

It is vital that you know who you will be writing to. Just like you resume, you want to draft your cover letter with a prospective employer in mind and write for them. Do research on the company you want to work for and determine the gatekeeper.

Write for the hiring personnel and focus on what their company needs. It doesn't matter what you want as a job seeker as much, as it’s what you can do for the company as a whole which will determine whether or not you get the position.

So, use your cover letter to demonstrate how you can help.

Researching your company is easy with today’s technology; Google and LinkedIn are powerful tools for researching anything you need regarding the job market.

You can find the company's website and specific individuals who work there, and it is good to research both the company and specific people, as mentioned previously.

You can use the company’s website to find the name of the person you want to write to; the website will give you the name, exact title, and what they need/do for the company.

If you can’t find what you need on the company’s webpage, you can search Google for online directories — sometimes just typing in the name of the company can pull up documents and archives on your prospective employer.

In addition, these google searches might even provide additional contact details such as different emails that might be in use, or other important individuals you might want to CC (carbon copy) in your email.

As much of the hiring process is determined by several individuals, it would be a good idea to make sure that the content over your cover letter is accurate for the person who would be making the hiring decision or reviewing the applications as they get submitted.

Be friendly, professional, and enthusiastic about the field you are applying to. Nobody wants a robot that churns out blanket statements and boring sentences.

Healthcare recruiters and hiring managers can tell right off the bat whether or not your cover letter is a generic one that you send to every position you apply for, or if you have hand crafted it for the individual position.

Your tone can indicate whether or not it is a generic cover letter, or if you have specifically crafted it for the respective position.

One way to showcase that you have specifically crafted the cover letter for the respective position is to show the company that you want to work in that specific field, that you’re good at your job, and that you love doing what you do.

Be engaging. Ask questions your prospective employer might ask themselves, and answer them with examples of how you tackled obstacles and accomplished similar tasks that align themselves with what the company needs.

3. Be Compelling

Don't be boring. Most people remain too stuffy in their letters and use the same cliche statements; "I'm responding to...; I can do...".

Instead, tell about interesting adventures that demonstrate skills you can bring to the table; talk of your travels and combine that with lessons you learned that also apply to the position.

You want to separate yourself from the other candidates who will be using these generic statements. One great way is to tell a story.

Tell a story to demonstrate your skills instead of just saying you have the skills. It is more interesting and memorable to tell about the time your skills were put to the test and how you rose to the occasion.

One of the common questions in an interview is to talk about when you have used specific skills related to the position.

So if you do decide to use a story about using your skills in your cover letter, remember to bring it up in the interview once again.

This way, you can remind healthcare recruiters and hiring managers about your unique cover letter if they happen to forget it by the time the interview rolls around.

4. Be Concrete

One thing you want to make sure that you do is to avoid the abstract. Give specific accounts and tell about actual stories that tie in with concrete skills and accomplishments that are relevant to what the company needs for the job.

One additional thing you should avoid doing is use flowery language. As we mentioned earlier, you want to make sure that you avoid including flowery language that would make your cover letter longer than it needs to be.

Avoid flowery language and provide very specific examples on why you are great candidate and can help the company be great.

5. Be Concise

Employers go through roughly 200 cover letters per position, so to have the best chance of staying out of the trash, keep it short and sweet. Avoid being redundant in your cover letter; It is important to be direct and cut to the chase.

Don’t drag the cover letter out and don’t add too much irrelevant personal information. The whole document should stick to the three blocks and be about three paragraphs—try to stay at one page, three-quarters if possible.

Only include the information that is relevant to the position in your cover letter.

6. Sell Yourself

A well written cover letter enables you to make a great first impression and is meant to highlight your strengths and to sell yourself to your prospective employer.

Don’t sound too haughty, but it’s okay to brag on yourself a little—as long as you have concrete instances to demonstrate your skills.

Highlight your successes and reinforce your resume; don’t repeat it, but back it up with examples of why you are the best at what you do.

It really elaborates upon the achievements in your resume, or add some depth that your resume can't convey.

Among all things, be sure to use strong verbs and strong examples-- remember, be compelling.

Knowing what to avoid can be as important as knowing what to include, and try to avoid mistakes that can potentially land your document in the trash can.

Cover Letter Tips - Don'ts:

Now that we’ve covered all of the things you should include in your cover letter, here are a few things you should avoid including.

As mentioned previously, you want to ensure that you only include all the necessary details, so avoid including the following things.

1. Don’t Be Dull

The first thing you want to avoid doing, is appearing to be dull. In essence, you don’t want to be dull. Spice it up a little.

