who do/did you ask for recomendations?

Hi Piper,
I finally got the courage to tell my manager that I am applying and would like her recommendation. She was surprisingly supportive. There is an affiliated unit where the manager is openly discouraging of anyone going to anesthesia school, but there always seems to be a couple every year that go from that unit. I have talked to a couple of them and they both said that the manager was disappointed but that she wouldn't hold a person back from going if that's what they wanted.

I seem to recall that many of the programs require a nursing supervisor's recommendation along with others. If you absolutely can't get a good rec from anyone at work, I would shadow a CRNA. Build a relationship with one of the doctors in your unit and ask them. Also, a nursing co-worker can write an excellent recommendation if you trust any of your coworkers.

Ask the physicians that you work closely with to give a rec for you. Your nurse manager is almost a requirement for most schools. Unfortunately some ICUs and RNs in general start hating on those wanting to go to CRNA school. This is when nursing rears its sometimes catty and backstabbing ways. These individuals made choices for some reason or another and they can't go to school so they are going to take it out on those who try and make something better for themselves. This is a game that plays out I'm sure across the country.

Here's a alternative method to give you a heads up about what people are saying about you. Say you want to go to schools A and B. Pick some random school (C) that you honestly have no intention of attending. Hand everyone that you want recs from for schools A, B, and C. Obtain these letters of rec and open all letters for school C. You have to assume if someone wrote you a good letter of rec for school C then he or she did the same on the form for school A, but it is a chance you have to take. If someone wrote you a bad letter of rec, then pull all these person's letters for schools A and B. Not that I did this in any way, but something "a friend" of mine told me about...

What may suprise you is that people you think are on your side will actually try to screw you over in a passive / aggressive manner once you read the letters.

Good luck.

Do you have any supervisors/assistant managers on the unit that you could possibly ask?

I too am wondering when it is acceptable to ask an anesthesia provider for a recommendation. I get/give reports to them sometimes, and have shadowed. But I'd like to know at what point they would feel comfortable writing a recommendation, i.e. based on shadowing, mutual pts, etc.

A recommendation from a CRNA is the gold standard. If you can get one or two that will look better than any other recommendation. that being said most programs I know of will tell you who they want recommendations from.

I had a similar problem in not wanting to ask my NM and you do have to be careful because there is an attitude out there towards prospective CRNAs that is negative at times. Sometimes you don't find out about these feelings until it's too late. You will likely need a direct supervisor to give the reference. I sought out a few people to fufill this requirement: My CNS, A supervisor of a floor that I work pool once in a while, a charge nurse, a DON that used to be my supervisor.

You should definitely shadow a CRNA at some point. Not only would this provide a great reference but you will probably be asked about your knowledge of the role of CRNAs in your interview. I think it is imperative to have as much knowledge of the job itself including the daily pitfalls, rewards, responsibilities, political aspects and dynamics between other professionals before selecting to become a CRNA. Good Luck!

I aree, I had one of the CRNA's in our group as well as the chief of the anesthesia dept and my nurse manager to write references for me. Good luck.
Glenda

(finally a RRNA)

I have had my NM tell me that she will not give me a good review untill I have worked as an ICU nurse for 2 years. I am a good nurse and she says my skills are were they should be at this point, but does not feel any icu nurse should go to CRNA school with out 2-3 years experance. what to do, what to do?

The most important thing is that the person must know you well enough to give you a superb recommendation. You don't want just a I know so and so etc. They must have at least a few qualities they know you possess based on observation or close encounter. Good luck.

Think creatively wbout who might be your "manager." If you are a "clinical nurse II" and you are friendly with a "CN III," well, he/she has been a mentor and guide to you and can speak to your CRNA potential. If your immediate boss is a b!tch, how about the boss above him/her? Anyone in nursing admin at your facility who you have a relationship with? Or a nurse educator?

My nurse manager was for a while the assistant manager who was pulled into the job when the old manager was fired. She was the kind of manager who cares about the schedule and only the schedule. In addition she was borderline illiterate and could never have written a polished letter. Luck was on my side when a very professional and supportive manager was hired and she returned to being assistant. The new manager was happy to see anyone better themselves even if it took them away from her unit. I gave her a gift certificate to a gourmet deli when I left. Bless her heart.