Published Aug 2, 2015
turnforthenurse, MSN, NP
3,364 Posts
How do you go about asking for a letter of reference from school faculty when it's been awhile since you have been in school? I graduated almost 5 years ago and it's probably been at least 7 years since I have asked for a letter of recommendation from school faculty. It just feels kind of awkward to all of a sudden ask for said letter. One of the grad schools I am applying to requires 3 letters with one being from school faculty from a BSN program. Thanks for your input.
nyc2011
151 Posts
I would email them and let them know that you need one from a faculty. Then also add in a current resume! That way they can write you a accurate letter. :)
applesxoranges, BSN, RN
2,242 Posts
Hopefully there will still be people that remember you! I would contact the school and see if they will take a nurse educator from a job in place of a teacher. 5 years is a really long time and dozens of students have passed through the same classes.
That is a great idea! Thank you for the suggestion!
littlepeopleRNICU
476 Posts
This probably sounds really unprofessional, but I sent the two of mine messages on Facebook. I don't touch base with them on a regular basis, but every now and then. One of them actually offered me a lot of advice regarding applying to NP school over the last couple of years while I was researching, so she was already well aware I was going to apply.
OBigdog26, MSN, RN, NP
248 Posts
Ask your nurse manager or clinical supervisors if they don't mind writing you a letter. Also, you can ask some of the docs you work and have good rapport with to see if they can give you a recommendation letter.
I was very fortunate to work in the ED and was able to get a reference letter from one of the docs and pharmacist I work with.
Good luck
Sent from my iPhone using allnurses. Pardon for any misspelled words, I blame it on auto-correct.
I still recommend asking the school if a nurse educator can satisfy the requirement since 5 years is a long time to expect someone to maintain contact with an old professor. 3 years is a bit too much too.
Great ideas, thank you!