New here, question about letters of recommendation for applications to nsg school

arciedee · May 13, 2005

I am just in the application phase myself and my current job has NOTHING to do with healthcare. But when I spoke with someone at the program I am applying to, she said that a current supervisor would be fine. Basically they want someone to say, "yes, so-and-so is a hard worker, pays attention to details, is a team player" or whatever other positive attributes would be valuable in any career. I'm also planning to ask two of my current professors to write recs since they can talk about my academic abilities. Your nurse friend should be good, as long as she is writing it from a nurse perspective and not a neighbor perspective. I was given the impression that they frown on friends and family writing recommendations since obviously they may be a little biased!

As you said, any of these second career programs know that we're coming from a variety of backgrounds and it is unrealistic to expect that we're going to turn in three recommendations from healthcare professionals. They basically want to know that we have the academic and people skills to be successful in their program. They'll teach us the rest!

I hope this helps, and good luck with your app!

smile123 · May 14, 2005

Hi all. I've been lurking here off and on for a while. As my username says, I'm thinking about a second career as an RN. I'm 35, married for 11 1/2 years and have one son who is 7 1/2. I'm probably going to do the accelerated program at the University of Cincinnati. I went to an infomation session there a couple weeks ago but I haven't officially applied yet and this brings me to my first question:
The school of nursing requires 3 letters of recommendation. My first choice is an easy one: my neighbor (who I am very close to) is a NICU nurse and she is the person who has inspired me to go back to school and do something she and I know I would really love.
Then I get stuck. I haven't worked in healthcare before so anyone else I would choose would be from "the outside" so they would just be giving info on the kind of person I am and their opinion of me but wouldn't have any real insight on what kind of nursing student I would be nor what kind of nurse I would be. I know I'm not the only person in this position and I'm sure the admissions people at the school know they won't get references exclusively from healthcare people.
I know I'm rambling, I'm the sort of person who agonizes over the details where really important decisions are on the line.
Any thoughts? I have some "newer" friends who would write letters as well as several people who have known me since I was a child. I could ask my supervisor at work (I have a good relationship with him and I know he thinks highly of me). I just don't know what they might be looking for. Anyone know or have an idea? Are they just making sure I'm not an axe murderer? :chuckle
Thanks for bearing with me through my very long intro.
Karen

For an accelerated program, it would be a good idea to get one of your profs to write a recommendation for you. They want to know if you can do well in an accelerated program. It should be someone preferably in one of the pre-req courses (anatomy, physiology, microbiology would be excellent ones). Your pre-req should have been done in the last 5 years; check the school's requirements carefully.

Have you done any volunteer health care stints lately? You could always ask someone from there. The rec does not have to be from a paid position. Acclerated students typically have come from different backgrounds other than nursing.

Finally, it would be good to get someone who really knows you. What are your strengths? What attributes do you possess that could be transferred over to the nursing field?

Good luck!

Smile123

RedSox33RN · May 14, 2005

I had to have several recommendations also, and only had one nurse in the bunch. I think they are mostly looking for refs regarding your character, work ethic and commitment to things. I think they know a lot of people entering nursing school do not have a medical-type background, so it's impossible for someone to recommend them as a great potential-medical professional.

As a side note, since all the references I had to do had to be private and mailed by the recommender directly to the college, I always had an extra person do one. The year before I had 3 people to do them, and one forgot to do it on time. So this past year when applying, I had 4 people do them, just in case one forgot or didn't mail it in time. I did end up with an extra, according to my admissions counselor, but it worked out fine.

Good luck! :)