How to Write a Letter and Resume for a Nursing Position
While the demand for nurses is high, the competition is fierce, and it can be difficult to get noticed when applying for a nursing position. A strong, easy-to-read resume is essential, and should be accompanied by an eye-catching cover letter that is sure to grab the hospital administrator's attention immediately. Remember that your cover letter is not a summary of your resume, but should instead be tailored to the needs of the specific hospital or doctor's office you are applying to.
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Instructions
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Cover Letter
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Start a new Word document and create a header that includes your name and contact information, including your address, phone number and email address. Double space and add the name of the hospital administrator (or recipient), his title and the name and address of the hospital or office.
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Write a formal greeting addressing the administrator by name, followed by a paragraph introducing yourself and explaining specifically which nursing position you are applying for. Describe yourself in as positive a light as possible, such as "I am a nurse with six years' experience in E.R. seeking a new opportunity in a pediatrics clinic." If you have a reference for this position, mention the reference's name here.
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Type the body of your cover letter. While education is important, it is assumed that you have the necessary degrees if you are a nurse, and therefore your letter should focus instead on your experience thus far. If you are relatively new, focus on the medical experience you have, including any sort of internship position or volunteer work. Also be sure to indicate how much you enjoy your work, as nurses tend to work difficult hours and still sympathize with and care for their patients.
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Type a conclusion paragraph, reiterating your enthusiasm about this nursing position and thanking the hospital administrator for her time and consideration.
Resume
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Start a new Word document. Copy and paste your name and contact information from the cover letter onto your resume. Double space below this and type "Objective," then follow it with a statement indicating who you are ("experienced pediatrics nurse") and what type of nursing position you are seeking ("challenging position in a critical care setting").
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Create an "Education" heading and list all of the degrees you hold, the name of the institutions, and the dates you received it, beginning with the most recent.
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Create an "Experience" heading and list any previous jobs in the health care field, starting with the position you currently hold or held most recently. Use the word "nurse" or "nursing" as frequently as possible (while maintaining honesty) when you list your job title and duties, and include the name of the hospital or office, as well as the dates you worked there.
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Create a "Skills and Certifications" heading and list any specific skills you hold that are relevant to a nursing position, including any additional certifications (such as wound care or cardiac care) or programs useful in administrative tasks (such as specific patient charting software). Also include your nursing license here.
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Resources
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