Staring at that blank page, trying to figure out how to show a nursing manager you’re the compassionate, capable nursing assistant they desperately need? You’re definitely not alone. Writing a Nursing Assistant cover letter that highlights your patient care skills without sounding like every other “caring and empathetic” application is one of the trickiest challenges in today’s competitive healthcare market. The good news? A standout cover letter can be your secret weapon to rise above the competition and secure that dream healthcare position.

This guide will take your cover letter from generic template to interview magnet. We’ll reveal exactly how to start with maximum impact, prove your worth through specific patient care examples, and finish with confidence. Plus, you’ll discover insider tips on what Australian hospitals and aged care facilities are really looking for, complete with real examples that actually work. Whether you’re stepping up from trainee to qualified assistant or bringing your patient care experience to a new healthcare setting, we’ve got you covered.

Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Example (Text Version)

Maya Patel
[email protected]
0429 567 834
linkedin.com/in/mayapatel-nursing
Melbourne, VIC

20 March 2025

Ms Karen Stevens
Nursing Unit Manager
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
300 Grattan Street
Parkville, VIC 3050

Dear Karen,

When I discovered that The Royal Melbourne Hospital is seeking a Nursing Assistant to support your medical ward team in delivering quality patient care, I recognized this was precisely the opportunity I’ve been working toward. As someone who worked as an Assistant in Nursing at St Vincent’s Private Hospital—providing direct patient care for 12-15 patients per shift across surgical and medical wards maintaining dignity and comfort while supporting activities of daily living, monitoring and recording vital signs including temperature, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation detecting changes requiring RN escalation on 8 occasions preventing deterioration, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams including RNs, physiotherapists, and dietitians ensuring coordinated care achieving 97% patient satisfaction scores during quarterly surveys—I’m thrilled at the prospect of combining compassionate care and clinical competence for Victoria’s leading teaching hospital.

Over the past four years as a Nursing Assistant working throughout Melbourne’s hospital and aged care sectors, I’ve repeatedly delivered results that match perfectly with your needs. I’ve assisted patients with personal hygiene, mobility, toileting, showering, and dressing maintaining dignity and privacy while following care plans, monitored and documented vital signs, fluid balance, food intake, and behavioral observations communicating concerns to registered nurses promptly, supported wound care, catheter care, and post-operative recovery under RN supervision maintaining infection control protocols, responded to patient call bells efficiently addressing needs and ensuring safety including fall prevention strategies, maintained clean, safe patient environments through bed making, equipment cleaning, and hazard identification, and communicated with patients and families providing reassurance, answering questions, and demonstrating respect for cultural and individual preferences. My background spanning acute care, aged care, and rehabilitation settings has shown me that exceptional nursing assistance merges clinical skills with genuine compassion—precisely what you require for patient-centered hospital care.

What really attracts me to The Royal Melbourne Hospital is your reputation for clinical excellence and your commitment to innovation in patient care and staff development. I hold a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, current National Police Check and Working with Children Check, full immunization records including COVID-19, influenza, and hepatitis B documented and compliant with healthcare worker requirements, and completed professional development in manual handling, infection prevention and control, dementia care approaches, and recognizing the deteriorating patient. I’m proficient with electronic medical records systems including Cerner and experienced documenting observations, care provided, and incident reports accurately and thoroughly. One achievement I’m particularly proud of is implementing a hydration monitoring system for confused patients on my ward that reduced UTI incidents by 23% over six months while improving comfort and outcomes. I’m convinced that nursing assistants aren’t merely task-oriented helpers—we’re vital healthcare team members who provide hands-on care maintaining patient dignity, identify clinical changes through vigilant observation, and contribute to positive outcomes through competent, compassionate assistance.

I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my proven ability to provide quality patient care while working effectively within multidisciplinary teams can enhance The Royal Melbourne Hospital’s nursing services and patient experiences. Thank you for reviewing my application, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.

Sincerely,

Maya Patel
[email protected]
0429 567 834
linkedin.com/in/mayapatel-nursing

How to Format a Nursing Assistant Cover Letter

Length: Maximum 1 page (3–5 paragraphs)
Font: Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman (10–12pt)
Spacing: Single or 1.15 line spacing
Margins: 1 inch on all sides
File format: PDF

What to Include in a Nursing Assistant Cover Letter (Australia)

Your Nursing Assistant cover letter needs to follow a care-focused structure that showcases both clinical competence and compassionate patient care:

Contact Details
Salutation (Dear Hiring Manager or name)
Opening paragraph – your hook and intent
Middle – why you’re the best fit (skills + experience)
Closing – call to action + sign off

Right vs Wrong Example

Right Opening: “When Ramsay Health Care announced the expansion of their rehabilitation ward at Hollywood Private Hospital requiring experienced nursing assistants to support post-surgical and stroke recovery patients across a 30-bed unit, I instantly recognized where my background providing specialized rehabilitation support—assisting 10-12 patients daily with mobility exercises, ADL retraining, and physiotherapy programmes under RN supervision achieving 89% of patients meeting discharge mobility goals, monitoring neurological observations and early warning scores escalating 6 deteriorating patients to medical teams preventing adverse events, and maintaining exemplary infection control practices contributing to zero hospital-acquired infections across 18 consecutive months—could support your patient recovery outcomes while establishing the clinical vigilance and rehabilitative focus your programmes demand.”

