A complete, annotated cover letter for a travel nurse role. Every paragraph is broken down — so you can see exactly what makes unit managers keep reading.
Scroll down to see the full cover letter, then read why each section works.
I’m writing to express my interest in the travel nurse (RN) position on your med-surg/telemetry unit through Aya Healthcare. I hold a compact RN license (NLC), BLS, and ACLS certifications, and I’ve completed 10 travel contracts across 8 facilities in 5 states over the past 3 years — all with zero early terminations and contract extensions at 3 facilities.
My specialty is med-surg and telemetry, managing 5–6 patient assignments per shift. I am proficient in Epic, Cerner, and Meditech, and I consistently achieve full EHR productivity within my first 2 shifts at each new facility. At my most recent assignment, I floated to ICU step-down and ED overflow during staffing shortages, maintaining patient safety across unfamiliar units. Before traveling, I built my clinical foundation over 3 years at St. David’s Medical Center in Austin, where I served as charge nurse and precepted 4 new-grad RNs.
I’m applying to Banner specifically because the med-surg/tele unit’s patient volume and acuity align with my experience, and I’m familiar with the Epic implementation at Banner facilities from a previous contract in the system. I can start within 2 weeks of receiving the offer, pending credentialing. I’d welcome a brief call to discuss how my contract history and EHR versatility can contribute to your unit.
Five things this cover letter does that most travel nurse applications don’t.
The first sentence names the compact license, certifications, and the headline metric: 10 contracts, 8 facilities, 5 states, zero early terminations. A unit manager reads this and immediately knows Marcus is an experienced, reliable traveler.
“Proficient in Epic, Cerner, and Meditech” is standard. “Consistently achieve full EHR productivity within my first 2 shifts” is a differentiator. It directly addresses the unit manager’s biggest concern: orientation time.
Marcus mentions floating to ICU step-down and ED overflow — not as a complaint, but as evidence of flexibility. Unit managers value travelers who can cover gaps without pushback.
“I’m familiar with the Epic implementation at Banner facilities from a previous contract” tells the unit manager that Marcus has worked in this health system before. That reduces onboarding risk significantly.
“I can start within 2 weeks of receiving the offer, pending credentialing” gives the unit manager the single most important piece of information: when Marcus can be on the unit. Speed of availability is a competitive advantage in travel nursing.
Turquoise tailors your travel nurse application materials with the compact license signals, contract metrics, and EHR adaptability details that unit managers scan for.
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