Still on orientation....need a letter of recommendation

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 29, 2015

I think you should wait a while, so that your new manager can see what you are capable of as a fully functioning nurse rather than a trainee. Otherwise you will be putting him/her in a very awkward position. Admission to CRNA programs in my neck of the woods require at least 2 years of full time work as an ICU nurse. They give higher consideration to CCRNs - which also requires experience to qualify for the certification exam.

CCRN_CSC_0710 · Sep 29, 2015

I don't think it's wise to ask for a recommendation while on orientation. My friend transferred from PICU to our CVICU and asked for one about 2 months after getting off orientation. My boss reluctantly agreed but admitted it was generic as she had barely been working there. Why not wait another year?

rnswoop · Sep 29, 2015

I was in a similar situation. Started in a HVICU from a MICU in March was off orientation in April. When I was hired I had mentioned that my five year plan(she asked) was to be in grad school. In June I got the nerve to open some dialect. I asked her how she would feel with me applying to schools and possibly leaving the next year. She wasn't ecstatic but understood and said she always wants her nurses to reach their goals and agreed to write me a recommendation. It has all worked out really well for me.

I guess it depends on your relationship and conversations that you have had about your future. I wouldn't do it while on orientation but if you have a few months in then I would say go for it. However, I did miss a couple deadlines waiting until June as opposed to April and that might happen to you too but that's just part of the vetting process.

Jolie, BSN · Sep 29, 2015

Were you upfront with your manager when you interviewed for your position? Did she know that you were transferring with the intention of gaining enough experience to apply to school, or did she believe that you had a long-term interest in the unit?

If the former is the case, go ahead and ask for the recommendation. If the latter is the case, go ahead and ask, but don't be surprised if you get a less-than-glowing reaction and recommendation.

Brooklynn89 · Sep 30, 2015

My manager started the same day I did!! I told HR that was my intention when I interviewed. I think I am just gonna suck it up and ask her. The worst she can say is NO and I won't know unless I ask.

Thanks everyone for your input!

gassy2be · Sep 30, 2015

My manager started the same day I did!! I told HR that was my intention when I interviewed. I think I am just gonna suck it up and ask her. The worst she can say is NO and I won't know unless I ask.
Thanks everyone for your input!

Actually, the worst that she can say is yes, and then write you a crappy recommendation. How are you applying with only 2 months experience? Because clearly you are applying to schools where your NICU experience won't count if you moved to a CVICU. Why not wait until you have at least 6-8 months at least? At 2 months your supervisor can't even speak to your independent clinical decision making skills. On any evaluation it is going to ask how long your supervisor has known you, and it won't work in your favor when that answer is 2 months.

Brooklynn89 · Sep 30, 2015

I don't think I wrote that I only had two months experience on this post....

Brooklynn89 · Sep 30, 2015

And the school im applying to does take NICU. I just transferred to adult so I can have that experience under my belt too

gassy2be · Sep 30, 2015

I don't think I wrote that I only had two months experience on this post....

I'm sorry, I think I confused you with an above poster. However, if you're still on orientation and you started this summer, you haven't been there

for more than 3 months, right?

Go-GetterRN · Oct 1, 2015

Why not get your previous supervisor from the NICU to be a reference if it was only a few months ago?

Howyaluvdat · Oct 12, 2015

I second that. Just get one from your old ICU supervisor. That would make more sense