How to write a nurse practitioner cover letter
Here are the steps you can take to write a cover letter for nurse practitioner jobs:1. Format the letter correctly
Follow a standard business letter structure to format your cover letter correctly. Use a professional font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in a 10- or 12-point size. Use 1-inch margins and keep your cover letter to one page. At the top of the document, provide your full name, nursing license type, location, phone number and email address. Skip a line and provide the date you're sending the letter, including the month, day and year. Related: How To Format a Cover Letter (With an Outline and Examples)2. Introduce yourself
Begin your cover letter by introducing yourself to the recipient. Briefly state the name of the position and healthcare organization to which you're applying and express interest in the role. In two or three sentences, describe your top qualifications for the nurse practitioner position. You may explain how the position aligns with your career goals or highlight your years of experience as a nurse practitioner. Related: 7 Powerful Ways To Start a Cover Letter (With Examples)3. Describe your qualifications
After your introductory paragraph, start a new paragraph to describe your qualifications in more detail. Provide information about your experience and skills for the nurse practitioner position. Review the job description to understand the duties of the role and utilize keywords from the job description if possible to highlight similar responsibilities you've had in other positions. Discuss your strengths as a candidate, such as your compassionate bedside manner. Include specific examples of your nursing skills and experience to show employers why you'd be a good fit for their healthcare organization. Related: 6 Nursing Strengths To Highlight During Your Job Search4. Mention your achievements
In the body of your cover letter, mention your top career achievements as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). These achievements may include awards you've received, outcomes you've achieved or initiatives you've managed, such as a patient education campaign. When possible, quantify your achievements to show your impact. For example, you may describe how you've collaborated with other healthcare professionals to improve a practice's patient satisfaction scores by 24% in one year.5. Include a call to action
In the final paragraph of your cover letter, thank the recipient for their time and consideration. Restate your interest in the position and express confidence in your qualifications for the role. Include a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to contact you after reviewing your application. For example, you can suggest a meeting with the hiring manager to discuss your qualifications and provide information about your preferred contact method. Related: How To Write a Call To Action in Your Cover Letter6. Sign off your letter
After your final paragraph, end the cover letter with a complimentary closing. This type of closing can help you convey your professionalism to employers. You can choose a formal business salutation to end the letter, such as:- Respectfully
- Regards
- Best
- Thank you
- Sincerely
"It may feel like a lot of work to customize each cover letter, but it is worth your time, especially if you are very interested in the position. Hiring managers can often tell if you supply a generic cover letter, and a letter that is specific to the job shows that you put time and thought into the application. A cover letter with certain keywords applicable to the job description may also elevate your application through any technology that is used to filter candidates. Invest in the effort to provide a good first impression through your cover letter!"— Michelle Hensley
Nurse practitioner cover letter tips
Here are some tips to help you write an excellent nurse practitioner cover letter:- Address the recipient. It's helpful to address your letter to the correct recipient to show employers you've researched the position. You can use the recipient's first and last name or their title and last name, such as Dr. Jones. If you do not know the name of the recipient, which is very likely, especially when applying to a large organization, you might address the recipient as “Hiring Professionals” or “[Name of Unit] Hiring Manager.”
- Customize your letter to the job. If you're applying for multiple nurse practitioner jobs, customize your cover letter to each one. Review the job description to make sure you're aligning your cover letter with the requirements and expectations of each position.
- Proofread the letter. It's important to proofread your cover letter carefully to check for potential errors in grammar, spelling or punctuation. It's helpful to read your letter out loud or ask someone else to review it to help you proofread.