Writing a strong cover letter requires close attention to detail, from the tone of voice to avoiding those pesky spelling or grammar mistakes.
Overlooking similar small details can weaken your application.
Many candidates also struggle with how to address the letter, often opting for 'Dear Sir or Madam' when they can’t find the correct contact. This can make your cover letter feel impersonal.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to perfect these crucial elements, ensuring your cover letter is polished and professional without relying on clichés.
Cover letter examples for registered nurse
Explore additional registered nurse cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Role
Registered Nurse - Paediatrics
- Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively emphasises the applicant's extensive experience in acute care and leadership roles, which are critical for a Registered Nurse role focused on improving patient outcomes.
- Certifications & Education: The inclusion of certifications such as the Advanced Life Support Certification and a detailed educational background reinforces the candidate's qualifications and readiness for advanced responsibilities in healthcare settings.
- Impactful Achievements: Highlighting specific achievements, such as improving patient discharge times and reducing infection rates, offers concrete evidence of the candidate's ability to make measurable improvements in healthcare quality and efficiency.
- Leadership & Team Skills: Showcasing leadership by describing initiatives like the development of training programmes and improved communication protocols underlines the candidate's capacity to lead and enhance team performance.
Registered Nurse - Oncology
- Emphasise Specific Experience: Highlight experience tailored to the specific nursing role, such as handling multi-specialty clinics and implementing electronic medical systems, to demonstrate a direct alignment with the position’s needs.
- Quantify Achievements: Use statistics, such as a 30% increase in patient satisfaction or reducing waiting times by 20%, to objectively demonstrate past successes and impact in previous roles.
- Showcase Relevant Education and Training: Include advanced nursing degrees and specialised courses like Advanced Ophthalmology Nursing to underscore a commitment to professional development and expertise in a specific domain.
- Highlight Soft Skills: Detail soft skills important for nursing, such as communication and teamwork, by referencing specific situations like enhancing team efficiency by boosting communication, to illustrate ability to work in diverse healthcare settings.
Registered Nurse - Emergency Room
- Highlight Relevant Experience: This cover letter effectively showcases five years of experience in patient care and emergency support, making it clear to employers that the candidate is seasoned and capable.
- Emphasise Achievements and Outcomes: Mentioning specific achievements such as improving patient recovery rates by 30% through innovative care practices demonstrates the tangible impact the candidate has made in previous roles.
- Cite Relevant Education and Courses: Listing both a foundational BSc degree and a specialised MSc, along with advanced courses related to the role, adds credibility and indicates an ongoing commitment to professional development.
- Showcase Leadership and Team Collaboration Skills: Describing leadership roles, such as mentoring new staff and implementing patient care protocols, highlights the candidate's ability to lead and work collaboratively, which is critical in a veterinary setting.
Registered Nurse - Intensive Care Unit
- Specific Certifications: The cover letter highlights Lucas Adams' completion of the "Advanced Critical Care Practitioner" and "Safe Use of Medicines" courses, demonstrating his commitment to specialised training essential for intensive care settings.
- Relevant Professional Experience: Lucas Adams effectively showcases over 5 years of experience in critical care with quantifiable achievements, such as leading efforts that resulted in a 15% improvement in patient recovery rates, which strengthens his application.
- Key Skills Underlined: The letter emphasises vital skills like "Patient Monitoring," "Medication Administration," and "Interdisciplinary Team Coordination," which are critical for a registered nurse in an intensive care unit.
- Noteworthy Achievements: Highlighting initiatives like the patient safety protocol that reduced ICU incidents by 25% captures the applicant's proactive approach and leadership capabilities in enhancing patient safety and care quality.
Registered Nurse - Operating Room
- Highlight Surgical Expertise: Emphasise experience and skills related to surgical assistance and sterile techniques, which are critical for a Theatre Nurse. Mention experience in high-pressure surgical environments.
- Showcase Leadership and Mentorship: Demonstrate leadership capabilities by highlighting initiatives led, such as quality improvement projects or mentorship roles that enhanced team performance and efficiency.
- Focus on Patient Safety and Care: Illustrate commitment to patient safety and care by detailing involvement in projects reducing infection rates and initiatives increasing patient satisfaction.
- Emphasise Continuing Education and Certifications: Highlight relevant education, courses, and certifications like the Advanced Perioperative Nursing Course and Operating Room Safety Certification that enhance surgical nursing practice.
