Letter of reference? What would you do?

flyersfan88 · Jan 5, 2015

Is this a professor/clinical instructor? I sent them my resume which highlighted my specific clinical experienced (not in extensive detail, just pertinent things like my ICU preceptorship, etc), work experience, and things I was involved with in school, and my references were able to work from there to make great letters.

tsm007 · Jan 5, 2015

Is this a professor/clinical instructor? I sent them my resume which highlighted my specific clinical experienced (not in extensive detail, just pertinent things like my ICU preceptorship, etc), work experience, and things I was involved with in school, and my references were able to work from there to make great letters.

Yes, it is an instructor. Thanks for your tips.

BiotoBSNtoFNP · Jan 5, 2015

Send them your resume and information about the program/job you are applying to. Email your reference with some qualities you would like to be highlighted and even examples of when you displayed that quality that they could discuss (ie you were a leader that day in clinical when you did x or a team player etc). Sometimes jobs or new grad programs emphasize on their website certain qualities they are looking for in their applicants.

Since it's for an instructor, they dont see you outside of the classroom but you could remind them of your performance in your schoolwork and your willingness to learn or attendance record etc.

Once I had a reference ( clinical instructor) tell me to fully write the letter myself and she would just sign it. Awkward!

good luck!

caliotter3 · Jan 5, 2015

Many times I have actually written the letter and the reference was all too happy to sign the letter. This is a common way to obtain references from people who are busy, lacking in knowledge of the required details, and willing to provide the reference. Ask first. Otherwise, provide a list or outline of key points you would like to be included. The more assistance you provide the person providing the reference, the more likely you are to obtain the reference you need.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 5, 2015

I don't know if a canned (pre-written) reference will be of much use to you. Most employers have very specific bits of information that they seek from your references. They just ask you to supply the name & then the employer makes direct contact with that person - asking them to provide the information. Most of the time it is a set of questions like "How would you describe Bobbi Sue's ability to work with others?" "Based on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, how would you rank Bobbi Sue's communication skills?"

Some newer HR systems just send an email link to the reference and ask them to respond online, so be sure to get email addresses for your references.

INN_777, BSN, RN · Jan 5, 2015

Hi TSM:

Although I know it can sound/feel awkward to write your own reference or even outline, it has become a pretty standard practice in today's world of very little time and many demands on that time. I have done it in my prior career in the business world and recently again for my new nursing job search.

Some instructors would write it themselves. Others would prefer some help. Nothing wrong with it as they are very busy and don't always know all of their students equally well. It just facilitates the process for them. And you:)

You can send your resume and write some bullet points that you would like them to highlight. These can range from prior experience that can be transferable to nursing to performance in school/clinical to personal qualities that you have and that are valued in the field. And, of course, at the end offer to provide any additional information they may need. And I also always tell them that they can feel absolutely free to include all or none of what I have provided. All you need is their honest opinion.

Good luck! And don't feel like you are tooting your own horn. You are just showing respect for their time and knowledge of yourself/strengths etc.

B52, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 6, 2015

If I were asked to write a letter of reference, I would either write it, based on what I know about the individual, or I would decline and say, "I don't know you well enough." That's just me. I would never ask for an outline.

tsm007 · Jan 6, 2015

Send them your resume and information about the program/job you are applying to. Email your reference with some qualities you would like to be highlighted and even examples of when you displayed that quality that they could discuss (ie you were a leader that day in clinical when you did x or a team player etc). Sometimes jobs or new grad programs emphasize on their website certain qualities they are looking for in their applicants.
Since it's for an instructor, they dont see you outside of the classroom but you could remind them of your performance in your schoolwork and your willingness to learn or attendance record etc.
Once I had a reference ( clinical instructor) tell me to fully write the letter myself and she would just sign it. Awkward!
good luck!

That's pretty much what I did. I made an outline of talking points I'd like to see and included suggestions for examples that could be used.