Many professionals will tell you that you want to be as plain jane as possible, but you also have to remember that hiring managers and healthcare recruiters read hundreds of cover letters for a vacant position.

This means that after a while, every single cover letter starts to blur together. You don’t want to just be another cover letter in the stack, you want to stand out a bit.

You want to stand out in the best way possible, which is to make the healthcare recruiter or hiring manager feel like they have to get in touch with you to learn more about you and see how your skills would be a good fit for the position.

Don’t write like a robot - show some personality. Try to compel them and sell yourself in your cover letter.

You want to be careful to avoid making it seem as if you are over-selling yourself or boasting about your experience.

Doing so will make it seem as if you are boasting about your skills to hide your inexperience in other areas, or that you will be difficult to work with due to your boastful personality.

Essentially, there is a delicate balance you need to find in how much you sell yourself in your cover letter.

In the same essence, you don’t want to undersell yourself, because then you might come off as unqualified.

Lastly, tell them what a great company they are, and demonstrate how you can contribute to that greatness through the use of your skill set and experience.

2. Don’t Talk About Salary

One of the questions that is frequently asked on applications is what your expected or desired salary would be the for the available position.

Because of the fact that this question is one of the mandatory questions, many choose to include it on their cover letter to showcase that they reviewed the application and put it on there for additional consideration.

Even though many people choose to put it on the cover letter, it is not recommended.

Just don't do it. One of the problems that come with putting your desired salary or salary range on your cover letter is that it creates the illusion that the only thing you care about is the money.

You don't want want the main reason you want the job to be about money, and It’s not important at this juncture and any talk of it can hinder negotiation tactics.

If you place your desired salary range too high or too low, you can automatically disqualify yourself from future consideration.

If you place your desired salary range too high, then your cover letter will automatically disqualify you from companies who cannot afford to pay someone that much money - or require that they work their way up to that pay grade.

If you place your desired salary too low, then it makes it appear as if you are desperate or that you are unqualified for the position.

On the rare occasion that your desired salary is in the range that the employer is willing to pay, then you have negotiated against yourself by letting them know the range you would settle at.

You want to avoid negotiating against yourself, as you want to showcase that your skill set and experience would make you a better fit than the other applications the employer is reviewing.

Wait until you get an offer to negotiate salary — unless they bring it up beforehand.

3. To Whom It May Concern

"To whom it may concern" is both old and outdated, and it shows that you did no research in discovering who you will be talking to or who handles new hires.

Take the time to find out who you are writing to. Hiring managers and healthcare recruiters will be more impressed if you call them by name in your letter — everyone loves hearing their name. It makes them feel important.

In addition, it creates a more personal approach that you are writing about your desire to have the job to a singular person, instead of using “to whom it may concern”, which could be read by anybody.

Use psychology to give you leverage of situations like this. It is important to show that you did research, and calling them by name, makes it personal.

If you can't find out who will be receiving your submission, omit the line altogether. It's redundant and wastes space that can be used on an example or your skills or experience to strengthen your application.

4. Don't Write Blanket Cover Letters

Tailor each cover letter for a specific job, so you can highlight specific skills that can fill the need of each job. Using the same cover letter for a retail job and a nursing position, will not help you in the long-run.

Many professionals will use the same cover letter for every single job, and you can separate yourself as a more desired candidate if you tailor your cover letter for each position.

Employers, hiring managers, and healthcare recruiters want to see individuals who put more effort into each cover letter, because it showcases your work ethic and desire to work for that company.

Each position is unique and so should each cover letter. Even though your stories might be the same, you can emphasize different points of them to highlight individual skills.

However, if you need to save time, you can create cover letters for categories of positions.

For example, create one cover letter for nursing and one for physician's assistant, and then change small amounts of information depending on the job you're applying to.

This approach makes your job search much more efficient and saves a lot of time in the long run and will cut down some time if you don’t wish to fill out a cover letter each time for a new position.

5. Don't Use "I" Too Much

In your cover letter, you want to avoid using “I” too often. Using “I” gets redundant, and sounds like you have no other words in your vocabulary.

While your cover letter should be about you, you don't have to keep reiterating that. We already know it's about you, so try and come up with different subjects for your main sentences.

Try making some of the subjects about the prospective company, past companies, past experiences, and accomplishments.

If you keep saying "I" it will make your cover letter dull and uninteresting - something we’ve already covered earlier in our cover letter requirements that you want to avoid.

