When you’re in the market for a nursing job, you want to do everything you can to stand out from the crowd, and you absolutely need a flawless and well-written resume that gives a clear picture of your skills, knowledge, and experience, and then there’s the cover letter. Some may consider it old-fashioned, but if your cover letter can tell a compelling story about why you’re the ideal candidate, it could be the factor that puts your application over the top and lands you an interview.
Do I Really Need a Cover Letter?
Online job applications always have a place to upload your resume, which you’ll doubtless do every time. But when you see that extra “optional” space to upload a cover letter, do you usually skip it? While it might be easier to hit “submit” without adding that optional cover letter, why wouldn’t you want to make sure that your application was as complete as possible?
Letter writing might be a lost art that’s fallen out of favor with most people. Still, when you go to the trouble of crafting an awesome cover letter, you wonder if it just might be the factor that differentiates you from other candidates.
Breaking Down the Cover Letter
A cover letter has several essential sections, and it’s an easy formula to follow. Let’s explore how to make it work for you.
Letterhead: At the top of your resume and cover letter, you’ll want to have matching letterheads. Your name and credentials will be at the top, preferably in a slightly larger bold font. Next, you’ll want to have your entire address or at least your city and state of residence. Finally, remember your phone number and email address.
Introductory paragraph: The introductory paragraph should clearly state what position you’re applying for and where you saw the posting. This is also an excellent place to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework and understand something that stands out about this particular facility or employer.
Please accept my enthusiastic interest in the Registered Nurse – New Graduate Nurse Residency Program – Operating Room position posted on your website. I am both personally and professionally aligned with the values that are a very clear aspect of your organization’s mission. From your “Power of Caring” funding of your newly expanded Outpatient Care Center to your “Next Generation Group” initiative, I can see the forward-thinking philosophy underlying UM BWMC.
Body: The body of your cover letter is usually two or three paragraphs that tell the story of why you’re an ideal candidate for the position. While you don’t want to repeat what’s on your resume, feel free to refer to something of note in your resume that you want them to be sure to notice. So go ahead and make a compelling case and toot your horn.
I graduated from Appleton University’s BSN program in May 2019, where I made the Dean’s List every semester and graduated summa cum laude. I thrived in clinical practice, receiving positive feedback from preceptor evaluations for all rotations.
While I may be a new graduate, I am responsive to feedback and easily trainable. I am comfortable in new settings and am not afraid to ask questions to enhance my learning and improve the care I deliver to patients and their families. I thrive in a multidisciplinary environment, and I use my highly-developed communication skills and emotional/relational intelligence to create a sense of camaraderie, collaboration, and mutual support.
Additionally, I am highly competent in using EPIC and have full confidence in my natural curiosity, hand-eye coordination, and powers of critical thinking in relation to new technologies and digital interfaces. I am a quick learner, unafraid to ask questions and receive constructive feedback.
As you can see, this new grad nurse was sure to mention his comfort with computers and new technologies and was able to identify a popular EMR that he’s competent using. He also mentions his “soft skills” of communication and emotional/relational intelligence. This has nothing to do with unnecessary boasting — instead, it’s a humble brag of what makes him the person and nurse he is.
If this was a letter by a more seasoned nurse, they should point out a specific skill set that’s directly related to the position.
Closing: The closing paragraph restates your interest in the position and expresses enthusiasm to meet for an interview. And note that it’s unnecessary to give your phone number or email address since those are on your letterhead. They know how and where to contact you.
I have a great deal to contribute as a member of the UM BWMC community of clinicians. I look forward to discussing the intersection of my skills and experience with the needs of your inspiring organization that embraces its role beyond the actual facility and into the surrounding community it serves.
Sincerely,
Awesome Nurse, BSN, RN
Don’t Sell Yourself Short
A job application without a cover letter is an incomplete application for all intents and purposes. If you don’t take the time to write a strong cover letter making the case for why you’re awesome, you’re essentially selling yourself short. Use the cover letter to tell your story, sell your strongest attributes, and call attention to aspects of your resume that are worthy of particular note.
