Cover Letters: Do I need one?

By: Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL

Cover letters were once a standard MUST for every job application. Times have changed and with the transition to computer-based job applications, cover letters are now NOT necessary for most new job opportunities.

There are still a few situations where a cover letter can make the difference between being hired or not. Here are my recommendations on when you will want to include a cover letter with your nurse job application:

Gaps on the Resume - If you have periods of time without work, a cover letter is needed. Some common reasons for these gaps are staying home to care for a child or relative, extended illness or injury, and school programs including getting your prereqs. If this applies to you, make sure to make a brief explanation of any gaps to avoid concern from potential employers.

Moving from One State to Another - If you are currently living in California but applying to jobs in New Jersey, you will want to include a cover letter with a short explanation of your planned move. This will reassure potential employers that you are committed to relocating.

Nurse License & Legal Issues - If you have any issues with your nursing license, you need to explain this in a cover letter. This would include delays in getting it issued. You may want to get a consultation on how best to word this if you are explaining any legal challenges that you may have experienced.

Background Check Problems - If something is going to pop up on your background check that is concerning, like past arrests that have been resolved, you need to explain this in a cover letter. A common example is a DUI incurred many years ago. This will still come up on your background check, so be proactive and explain that issue before hiring personnel find it.

There is a lot of confusion surrounding nurse resumes. Here are a few nurse resume myths that just aren’t true!

Myth: I have to list every job that I ever had on my nurse resume.

FALSE.

Truth: Nurse resumes are FOCUSED documents that ideally only list the last 5-10 (usually just 5) years of NURSE experience. If you are a new grad with no nurse experience, list your healthcare experience. DO NOT list non-healthcare/patient care jobs.

Myth: My nurse resume should be only one page.

FALSE.

Truth: Nurse resumes can be up to TWO pages, but the MAXIMUM is two pages.

Myth: A human reviews every resume of every applicant for every job.

FALSE.

Truth: Computer software called Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software filters out the vast majority of resumes for job postings. That is why your nurse resume needs to be a SMART DOCUMENT that is formatted for computer software and human reviewers. New Thing Nurse can help with that!

Myth: People like to see my picture and lots of fun graphics on my nurse resume.

IT IS COMPLICATED.

Truth: It is true that maybe a few people will enjoy your photo or fun graphics on your nurse resume. But the real issue is that the ATS software often CANNOT READ documents with photos or complex graphics. That means your resume with photos or graphics may actually prevent you from being considered for a job. It is best to keep your resume simply formatted for the computer software and easy to read for human reviewers.

Myth: HR staff will read every line of my nurse resume.

FALSE.

Truth: HR staff will spend an average of 30 seconds or less reading your resume. This is why it is essential that the important info is at the top and easy to read.

If you have just read this and are thinking - “WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT MY NURSE RESUME???” - stress no more! New Thing Nurse offers a wide variety of services and easy-to-use templates to help your nurse resume be the modern, smart document that you will need to standout to both the computers, HR staff, and nurse leaders.

Happy resume writing!

About the Author - Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL is an educator, speaker, blogger and owner of New Thing Nurse, a professional and academic coaching company for the nursing world. New Thing Nurse is organized to provide support and guidance to aspiring nurses, newly graduated nurses, and veteran RNs looking to make a change in their life.

Whether it’s a new school, new job or new idea,

New Thing Nurse wants to help with your new thing!