6. Don't Over Do It

Be clear and concise; say what you need to and wrap it up. Remember that a cover letter is a document that, coupled with your resume, demonstrates your skills and highlights stories that reinforce why you are the perfect fit for the position.

Sell yourself and demonstrate how you can meet the company’s needs. Spice up your writing and engage their attention, and show them you know how to write a cover letter.

Be confident in your writing. You are the best fit, so demonstrate that to your prospective employer.

7. Avoid Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

One thing that you need to make sure you do before submitting your cover letter is to avoid spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. There are plenty of available resources to use that can make checking for errors even simpler.

In addition, you can always ask a friend or coworker to review your cover letter to ensure that there are no mistakes that you should fix.

It’s always a good idea to have someone else review it to determine whether or not you are coming across how you’d like, and that your experience and skills translate well throughout the document.

One of the things that will instantly disqualify you from further consideration is having spelling or grammar mistakes in your cover letter.

When you have spelling or grammar mistakes in your cover letter, it comes across to potential employers and healthcare recruiters that you didn’t bother to spend the extra few seconds making sure there are no errors.

Which begs the question, will you take that same approach in your professional career?

Avoid presenting this image to someone who is going to determine the future you might have with that company, and spend the few seconds to review your cover letter before officially submitting it.

8. Avoid Rambling

You should avoid rambling in your cover letter. A cover letter is similar to a resume in that you want to convey what you can do for a company in a succinct manner.

As mentioned previously, healthcare recruiters and hiring managers review hundreds of cover letters for a vacant position, so you want to ensure that you provide them with all the information they need quickly.

If a cover letter is too long, they won’t even review it after the first paragraph. So if you are saving all the juicy details in your cover letter after the first paragraph and your cover letter is too long, then they won’t even consider reading very far.

To avoid this, just make sure that all the detail you are providing is absolutely critical in the cover letter, and it follows the three paragraph outline we have specified above and in Ch. 2: Cover Letter Format , as well.

9. Avoid Too Much Personal Information

One additional thing you need to avoid doing when crafting and writing your cover letter is to avoid using too much personal information.

Healthcare recruiters and hiring managers do not need to know about your personal details unless it specifically relates to your ability to do the position itself.

In many cases, you can avoid mentioning personal information at all, unless it is brought up in the interview. And only certain things can be brought up in an interview due to regulations and employee employer relations.

Typically, those questions only relate to whether or not there are any restrictions that might prevent you from completing the job as assigned.

So to avoid oversharing any information, just list the critical information that you need to provide on your cover letter, and keep the details on your cover letter related to your skills and previous professional experience as it relates to the available position.

10. Don't Rehash Your Resume

One thing you want to ensure that you do is to avoid rehashing all the data on your resume. Your cover letter allows you to expand upon your resume due to the fact that the information isn’t all just bulleted information.

Even though your cover letter allows you to expand upon your resume, you should avoid rehashing it.

When professionals rehash their resume, it begs the question as to why someone should review the resume if you mention everything that is on it.

Your cover letter should be useful for expanding upon how you used those skills or specific examples of accomplishments you listed on your resume.

For additional information, you can say that you would be happy to expand upon the details more in an interview.

Using this useful technique is a great way of once again declaring that you would like to move forward in the candidate application and selection process.

11. Avoid Highlighting Unnecessary Skills For The Job

Similar to avoiding the use of personal information, you also want to avoid highlighting skills that would be unnecessary for the job.

For those professionals who typically use the same cover letter for every application that they submit — this is one of the main problems associated with their cover letters.

Due to the fact that these cover letters are used for a wide array of positions, many people will list skills that can be used in every position, and not skills for individual positions.

When crafting your cover letter, you should ensure that you write it so that each of the listed skills is useful for that specific job.

When you place the skills that you possess on each individual cover letter, you are separating yourself from those candidates who will list skills that don’t relate to the position itself.

Your cover letter should consist of an introduction salutation, three body paragraphs, and your conclusion salutation. For formatting the dates and contact information, check out Ch. 2 Cover Letter Format .

To write a great letter, find out who your audience is and tell them, through examples, why you're the best candidate for the position.

Keep things streamlined, concise, and easy to interpret so that the reader can quickly draw information from it.

Clutter may cause your application to be dismissed. Remember, they have a problem and are looking to solve it. Be the solution and you'll have no problem scoring an interview.

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Cover Letter Guide

Ch. 1: What is a Cover Letter?

Ch. 2: Cover Letter Format

Ch. 3: How To Write A Cover Letter

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Nursing Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to land more nursing job offers?