Cover letters aren’t rocket science, and once you have a solid template to work from, a new letter should take at least 15 or 20 minutes. Ensure your grammar and spelling are flawless, tell your story with authenticity and clarity, and make every cover letter shine.
Mattoon, Illinois-based flight nurses Kelly Hamill and Dakota Shadwell of the Air Evac Lifeteam are receiving nationwide recognition for using the new Bubble CPAP non-invasive ventilation equipment to save the life of a preterm baby born at about six months gestation, who weighed only two pounds.
Hammill advocated to obtain the new equipment for its east Central Illinois crews to help young children in respiratory distress, and now both flight nurses will be honored for saving the life of a preterm baby during the American Ambulance Association Stars of Life Awards Ceremony on Nov. 5-8 in Washington.
Daily Nurse is proud to honor flight nurses Kelly Hamill and Dakota Shadwell as our Nurses of the Week for going above and beyond the call of duty in a clinically and emotionally tense situation involving a newborn.
Hamill says this call for service began one night in late spring when she, Shadwell, and their pilot were dispatched from their air base on the grounds of Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon to HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville.
A woman had given birth prematurely at home and taken with her baby to Good Shepherd’s emergency department. Medical staff there reported the baby was having trouble breathing. Hamill and her crew advised them to use their Bubble CPAP equipment to help.
“We took care of baby and kept an eye on mom,” Hamill says. They used this equipment with a RAM Cannula oxygen delivery device to provide respiratory care until an ambulance arrived to take the baby to a neonatal facility.
Hamill, who has worked as a flight nurse for more than a decade and is the base clinical lead in Mattoon, says her previous professional experience with a neonatal intensive care unit led to her being a proponent of the new Bubble CPAP equipment, which is designed specifically for small and fragile patients.
Hamill says she figured this non-invasive ventilation equipment would be helpful for the young patients they see with RSV and other respiratory issues. She was glad to receive Bubble CPAP training through her employer’s Kentucky bases and help bring this training back home.
“I can’t be prouder of the crews for really taking hold of this project and wanting to learn about it and utilize these pieces of equipment,” she says.
Shadwell, a flight nurse for a year and a half, says local Air Evac Lifeteam crews have already used the new Bubble CPAP equipment they obtained several months ago to help a few infants, but the one at the Shelbyville call was the smallest.
“It was a team effort. Everyone involved made the outcome good,” says Shadwell. “It is an honor, but we both feel like we were just doing our jobs.”
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
If you can’t attend, we’ve got you covered in advance as we sat down with Rebecca Graystone, PhD, MBA, RN, NE-BC, and the Senior Vice President, Accreditation & Organization Credentialing of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to discuss Magnet designation and what it means for healthcare organizations, hospitals, and nurses.
What follows is our interview, edited for length and clarity.
ANCC Vice President of the Magnet Recognition Program® and Pathway to Excellence® Program, Rebecca Graystone, PhD, MBA, RN, NE-BC
-Magnet is the highest recognition of nursing excellence and signifies better staffing and working conditions for nurses, but some nurses say it’s just a costly marketing tool. What’s your response to those making that comparison?
Magnet Recognition is steadfast proof of a hard-earned commitment to excellence in health care, with contented, valued, and inspired nurses at heart. Applicants seeking Magnet status are rigorously evaluated by expert nurse peers against evidence-based standards. Magnet is a voluntary credential earned by healthcare organizations seeking recognition for providing exceptional practice environments and patient care.
Magnet organizations are committed to nurturing the talents of dedicated nurses throughout their careers. The work environment and organizational opportunities for staff encourage them to excel in their profession and contribute to the improved performance of their organizations, which ultimately benefits patients and the healthcare field.
Nurses working in a Magnet-recognized organization grow stronger in bedside practices, evidence-based practices and research, and leadership skills. Only around 10% of organizations in the country currently have achieved Magnet status — it’s a standard of excellence that organizations choose to commit to, and nurses will find that commitment extends to them and their success as well.
-What does Magnet designation mean for hospitals and nurses working there? What are the benefits of working at a Magnet hospital?
