letters of reference...

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Hi all

I have questions about that most dreaded activity of a newly licensed nurse: the letters of recommendation. What do I do when the folks who have agreed to write them just...aren't? I feel so uncomfortable asking when they're going to get on that. I know nurses are busy, but I have to admit that I kind of feel like if you don't want to do them, don't agree to precept. I'm not talking about the beleaguered floor nurses who get stuck with a passel of students. I mean the lovely, wonderful folks who take us one-on-one for our senior capstone. The hospitals around here won't even talk to you as a new grad unless you have two clinical letters of reference. And I've asked, and people have agreed, but they just haven't done them! I know I can't say "you know what, this is my freakin LIFE we're dealing with, and in a month and a half I won't be able to pay my rent, and I already kind of can't afford food, and I need a freakin JOB already!" But how do I give a gentle nooodge? I've already done the "just checking in, making sure you have my email address for that recommendation" subtle-ish thing. HELP!

[mtngrl, ASN, RN]

I suppose just be blunt and say "can you have that letter done by (give them 2 days or so)...I am submitting my resume to the hospital and they really need the letter..thanks". Say how much you really appreciate it and you understand they are busy, but let them know how much the hospital insists on having the letter. I myself have never had to do such a thing. Just the usual references. I have never heard of a hospital insisting on such a thing. And if they don't get around to the letter within a few days, can't you submit your resume anyway? I would, and if the hospital asks, just tell them what a hard time you are having getting anyone to write one.

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

Call their managers or the nurse recruiters and ask them if they could get a fire going under them. At this point what have you got to lose? Tell them your situation and that your future employment is depending on these letters and these people promised them to you. I think I know the answer you're going to get though. Most places tell their employees that under no circumstances are they to give out any recommendations about any other employees. All that stuff is to go through the human resources department. I'm guessing these people probably found out about that after they made promises to you and they just don't know how to say they can't do it for you. This is also the answer that you can give to prospective employers as well. They should understand this as they probably have the same policy for their employees as well.

[elizabells, BSN, RN]

Sigh. Okay. Still no love from the recommendation gods. Here's my new question. I've heard from five people at different hospitals, three in management positions (none at my hoped-for place of employ) that people usually write their own references and just have them signed if the recommendor agrees. Is this a widespread, truly acceptable practice? I have no problem with it if it's really what people do, but I don't want to do it if it's not okay. Y'all can PM me if you don't want to post publicly.

[Jolie, BSN]

Sigh. Okay. Still no love from the recommendation gods. Here's my new question. I've heard from five people at different hospitals, three in management positions (none at my hoped-for place of employ) that people usually write their own references and just have them signed if the recommendor agrees. Is this a widespread, truly acceptable practice? I have no problem with it if it's really what people do, but I don't want to do it if it's not okay. Y'all can PM me if you don't want to post publicly.

As a nurse manager, I was asked to write recommendations for some of my staff members who were applying to grad school. I wasn't very well-versed in doing this, so I asked them to prepare a "sample" for me that I modified a bit, typed myself, signed, and sent to their schools. (They had to come directly from the person writing the reference.)

Perhaps it is a matter of not knowing exactly what to write that is keeping your reference writers from completing the task. Go on some websites, find some examples, write them up yourself, and provide them to your writers to give them a nudge. If that does not do the trick, then politely ask if they would prefer you ask someone else. It is not fair to allow their procrastination to interfere with your job search.

Good luck!