asking for letter of recommendation - but graduated for 1 year already..

[miniangel729]

I am planning on applying to several different new grad residency program and it seems most require a few LOR.

I would like to ask my clinical instructors from my 1st/2nd (med-surg) and 4th/6th (pediatric) clinical instructors, but I've already graduated for about a year.. so it's been about 3 years since my med surg instructor had me, 2 years for my peds instructors..

is it okay if I ask them for a letter even after so long?

I didn't really keep in touch with them, feel embarrassed to update them that I haven't find a job yet and it's been a year since graduation!

how should I ask for the letter? email or should I drop by their office?

and I was thinking to ask for generic LOR so I can use it for the different programs - can I ask them to email me the copy? or should I provide them with a few envelopes each? I've never asked for LOR before, not too sure how to ask for one for situation like this.

any suggestion/help is appreciated!!

I was an A student for all my clinical, I worked very hard on all my care plans and usually leave with a good impression. I was a quiet student, but I think if they see me they'll remember me.

[sauconyrunner]

They probably will remember you. And with the way the job market has been, they will also understand.

The only way a Letter of Recommendation can be seen as objective is if the instructor writes it and mails it without you seeing it, so you can't get a generic one and then copy and send it out. You could tamper with it etc, though I am not saying you personally would ever do that...some people might.

You will need to decide where you are applying, and then find out the actual format that the program wants, and then take envelopes and stamps if need be (most instructors will do all that themselves, but you never know!).

Good Luck!

[CalicoKitty, BSN, RN]

Instructors from my school formulated a "generic" letter (ie not to a specific institution/floor) and sent them to the school office (so, I could easily request additional copies as needed).

When you request information from your professors, make sure you remind them of the hospital/floor/unit and semester you had with them. Since it has been a while, you may want to remind them 'more' of who you were (if you have any specific discussions from the floor). Always be respectful in the letter, and try not to demand a letter too quickly.