For nurses and hospitals, a Magnet-recognized organization means many things. Most especially, it means the organization highly values registered nurses’ contributions to care. Across the healthcare continuum, Magnet nurses excel in leadership, professional practice, decision-making at all levels, and innovation through research and continual process improvements. The beneficiaries are patients and their families. Nurses report high satisfaction, engagement, respect, and acknowledgment for their contributions.
Magnet organizations invest in professional education and career growth that provide an environment where nurses practice with greater autonomy in a safe and supportive environment. Research from the Journal of Nursing Administration found that nurses working in Magnet organizations have lower rates of nurse burnout and increased rates of satisfaction.
There is a rigor and research-based element of working in a Magnet organization that attracts and produces top-tier nursing leadership and high patient satisfaction rates. For example, studies have found that Magnet organizations have decreased rates of patient falls and pressure ulcers and reduced mortality rates.
-Approximately 10% of U.S. hospitals achieve Magnet status, and 92% of hospitals achieving Magnet status are redesignated. Talk about how a hospital benefits from becoming a Magnet hospital.
By investing in nursing education and development, Magnet hospitals attract and retain the best nurses, which has a direct and positive effect on the standard of care and improved patient experience.
Magnet hospitals consistently provide the highest quality of care. Studies find that Magnet-recognized organizations experience increased patient satisfaction, decreased mortality rates, decreased falls, and improved patient safety and quality.
Magnet recognition also contributes to the stability and growth of hospitals in various ways, such as reducing RN agency rates, decreasing RN vacancy rates and turnover, and reducing staff injuries. There are positive financial impacts as well. When an organization is recognized as Magnet, they have an increased chance to establish endowments, enjoy a stronger bond rating, and have a competitive advantage in regional markets.
-Why wouldn’t a hospital maintain Magnet status?
Magnet recognition lasts for four years. Interestingly, we have seen our retention rate rise in recent years (from 90% on average to 92.1% in the last three years), and this was during the pandemic. So, this seems to indicate that organizations are using the Magnet culture and standards as their North Star, which helped to guide them and sustain them through the height of COVID-19.
-What happens if a hospital loses Magnet status?
Again, participation in Magnet is voluntary. Magnet organizations report anecdotally their desire to retain Magnet status. When this is not possible, reasons given include a change in leadership has shifted priorities, and the resources to support the infrastructure of excellence Magnet requires are redistributed toward other efforts. Most hospitals want to maintain Magnet status because it signals their commitment to nursing excellence.
-Talk about how the Magnet Recognition program spreads internationally and the top countries seeking accreditation.
Magnet Recognition is a rigorous credential and organization-based, peer-reviewed appraisal process. All standards are evidence-based and achievable no matter the size of the organization or location in the world. What Magnet Recognition achievement represents is a commitment by the organization to a culture of nursing excellence.
We currently have 612 Magnet facilities in total. The majority are in the U.S., but we have facilities in Australia, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Brazil. There is a keen interest in Magnet internationally, and we have seen this through our increase in Magnet applications and conference registrations from across the globe for our ANCC National Magnet Conference® and Pathway to Excellence Conference.® There is a desire to learn from the best of the best and bring that knowledge home with them and share it.
We’ll be at the 2023 ANCC National Magnet Conference® October 12-14 at the at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. Stop by booth #918. We look forward to seeing you there!
As we mark the annual celebration and recognition of all that the Magnet model represents in healthcare here in the U.S. and around the world, it’s timely to pause to consider just what magnetism is and what makes this metaphor so apt in our 21st-century world.
The Science of Magnetism
Children are easily fascinated when playing with magnets. The developing brain of a child enthusiastically and curiously examines how different metals repel and attract one another, and no matter how magical it may seem, the forces in question are deeply based on science and physics.
Very simply put, electrons, neutrons, and other subatomic particles each carry either a positive or negative electrical charge, and their constant motion contributes to the creation of magnetic fields.
