What do hospitals look for in a cover letter?

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2016

The best advice I can give you is to tailor your cover letter to each residency you apply to. A generic cover letter is obvious and suggests a lack of real interest in the position. So research the organization that you're applying to, and include specifics in your cover letter that explain why you want to work for that organization, and how you identify with their mission statement and core values.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 24, 2016

Grammar! Spelling! Formatting! (srsly)

My HR colleagues tell me that there is a new trend in cover letters that is proving to be successful. Begin with information that indicates your knowledge of the organization/department & the challenges that they are facing. THEN talk about the skills/abilities you have that are relevant to that setting. Something like: "I understand how challenging it is to create and maintain a culture that supports clinical quality and safety while dealing with continuous staff turnover. I can contribute to the solution because I am resolved to make a commitment to the organization that helps me launch my nursing career."

Reportedly, this is much more effective than the usual bland, generic cover letter and will grab a hiring manager's attention.

pearlbubbles · Nov 7, 2016

Thank you guys! This is really helpful :)

AliNajaCat · Nov 7, 2016

Be aware that HR people read the same websites telling you how to write a cover letter that you do. Do not plagiarize. If you can't think of an original way to say what you know and want, you're not ready to apply for that job anyway. Have a good idea of what you want, even if it's only broad, general experience so you can learn to specialize later, and what the organization is all about. And forgawdsake, don't copy and past the same letter to multiple HRs. You will probably address two to the same place, and that's an automatic disqualification, LOL.