new job/letter of rec

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hello,

i work in an icu of a community hospital. we are level-1 trauma so it looks good on paper, but i'm not thrilled with my experience. maybe a third of my patients are intubated, haven't had more than two pressors but a handful of times, don't titrate much more than levo, neo, fent/versed/propofol/precedex. no antihypertensives except occasional cardene. we often step-down within the unit because step-down is full.

i have the opportunity to move to an academic hospital's icu. i've always wanted to be in the academic setting - love the teaching on rounds, research i can be involved in, etc.

i have 1.5 years at my current job (started there as new grad) and would like to go to school next fall, so applications will start this summer. i would be much happier at the new job, but would likely not get a letter from my current manager and certainly wouldn't approach my new manager 2 months into the job for a letter. of course if i stay, i will be able to get a letter because i'd be leaving after almost 3 years.

i'll be calling the schools i'm interested in to discuss the letters (without bashing my current experience, of course). i know some will allow you to have a charge nurse or someone write your letter instead of your "reviewing" manager.

any thoughts on the importance of the letters of rec in this situation vs the better experience? getting into school for next fall is the first priority to me but i also feel like i want to be comfortable managing crises and sicker patients and in that case, the move makes sense.

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Why wouldn't you ask your current manager for a letter now vs. a year from now? As long as you are leaving on good terms I don't see why this is an issue. People change jobs all the time.

You may also want to approach a few physicians you work closely with for recommendations. If I recall correctly, many anesthesia schools require letters from a few people.

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Thanks - was hired there as new grad and got a few months of orientation, just feels like less than two years is a tad short, though there was no commitment or anything. and to leave for another place in town? just feels like it would be awkward at best, but maybe not

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I was wondering the same thing. I have 2 years Nicu experience, I switched to CVICU for adult experience this past February. I am nervous to ask my manger for a LOR being that I will only have 7 mo around the time I ask. My Nicu manager said she would give me one but I think it would look better coming from adult icu. Any tips on how I should tackle this??

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I was wondering the same thing. I have 2 years Nicu experience, I switched to CVICU for adult experience this past February. I am nervous to ask my manger for a LOR being that I will only have 7 mo around the time I ask. My Nicu manager said she would give me one but I think it would look better coming from adult icu. Any tips on how I should tackle this??

I asked my director after 9 months of working and didn't have any issues. But, my director is very supportive of his staff going back to school and is much more laid back than most directors. I think it's just important to be honest and let them know that the application process takes a long time and you aren't planning on leaving super soon, and that you'll keep them updated on what's going on.

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Specializes in SICU.

I had the same situation. I think I asked my supervisor for an LOR after 4 months of being there! Hahaha, it sucked I didn't want to do it but I had to.

I'd probably stay where you are just to avoid that. Or ask for an LOR from your current supervisor before leaving.

In my opinion, experience isn't everything. Certainly it helps. But don't think there's something magical about managing 6 gtts instead of 3 gtts or whatever. That's not what teaches you anesthesia. You'll learn how to do anesthesia in anesthesia school. I think it's more important that you're not lazy and that you can learn and adapt and stay humble; that you're on top of things, extremely vigilant, anticipating problems and prepared to make a decision and act. They assume these things correlate with the best nurses with the best experience but that's not always true.

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Mully, what reaction did you get when you asked for that letter?

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Specializes in SICU.

She gave me a good rec. A couple reasons I attribute to it. 1. It was a large teaching hospital and they were always giving out LORs. 2. One of my preceptors had just gone to this manager and complimented me highly on how I was doing while on orientation. This manager came and told me that as one of my first interactions with her, so I knew we were off to a good start. 3. I don't know how much this mattered but I really downplayed it. I was like "I'm only applying to this one school and I don't think I'll get in it's just more of a practice run I plan on applying to a few next year". That was mostly true, although I had confidence that I would actually get in, which I did. But talking with her I tried to make it like it was not a big deal. Idk, I've been told that I'm a good BS'er. Plus I emphasized that even if I got in, I would still work there for a full year before moving on.

All ways round, it just sucks. I wish there were an easier way, but there's not.

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Specializes in Rehab, acute/critical care.

I think as long as you're on good terms with a manager, they shouldn't mind giving a LOR. Working a few months is enough time to get a general idea of how they are as an employee and if they have good work ethics. I once had a supervisor use me as a phone reference for a new job when I only knew her for a few months, I was surprised when it was someone calling me about her (wasn't aware) but I just truthfully answered the questions they asked. My point, I wouldn't be afraid to ask.

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Specializes in Rehab, acute/critical care.

Also, be truthful. There is no need to twist things around and complicate things.

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