Recommendation: Who did you ask?

[Savvy20RN, BSN, RN]

So, I have a problem. To apply for nursing school I need to get 3 people (recommendations) to fill out this survey about me. I can't ask family or friends, but I can ask an employer, instructor, youth or school counselor, and a coach. The thing is I haven't worked since I started school and I feel strange asking an old employer to give me a recommendation. A large majority of my old professors don't remember who I am (a common thing in college) and alot of my high school teachers have either quit or wouldn't know me from the next person. It has been 4 years since I graduated. Also, I'm no athlete so coaches aren't an option. Counselors? Well, I have nursing advisors who think highly of me...but I'm giving them my application. -sigh- See my problem?

My question is, who would you ask if you were in my situation? Who did you ask to be your recommendation when you applied to nursing school? That is if you had to have recommendations.

[BellasMommyOBRN]

hmmm...

how about your guidance counslor from high school? did you do any community service/volunteer work? maybe a family you babysit for?...just some ideas.

also if it were me, i would probably approach some of those past employers/professors and see if they would write you a recommendation. pick a professor from a class you did the best in and give it a shot. maybe bring in your transcript and "remind" them of how you felt you did in the class :)

good luck!!

[Savvy20RN, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the reply first off. :nuke:

I was just at my high school last week and realized that none of the counselors who know me are there anymore. The staff was completely new.

I think I'll try the transcript thing with my college professors. :wink2: Thanks for that. I was wondering how I would jog their memory of who I was. That's a great idea.

Thanks again.

[caliotter3]

The nursing school that I applied to that required recommendations only wanted two, so I lucked out in that respect. I asked my last supervisor from my job prior to starting school. He was good at writing recommendations so I got a good reference letter from him. I was lucky to find him, as he had transferred and was still where I thought he was. I had to track him down though! My other reference was from one of my college instructors who was impressed with my performance in her class. She offered to keep her letter of recommendation updated for the future. She said all I had to do was contact her and she would change the date and maybe do a small revision and I could use her as a reference. I would go to one of your old employers and I would approach one of your instructors. It is easier if they have a reference form to fill out. If they have to do a regular letter, you might do a draft and show it to them. Often people who do these letters all the time will ask people to write the letter and, if acceptable, they will sign it. Helps to get them done. For the future, if you anticipate needing references for something coming up, then think who you want for a reference and ask them if they will do it while they still are in contact with you. This helps solve the problem of them remembering who you are. Good luck.

[rnjls]

We didn't have to have recommendations for our program; however, I know I will need them later. I have made a point of keeping in touch with some of my former instructors. For example, when I got accepted to the nursing program, I went to see my A&P 101 instructor and told him and thanked him for his part in my success. This way he'll remember me so that if I do need a letter, say, for a scholarship, he won't have any problem giving me one.