LOR preference

[Leeroy]

Hello all. I am currently working on my applications and I have a question about LORs. Do programs esteem letters from an MD over letter from RN's? How about from CRNA's? I have shadowed a few CRNA's but I don't feel they are familiar with my clinical abilities, they just know what kind of questions I ask, and my stats! It doesn't seem like they would be comfortable writing a quality letter. I also work nights and my face to face interaction with MD's is limited so I'm not sure if they would be able to write a quality recommendation either. Should I just go for the CNL's? I'm applying to 8 schools as well, so I would like to spread my letters out a little. (4 here, 4 there...) What are y'all's thoughts oh great ones who have gone before me??? Thanks a million. This forum is great by the way!!

[shandsburnRN-CRNA]

My program required two. One was from my unit mangager, also an ARNP, the other was from our critical care ARNP in the unit. But I know several people with all sorts of differing professionals writing letters for them, i.e. Anesthesiologists, CRNA's, other MD's, ARNP's.

I felt the same about the CRNA's not knowing me well enough clinically to write a letter for me so this is what I did. When I shadowed the CRNA's and SRNA's I took their names and let them know I was going to submit a letter with my application stating that I had shadowed them, who they were and the things I saw and/or discussed with them...they had no problems with that and thought is was a good idea.

When I interviewed they asked me about my shadowing experience and had that letter in their hand...I got in, so I guess it didn't hurt.

[gasmaster]

The 2 programs I've applied to require one LOR from the direct supervisor, 1 from a BSN instructor (or if you've been out of school too long from a colleague), and 1 from someone you've worked with. Neither school required that the letter be from a physician, but I did make sure that 1 of my letters was. I've heard that they do look favorably upon this.....