Crafting a strong cover letter is key. This comprehensive guide is packed with everything you need to know in order to write a job-winning nursing cover letter , complete with effective strategies, essential skills, helpful templates, and real-life examples.

You can trust that all the insights and tips in this guide are based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers, just like you, who have gone on to secure positions at some of the world's most reputable companies.

Whether you're a seasoned nurse or just starting out, reading this guide from start to finish can help you land your dream role. But if you're short on time and looking for specific information, here's a breakdown of what's included:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Nursing Cover Letter
• The Best Skills To Include On A Nursing Cover Letter

How To Address A Nursing Cover Letter

• 3 Nursing Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Nursing Cover Letter Templates

3 tips for writing a job-winning nursing cover letter.

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Nursing Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

What do healthcare centers look for when hiring for a nursing role?

Hospitals and clinics look for nursing candidates with a nursing degree or diploma from an accredited program and a valid nursing license. Certification in a specialty area, such as pediatrics or critical care, may also be preferred.

Nurses should have both technical skills, such as administering medication and using medical equipment, and strong interpersonal skills, such as communication, empathy, and collaboration. They should be adaptable, flexible, able to make quick decisions, and solve problems in complex situations.

Professionalism and ethical standards are also important qualities in nursing roles. Nurses work as part of a larger healthcare team, so employers often look for candidates who are team players and can work effectively with others.

Your resume should show your potential employer that both your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning nursing resume:

• Highlight your experience.  Highlight your nursing experience that is most relevant to the job you are applying for. Focus on clinical skills, procedures, and technologies you are experienced with.
• Emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills.  Provide examples of how you have effectively communicated with patients, family members, and colleagues.
• Include keywords from the job description:  ensure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Highlight your problem-solving and decision-making skills.  Provide examples of how you have addressed complex issues and made effective decisions.
• Include any relevant certifications, awards or professional development courses.  List any nursing certifications, licenses, and professional memberships you hold.
• Quantify your work:  Use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements, such as the number of patients you cared for or the success rate of your treatments.
• Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Nursing Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for the employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more nursing interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Nursing Keywords

The first way to find the right keywords is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a nursing cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of  real nursing  job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Patient Care
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Team Member
• Coordination
• Instruction
• Flexibility
• Certification
• Accountability

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

• Open a copy of your target nursing job description
• Head over to  ResyMatch.io
• Select the “Job Description Scan” from the scan type selector in the upper right corner of the tool
• Copy and paste the nursing job description into the field on the left
• Hit scan and review the results

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant for the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

Here's a video walking through this whole process:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Hiring Manager's Name

The first, and best, is by including the hiring manager's name. Let's say that you discovered the hiring manager's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Organization]

If you don't have the hiring manager's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying to for a Product Marketing Manager role at Discovery Education, you might start you cover letter like this:

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than  “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Nursing Cover Letter Examples For 2023

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds that are all applying for nursing roles:

Nursing Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional nursing experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Nursing Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from a social work background into a nursing role. This cover letter illustrates how they identify and speak to their transferable skills:

Nursing Cover Letter Example #3: Landing A Nurse Practitioner Role

Our third example highlights a candidate with extensive nursing experience who is looking to take a leap in their career and land a Nurse Practitioner role.

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a nursing cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with  our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use ChatGPT To Write Your Cover Letter In <30 Seconds

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

• Head to ChatGPT (you'll need to create an account – it's free)
• Ask ChatGPT,  “Please write me a cover letter for a nursing role. The role I'm applying for is [Job Title] role at [Employer]. Here is the job description: [Paste Job Description]. And here is my resume: [Paste Resume].
• Watch ChatGPT write up a pretty darn good cover letter base!

Here's a video of me doing this with a real cover letter if you want to see the steps in action:

Note:  I  do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste the content from ChatGPT into your cover letter and submit your application. ChatGPT is great for doing 80% of the baseline work, but you still need to review, revise, and personalize the content yourself.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a hiring manager, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible For Monitoring Patient Progress.”

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

• The percentage by which your patients' health improved under your care
• The average reduction in hospital readmissions
• The average parent satisfaction rate
• The rate by which you and your team were able to reduce medical errors

These numbers will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning nursing cover letter:

• Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
• Use  ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each nursing role you apply to
• Start your nursing cover letter with a personalized greeting for the hiring manager or Human Resources representative.
• Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
• Compare the draft of your nursing cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like  Hemingway App to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more nursing interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taking care of, be sure to check out our guide on writing a job-winning Nursing resume (with examples!)