While the actual scientific force of magnetism cannot be held responsible for nurses being drawn to work at healthcare facilities holding the Magnet designation (just as Albert Einstein observed that gravity cannot be held responsible for people falling in love), there is undoubtedly a type of gravitational pull that causes certain nurses to prioritize working at Magnet facilities.
The science of magnetism is a known fact among physicists, scientists, and laypeople who can be bothered to understand how such a phenomenon works. Yet, the metaphor of magnetism in relation to hospitals and healthcare workplaces is another kind of phenomenon entirely.
The Power of Magnetism
If the physical force of magnetism is caused by the movement of positively or negatively charged subatomic particles, then it must figure that there are aspects of the Magnet model that serve as charged particles within a healthcare workplace that attracts talented and forward-looking nurses.
To explore our metaphor further, we can examine the Commission on Magnet’s new vision, which is meant to communicate the aspects of Magnet organizations that are seen as holding the most potential for changing patient outcomes and the face of healthcare in profound ways.
The Commission’s vision includes:
The forces of transformational leadership
Structural empowerment
Exemplary professional practice
New knowledge, innovation, and improvement.
Empirical quality result.
Let’s briefly examine each.
Transformational leadership: This model component wants leaders “no longer just to solve problems, fix broken systems, and empower staff, but to actually transform the organizations to meet the future.”
Most nurses want to be led by visionary leaders who have everyone’s best interests in mind, not to mention leaders who can create new approaches to processes that are broken or past their prime. It’s been said many times that employees most often quit jobs and leave organizations because of leadership issues. Thus, nurse retention (organizational magnetism) must begin with inspired leadership.
Structural empowerment: This component provides “an innovative environment where strong professional practice flourishes and where the mission, vision, and values come to life to achieve the outcomes believed to be important for the organization.” Strategic plans, policies, and other aspects of the organization must magnetize and empower nurses and other staff to achieve their best.
Exemplary professional practice: Most nurses want this for themselves, focusing on evidence-based practice, high-level communication skills, multidisciplinary collaboration, and ongoing development of skills and knowledge. Magnetic indeed.
New knowledge, innovation, and improvements: The Commission states, “Our current systems and practices need to be redesigned and redefined if we are to be successful in the future. This Component includes new models of care, application of existing evidence, new evidence, and visible contributions to the science of nursing.” We all know that nursing and healthcare cannot stand still and rest on yesterday’s accomplishments and knowledge. If we are not moving forward, stagnation results and our patients and communities deserve much more. We must magnetize forward movement and forward thinking.
Empirical quality results: Quantitative and qualitative measures are essential when assessing outcomes, and since nursing is a science-based discipline, empirical evidence is crucial. Measuring and sharing the outcomes of our actions is a path to recording and categorizing our accomplishments and assessing the practices that got us there.
These and other aspects of the Magnet model serve as metaphorical forces of magnetism that draw certain nurses to organizations that practice in such a manner. These charged particles of practice, innovation, and empowerment will attract nurses interested in practicing at the top of their license while working for institutions that value innovation, creative thinking, and exemplary professionalism.
Magnifying the Good
The Magnet model is an example of a positively charged force that draws to it those naturally attracted to that force. The pillars of the Magnet model serve as particles that draw to them nurses of like mind, like a magnet that causes certain substances to cling to it.
Substandard workplaces that undervalue nurses and treat them like cannon fodder repel nurses, pushing them away when they can no longer tolerate a workplace opposite of what the Magnet model represents. Some healthcare workplaces need to do more to ensure they achieve the best possible patient outcomes with happy, satisfied, and highly valued staff. These institutions shoot for the lowest common denominator; the results speak for themselves.
Let’s focus on magnetizing and empowering that which makes nursing and healthcare shine. And for those drawn to the Magnet model, there’s much to learn along this growth, innovation, and positivity continuum.
Are you looking for your next career opportunity at a Magnet hospital? Check out our Magnet showcase. Then, your next job can be waiting for you!
We’ll be at the 2023 ANCC National Magnet Conference® October 12-14 at the at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. Stop by booth #918. We look forward to seeing you there!