Wrong Opening: “I am writing to apply for the Nursing Assistant position that was advertised on Seek. I have experience working in aged care and I’m good with elderly people. I believe I would be a good fit for this role at your hospital.”

Entry-Level Nursing Assistant Cover Letter Tips

Emphasize relevant qualifications including Certificate III in Health Services Assistance or Individual Support
Showcase clinical placement hours from your qualification with specific patient care examples
Demonstrate understanding of infection control, patient safety, vital signs, and scope of practice

Entry-Level Cover Letter Sample for Nursing Assistant

Right Entry-Level Approach: “As a recent graduate of Certificate III in Health Services Assistance through TAFE NSW with Distinction grades across all clinical units, I’m excited to apply for the Nursing Assistant position at Nepean Hospital. During my 120 hours of clinical placement across medical and surgical wards at Westmead Hospital, I provided direct care for 25+ patients including assistance with personal hygiene, mobility, meals, and elimination maintaining dignity and infection control standards, accurately recorded vital signs, fluid balance charts, and patient observations using hospital documentation systems with zero errors noted by supervising RNs, responded appropriately to 3 patient deterioration situations including one hypoglycemic episode where my prompt vital signs check and RN notification prevented further decline, and received placement feedback stating I ‘demonstrated maturity beyond a student level, excellent communication with vulnerable patients, and thorough understanding of infection prevention protocols.’ I hold current National Police Check, full healthcare worker immunizations including annual influenza and COVID-19 boosters documented through AIR, and completed manual handling training achieving competency in safe patient transfers. This blend of formal healthcare training and supervised clinical practice demonstrated that effective nursing assistance harmonizes technical competence with empathetic patient interaction and safety awareness—capabilities I’m excited to contribute in a professional healthcare capacity.”

Wrong Entry-Level Approach: “I just finished my Certificate III and I’m looking for my first nursing assistant job. I don’t have experience yet but I’m a caring person and I learn quickly. I’ve looked after my elderly grandmother so I understand what patients need. Please consider me.”

Top Mistakes to Avoid in a Nursing Assistant Cover Letter

Not mentioning mandatory requirements (Police Check, immunization status, Certificate III qualification)
Being vague about patient numbers, clinical settings, or specific care tasks performed
Neglecting to mention teamwork with RNs, infection control compliance, or clinical observation skills

How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to a Job Ad

Align with their healthcare setting (acute hospital, aged care, disability, rehabilitation, mental health)
Address specific patient populations they mention (elderly, post-surgical, dementia, pediatric)
Reflect their values (patient-centered care, safety culture, person-centered approach, clinical excellence)

How to Sign Off Your Nursing Assistant Cover Letter

Use “Sincerely” or “Kind regards”
Include full name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn (optional)

Cover Letter Signature Example

Sincerely,

James Wong
[email protected]
0412 345 789
linkedin.com/in/jameswong-nursing

How to Submit a Cover Letter in Australia

Always attach as a PDF (unless instructed otherwise)
Label file professionally (e.g. MayaPatel_CoverLetter.pdf)
If submitting via Seek or healthcare job portals, include a brief intro

Final Tips for Writing a Great Nursing Assistant Cover Letter

Lead with specific patient care examples (patient numbers, clinical settings, procedures assisted, outcomes)
Balance clinical competence with compassionate care demonstrating both technical skills and patient empathy
Show understanding of healthcare standards including infection control, documentation, safety protocols
Emphasize teamwork and communication with RNs, allied health, patients, and families

More Resources for Job Seekers

Ready to nail your entire application? Check out our Nursing Assistant Resume Examples for the perfect complement to your cover letter. Prepare for success with our Common Interview Questions for nursing assistant and healthcare support roles, and explore our Selection Criteria Templates for government hospital and health service positions.

Remember, your cover letter should work alongside your resume to tell a compelling story about why you’re the nursing assistant they need. Concentrate on specific patient care experiences that demonstrate both clinical capability and compassionate practice, express genuine enthusiasm for their healthcare facility and patient population, and always emphasize how you’ll support quality care through competent assistance from day one. With Australia’s healthcare sector continuing to evolve through aged care reforms, hospital staffing challenges, and increasing focus on patient safety and quality standards, healthcare facilities are seeking nursing assistants who can balance clinical competence with empathetic care and infection control compliance with patient-centered practice. Stay current with healthcare best practices through organizations like the Personal Care Association Australia and pursue professional development including Certificate III completion, specialized training in dementia care, palliative care, mental health first aid, and advanced infection prevention, and develop your clinical knowledge to ensure your application reflects current healthcare expectations and patient care standards.

Nursing Assistant Cover Letter: Example, Template + How to Write One in Australia