Professional References

[Mommycakers]

Hi. I have a question about ideas for references for nursing school applications. I am a stay at home mom with four kids. My youngest just turned a year old so I haven't been very active in helping out with my kids school lately. In the past I have been a girl scout cookie mom for two years and a homeroom mom but that is about it. I guess I could ask the leader. I do not work outside the home so who would I ask for a reference?

My sister is a nurse and she thinks very highly of me but does she count as a reference? I can't really use professors at the university I attend because I mainly take on-line classes so I do not know the professors. I am taking A & P now for the summer and I do have to go into class for testing but I am pretty sure the professor will not give out a reference until after the class is over. Should I wait to apply to nursing school until after my A & P class is over? I do have a 4.0 GPA and I just passed the NET. I am looking to apply now for entrance into the Fall of 2008 session. I also have a great friend of my husband and I who is a doctor and another sister of one of my closest friends who is a professor at my university but she has never taught me. My husband thinks I should ask them for a reference. Too bad my kids are too young to write references for me. I have been working hard for them for all these years. It is frustrating. How am I going to come up with professional references when I haven't worked for nine years?

[krenee]

I have been in the same boat, and actually I did use an online professor as a reference. Based on the fact that it was a difficult course and I got an A out of only three in the class, she was able to recommend me. Online learning requires a great deal of self discipline. Also many in my class requested an extension and I didn't, so she mentioned that.

I would definitely try if I were you. As it turns out, my professor had also taken time off from working to raise children so she was sympathetic. She wrote a very nice letter for me.

Good luck!

Kelly

[nurse2btracy]

I used 2 professional references from supervisors at work. I am really quiet in class so I figure none of my professors would know me well enough to give a reference.

[justme1972]

I would actually call the school and ask what they would suggest. They may have you to write an essay or something in lieu of professional references.

There are alot of SAHM's, so I am sure your situation has come up before.

[Mommycakers]

Thanks for your responses. I think I will call the nursing school and see what they advise for people in my situation. Maybe character references would be fine in place of the professional references.:thankya:

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Girl Scout cookie Mom is responsible position: organization skills, volunteerism, trustworthy, financial responsibility---obtain reference from leader. Homeroom mom: dedication, experience dealing with people---teacher reference. Online professor can attest to quality of school work, meeting deadlines ---another reference. Letter from pediatrician if alot of interaction: can comment on health savy, following medical advice, solid parenting skills, etc....

Up to four references now. Good luck!

[ImGonnaKnockUOut]

I am in the same situation as you. This is my third semester of online classes and I am a stay-at-home mom. Please keep us posted. I would think you would be able to get a reference from one of your online professors. As you know, taking classes online is extremely challenging! Good luck!