Faculty writing reference/recommendation letters for students...

[sarabear44]

Dear Nursing faculty,

What is the best way for students to approach you to ask for recommendation/reference letters for jobs? How long does it take you to write a letter? And, how much advance notice do you need? Don't you automatically expect that you're going to be writing a letter for your clinical students??

I am going to be a new grad RN and am extremely concerned about finding a job, as I am looking for a job out-of-state. I want to start working as soon as possible and have started applying for new grad residencies and jobs 8 weeks in advance of graduation.

I emailed my faculty 2 weeks ago to ask for reference letters. I emailed them again today to remind them. I sent my resume, list of SON activities, and a competency review in which I wrote examples of how I meet certain new grad competencies.

I spend several hours at the end of each term writing faculty reviews. I also spend countless hours doing assignments that faculty expect to be turned in on time.

Can anyone who is a faculty help me to understand why my faculty aren't writing my recommendation letter? I don't want to be too pushy, but I want to be persistent. I want to be professional, too.

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

I've had students email me, phone me, and knock on my office door. Personally, it does not matter to me how the request is made. However, if you have only requested via email and have not received a confirmation, it could be that the email has not been received (opened and read). Faculty get A LOT of email. In that case, I don't think it is unreasonable to phone or visit (office) the faculty and make a request. If the faculty has confirmed that they would give a reference, it should not take long. I generally respond within a day, never more than a couple of days.

[sarabear44]

Wow, "never more than a couple of days"!

I should have mentioned that I have talked to BOTH faculty in person over a month ago. Both have confirmed by e-mail and in person that they are willing to write me a letter. I chose the two faculty who know me the best--who spent the most hours with me and I have developed a relationship with each of them over the course of my program. Two weeks ago, I e-mailed both of them my resume and list of activities and asked for a letter. Today, I e-mailed them a 2-page document in which I wrote examples of how I met certain new grad competencies...

I feel frustrated and disappointed that my hard work, perseverance, preparation, and professionalism is not being reciprocated. There isn't much that faculty can physically provide to students to help them get hired except for a reference letter and willingness to be called for references....

When I was a teacher and was asked to write letters, I took it as an honor that students trusted me and saw me as someone they wanted backing them up... I don't understand...

But, thank you for your reply!

[iteachob, MSN, RN]

You have every right to feel frustrated. Very unprofessional on their part.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

Consider that school is out for the summer and it's possible your instructors don't check their school email during the summer. I don't check mine. They may not have read what you recently sent them. Call them!

If you sent your request to their home email and they haven't responded, it might be a good idea to request the letters from other faculty members. If they haven't responded to you in 2 weeks, and have received your request, the only good explanation is that they've been on vacation or had a family need and didn't have time.

I write letters as soon as I receive them. It's the honorable thing to do for someone who depends on me to be honorable.