Registered Nurse - Cardiology
- Highlighting Experience of Clinical Excellence: Emphasising extensive experience as a senior staff nurse with successful implementation of patient discharge processes that reduced readmissions by 15% demonstrates leadership and a proactive approach to patient care.
- Mentioning Achievements and Awards: Including achievements such as the "Patient Satisfaction Leader" award and other accolades in infection control shows recognition for contributions to healthcare improvement.
- Showcasing Skills and Certifications: Skills like nursing supervision, BLS and ACLS certifications, and EHR proficiency are crucial for a registered nurse, portraying a well-rounded professional ready for advanced clinical roles.
- Demonstrating Commitment to Continued Education: Highlighting educational accomplishments such as a Master’s degree in Nursing indicates a commitment to ongoing professional development, essential for career advancement in healthcare.
Registered Nurse - Mental Health
- The candidate effectively highlights their advanced qualifications, including a Master of Science in Mental Health Nursing, which reinforces their expertise and suitability for a specialised mental health nurse role.
- Emphasises achievements such as improving patient care efficiency and reducing readmission rates, demonstrating a proactive approach to role-specific challenges.
- Draws attention to specialised training, such as Positive Behaviour Support and Advanced Relapse Prevention Strategies, showcasing commitment to continuous professional development in mental health care.
- Skills like Person-Centred Care and Evidence-Based Practice are highlighted, aligning directly with the values and requirements of a mental health nursing role.
Registered Nurse - Geriatrics
- Highlight Specific Achievements: The cover letter effectively showcases Sophia's accomplishments, such as the 95% client satisfaction rate and the development of new health programmes, emphasising her impact in previous roles and potential value to future employers.
- Underscore Relevant Experience: By detailing her experience across different veterinary practices, Sophia demonstrates both her extensive knowledge and adaptive skills in small animal care, essential for a veterinary nurse role.
- Emphasise Leadership and Training Abilities: Her experience in training and mentoring student veterinary nurses highlights her ability to lead and nurture talent, a valuable asset in veterinary care environments.
- Focus on Continual Improvement: Sophia's commitment to continuous improvement and professional development, as evidenced by her advanced studies and achievements, underscores her dedication to maintaining high standards in veterinary care.
Registered Nurse - Home Health
- Highlighting of Experience in Acute Settings: The cover letter effectively underscores the candidate's extensive experience working in acute healthcare environments, which is crucial for a Registered General Nurse specialising in acute settings.
- Demonstration of Improved Patient Outcomes: Emphasising a proven track record of enhancing patient outcomes by 25% showcases the candidate's capability in making impactful decisions and collaborating effectively with healthcare teams.
- Implementation of New Protocols: Mentioning the successful introduction of a new patient assessment protocol that reduced diagnostic errors illustrates the candidate's proactive approach and focus on improving clinical accuracy and efficiency.
- Commitment to Continuous Learning and Education: Including courses such as "Advanced Patient Assessment Techniques" highlights the candidate's dedication to professional growth and staying current with best practices in nursing.
Registered Nurse - Hospice Care
- Highlighting Specialised Training and Education: Emphasise specialised courses such as the "Advanced Pain Management Techniques" from the Royal College of Nursing, which is pertinent to the role in palliative care.
- Demonstrating Impact through Quantifiable Achievements: The cover letter effectively uses statistics and figures, such as a "25% reduction in patient-reported pain levels" and a "15% decrease in readmission rates," to showcase the candidate's ability to drive tangible improvements in care.
- Showcasing Leadership and Development: Highlight leadership roles and mentorship experience, like leading a team to improve care satisfaction scores by 20% and mentoring nurses with a 100% pass rate, which shows readiness for higher responsibilities.
- Integrated Community Involvement: Mention of community engagement through activities and programmes, like spearheading a community health outreach program, adds value by demonstrating the candidate's commitment to extending care beyond the clinical setting.
Registered Nurse - Rehabilitation
- Emphasise leadership and team management abilities, as demonstrated by the role of Senior Community Nurse where you led a team and introduced new triage protocols.
- Highlight achievements that show tangible outcomes, such as the 20% reduction in hospital readmissions, showcasing both effectiveness and impact in community care.
- Underscore expertise in clinical skills, including conducting nursing assessments and managing catheter clinics, relevant for roles focusing on community health and patient management.
- Mention education and additional training that align with the role, such as the Master of Nursing and the Leadership in Healthcare course, to demonstrate commitment to professional development and leadership capacity in nursing.