Laura Lorta

Laura is an Editor at Cultivated Culture. She transitioned from teaching into the world of content so she's no stranger to career pivots. She also has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship and a Masters in Curriculum & Instruction / Bilingual Education. She currently shares job search advice to help people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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30 Professional Nurse Cover Letter Examples for 2024

Your nurse cover letter must immediately highlight your dedication to patient care. Showcase your commitment through a personal anecdote or a professional accomplishment. Illustrate your ability to work in high-pressure environments with ease. Demonstrate your expertise with specifics about your clinical skills or special certifications.

All cover letter examples in this guide

Aesthetic Nurse

Agency Nurse

Clinical Nurse

Clinical Research Nurse

Company Nurse

Critical Care Nurse

Dental Nurse

Hemodialysis Nurse

Infection Control Nurse

Medical Surgical Nurse

Nurse Anesthetist

Nurse Practitioner

Occupational Health Nurse

Pediatric Nurse

Perioperative Nurse

Practice Nurse

School Nurse

Staff Nurse

Surgical Nurse

Telemetry Nurse

Travel Nurse

Veterinary Nurse

Cover letter guide.

Nurse Cover Letter Sample

Cover Letter Format

Cover Letter Salutation

Cover Letter Introduction

Cover Letter Body

Cover Letter Closing

No Experience Nurse Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Embarking on your job search, you've swiftly discovered the importance of a well-crafted nurse cover letter, a step that often feels daunting. Beyond your resume, this letter is your chance to narrate your proudest professional achievement in a story that captivates your future employer. While maintaining formality, sidestep the clichés that bury your unique voice, and keep it concise; your powerful, one-page introduction can set the stage for career success. Let's dive in and design a cover letter that stands out.

• Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
• Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
• Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
• Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.

And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your nurse resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.

If the nurse isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:

• Nurse resume guide and example
• Social Work Student cover letter example
• Oral Surgery Assistant cover letter example
• Licensed Practical Nurse cover letter example
• Pacu Nurse cover letter example
• Nicu Nurse cover letter example
• Ob Gyn Medical Assistant cover letter example
• Hemodialysis Nurse cover letter example
• Public Health cover letter example
• Medical Surgical Nurse cover letter example
• Pediatric Nurse cover letter example

Nurse cover letter example

TAYLOR FOSTER

Chicago, IL

+1-(234)-555-1234

[email protected]

• Highlighting specific achievements related to the role, such as reducing infection rates, shows the candidate’s impact on previous organizations and implies potential benefits for the new employer.
• Emphasizing leadership experience and the ability to manage a multidisciplinary team aligns with responsibilities that may be required in a Registered Nurse position at a hospital.
• Illustrating a commitment to patient care and safety helps align the candidate's values with those of the healthcare facility, which is an essential aspect of working in a hospital environment.
• Explicitly stating the willingness to discuss how the candidate's skills and experience can benefit the hospital demonstrates proactive engagement and eagerness to contribute to the institution's mission.

Standard formatting for your nurse cover letter

Structure your nurse cover letter, following industry-leading advice, to include:

• Header - with your name, the role you're applying for, the date, and contact details;
• Greeting - make sure it's personalized to the organization;
• Introduction paragraph - no more than two sentences;
• Body paragraph - answering why you're the best candidate for the role;
• Closing paragraph - ending with a promise or a call to action;
• Signature - now that's optional.

Set up your nurse cover letter for success with our templates that are all single-spaced and have a one-inch margin all around.

Use the same font for your nurse cover as the one in your resume (remember to select a modern, Applicant Tracker System or ATS favorites, like Raleway, Volkhov, or Chivo instead of the worn-out Times New Roman).

Speaking of the ATS, did you know that it doesn't scan or assess your cover letter? This document is solely for the recruiters.

Our builder allows you to export your nurse cover letter in the best format out there: that is, PDF (this format keeps your information intact).

The top sections on a nurse cover letter

• Header : Includes the nurse's contact information, the date, and the employer's contact details; this section sets a professional tone and ensures the recruiter knows who the letter is from and how to get back in touch.
• Greeting : Addresses the hiring manager or recruitment team by name if possible; personalization shows the nurse has done their research and is genuinely interested in the position at that specific healthcare facility.
• Introduction : Briefly introduces the nurse, stating their current role, years of experience, and enthusiasm for the position applied for; this segment hooks the reader and gives a snapshot of the nurse's professional identity.
• Body : Describes the nurse's relevant experience, special skills, accomplishments, and any certifications that are pertinent to the job posting; it provides proof of competence and illustrates how they can contribute to the healthcare team and patient care.
• Closing : Summarizes the nurse’s interest in the role, thanks the reader for considering their application, and includes a call-to-action, such as expressing eagerness to discuss how they can contribute to the facility in an interview; it wraps up the letter with politeness and forward momentum.

Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter

• Clinical skills and technical knowledge: Shows that the candidate is well-prepared to perform necessary medical procedures and provide high-quality patient care.
• Excellent communication skills: Enables effective interaction with patients, families, and the healthcare team, and is crucial for patient education and advocacy.
• Compassion and empathy: Essential for providing patient-centered care and for building trust and rapport with patients undergoing stressful health challenges.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Demonstrates the ability to handle the fast-paced and often unpredictable nature of healthcare environments.
• Attention to detail: Critical for administering medications, updating patient records accurately, and ensuring patient safety.
• Teamwork and collaboration: Vital for working effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams and ensuring cohesive patient care.

Greeting recruiters with your nurse cover letter salutation

What better way to start your conversation with the hiring manager, than by greeting them?

Take the time to find out who the professional, recruiting for the role, is.

Search on LinkedIn, the company website. And for those still keen on making a fantastic first impression, you could even contact the organization, asking for the recruiter's name and more details about the job.

Address recruiters in the nurse greeting by either their first name or last name. (e.g. "Dear Anthony" or "Dear Ms. Smarts").

If you're unable to discover the recruiter's name - don't go for the impersonal "To whom it may concern", but instead use "Dear HR team".

List of salutations you can use

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear [Employer's Name],
• Dear [Department] Team,
• Dear [Title] [Last Name],
• Dear [Job Title] Hiring Committee,

Get creative with your nurse cover letter introduction

Recruiters are going to assess plenty of candidate profiles for the role. Thus, anything you do to stand out will win you brownie points.

Use your nurse cover letter introduction to share something memorable about your experience .

But before you go down the rabbit hole of creativity and humor, align your message with the company culture.

For example, if you are applying for a role in some startup, use those first two sentences to tell a funny story (about your experience) to quickly connect with the recruiter.

What to write in the body of your nurse cover letter

Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your nurse cover letter.

It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs . This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.

Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your nurse resume.

Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.

But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.

Select your achievement that:

• covers job-crucial skills;
• can be measured with tangible metrics;
• shows you in the best light.

Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.

Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action

You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your nurse cover letter .

But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?

Most nurse professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.

Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).

Choose to close your nurse cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.

Keep this in mind when writing your zero experience nurse cover letter

Even though you may not have any professional experience , your nurse cover letter should focus on your value.

As a candidate for the particular role, what sort of skills do you bring about? Perhaps you're an apt leader and communicator, or have the ability to analyze situations from different perspectives.

Select one key achievement from your life, outside work, and narrate a story that sells your abilities in the best light.

If you really can't think of any relevant success, you could also paint the picture of how you see your professional future developing in the next five years, as part of the company.

Key takeaways

Winning recruiters over shouldn't be difficult if you use your nurse cover letter to tell a story that:

• Is personalized by greeting your readers and focusing on key job skills greets;
• Isn't spread all over the place, but instead focuses on one key achievement and selling your value as a professional;
• Introduces your enthusiasm for the role, passion for the job, or creativity in communication;
• Is also visually appealing - meeting the best HR practices;
• Ends with a nod to the future and how you envision your growth, as part of the company.

Nurse cover letter examples

Explore additional nurse cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Cover letter examples by industry

AI cover letter writer, powered by ChatGPT

Enhancv harnesses the capabilities of ChatGPT to provide a streamlined interface designed specifically focused on composing a compelling cover letter without the hassle of thinking about formatting and wording.

• Content tailored to the job posting you're applying for
• ChatGPT model specifically trained by Enhancv
• Lightning-fast responses

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Physician Cover Letters: Why Writing a Good One Is As Important As Ever

Career resources content posted on NEJM CareerCenter is produced by freelance health care writers as an advertising service of NEJM Group, a division of the Massachusetts Medical Society and should not be construed as coming from, or representing the views of, the New England Journal of Medicine , NEJM Group, or the Massachusetts Medical Society

Physicians seeking a practice opportunity might think of the cover letter as an old-fashioned, generally unimportant component of their application for or expression of interest in a position, but that is not the case. In this digital age of clipped, often rapid-fire communications, the cover letter has become more important than ever because it offers a way to differentiate the physician from other candidates. It provides a vehicle for sharing personal and professional information that might be important to prospective employers but doesn’t quite fit in the CV. The cover letter should be brief, well written, professional and positive in tone, and absolutely error-free. It should also give the recipient the sense that the physician has researched the opportunity or organization before writing the letter.

