Med-Surg Nurse Cover Letter Writing Tips and Sample

Working on a med-surg unit is a crucial stepping stone to many other nursing specialties. With that in mind, it’s understandable for you to want to gain experience on one of these floors at some point in your nursing career. Your med-surg nurse cover letter is key to landing one of these jobs. Let’s explore some advice on how to make your cover letter stand out and a sample for you to see our tips in action.

Engage With Emotion

Emotions and emotional health are just as important as physical health. Show your future employer you’re able to successfully navigate this aspect of life. Also, finding a way to tug at their heart strings can make you and your story more memorable. Below are some examples of how to do this:

• Describe a specific nursing experience that had a deep emotional impact on you.
• Mention the importance of emotional health and why it’s a priority.
• Share some of your coping mechanisms that help you do your job in the face of stressors.

Prioritize Qualitative Information

Your med-surg resume details the quantitative points of your career, and your cover letter fleshes out that information to provide a whole picture of you as a person. Describe the “why” and “how” behind the “what.” Explore the aspects of yourself you don’t get to elaborate upon in your resume. Here are some tips:

• Highlight your soft skills.
• Describe how you leverage your hard skills, like assessments and medication knowledge.
• Elaborate on your personality and what it would be like to have you as a coworker.

Highlight the Merits of Your Prospective Employer

You could have chosen to work at many other places, but you chose this facility. Why? Sharing your reasons for working at this specific employer shows you take your career seriously, and that you think critically about important decisions. Both of these traits are valuable in the workplace. Check out these examples:

• Mention employee and patient reviews.
• Explain how the company’s values align with your own.
• Mention any awards they’ve won, and why they’re important to you.

Med-Surg Nurse Cover Letter Sample

Below is a cover letter sample for a new grad nurse. Do you already have nursing experience? Check out our other nursing cover letters for even more inspiration.

Hermione Lovegood, RN

111 Ravenclaw Road

Severus, NH 03073

555-555-5555

firstlast@email.com / linkedin.com/hermionelovegood

[date]
John Lupin
798 Slytherin Circle
Diagon, NH 03073

Dear Mr. Lupin,

I am an assertive and compassionate nurse who upholds integrity, clear communication, and the value of evidence-based practice. Hufflepuff Hospital is at the forefront of nursing research, which shows how your facility is helping to advance the entire healthcare industry. Your consistent positive reviews from both patients and staff show me that you maintain a healthy work environment that facilitates patient satisfaction. I would be honored to be a part of your amazing team.

Many of the reasons I chose my nursing program align with why I’d like to work with you — each organization is committed to research and success. I’m grateful to say that my nursing program has provided a well-rounded foundation on how the human body works, how it’s impacted by its environment, and where the healthcare industry fits in that puzzle. I was exposed to ways of thought and living that both challenged and broadened my perspective. I developed critical thinking skills that helped me find the balance between parsing through minute details, and fitting them into a larger picture.

Everything I learned came together during my clinical rotations, especially on med-surg units. Although I learned important aspects of nursing in each specialty, the two times I was placed on a med-surg unit — at Minerva Community Hospital and Phoenix Health Center — I experienced how the specialties overlap. Most importantly, I witnessed how it was often difficult for patients to juggle the many ways in which their mental and physical health affect each other and how acute illnesses can interfere with chronic conditions. It’s a lot to handle. My time with them helped me develop a level of empathy which shed light on the reasons behind some of their difficult behaviors.

As a result of this, and with the help of the many kind nurses to whom I was assigned, I also learned how to manage my own emotions and responses. I’ve gained strategies for remaining professional during tense moments and setting aside a few minutes of the day to process my experiences. I learned the importance of prioritizing my mental health while not at work to avoid being overwhelmed by the sadness I witnessed during my clinical rotations. Despite the challenges, it was all worthwhile. I’ve grown as a new nurse, and as a person.

I’d be happy to elaborate on my experiences and what I have to offer during an interview. I appreciate you for your time, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Hermione Lovegood, RN

Med-Surg Nurse Salary

The average salary for med-surg nurses is 106,902. However, your salary can vary based upon your years of experience, location, and the specific facility.

Looking to relocate to a state with higher earning potential? The highest paying states for nurses are:

1. California
2. Hawaii
3. Oregon
4. Washington
5. Alaska

Improve Your Med-Surg Nurse Cover Letter Today

Ready to apply this advice to your cover letter? Once you do, put it to good use as you explore the many exciting med-surg nursing job opportunities on IntelyCare.