Registered Nurse - School Nurse
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively underscores Leo Brown's role at the NHS, where achievements such as leading interdisciplinary teams and streamlining health records underscore their capability and leadership in child health services.
- Emphasising Certifications and Courses: Mentioning certifications such as 'Immunisation and Vaccination Management' from Public Health England highlights Leo's expertise and commitment to specialised skills necessary for public health roles.
- Showcasing Proven Impact: The letter details quantifiable successes, such as achieving vaccination rates above 90% and improving child health outcomes by 40%, clearly demonstrating Leo's effectiveness and impact in previous roles.
- Articulating Soft Skills and Collaboration: Emphasising interdisciplinary collaboration and team leadership skills indicates Leo's ability to work well in diverse health settings, an essential trait for healthcare professionals.
Registered Nurse - Occupational Health
- Highlighted Specialised Skills: Chloe Bell has effectively showcased her expertise in occupational health through specific skills such as health assessments, immunisation programmes, and blood-borne virus management, all of which are crucial for the role of a Registered Nurse in occupational health settings.
- Emphasised Achievements and Impact: The cover letter successfully emphasizes the impact of her achievements by providing metrics, such as a 30% improvement in placement efficiency and a 25% reduction in workplace absences, demonstrating her ability to positively influence organisational outcomes.
- Relevant Certifications: The inclusion of SEQOHS Standards Training and Advanced Immunisation Strategies certification reinforces her commitment to maintaining industry standards and enhancing her occupational health practice.
- Passion and Continued Learning: Chloe's dedication to occupational health advocacy, cultural exploration, and continuous education conveys her passion for the field and eagerness to develop professionally, which is appealing to potential employers.
Registered Nurse - Community Health
- Highlighting Specific Experience: The cover letter effectively showcases Poppy's experience in leading and improving health visitor services, which is critical for the role of Health Visitor and Early Years Support.
- Emphasising Relevant Skills: Skills such as safeguarding, infant feeding, and family health planning are prominently mentioned, aligning perfectly with the job's requirements.
- Demonstrating Research and Impact: Poppy's contribution to research studies and policy changes demonstrates a broader impact in the field, a valuable aspect for potential employers in healthcare.
- Certifications and Courses: The inclusion of specific certifications, like Advanced Safeguarding and Infant Feeding, adds credibility to her expertise and commitment to the specialisation.
Registered Nurse - Dialysis
- Highlighting specific achievements in patient care, such as reducing patient complications by 20%, strengthens the candidate's expertise and effectiveness, crucial for a specialised role in renal dialysis.
- The inclusion of leadership roles, such as spearheading the deployment of advanced dialysis equipment, demonstrates technical competence and initiative, appealing to employers in the healthcare industry.
- Showcasing the impact of training and development, such as improving onboarding efficiency by 25%, reflects the candidate's capacity to enhance team capabilities, a valued skill in a healthcare setting.
- Emphasising regulatory compliance skills, shown by achieving perfect audit scores, aligns with healthcare requirements, underscoring the candidate’s commitment to quality and standards in patient care.
Registered Nurse - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- Highlight Relevant Certifications: Mentioning courses like "Advanced Neonatal Intensive Care" reinforces specialised skills and interventions crucial for a role in neonatal care.
- Emphasise Leadership and Management Experience: Describing roles with leadership responsibilities, such as managing a team and implementing evidence-based practices, is critical for a Ward Manager position.
- Showcase Measurable Achievements: Clearly stating the quantitative impact of initiatives, such as a 20% improvement in patient outcomes or a 50% reduction in medication errors, demonstrates proven success in previous roles.
- Leverage Educational Background: Including advanced degrees like an MSc in Advanced Nursing Practice underscores a deep commitment to the field and a high level of expertise and knowledge.
Registered Nurse - Travel Nurse
- Highlight Relevant Certifications: Emphasising certifications such as "Advanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy" demonstrates specialised knowledge that is invaluable for a mental health nurse, especially when improving patient outcomes.
- Showcase Impact with Quantitative Data: Mentioning concrete achievements like reducing patient wait times by 30% or relapse rates by 25% not only highlights efficiency but also a direct positive impact on patient care.
- Emphasise Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Describing collaboration efforts with interdisciplinary teams and the integration of digital tools reflects adaptability and a holistic approach to mental healthcare, crucial traits for a mental health nurse.
- Demonstrate Leadership and Training Skills: Showcasing abilities in mentoring and staff training improvement reflects leadership qualities and a commitment to elevating team competencies, important for career advancement in health services.
