Cover letter for psychiatric nursing job

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I'm hoping to find a psychiatric nursing job in the fall and I'm working on a cover letter. I don't see many psychiatric jobs posted so I thought I'd send out resumes.

I have ICU experience and more recently have worked as a diabetes educator.

I'm wondering what sorts of things managers look for when hiring. I imagine that the wording would be different than if I was applying for a med/surg job.

Any suggestions appreciated,

JS

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

State why you want to do psych nursing, and the characteristics that you think would help you be an effective psych nurse. Also, if there's a particular reason you'd like to work at that particular place, what is it? Don't butter them up though. Just state the facts sincerely.

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Whispera,

I'm wondering what they look for and how best to highlight my work experience. I think that a lot of what I do as a Diabetes Educator is problem solving around the reasons why the individual doesn't take better care of themselves.

Thanks for your reply,

Jonathan

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Here's a cover letter I recently wrote for a position in psych .. I found out today I got selected for an interview as a new grad.. :D I'm so excited!!! I really want to work in mental health nursing.. and I really want to work in this hospital!! Fingers crossed.. I'm just really happy to get an interview..

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Dear xxxxxxx,

I am writing in response to the employment opportunity posted on the xxxxxxx website for a Registered Nurse in your Adult – Inpatient Mental Health unit.

I am a graduate of xxxxxxx and completed my mental health clinical rotation at the adult inpatient unit at xxxxxxx (same hospital applied at). I am very passionate about mental health nursing and it was my experiences in your outstanding facilities that inspired me to pursue a career in this specialty. I thoroughly enjoy working with this patient/client population and have the maturity, patience, understanding, compassion, knowledge, communication skills, learning capacity, life experience, ambition, and motivation to be successful in this position.

I encountered mental health and chemical dependency issues in nearly every clinical rotation completed including Medical/Surgical, Oncology, Home Health, Public Health, Long Term Care, and Emergent Care. I feel strongly that there is a severe shortage of mental health services available in our communities and I appreciate that your organization provides and supports these services at a high level. I would love to be a collaborating member of your team of caring multidisciplinary professionals, representing your organization with integrity, compassion, and stewardship as a patient and family advocate.

I would be very thankful for any and all opportunities to begin and spend my entire career with the xxxxxxx Health System as a life long learner and Mental Health Nursing Professional. I plan to obtain my American Nurses Association (ANA) Psychiatric – Mental Health Certification as soon as I gain the required criteria for eligibility.

I will follow up this letter to try to arrange a time to meet with you to further discuss my knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications. I look forward to meeting with you in person to share my enthusiasm for this position. Please call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx or email at xxxxxxxx to set up an appointment at your convenience.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

wezzie, RN

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I also highlighted specific mental health experiences I had in all my clinical areas as well on my resume.. Med/surg, ER, Geriatrics.. etc ..

Best of luck to you! :)

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Wow,

Thanks for the reply!

Wezzie, my cover letter is really boring compared to your's! I think I need to convey some of my excitement about working in psych like you did! I like your letter a lot!

I am excited about working in psych and working for the state with it's good benefits.

I'm also trying to decide how far back to go. I'm wondering if practicing and teaching Aikido would be considered a positive or a liability.

At any rate I'm going to make my letter more enthusiastic!

Jonathan

.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Thanks Jonathan, I really appreciate that. :)

I think showing genuine enthusiasm and excitement really goes a long way. It was all I had to work with in a very, very tough market for new grads. This will be a second career for me too, I graduated this spring at 41y/o. I feel so lucky to have secured an interview.

I wish you the best.. may we both soon be practicing mental health nurses!

Scott.. aka wezzie, RN

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Specializes in Mental Health.

I got the job!!! :yeah:

I start August 30th.. I'm on cloud 9.. :)

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Congratulations!

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Specializes in Pshych; LTC.
I got the job!!! :yeah:

I start August 30th.. I'm on cloud 9.. :)

:yeah: It may be a little late but CONGRATULATIONS!:yeah:

Your resume was awesome!

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Awesome example. Thank you,

Here's a cover letter I recently wrote for a position in psych .. I found out today I got selected for an interview as a new grad.. :D I'm so excited!!! I really want to work in mental health nursing.. and I really want to work in this hospital!! Fingers crossed.. I'm just really happy to get an interview..

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Dear xxxxxxx,

I am writing in response to the employment opportunity posted on the xxxxxxx website for a Registered Nurse in your Adult - Inpatient Mental Health unit.

I am a graduate of xxxxxxx and completed my mental health clinical rotation at the adult inpatient unit at xxxxxxx (same hospital applied at). I am very passionate about mental health nursing and it was my experiences in your outstanding facilities that inspired me to pursue a career in this specialty. I thoroughly enjoy working with this patient/client population and have the maturity, patience, understanding, compassion, knowledge, communication skills, learning capacity, life experience, ambition, and motivation to be successful in this position.

I encountered mental health and chemical dependency issues in nearly every clinical rotation completed including Medical/Surgical, Oncology, Home Health, Public Health, Long Term Care, and Emergent Care. I feel strongly that there is a severe shortage of mental health services available in our communities and I appreciate that your organization provides and supports these services at a high level. I would love to be a collaborating member of your team of caring multidisciplinary professionals, representing your organization with integrity, compassion, and stewardship as a patient and family advocate.

I would be very thankful for any and all opportunities to begin and spend my entire career with the xxxxxxx Health System as a life long learner and Mental Health Nursing Professional. I plan to obtain my American Nurses Association (ANA) Psychiatric - Mental Health Certification as soon as I gain the required criteria for eligibility.

I will follow up this letter to try to arrange a time to meet with you to further discuss my knowledge, skills, experience and qualifications. I look forward to meeting with you in person to share my enthusiasm for this position. Please call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx or email at xxxxxxxx to set up an appointment at your convenience.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

wezzie, RN

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I also highlighted specific mental health experiences I had in all my clinical areas as well on my resume.. Med/surg, ER, Geriatrics.. etc ..

Best of luck to you! :)

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