Jobs and Letters of Recommendation

[RAndaRoo]

Hey y'all!

This is kind of just a random advice question! I'm graduating in December so jobs are all opening right now. Memorial Hermann's Nurse Residency position just opened up like an hour ago. In the requirements it says attach 2 letters of recommendation, but then it also says if you are not able to attach at the time of application bring letters in sealed envelope to interview.

Let me just say getting letters is a pain in the butt. I asked 3 professors 2 weeks ago and they all agreed yes they would write me one, but I still haven't gotten any yet. They all refuse to write general letters and want it to be specific to the hospital. Clearly they don't understand that most of us apply for up to 10+ jobs.

So short story long, my question in regards to this particular application is....is it better to just apply now early without letters and then have them if I get an interview. Or try to be patient and wait a little for letters. This job app closes in a month so I have time. I just hate waiting until the last minute!

Sorry this was super long! But any advice would be great. Lol my patience is just wearing very thin with professors

[Molemedic, MSN, EMT-P, NP]

From what you're saying it sounds as though the letters of recommendation just help land the job but not necessarily increase your chance at an interview. The job positing makes it sound like everyone gets an interview and that bringing your letters to the interview is acceptable. Now me personally I like to put a good taste in their mouth during the interview and this might not be possible if they are reading my LOR's. If you can then submit them esrly if not, we'll it's better to having something over nothing.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Moved to Nursing First Job Hunt forum

[sailornurse]

As former faculty, it may be that your professors have been asked to write many LORs. It may help to send an email & explain what date interview is & what date you need the letter.

[RAndaRoo]

Thanks y'all! Lucky for me when I went to look at the application this morning it was different and the Letters of Recommendation requirement was gone. And yeah I know they probably have a lot to write but to me that's why it would be easier if they would just write a general one. My roommate said one of the job interviews she went to she took a recommendation letter sealed and they said "I already know this is just going to say a bunch of stuff about how great you are, so I don't need to read it."

Lol but thank you for all the help I greatly appreciate it!

[Tomascz, ASN, RN]

Different programs have different requirements vis a vis letters and other tools they use to sort the wheat from the chaff.

I've submitted personality tests and had my references subjected to several waves of phone calls, personality and work habits surveys, e-mail contacts, etc. Due to the fact that most of my references are working nurses; I'm sure they have better things to do. Of course, as soon as I get employed the torture will stop, so more motivation for them. I called my former place of employment this morning and the secretary is imploring callers to "please god, just hire the man".

You probably only need one or two letters from profs and most seem to want letters from at least one clinical instructor. Lots don't even ask for letters, just names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Hopefully you've made some friends along the way who will be willing to put up with a little harassment on your behalf. Good luck.