Registered Nurse - Flight Nurse
- Emphasise Specialised Certifications: Mentioning the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications underscores specialised skills and qualifications relevant to the role.
- Highlight Critical Care Experience: Detailing extensive experience in critical care and emergency response, such as improving patient care efficiency and leading neonatal retrievals, makes the candidate distinctly qualified for the position.
- Showcase Achievements in Healthcare Innovation: Highlighting achievements like streamlining care processes and inventory cost reduction illustrates the ability to contribute innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency.
- Demonstrate Team Leadership and Training Initiatives: Mention of developing training programmes and improving mentorship showcases leadership capabilities and commitment to team growth and patient safety.
Registered Nurse - Midwife
- Experience Highlight: Ella's cover letter effectively emphasises her extensive experience in midwifery, showcasing roles that illustrate her expertise in maternal health and patient care, critical for midwife positions.
- Tangible Achievements: The letter mentions specific accomplishments, such as reducing postnatal complications by 20% and achieving a 95% patient satisfaction rate, which provide concrete evidence of Ella's impact in previous roles.
- Education and Certifications: Highlighting her Master of Science in Midwifery from a reputable institution, along with specialised courses like "Advanced Foetal Monitoring," reinforces her qualifications and expert status in the field.
- Soft Skills and Passions: Incorporating passions like "Maternal Health Advocacy" and soft skills in team leadership and patient care underscores her dedication and holistic approach to maternal health, which are vital in caregiving professions.
Registered Nurse - Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Highlighting Leadership and Team Management: The cover letter effectively emphasizes the candidate's leadership capabilities by showcasing their experience in leading a team of nurses, which is crucial for a senior nursing role.
- Emphasising Patient-Centric Achievements: It illustrates the candidate's commitment to improving patient outcomes and satisfaction, aligning with the core responsibilities of a registered nurse in healthcare settings.
- Demonstrating Continuous Professional Development: The letter includes details about the candidate's dedication to ongoing education and skills enhancement, which is vital in the healthcare industry to stay updated with medical advancements.
- Showcasing Project Management Skills: Highlighting the candidate's project management abilities enhances their suitability for roles that require both clinical expertise and organisational oversight, particularly in the management of complex healthcare initiatives.
Registered Nurse cover letter example
Joshua Patel
Southampton, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Joshua Patel
Southampton, UK
help@enhancv.com
linkedin.com/username
Dear Hiring Manager,
I have spent considerable time understanding the values and mission of your organization and am drawn to your commitment to excellence in patient care. It resonates with my professional experience and personal ethos as a dedicated palliative care nurse.
During my tenure as a Senior Palliative Care Nurse at St. Mary's Hospital, I spearheaded the implementation of a symptom management protocol that proved transformative for our care delivery, enhancing end-of-life care for over 200 patients annually. This initiative not only improved patient quality of life by 30% but also showcased my leadership in managing a team of healthcare professionals committed to maintaining rigorous quality standards.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences align with your team. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule an interview. Thank you for considering my application. I am looking forward to contributing to your organization.
Sincerely,
Joshua Patel, Registered Nurse
Reasons this cover letter is successful:
- Highlight relevant experience: Emphasize specific initiatives or projects you have led, such as implementing a symptom management protocol that directly contributed to enhancing patient care.
- Demonstrate leadership skills: Mention your experience leading a team of healthcare professionals, showcasing your ability to manage and coordinate effectively within a clinical setting.
- Quantify achievements: Use statistics or percentages to underscore the impact of your work, such as the improvement in patient quality of life by 30%, which adds credibility to your claims.
- Align with organizational values: Reference the company’s commitment to excellence and patient care, and show how your personal values and professional ethos align with theirs, indicating a strong cultural fit.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
A well-crafted cover letter can significantly strengthen your job application by emphasising why you’re an ideal fit.
Here are some reasons why it matters:
- Personalisation: Employers expect your cover letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the company’s needs and/or values.
- Addresses what is omitted from your CV: If your career path includes gaps or changes, your cover letter is the best place to address these positively and explain their relevance.
- Opportunity to stand out: Many applicants have similar qualifications, so a tailored cover letter can show your unique attributes and experience.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
You only have one chance to impress your potential UK employers, so be wise about writing your cover letter.
When doing so, follow these three simple but essential steps:
- Do your research: Begin by researching the company and the role you're applying for. Check their website, social media pages, and relevant news to understand what drives their business.
