Trouble getting a recommendation

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2015

I'm not sure what suggestions you're looking for. It seems pretty straight forward. Are you close with your academic advisor? I have heard of people using their advisors as a reference, but I would think a professor who actually taugjht you would be preferred.

In the future, I advise you to speak up in class, go to office hours, and keep in contact with your professors. Especially in nursing. They serve as great resources and tend to be extremely knowledgeable.

LifeIsBeachy, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2015

Unfortunately if you didn't form any relationships with your professors during your time in school--even though you've been enrolled only for a year--that's on you. Many students take the relationships with professors for granted, and it's really easy to get to know a professor if you go to their office hours, ask questions in class, and speak up.

I would suggest that you focus on that in your semesters to come, but at the time it doesn't sound like many professors would be able to write a letter for you. Oh, and word of advice: DON'T FAKE IT! I had a classmate who needed a letter of rec. and couldn't get anyone to write one for her. She had a friend write her one and signed it off as a professor. Long story short, school looked up the name and booted her from her program.

Best of luck. Sorry that it's probably not what you want to hear.

rebellefleur · Sep 17, 2015

How do students who attend large schools where you have 100+ students per class accomplish this? I never found going to office hours helpful because it was often rushed because of the number of students.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

How do students who attend large schools where you have 100+ students per class accomplish this? I never found going to office hours helpful because it was often rushed because of the number of students.

Office hours may not academically benefit you, but it allows professors to be familiar with who you are. I can guarantee that if you go to a couple of office hrs, your professor will know you and see that you're putting forth the effort.

Do you have lab TAs? You could ask them for a letter of recommendation.

rebellefleur · Sep 17, 2015

I wish I could ask the TAs because I spent a lot of time in the lab with them but it has to be the professor.

I attended some office hours, communicated with my professors and did well but I never needed the attention that some others did so I never got to know them well enough that they'd know me personally and be able to speak to my character like the recommendation calls for. I never thought that being a self starter would cause me trouble.

cracklingkraken, ASN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

I wish I could ask the TAs because I spent a lot of time in the lab with them but it has to be the professor.
I attended some office hours, communicated with my professors and did well but I never needed the attention that some others did so I never got to know them well enough that they'd know me personally and be able to speak to my character like the recommendation calls for. I never thought that being a self starter would cause me trouble.

You'll learn that building a relationship with your instructors is extremely important, especially in the nursing programs.

I'm sorry that you are stuck in this position. I wish you the best!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

When I attended a large lecture class for my A&P prereq, I was able to form a relationship with my professor.

Firstly, I sat near the front. She knew my face! I recall one day I didn't turn in the extra credit and she pulled me aside to tell me shed allow me until the end of the day to turn it in! I was surprised she knew me from Adam. I did turn it in.

I attended office hours a few times.

I stayed after to chat with her after labs a few times.

She offered us the opportunity to bring kids to school to explore the lab on select days, I took her up on the offer! She even set aside organs for my son!

So, yes, I think it's possible to develop relationships with profs in large classes!

I had a prior professor in a smaller, ~40 student micro class tell us what to do in order to be able to request a professional recommendation from her.

She stated that nursing schools do not ask her about GPAs, because they can get that from transcripts. Rather, she said she needed to see how we engaged with peers, how we dressed/ behaved professionally or not.

She taught me a lot about what I needed to do done successful. not

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

I can't edit my above post via phone. I was trying to say that the micro professor taught me what qualities I needed to exude.

At the time, I was in class with a bunch of young people, I was a married mom to 3. I was also the only person of a different ethnicity in class. I learned how to get along and immerse myself with my peers!

Good lessons that carried me through school and work!

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2015

How do students who attend large schools where you have 100+ students per class accomplish this? I never found going to office hours helpful because it was often rushed because of the number of students.

If this is the case, write up whatever you need in your recommendation letter and take it to your instructor's office and see what's up. Pick from a couple and see if you can get anything out of that. Usually they know people need letters of reference and are reasonable about the fact that they have hundreds of students a year. Either they will do it or they won't. Good luck! :) Also, as others have said, once you get in to nursing school, the relationships you develop with your instructors are FAR more valuable than any A you could get from there on out.