Asking for letters of recommendations

[future_anesthetist, BSN, CNA, RN]

Hi all,

I'll soon be starting an ICU internship with a 2 year commitment and I need clarification regarding asking managers for letters of recommendations. I'm finding that CRNA programs usually have their application deadline about 1 year before the program starts. Meaning, if I was to follow through with the 2 year commitment, I could apply at the end of my first year, and hopefully start the CRNA program at the end of my 2nd year on the job (ideally).

So, when asking for letters of rec's, has anyone found managers to be angry or unwilling to write the letter due to the lack of 2 year commitment at the time of application? I don't want to work the two years and then apply because that would technically be 3 years experience once the program starts. Obviously I understand that 3 years wouldn't be a BAD thing, but I'm just trying to figure out how to do this in the quickest way possible. I mean, technically I could apply right away because that would be a year once the CRNA program starts. But I want to be faithful to the ICU and commit to two years.

I know that If I don't get accepted the first time then I can try again. I want the best odds is all! Thank you!

[Screen name]

Get in there and see who would even be a good reference. You might work nights and have the night supervisor give you a reference rather than your manager (who wouldn't witness your abilities on a regular basis).

I didn't start worrying about who to get a reference from until I had formed working relationships with surgeons, nurses, PA/NP and others. Then picked those that I knew had seen me doing well, had opened chests at the bedside with, laughed and joked with while settling patients -- those are who I ended up asking.

[detroitdano]

It's completely fine to ask for a recommendation from your manager after a year. That's how my manager was. Any manager who refuses to write a letter after a year, knowing you are still giving a full two years as they originally requested, is just being ridiculous.

God forbid your manager refuses to write the letter, you could always ask the programs you are interested in what you could do about it, perhaps get a recommendation from the charge nurse, assistant manager, maybe your CNS if you have one, etc.

[future_anesthetist, BSN, CNA, RN]

Thank you both for your reply ---was helpful. I have another question to add to that. When asking for letters of recommendations do I have to say it's for nurse anesthesia school? As in does it have to be directly addressed to the school or could it be sort of a general letter. I guess it also depends on if the school requires the manager to send it directly... Any thoughts? Thanks!!

[Screen name]

You can get an actual letter written if you want to - I did. But visit some schools you are interested in applying to. They have recommendation forms on their website. These are pages of boxes your manager (or other reference) puts a 'check' in, and then there is room for them to write any comments. It got frustrating because some schools don't allow access to the forms until you have filled out the application to apply. Then you are directed to a page you can't get to otherwise that has forms to download and other links.

At the top of the form (if your schools have one to download and print) it's going to say, for example, "DUKE UNIVERSITY - NURSE ANESTHESIA PROGRAM". So they will know what it is for. They can also choose to seal it up before giving it to you, but I didn't give them a chance to do that (some schools even want the back of the envelope signed across the flap to know that once it was closed no one opened it). I wanted to see them before I sent them. I don't know why you wouldn't want to tell them it's for anesthesia school. A reference is a reference. If they know it's for NP school will they question your leaving before or after your contract any more or less? Probably not.

I still got separate letters from each person, on company letter head, and any comments on the forms I asked that they put "see reference letter for details". The schools want their reference forms filled out because it gives them a quick overview of you and your abilities.

I had all the letters addressed directly at the school and program director. This did mean they needed to print out 4 or 5 letters with only the schools and names of people changed. But I did have them make a general use version including 'to whom it may concern' and 'admissions committee' just incase I found other schools I wanted to apply to - and I explained to them that's why I needed that version.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Generally, letters of recommendations I've written have gone directly to the schools, and never touch the applicants hands.