Academic letter of recommendation

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by UTVOL3
Apr 21, '09   Views: 4,996   Comments: 7

  1. Hi all,
    If a nurse has been out of school what is the best way to go about getting an academic letter of recommendation? Should I call one of my old professors?
  2. Visit UTVOL3 profile page

    About UTVOL3

    Joined: May '03; Posts: 270; Likes: 158
    RN; from MA , US
    Specialty: 6 year(s) of experience in NICU, adult med-tele

    7 Comments

    Topic Closed
  3. by loganable
    Apr 23, '09
    Joined: Mar '09; Posts: 23; Likes: 4
    Start with someone who actually knew you, of course. If they have moved on speak to the current Dean. Perhaps she can access your records and write something based on them.
  4. by elkpark
    Apr 23, '09
    Joined: Oct '03; Posts: 17,229; Likes: 42,304
    You can also often track down former faculty who have moved on by doing a 'Net search for them.
  5. by UTVOL3
    Apr 23, '09
    Occupation: RN Specialty: 6 year(s) of experience in NICU, adult med-tele ; From: MA, US ; Joined: May '03; Posts: 270; Likes: 158
    Do you think it would be better to use a physician I have worked closely with recently (who also is med school faculty) or a nursing prof from 7 yrs ago?
  6. by elkpark
    Apr 24, '09
    Joined: Oct '03; Posts: 17,229; Likes: 42,304
    The issue is not whether the person writing the reference is an academic or not -- the issue is whether that person is in a position to speak to your academic performance. That's what the school is looking for. In general, someone who had you as a student in the past, even a while back, would be a better choice than a current employer (unless your job somehow involves scholarship (research, writing, etc.))
  7. by loganable
    Apr 24, '09
    Joined: Mar '09; Posts: 23; Likes: 4
    I was cautioned against using physicians for LOR at all for grad school apps, rationale being they want to hear what NURSES think of you. I was told that physician letters of rec to a nursing school is a common mistake that usually backfires.
  8. by jean36
    May 15, '09
    Joined: May '09; Posts: 38; Likes: 17
    I used a LOR from a physician,and I got in
  9. by UVA Grad Nursing
    May 30, '09
    Occupation: Assistant Dean From: US ; Joined: Oct '08; Posts: 1,074; Likes: 507
    Call the school admissions office and seek their input. At my School, we want a letter to address how you "learn". This needs to be from someone who has taught the applicant (either in a classroom environment, or as a mentor). For those who are no more than 5 years out of school, we generally prefer a letter from a facuulty member. But for those out of school more than 5 years, we prefer a letter from a mentor than a generic letter from a MD.

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