How to get a good recommendation letter...

[pacifica]

Hey all,

I've been reading through the threads on GPA, GRE scores, CCRN, ICU experience etc. I feel like I have a good handle on all those aspects of the CRNA school application and will be competitive.

I've always felt insecure, however, about asking for and getting excellent recommendations and it seems like that is a very important piece of the application package. I'm getting ready to graduate with my ADN (have a previous BA in Biology) and hope to secure a new grad internship/residency in an ICU right away. So I have a couple of years (at least) of work ahead of me as an RN before I think about applying to CRNA school.

My question is: does anyone have any good, concrete suggestions for how to build relationships that will result in excellent recommendation letters 2 or 3 years down the road, when I apply to CRNA school? I don't want to wait until I'm ready to apply to start thinking about this because then I feel like I have to play catch up and sell myself harder to the person I want to recommend me. I think that comes across as self-serving and kind of fakey to do that.

I'm a hard worker and pretty smart, I think, but I am sometimes uncomfortable trying to chat it up with superiors. There are so many smart and talented nurses. How can I stand out to my managers while not looking like I'm blatantly trying to suck up to them?

Thanks for any tips!

:redbeathe Kris

[srnamom]

You don't necessarily need to chat up your superiors. Get into a unit with a strong orientation program for new grads. Make the most of it--read everything you can get your hands on, review your coursework, take the sickest patients you can. Be a team player by pitching in to help where you see a need. Get extra training when you can, such as IABP, CRRT, etc. Seek out nurses you respect and learn from them, even after orientation.

[CVICU05]

I would start shadowing a crna because many times schools want a reference from a crna. The tricky part is finding one, so you might have to ask around the hospital you are planning on working. Also, I would be very selective about who you tell in your ICU what your "true future plans" are. Many times, older nurses are resentful towards young nurses that come in to an ICU with one goal: to get your year in and leave to go back to school.

Some schools also want references from a Doctor you work closely with, co-worker, former nursing school instructor, and sometimes a charge nurse. All schools have different requirements.