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Discussion

References & Recommendations situation??

Hello all,

So I'm in the process of applying to Nursing School and just realized a little bump in my process.

I've been a medic in the military for 5 yrs. and have accomplished allot gained quite a bit of experience in the medical field in the process. I soon got out of the military and immediate family reasons prevented me from attending that intense 2 year program.

I have been planning & preparing for the last 3 years to attend Nursing School and just realized that all of my great wonderful references & letters of recommendation are from my military days and there is no way to even find these folks to update these letters (from a date stand point).

Now my wonderful letters are about 10 years old and I would really like to use them. I don't quite have anything current that's as blockbuster as those.

Also, I've been in the tech. field since my situation after leaving the military.

How best to approach this situation?

Confused & in a pickle.

Regards.

:crying2:

Featured Replies

  • Expert

My guess would be that current references would be the best and frankly I'm not sure that the school really even cares just how "glowing" your letters are as long as you have them. The other thing I've found is that some schools have their own reference forms that you have to give to your supervisors etc. to fill out. Good luck, Jules

  • Expert

When I left the military one of my ref for nrsg school was from my mil supvr. I just happened to know where the person was stationed at the time so I sent him the nrsg school form and he wrote a separate letter also. Other than that, I had already obtained tng and a job as a CNA and used one of those people as a ref. On my job applications, I just listed the refs I had. There never has been any way to keep these things current because these people are not my social circle. I no longer worry about this problem. It has been brought up at job interviews and I am candid about the situation. My advice to you. Pick your references from what you have avail, send them without remarks. If asked about it, like at an interview as part of the school admission process, explain the truth, military people move around. They should not hold that against you. Meanwhile, try to get some medical-related experience now that you can replace your old military references with. Good luck.

  • Author

Hello JulesA & Caliotter3,

The most current LORs I could get are:

- Previous Manager, tech. field though (non-medical)

- I volunteer at my Primary Care Dr's office, her recommendation (medical)

My volunteer time:

- I volunteer to teach kids soccer

- I volunteer at the Literacy Council teaching foreigners to speak English

Then my previous military records and letters of recommendations.

What do you think/suggest?

  • Expert

I would use the first two you listed. You are very, very lucky that your PCP allows you to volunteer there. A ref from a doctor will go a long way.

  • Expert

I agree that the first two should be fine and if you aren't sure I'd call the person who will be processing your application. If you have taken gen-ed classes and have a professor that you could ask that might be another option. Good luck!

P.S. there is a Maryland section here that gets some traffic if you have area specific questions.

  • Author

Hello all,

I just email one of the admission counselors to ask his advice. Awaiting reply.

::fingers crossed::

Cheers.

  • Author

Hello all,

Here's the response I received from the counselor:

Thank you for your email. I think it is fine to forward them. I would just

attach a note mentioning what you said in this email. They will be fine.

Please let me know if you have other questions.

Thank you,

That's a positive response!!

Hello all,

just realized that all of my great wonderful references & letters of recommendation are from my military days and there is no way to even find these folks to update these letters (from a date stand point).

Now my wonderful letters are about 10 years old and I would really like to use them. I don't quite have anything current that's as blockbuster as those.

:crying2:

a letter of reference stands no matter what the date.

if you are approaching school based on your medic experience in the military...well, that didn't go anywhere, did it? You still have the experience, and you still have the glowing recommendations of others who are in a position to judge your work professionally.

I would use the letter from the PCP but if you have something really good that's "old" it's o.k. to use it too.

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