Letters of reference-what to do?

What about earning top grades and developing good relationships with your professors? Then you could ask them to write you letters of reference. That is what I'm doing.

Otherwise, have you been involved with something like PTA? Perhaps you could get a good reference that way.

Have you been taking any prereqs recently? Maybe a professor could help you. Even if they don't know you that well, they can still write that you came to class and worked hard, you were punctual, etc.

Do you belong to a church? I am sure my priest would write me a letter stating that I am committed to church activities and that I am a compassionate person.

Do you volunteer in your kid's classrooms? Maybe the teacher or some administrator could write about how you come in and are dependable and energetic.

I understand your frustration. I have been out of work for 5 years and it is weird filling out job applications with recommendations. These people haven't dealt with me in 5 years! But everyone I have asked has agreed to help me out.

Good luck.

I am not taking any pre-req's til January, which is when my NS application is due (the school said they can accept me contingent on a passing grade in chem.)

So, I can't really wait til I'm in school for a reference, if that makes sense. They'd be waiting for a pre-req grade and 1 reference. Can you say DENIED? lol.

I could probably ask my daughter's teacher from last year, as I was a room parent, and we had a good report.

This school thing is tough, and this is NOTHING compared to what lies ahead.

Thanks for the replies, I do so appreciate them!

I am in the exact same situation. I also have been out of the work force for almost 10 years and I have been a SAHM. I am tying to get my application out before this Friday for the Fall of 2008 program. The people I ask to fill out the reference sheet can just mail it directly to the nursing school. I asked my Anatomy instructor to give me a reference. I am still trying to figure out who would be the best for the second reference that I need. The nursing school I think understands. They gave me the idea of clergy but I don't feel they know me that well. My best friend's sister is an instructor at the University I attend and has known me forever so I may use her. She writes them all the time and would be more of a character reference I quess. Otherwise, I may use the president of the home and school association at my kids school. I was a homeroom mom and one of her kids was in the class. She has seen me volunteer in different activities and she is a leader in boyscouts like my husband is now. Call your nursing school and see what they recommend. Maybe because of your situation they will take character references.

Mommycakes,

It sounds like you have a good plan and thanks for the advice!

I'll be pulling for you good luck!

Another thing you can do this semester. My school has a health professional students club, and I joined that. I also joined the honor society Phi Theta Kappa. I do not need letters of reference, but if I did the A&P professor that heads the health profession club already said in a group meeting that she would write one for any member. In addition, I could get one from Phi Theta kappa, or from my micro, A&P, or Biology professor who I had a good relationship with.

So this semester when you start school sit in the front row, ask questions, and go to any tutorials your professor offers. In this way you will kinda stay his/her memory a bit more. Get involved in groups, and clubs, and by next semester you will have too many references to choose from.