There’s no question that nursing is one of the most fulfilling, rewarding, and toughest career choices. It’s also one of the most demanding, physically and mentally. So, no matter how much you’ve loved your career as a nurse, everyone retires at some point and takes advantage of the relaxation and reduced stress that comes with it.
However, retirement isn’t always what people expect it to be. Some people experience loneliness and isolation. Others feel they’ve lost a sense of purpose, leading to anxiety and depression. One study even found that people in the first year of retirement are 40% more likely to experience a heart attack or stroke than those working.
Thankfully, as a retired nurse, there are things you can do to find personal growth — including travel nursing.
Self-Discovery After Retirement
Nursing can become an important part of your identity, so you may feel lost when you leave it. Remember that your career isn’t who you are but what you do. However, many nurses have an innate desire to help others. That doesn’t go away just because you’re not working every day.
You can use retirement to discover who you are and why you have that desire. Self-discovery and personal growth are essential after retirement so you understand that you still have a purpose even if you’re not heading to a hospital every day.
Traveling is one of the best ways to “find yourself.” While that might sound silly at first, it often takes stepping out of your comfort zone and seeing the world from a different perspective to dig deeper into your true identity. The benefits of traveling when it comes to personal growth include:
Finding and maintaining a sense of purpose
Introducing you to new cultures
Offering a sense of adventure
Some of the best places to travel for personal growth include Italy, Greece, South Africa, Alaska, Hawaii, and Spain. Explore rich architecture. Take in historical art. Walk along the sugar sand beaches of an island and breathe in the salty air. If you’ve given much of your life to nursing in one area, changing scenery and perspective can help you discover who you are outside of your career. It can inspire you to use your skills and expertise to make a difference.
Should You Become a Travel Nurse?
Traveling and retirement go hand-in-hand. It’s estimated that 25% of people aged 65 and older leave the country at least once a year. But choosing to be a travel nurse goes a step beyond that. While you can (and will) certainly enjoy the sights, sounds, and cultures of the countries you visit, you can also renew your sense of purpose by helping those in need in a completely different setting and environment.
First, understand that travel nurse positions are often short-term. You might only be somewhere for a few weeks or a few months. That’s often an ideal situation for a retiree who wants to explore the world and help others while enjoying a less stressful retirement. There are plenty of contracts you’ll have to go through if you work with an agency, but the benefit of doing so is that they’ll take care of almost everything for you to ensure your travel assignment goes as smoothly as possible.
When it comes to personal growth, you can have a voice in where you want to travel. You’ll meet new people in various cultures, as well as new colleagues, and you can explore new healthcare systems that might offer insights and ideas you’ve never considered before. There’s greater flexibility, excitement, and freedom you don’t find working every day in a hospital in the U.S.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that travel nurses earn a median salary of $84,000 annually. While that might not impact your growth, it can help you live a more comfortable life as you age and take on more opportunities to travel for fun.
Preparing for Personal Growth as a Travel Nurse
If you’re ready to leap into nursing, you must be prepared physically, mentally, and emotionally. That starts by planning as much as possible, including:
Researching agencies
Exploring the pros and cons
Networking with other travel nurses
Gaining specialty experience
Keeping certifications up to date
From a practical standpoint, you’ll also want to ensure your medical records are current and up-to-date with all vaccinations.
You also have to consider your finances. While travel nursing can end up being a lucrative career, especially if you had previously budgeted for retirement, there are expenses to think about that you’ll have to deal with upfront. Have money set aside for a hotel room if your accommodations aren’t ready. Ask the agency you work for about utility bills and whether you’ll be responsible. Consider using a credit card instead of cash to earn points on your destination expenses and easily keep track of your spending online. Budgeting as a travel nurse is as important as managing your finances at home.
Finally, prepare yourself and your family. They might have expected you to retire and spend more time at home. If you’re older, they might be concerned about you traveling the world to help those in need. Make sure you explain your desire to grow and find out who you are by experiencing new adventures and perspectives.
The world is in constant need of qualified travel nurses if you’re already retired or planning to soon, consider travel nursing as an option to help you find personal growth and get to know yourself.
