Do you think a professor will write you 20plus letter of recommendation?

Fribblet · Sep 21, 2010

They only need to write one and make 20 copies.

That being said do you not have anyone else who can write you a recommendation? Have you never had an employer?

digitiminimi · Sep 21, 2010

They don't need to write you 20 different letters, they can just write one and give you multiple copies with different headers (if you need the hospital's address and contact person's name on it).

coast2coast · Sep 21, 2010

They can do it, but understand it will be 20 copies of the same letter.

For this many letters, you need to ask them far in advance. Like 8 weeks, with reminder emails every 3 weeks.

sharpeimom · Sep 21, 2010

my husband is a professor who writes many many letters each year for students. many colleges, universities and employers now request or require emailed letters, which makes it easier for him

to send out many many copies. it also makes it easier to change the letter slightly so everyone doesn't get the exact same letter.

be sure to give your professors plenty of notice (realistically as much as you can) plus a friendly reminder or two, if you can.

if it's a letter to be mailed, be sure you remember to include the address the letter is to be sent to

and the postage to mail it. when a professor or instructor writes a great many letters per year, postage costs do add up and often (or usually) come out of his pocket.

i just read this to my husband and he adds:

if it has been awhile since he's had you as a student, refresh his memory a little plus tell him what you're doing now. job, married, kids, etc.

if they want a special form or paper filled out, please send it too. sometimes, they will not download

from a computer site no matter what you do.

MJB2010 · Sep 21, 2010

They only need to write one and make 20 copies.
That being said do you not have anyone else who can write you a recommendation? Have you never had an employer?

New grad programs specify that the letters must be from clinical instructors. SOme even specify from the clinical instructor of the area you want to work in.

OP- My clinical instructors wrote letters then made several copies. Just be sure to give them plenty of notice, don't ask for them to rush, Good luck with your job search!!

ObtundedRN, BSN, RN · Sep 21, 2010

The hospitals in my area usually have their own form. It has very little to write in. It is mostly a few check boxes that ask their opinion of you in a few areas (ex. Time management, clinical judgement, professionalism, etc.). It has a small section where they can write in stuff if they want, but not neccessary. Those had to be from 2-3 clinical instructors.

I also had one instructor write an actual letter of recommendation, which she did an excellant job. She asked me several questions in an email about why I wanted the specialty I was applying for, and why I would be a good pick. Also, she asked me about my 5 year goal, and a few other things. She took all of that info and worked some of the details into her letter by quoteing me. If you're getting an actual letter written, try giving them some of that info. Good luck!

GODfavorsme! · Sep 21, 2010

Make copies!

netglow, ASN, RN · Sep 21, 2010

In my area all applications are online and very formated by the facility. There is no area to put a rec. letter. Nor is it wanted. If you are called in for an interview you are welcomed to bring your stuff and hand out.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Sep 21, 2010

They write you one. You scan it into your computer and make copies. Find out if the places you are applying to require "Wet Signatures".

nowIamRN · Sep 21, 2010

Thanks everyone for your input. I always thought letters of recommendation were tailored specifically to the position or facility just like the cover letter. lol. so i really didn't think about the instructor writing just one generic letter and making copies.

@Fribblet, i am employed as a nurse tech but like MJB2010 said, these new grad programs want letters specifically from clinical instructors.

And i will definitely ask ahead of time. I thinking of asking them around Christmas break; not to write the letters yet just a head up that i will need some letters from them. most of these programs start accepting applications in and around March/April, so if i give them heads up in December, with reminders in January/February that should give them ample time right? or do i need to tell them earlier than that?

tiedied · Sep 22, 2010

all the hospitals i applied to required sealed envelopes signed over the seal by the instructor. so i couldn't just make copies. If i were you i'd get about 5 or 6 from each instructor because that's all you might need. you bring them with you to the interview--so you have to get to the interview stage! all the hospitals I applied to required the sealed, signed envelopes.