April 6, 2020

Banner University Medical Center

1111 E. McDowell Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85006

Dear Hiring Manager,

My name is Amanda Shackelford and I am writing to express my interest in beginning my

nursing career in Banner’s New Graduate RN Program. I will be graduating from the University
of Arizona’s College of Nursing with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May 2020 and I am
taking the NCLEX in June 2020. Most recently, I have completed a 180 hour ICU practicum at
the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System in Tucson, Arizona. Through this practicum, I
have learned and refined countless skills regarding compassionate and inclusive patient care and
also skills such as professionalism, communication, and leadership. I believe this knowledge has
provided me the foundation to truly flourish in the educational and research-based culture that is
Banner University.

Throughout my time at the University of Arizona College of Nursing, I have been immersed in
evidence–based practice and collaborative environments that coincide with a rigorous didactic
educational model. The curriculum has challenged me to think critically in clinical, simulation
and theory, and I thrive on that deeper knowledge and crave more opportunities to learn and
practice it. I love the motto “see one, do one, teach one” because the method sharpens critical
thinking. My precepting nurse and I used this method in the ICU for developing skills. One
example of a skill learned is Bispectral index monitoring and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation using
Train of Four to measure a patient’s level of sedation and paralytic. I learned how to extract the
essential information and apply it to the corresponding medications. My preceptor taught me the
skill, and the following day, I performed it and taught another student nurse on the unit. Using
this learning technique proved to be extremely effective, and I hope to employ it in the future.

Outside the clinical world, I have gained experience in collaboration and interpersonal
interactions by being a preceptor myself of a general chemistry course. I individually tutored
college students, provided weekly reviews for 15–25 students, and offered quarterly exam
preparation sessions that had up to 100 students attend. Also, I have participated in events held
by the University of Arizona’s Health Sciences Department called Interprofessional Exercises,
and they have brought students of all health professions to discuss cases regarding patient safety,
disabilities, and opioids.

Overall, I believe my experiences, skills, and qualifications have molded me into well–rounded
applicant, ready to begin my nursing career. My passion and eagerness to enter the nursing field
is indescribable, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds. I genuinely appreciate the
opportunity to begin my career at Banner and thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Amanda Shackelford