- Highlight company values: Identify the company's core beliefs and explain how your personal and professional experiences resonate with them. For instance, if the organisation prioritises innovation, provide examples where you've demonstrated creative thinking.
- Match your skills to the job: Analyse the job description carefully and pick out the most important skills or qualifications they’re seeking. Be sure to mention your relevant achievements that prove you're the perfect fit for the position.
How to format a registered nurse cover letter
Have you ever wondered about the formatting and structure of your cover letter?
Read on to discover some guidance from industry-leading professionals:
- Within the header, include your address and contact details, the employer's name and address, and the date, followed up by a personalised salutation.
- The body should should consist of an opening paragraph, middle paragraphs expanding on your unique experience and skills, and a closing paragraph.
- End with a formal sign-off and your signature.
- Choose modern fonts such as Volkhov, Chivo, or Bitter instead of the more traditional Arial or Times New Roman.
- All of ENhancv's templates maintain single-spacing with approximately 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides to ensure a neat presentation.
- Always send your cover letter as a PDF to keep the formatting intact and prevent any edits once submitted.
Your CV and cover letter maintain consistent formatting. Use the same fonts, margins, and style to create a professional and cohesive look for your application.
Finally, remember that Applicant Tracking Systems (the software some companies use to align job keywords to your experience, also known as ATS) do not read cover letters–it's intended solely for recruiters. Make it stand out by highlighting your achievements and relevant skills for the role.
How to write your registered nurse cover letter salutation
Now it's time to make it personal—in your cover letter greeting, you should always address the hiring manager directly. Whenever possible, use their name, depending on how well you know them (e.g., 'Dear Mr Smith', 'Dear Abbie').
You can find their name by searching on LinkedIn (start by looking for the job posting and the recruiter), visiting the 'About' page of the company's website, or by calling reception or administration to enquire.
How to write your registered nurse cover letter intro
It's never a bad time to show enthusiasm about the role, company, or team in your cover letter introduction.
Begin by sharing one or two aspects that genuinely excite you about the position—whether it's the company culture, specific responsibilities, or the team's past achievements.
Your enthusiasm demonstrates that you'll bring a strong work ethic, are eager to contribute, and are motivated to succeed.
Cover Letter Intro
As a dedicated Registered Nurse with a proven commitment to compassionate patient care, I am drawn to your esteemed facility's holistic approach to healthcare, which aligns perfectly with my belief in treating patients not merely as cases, but as individuals on their journey to wellness.
RIGHT
How to write your registered nurse cover letter body
Which makes for a stronger cover letter body: a long-winded account of everything you’ve ever done, or a focused achievement that’s directly relevant to the job?
Hint: recruiters prefer the second.
When writing your cover letter, select your most impressive achievement that:
- Directly aligns with the job description and role.
- Is quantifiable with tangible metrics like numbers or percentages.
- Maps out your hard and soft skills, showcasing what makes you unique.
- Tells the story of the impact you could have on the organisation.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure at St. Mary's Hospital, I spearheaded a patient safety initiative that significantly reduced hospital-acquired infections by 38% within one year. This achievement was the result of meticulous data analysis and the implementation of evidence-based practices. By fostering a culture of accountability and teamwork, I collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to identify vulnerability points in our procedures and introduced targeted infection control measures. This accomplishment not only improved patient outcomes but also enhanced our department's operational efficiency, reflecting my strong commitment to patient care and my ability to lead impactful projects in high-pressure environments.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
There’s a wrong and a right way to close your cover letter. Here’s how.
The wrong way is to end with a signature or a formal 'Thank you in advance.'
The right way is to either promise how you’d make a positive impact on the company or ask when you can expect a response. This will highlight you as a forward-thinking candidate who’s enthusiastic about securing the role.
Cover Letter Closing
I am eager to bring my skills and compassionate patient care to your esteemed facility. I am confident that my background and enthusiasm make me a strong fit for the role of Registered Nurse with your team. I would be thrilled to further discuss how I can contribute to the excellence of your patient care. Please do not hesitate to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for considering my application; I truly appreciate your time and attention. I look forward to the opportunity of speaking with you soon.
RIGHT
Conclusion
A standout cover letter is crucial for making an strong impression in your job search in the UK market. Personalise your letter by addressing it to the hiring manager and aligning your skills with the job description.
Use concrete examples to highlight your greatest achievement and convey your enthusiasm for the position. Finally, ensure that both your cover letter and CV are presented professionally for a consistent application.