By Bonnie Darves

When a physician encounters the seemingly perfect practice opportunity — with a mid-sized group in their hometown that is affiliated with a health system that has an excellent reputation — it’s tempting to quickly compose the requested cover letter to accompany her CV and send it off.

Yes, it is smart to express interest in a desirable position as soon as possible, but it’s not prudent to view the cover letter as a mere formality. Today, when so much communication between physicians and recruiters or prospective employers is electronic — in either brief email responses or via online forms — the cover letter has become increasingly important. Here’s why: The carefully crafted letter offers an opportunity to differentiate the resident or fellow from other physicians who respond, and a chance to demonstrate highly personalized interest in the position.

“The cover letter’s value is certainly not decreasing in the digital age. Because it is usually the second contact physicians have with an organization, it is very important,” said James Tysinger, PhD, vice chair for professional development in the University of Texas Health Science Center department of family and community medicine in San Antonio. “It is your opportunity to include something about who you are, and to provide information that won’t be in your CV about why the position and the geographic location interest you.” For the resident seeking a fellowship, the letter is the ideal vehicle to convey to the program director that the physician has researched the program’s focus and reputation, he added.

Longtime recruiter Regina Levison, president of the national firm Levison Search Associates, agrees that the geographic preference statement is a vital piece of information that should appear early in the letter. “The geographic ‘connection’ to the opportunity’s location is the most important message you can include — whether it’s because you grew up there, have relatives in the region, or simply have always dreamed of living or working there,” Ms. Levison said. “Health care organizations today are not just recruiting to fill a specific opportunity; they are recruiting for retention.” As the health care delivery system changes to incorporate accountable care organizations and quality focused reimbursement, organizations are seeking physicians who will “stay around” to help meet long-term organizational objectives.

Craig Fowler, president of the National Association of Physician Recruiters (NAPR), and vice president of recruiting and training for Pinnacle Health Group in Atlanta, urges residents to include at least an introductory cover letter or note with their CV, even when it’s not requested. In his experience, 8 out of 10 physicians who express initial interest in a position don’t take the effort to write a letter unless asked.

“The cover letter really is a differentiator, and even though a recruiter will always look at your CV first, the letter is nice to have. I often feel that it gives me a sense of the physician — a good letter can make the physician come to life,” Mr. Fowler said. He enjoys, for example, learning about the physician’s personal interests and family, in addition to what he seeks in a practice opportunity.

Peter Cebulka, director of recruiting development for the national firm Merritt Hawkins, agrees that the cover letter can provide information that isn’t appropriate in a CV but could be important to a hiring organization. “The letter gives you a chance to talk about your professional goals, or why you’re committed to a particular area or practice setting,” Mr. Cebulka said. It can also highlight something compelling about the physician’s residency program that the recipient might not know.

If there are gaps in the CV that are not sensitive in nature, and therefore don’t require a phone conversation, that information should be included in the letter. “It’s important to briefly explain gaps because your application might be passed over if you don’t,” Mr. Fowler said.

Jim Stone, co-founder and president of The Medicus Firm, a national physician search company, offers helpful guidance on incorporating a career objective in the cover letter. “You may want to include a career objective or job search goals, but be careful not to be too specific or you may rule yourself out of consideration,” he advised. “Therefore, if there is one goal that really sums up your search, or some objective that is a must-have for you under any circumstances, it would be okay to include that.”

On another note, Mr. Stone urges physicians to include brief examples of any soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, technological aptitude, leadership, or problem solving.

Format and structure: short and targeted works While there are no rules per se about a cover letter’s length or content, there are general guidelines for what works best and is likely to be well received. (See “Cover letters: What to do, what to avoid” section at the end of this article.) Dr. Tysinger, who counsels residents and practicing physicians on preparing CVs and cover letters, and frequently presents on the topic, recommends a single-page, three-paragraph format delivered in a professional, business letter layout, in simple language. Following is his basic guidance on the letter’s structure:

• First paragraph: Introduce yourself and state why you are writing — whether that is to be considered for a specific position, to express general interest in joining the organization, or the recommendation of a colleague.
• Second paragraph: Provide brief details about yourself and why you are interested in the opportunity and the location. Note any professional connections to the opportunity or organization, and any special skills or interests, such as management or teaching.
• Third paragraph: Thank the recipient for the opportunity to apply and for reviewing your CV, and end the letter with a statement indicating that you look forward to hearing from the recipient soon.

