You're ready to apply for your dream medical surgical nurse position, and suddenly you hit a roadblock: the cover letter. Unlike your resume, this isn't just a list of qualifications—it's your chance to tell a compelling story about your proudest professional achievement. Striking the perfect balance between formal tone and originality, while avoiding clichés and keeping it to one page, can be daunting. In this guide, we'll navigate these challenges and craft a cover letter that stands out.
- Step your best foot forward in the medical surgical nurse cover letter introduction;
- Be inspired by other professionals' certified cover letters;
- Structure your medical surgical nurse cover letter to feature what matters most;
- Close off your medical surgical nurse cover letter to make a memorable impression on recruiters.
But where to start writing? Upload your resume into Enhancv's AI, which will prepare your medical surgical nurse cover letter (all you need to do is personalize it, and you'll be good to go).
If the medical surgical 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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Medical surgical nurse cover letter example
Hazel Clark
Columbus, Ohio
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Demonstrating a track record of innovation in nursing practices can set a candidate apart, as seen with the mention of spearheading a medication administration process improvement.
- Emphasizing measurable achievements such as compliance rates or project outcomes offers concrete evidence of a candidate's capabilities in a nursing role.
- Expressing a willingness to collaborate and contribute to team goals aligns with the collaborative nature of nursing and signals a positive team-oriented mindset.
- Offering to discuss alignment with the organization's goals in an interview shows proactivity and engagement with the potential employer's mission and vision.
Structuring and formatting your medical surgical nurse cover letter
Here's what the structure of your medical surgical nurse cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your medical surgical nurse resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your medical surgical nurse cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your medical surgical nurse cover letter.
The top sections on a medical surgical nurse cover letter
Header: This includes your contact information, the date, and the employer’s contact information. Including a professional header in your cover letter is key because it ensures the recruiter can easily identify you and provides a means for them to reach out for an interview.
Greeting: Address the hiring manager or recruitment team by name if possible. A personalized greeting is important in a cover letter as it shows that you have taken the time to research the hospital or medical facility and it sets a respectful, professional tone for your application.
Introduction: Briefly state your nursing credentials, your experience in medical-surgical settings, and why you are interested in this specific role. The introduction should grab the reader's attention and provide a snapshot of your qualifications unique to medical-surgical nursing to encourage further reading.
Body: Highlight specific experiences where you've effectively managed patient care, collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, and demonstrated proficiency in medical-surgical procedures or technology. This section is crucial for showcasing your hands-on experience and emphasizing your competence in areas critical to the medical-surgical nurse role.
Closing: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the position, include a statement about looking forward to the opportunity to discuss how you can contribute to their team, and thank the reader for considering your application. A confident and courteous closing reinforces your interest in the medical-surgical nurse position and leaves a professional impression.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strong clinical skills with the ability to perform various surgical procedures and operate medical equipment, demonstrating technical proficiency relevant to surgical care.
- Excellent ability to prioritize and manage multiple patient care responsibilities simultaneously, reflecting the fast-paced nature of the medical-surgical environment.
- In-depth knowledge of infection control protocols and aseptic techniques, critical in preventing postoperative infections and ensuring patient safety.
- Compassionate patient care and superb bedside manner to comfort and communicate with patients before and after surgery, aiding in their recovery process.
- Effective collaboration with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals to coordinate care and contribute to successful surgical outcomes.
- Resilience and stress management skills to maintain composure and high-quality care in high-stress situations and during long shifts, which are common in surgical settings.
Greeting recruiters with your medical surgical 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 medical surgical 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 Director of Nursing,
- Dear [Hospital or Clinic Name] Recruitment Team,
- Dear [Specific Name],
- Dear Human Resources,
- Dear Members of the Selection Committee,
How to start your medical surgical nurse cover letter introduction
The opening paragraph of your medical surgical nurse cover letter can seem like a real enigma.
Where do you start writing?
In your medical surgical nurse cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:
- gets you motivated and excited about the role;
- you like best about the company, from culture to awards.
Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Structuring your medical surgical nurse cover letter body to add more value
You've hinted at your value as a professional (this may be your passion for the job or interest in the company) in your introduction.
Next, it's time to pan out the body or middle of your medical surgical nurse cover letter.
When creating your resume, you've probably gone over the advert a million times to select the most relevant skills.
Well, it's time to repeat this activity. Or just copy and paste your previous list of job-crucial requirements.
Then, select one of your past accomplishments, which is relevant and would impress hiring managers.
Write between three and six paragraphs to focus on the value your professional achievement would bring to your potential, new organization.
Tell a story around your success that ultimately shows off your real value as a professional.
Final words: writing your medical surgical nurse cover letter closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your medical surgical 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 medical surgical 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.
No experience medical surgical nurse cover letter: making the most out of your profile
Candidates who happen to have no professional experience use their medical surgical nurse cover letter to stand out.
Instead of focusing on a professional achievement, aim to quantify all the relevant, transferrable skills from your life experience.
Once again, the best practice to do so would be to select an accomplishment - from your whole career history.
Another option would be to plan out your career goals and objectives: how do you see yourself growing, as a professional, in the next five years, thanks to this opportunity?
Be precise and concise about your dreams, and align them with the company vision.
Key takeaways
Winning recruiters over shouldn't be difficult if you use your medical surgical 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.
