Oncology cover letter

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Hi everyone,

Just a little backround info...I am a newly licensed RN and I am applying for a position as a RN on and oncology floor of a very busy hospital. Nursing is a career change for me, I originally got me degree in psych before going back for my nursing degree. I have worked for the past 5 years as a mental health caseworker at a community psychiatric facility. I am having a LOT of difficulty with my cover letter. I have looked at templates online but i feel like i really need to personalize the cover letter and show the reader why I have what they are looking for, but I am having trouble explaining how what I learned at my current job will translate into something that will help me as a nurse. Any advice/suggestions for the cover letter are appreciated!!!!

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Specializes in Inpatient Adult Oncology.

It is important to remember, that with Oncology patients the managers will most likely be looking for someone passionate about the field. You are going to be at an advantage of those other new grads applying against you because you have been in psych, so you know how to talk to, or "council" these patients if they need it. I would use that to your advantage in your cover letter. I would also use an example from nursing clinical experience, and how you used your psych skills to help a patient; even if it wasn't an oncology patient, or maybe even the family member. Remember that with Oncology nursing, the family is usually a very large aspect that will need to be focussed on. For example if you had a patient while you were in clinical who had just gotten diagnosed with something, or told they had a poor prognosis, and you took the time to sit with them and hear their concerns, and you reassured them and helped them refocus on something else, and gave them hope to get through, it would be a good route to take. If you want to send me a private message and send me your cover letter, I would be happy to proof read it for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.

I just wanted to offer my support. If you want someone to give your cover letter a "once over," I would be happy to do so. Feel free to send me a pm; I think I'm allowed to get them now.

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Specializes in Infusion Nursing, Home Health Infusion.

Well that is easy...you are an ideal candidate!!!!!!!. You need to capitalize on that experience. You can state your beliefs that in order to successfully nurse a patient and their family that you believe in treating the whole patient..physical, spiritual ,social and psychological and you have the skill to incorporate that into your nursing care. You have advanced therapeutic communication skills . You obviously are a caring and nurturing person as you have chosen 2 caring professions .You have excellent coping skills dealing with stress b/c they will want to know how you will be coping. Yes...... you will be dealing with death and dying...if you have any experience with that,,highlight that as well. Interpersonal struggles between employees is pure hell for management so I always look for a certain type of employee..one that I think can work well with others...is flexible...willing to grow and learn.....has a passion for the type of nursing they are applying for,among other things. Yes you will be dealing with stressed and grieving families and sometimes guilt ridden ..all the range of human emotions. Nursing is unique in that it intertwines multiple disciplines and to be a fabulous nurse you need to be good at all of them

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