Nursing Student Cover Letter Writing Tips and Sample

Congratulations — you’ve made it to the end of nursing school and you’re ready to start applying for nursing jobs. It’s normal to feel nervous during the job application process as a nursing student because other candidates may have more experience.

This is where learning to write an awesome nursing student cover letter can help set you apart from your competition. A cover letter is a document you send to a hiring manager, along with your nursing student resume. It highlights your skills, experience, and showcases your passion and excitement for the job.

Why is a nursing student cover letter so important? It’s the first impression you give the hiring staff before you score an interview. It helps give the hiring manager a reason to look at your resume and application.

Be sure to do the following in your cover letter:

• Stand out: The hiring manager knows that you attended nursing school and completed clinical rotations. What makes you different?
• Mirror the job posting: Make your words match the job posting. Are they hiring a pediatric nurse? Describe your passion for pediatric nursing, not children or teens.
• Tell your why: Share your story. What brought you to nursing? Why are you passionate about this specialty of nursing?

Below is an example of a student nurse cover letter that illustrates how this advice might look in practice.

Sample Cover Letter for a Nursing Student

Nancy Jones
ABC Nursing Student Drive
San Jose, CA 94088
555-555-5555
firstlast@email.com / linkedin.com/nancynurse

[date]

Emily Thomas
123 Hospital Lane
San Jose, CA 94088

Dear Ms. Thomas,

From the moment I entered the emergency department as a volunteer medic at Flores Hospital in Guatemala, I knew that emergency nursing was the career for me. This was solidified during my clinical rotations in the emergency room at San Jose Hospital. I loved the fast-paced environment, the diversity of nursing skills and knowledge, and the critical thinking required.

I was excited to see the job posting for an emergency department nurse at San Jose Hospital. My experiences of working as a medical scribe at Sunny Villa Hospital familiarized me with medical terminology, common diagnoses and their treatments, and EPIC electronic charting systems. In that role, my communication skills with physicians and other healthcare team members were defined and strengthened. I am positive that these experiences will make me an excellent fit for this position.

During my clinical rotations, I was praised for my time-management skills, bedside manner, and attention to detail. My leadership skills were recognized in 20XX with the SNA Leadership award. I am confident that these qualities will continue to develop throughout my nursing career.

I am eager to connect with you and discuss how my skills, experiences, and interests can be an asset to your team. You can contact me at 555-555-5555 any weekday after 9:00 a.m. I look forward to chatting with you.

All the best,

Nancy Jones

What Salary Can a Nursing Student Expect?

Nursing students can begin applying for nursing jobs, but cannot begin working as a registered nurse before they’ve graduated nursing school.

The Bureau for Labor Statistics does not distinguish between salaries for new nurses and experienced nurses. Like other professions, those with experience and advanced degrees can expect a higher salary, while those with limited experience can expect a lower one.

The average salary for a registered nurse is $94,480 per year. Your exact salary may vary depending on location, facility, degree, and specialty. In terms of where the jobs are, these metro areas have high levels of employment for RNs:

• New York City
• Los Angeles
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Philadelphia

Put Your Nursing Student Cover Letter to Use

How will you put your nursing student cover letter to use? Need some inspiration finding the best job for you? Check out the great student nurse jobs available on IntelyCare and apply today.