Other sources agreed that cover letters should not exceed one page, unless special circumstances dictate an extra paragraph or two. In that case, a two-page letter is acceptable. Ms. Levison advised briefly summarizing education and training in the second paragraph, and if it’s the physician’s first opportunity search, stating briefly why he became a physician.

It’s best to avoid going into extensive detail about personal interests or extracurricular pursuits. That could give the recipient the impression that the physician is more concerned about lifestyle than medical practice.

Professional tone, error-free content are musts It should go without saying that the cover letter must be professionally written and free of spelling or grammatical errors, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. All of the recruiters interviewed for this article have received cover letters that are poorly written or, in some cases, replete with misspellings; all agreed that an error-riddled letter could prevent its writer from being considered for an opportunity regardless of her or his qualifications.

Of course, word processing programs include spell-checkers and, usually, some grammar-checking functionality. That’s helpful, but it isn’t sufficient vetting to ensure the letter is in excellent shape. Because of the letter’s potential importance, physicians should have several trusted individuals — on the professional and personal side — review the document, including a professional editor, if warranted. “If writing isn’t your strong suit, or English isn’t your first language, do get professional advice before you finalize the letter,” Mr. Cebulka recommends.

Ms. Levinson offers pointed advice regarding double-checking for errors. “Are there any typos or mistakes that would make the new organization question your ability to keep accurate records?” she said. It’s worth noting that some recruiting firms offer assistance with cover letter writing, but it’s best not to count on that service.

Striking the right tone in the cover letter can be somewhat challenging when the resident doesn’t have a good sense of the organization offering the opportunity. Some hospitals or groups are very formal, and therefore expect to receive formal communication. Others might be somewhat casual, from the standpoint of their culture, and therefore less inclined to bring in a physician who comes across as stiff, even if she isn’t. For these reasons, it’s smart to research the hiring entity to the extent possible before finishing the letter. The group’s website or the health system’s physician portal are good starting places to gauge the culture, but a discussion with a physician who practices there, happily, also can be helpful.

Ideally, the letter’s tone should be professional but friendly, and should sound like its writer, and not like a cookie-cutter form letter. “The letter should be professional and warm, and the tone should also reflect how you would communicate with patients and staff,” Ms. Levison said.

“A little colloquialism is OK, if it shows your personality,” Mr. Fowler maintains, provided the overall tone remains professional.

The sources concurred that the cover letter is not the forum for including a laundry list of the physician’s position parameters, or for negotiating compensation or other potential contract terms. Physicians in a highly recruited specialty might mention required equipment or infrastructure, if the lack of those items would preclude further discussion. But for the most part, those specifics should be left for an on-site interview.

“If the parameter is a potential deal-breaker, you can mention it, but avoid sounding inflexible,” Mr. Cebulka advised. That means not setting limits on the amount of call, or number of night shifts or weekends, for example. Those details can be discussed and possibly negotiated later.

Very important parameters should, however, be provided to the recruiter outside the context of the cover letter if such detail is requested. That’s especially important if the recruiter will introduce the physician to multiple opportunities.

“If you’re in a highly recruited specialty, there will be plenty of opportunities. But it’s helpful for recruiters to know what you’re absolutely looking for, so that you don’t waste your time or theirs,” Mr. Cebulka said.

Cover letters: What to do, what to avoid The sources who contributed to this article offered these additional tips on what physicians should do, or not do, when they craft their cover letters.

• Address the cover letter to an individual physician, practice administrator, recruiter, or other individual as the situation warrants, and not “to whom it may concern.”
• Be upbeat and positive. Ensure that the letter’s tone reflects your excitement about medicine, and that it reflects the way you would speak in an in-person interview.
• Include letters of reference with the cover letter if you’re looking for a fellowship or are formally applying for a specific position.
• Close the letter with a call to action if it’s an ideal opportunity (and likely a popular one). Let the recipient know that you will call in a few days to follow up, and indicate when you would be available to meet in person. It doesn’t hurt to state the best ways to reach you.
• Don’t sound desperate or beg for the job, even if it’s the perfect opportunity or you are worried about securing a position.
• Steer clear of “selling” yourself or making claims about why you would be the absolute best candidate. Instead, let your credentials and references make the case for you.
• Avoid sarcasm in any context, and generally steer clear of humor, unless you know the person to whom the letter is addressed very well.
• Don’t disparage individuals, programs, or institutions if you have had a negative experience somewhere — regardless of the reason.

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