Recommendation Letter after only 1 year?

[ONE-TWO--]

Hey guys, I am a newer RN with about 9 months of experience in the ICU. Most schools require that you have 1 year experience in the ICU by program start date, so by the time that I apply and get in a program that wouldn't be a problem. I just am a little nervous about what type of recommendation letter I would get with only having less than one year of experience in the ICU.

I know most schools require a supervisor recommendation letter, I'm just nervous about asking my supervisor for a recommendation letter and how she would react.

I work very hard when I'm at work. I've got my BLS, ACLS, PALS certifications, I'm gonna take my GRE by October, and I'm gonna try to have my CCRN by about December.

What has been response of your supervisors in the ICU when you asked for a recommendation letter, for those of you who have gone in with one year of experience?

[MatyIce]

You may want to wait a little before applying. It's going to be tough to get into a decent program with only a year under your belt unless you nail the GRE and your GPA is stellar. With that said, if you're dead-set on applying now I would try and get letters from your charge nurse, a former professor, and one of the doctors there that you have a good relationship with. It depends on exactly what school you are applying to and what their specific requirements are. Good luck either way.

[Screen name]

Something to think about:

Asking for letters puts you on the radar and they know what you're up to. If you don't get in, you could be treated differently by manager and other references. I just saw this happen and think it's overlooked sometimes. I don't know your individual situation and relationships with your staff docs and manager, but if you are questioning getting the references then it might be a clue you aren't ready to ask for one.

I remember wondering how I was going to get letters my first year... I ended up applying with 3 years of experience and when I asked for references I owned them; got chief of cardiothoracic surgery, manager, professor of pulmonology, CRNAs... It wasn't just about reference letters. I got THE reference letters.

[Garrett1987]

All good points so far. I personally informed my supervisor/manager on the front end when I was hired that my ultimate goal was CRNA school. We remained transparent in what we wanted and because of that I did not have any problems with getting the letters of recommendation I needed for school. My best advice is to be upfront and honest with your manager. You don't owe your co-workers any explanation but it makes things easier if you and your boss are open about it. I don't see any problem with one year experience as long as the rest of your application is solid. Schools put a minimum of year and several of my classmates only had one year experience vs. the four years that I had. Good luck!

[lady_stic]

I got in with a minimum of a year and asked my supervisor for a reference with 8 months experience. I don't believe that you should wait to apply. If your supervisor is unwilling, ask a charge nurse or someone else that will write you a great reference.