Asking for Recommendation from RN Supervisor after 1 yr. on unit?

[CriticalAnesthesiaRN]

Hello,

Ive worked on a critical care unit (mixed ICU) for about a yr now. I am very nervous about asking my RN supervisor for a recommendation letter since I haven't gotten to really know her and I don't feel she sees my work on a daily basis enough to determine if i excel in any one clinical area. How did you SRNAs/CRNAs that only had one yr of experience go about asking your supervisors for a recommendation? Thanks!:)

[Class2011]

If it's a required reference, you have no choice but to ask her. But "supervisor" can be interpreted differently. I had my supervisor's assistant write for me because I felt she knew me and my skills better. At the time, she had a supervisory role over me. No one questioned my using her instead of the actual nurse manager. Perhaps you have a nurse educator or charge nurse that knows you better.

One program that I applied to insisted on a letter from the Dean of my nursing school which was ridiculous based on circumstances at my school. I did get the dean to respond, but I also had my favorite teacher write a reference. Nothing says you can't have more than the required references.

Most supervisors realize that writing references is part of their job. They are unlikely to say no. The trick is trying to suss what they are going to write. Supervisors are also usually aware of the risk of being sued over a reference and are unlikely to write something bad, but may just write the bare minimum--dates, position, salary. That might not hurt, but it certainly won't help. You want to find at least one or two people who will take the time to write something personal about you as a nurse. The best references will offer to let you see what they are write.

There's also the title--the bigger the better. Chief's are good.

Good luck!

[cafeconleche]

I've been meaning to ask this same question on this site! I promised my manager that I would commit to 2 years in the ICU [they spent the time & money to train me so I do feel obligated to uphold my end of the bargain---I have been an RN for 11 years (tele & emergency mostly)]. I recently received a glowing 1 year evaluation, but I'm still afraid to ask for a letter of recommendation for CRNA school, even though I'll end up being there for about 2 years by the time CRNA school starts. I have even decided not to apply to several schools (that require a leter from a manager) this fall because #1 I'm too afraid to ask for the letter this soon and #2 I know that by next year I'll be an even better candidate with 2+ years under my belt as an ICU nurse and a guaranteed great letter of recommendation from my manager (I work at a very large world renowned University hospital, so her letter will hopefully hold some weight).

However, I might need a letter from her for some of the applications that are due this spring. After she and my colleagues know I will eventually be leaving, it will make me feel uncomfortable at work for the rest of the year and possibly longer until I am accepted into school. Should I still ask for the letter? I will have been in the ICU for 1.5 years by then. The ICU unit I work on has lots of RNs with MSN degrees and they do encourage going back to school, but most of those nurses are able to work and go to school so it's a slightly different scenario. Also, I heard that the manager won't write letters of reference until you've been there for 2 years. I'm just trying to avoid an awkward working environment. Any advice on this situation would be great, thanks!