Crafting a compelling agency nurse cover letter can be a stumbling block in your job search journey. You've updated your resume and started applying, only to realize a persuasive cover letter is required, yet it must not simply echo your resume. Instead, it’s your chance to showcase a defining professional triumph in a narrative that captivates, free of overused phrases. Remember, brevity is key—your story should unfold on just one page, engaging and succinct. Let's dive into how to make your cover letter stand out while keeping it to the point.
- Personalize the greeting to address the recruiter and your introduction that fits the role;
- Follow good examples for individual roles and industries from job-winning cover letters;
- Decide on your most noteworthy achievement to stand out;
- Format, download, and submit your agency nurse cover letter, following the best HR practices.
Use the power of Enhancv's AI: drag and drop your agency nurse resume, which will swiftly be converted into your job-winning cover letter.
If the agency nurse isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Agency Nurse cover letter example
Liam Johnson
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Highlighting measurable achievements, such as the "20% reduction in readmission rates" and the "25% decrease in emergency interventions," provides concrete evidence of the candidate's ability to effectively contribute and implement successful strategies in psychiatric care.
- Discussing the leadership experience in developing and managing a program, like the "behavioral health counseling project," demonstrates the candidate's initiative and the capacity to handle responsibilities that go beyond direct patient care.
- Expressing knowledge of and alignment with the potential employer’s mission and values, shows the candidate has done their research and is genuinely interested in the organization, enhancing the prospect of cultural fit.
- Mentioning specific skills and adaptations of treatment strategies tailored to "dual-diagnosis clients" showcases the candidate's expertise in handling complex patient needs, which is crucial in psychiatric nursing.
Five tips on formatting your agency nurse cover letter
Do you want to make a good impression on recruiters and, at the same time, follow the best industry advice on writing your agency nurse cover letter?
Make sure to include the following:
- Header and Salutation;
- Introductory paragraph;
- Body paragraph;
- Closing paragraph;
- Signature (this one is up to you).
Remember to use the same modern, simple font for your agency nurse cover letter as you did for your resume (e.g. Lato, Rubik, etc.)
Ensure your agency nurse cover letter is single-spaced and is wrapped around a one-inch margin, like in our cover letter templates.
Once completed, use our cover letter builder to export your agency nurse cover letter in the best format to keep your information intact - PDF.
At the end of the day, your agency nurse cover letter won't be assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) software, but by the recruiters. Your information should thus be legible, organized, and follow a structured logic.
The top sections on a agency nurse cover letter
Header: Includes the nurse's contact information, the date, and the employer's contact details, making it easy for the hiring manager to know who is applying and how to respond back.
Greeting: Personalizes the cover letter by addressing the recruiter or hiring manager by name if possible, showing the candidate's attentiveness to details.
Introduction: Briefly introduces the nurse, highlights their interest in the agency, and mentions any referrals or connections, demonstrating engagement and eagerness to join the team.
Body: Expands on the nurse's qualifications, experiences in various healthcare settings, and their adaptability, which are crucial for an agency nursing role due to the diverse working environments they will encounter.
Closing: Indicates the nurse's enthusiasm for an interview, includes a statement of gratitude for the recruiter's time, and reiterates their readiness to contribute to the agency with their skills and experience.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Clinical competence and strong nursing skills: Recruiters prioritize candidates who demonstrate a thorough understanding of nursing procedures, patient care, and medical protocols to ensure high-quality care is provided to patients.
- Flexibility and adaptability: Agency nurses must be able to adjust to new environments, protocols, and teams quickly, as they are often placed in different healthcare settings on a short-term basis.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills: Effective communication with healthcare team members, patients, and families is crucial for ensuring continuity of care and addressing any concerns or needs that may arise.
- Time management and organizational abilities: Agency nurses should be able to manage their time efficiently and prioritize tasks effectively in potentially fast-paced and dynamic healthcare settings.
- Reliability and punctuality: Given the temporary nature of agency work, recruiters look for nurses who have a reputation for being dependable, arriving on time, and fulfilling their shifts consistently.
- Experience in diverse nursing specialties: Having experience in various nursing departments or specialties makes an agency nurse more versatile and valuable to a staffing agency, as they can be assigned to a wider range of placements.
How to start your agency nurse cover letter: with a greeting, of course
Have you ever considered just how powerful a personalized salutation can be?
We sure have news for you! Your agency nurse cover letter should start with the right salutation to recruiters, nurturing a sense of respect and individuality.
Greet recruiters by using their first name (e.g. "Dear Tom" or "Dear Patricia") if you've previously established contact with them.
Otherwise, opt out for the less familiar, "Dear Ms. Peaches" or "Dear Ms Kelsey", if you've found the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or a corporate website.
"To whom it may concern" is never a good option, as it creates a sense that you've been sending out your agency nurse cover letter to anyone. Instead, use "Dear HR team" or "Dear (company name) recruiter" for a feeling of exclusivity.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Department] Team,
- Dear [Specific Title such as Director of Nursing],
- Dear [Full Name],
- Dear Dr. [Last Name],
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
Your agency nurse cover letter introduction and the value you bring
Moving on from the "Dear Recruiter" to your professional introduction.
Use those first two sentences of your agency nurse cover letter to present the biggest asset you'd bring to the organization.
Don't go into too much detail about your achievement or the skill set, but instead - go straight for the win.
That is - what is your value as a professional?
Would you be able to build stronger, professional relationships in any type of communication? Or, potentially, integrate seamlessly into the team?
The middle or body of your agency nurse cover letter body: a great instrument to tell a story
Now that you've set the right tone with the greeting and introduction of your agency nurse cover letter, it's time to get down to business.
Hear us out, the body of your agency nurse cover letter is the best storytelling instrument you have, in your job-hunting arsenal.
Writing the next three to six paragraphs, take the time to reassess the advert to discover job-crucial requirements.
Next, choose one accomplishment that covers those key skills and talents.
Use precisely that achievement to tell an exciting story of how you match the ideal candidate profile.
In the undertones of your story or agency nurse cover letter body, hint at the difference you'd make and sell your application as the perfect one for the job.
Final words: writing your agency nurse cover letter closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your agency nurse cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression.
Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:
- how you see yourself growing into the role;
- the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.
Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).
If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your agency nurse cover letter with a follow-up request.
You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.
Agency Nurse cover letter advice for candidates with no experience
If you're worried about writing your Agency Nurse cover letter and have no professional experience, we sure have some advice for you.
Turn recruiters' attention to your transferable or relevant skills gained thanks to your life and work experience.
Instead of writing about past jobs, focus on one achievement (whether from your volunteering experience, education, etc.) and the skills it has helped you build.
Alternatively, you could focus your Agency Nurse cover letter on your career objectives and goals. Always remember to make those relevant to the job you're applying for by detailing how you see yourself growing as part of the company.
Recruiters would be way more impressed with candidates who fit the job profile and can bring about plenty of skills and vision to the table.
Key takeaways
Writing your agency nurse cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:
- Select a agency nurse cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
- Make your agency nurse cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
- Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
- Use your agency nurse cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
- If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your agency nurse cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.
