What's the best way to ask for a letter of reference?

[fuuchan]

I will be graduating May 2010 with my ADN and like so many others, I will be starting the application process for new grad positions the first of the year. I already have one ex-professor (she was not let go, she moved for family reasons) willing to write me a letter of reference but I would like to have a least one or two more. For some reason, when it comes to this sort of thing I'm shy. What is/would be the best way to go about this? What has worked for you? I'm almost done with this semester (12/14 is our final) and I was contemplating asking my current professor for a letter. I have an 'A' average in the class so far (Peds) and I've turned in all assignments on time or early. For some reason, the thought of asking her just leaves me tounge tied. Any suggestions how to start off? Thanks so much for the help.

[tiffanyleigh0212]

What I have always done is just simply tell them I am doing so and so (in your case looking for new grad positions) and wanting to know if you could write me a letter of recommendation to go with it? Idk, that sort of thing has just never bothered me, but other things have. Each person has their odd qwerk! What if you emailed them and asked? I've done that a few times and some email a letter to me and other let me come by the office and pick it up. I always say at the end though if time will allow or something like that, so that they don't feel obligated. Goodluck!

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

I've asked every clinical instructor for a reference letter, and, so far, everyone has written one for me. I usually ask a week or so before the end of the rotation, in person. I've asked via e-mail as well.

I would imagine the instructors expect this, so you shouldn't feel odd about asking.

[Sewbusy~RN]

I just asked my third year clinical instructors, my preceptor and a couple of the teachers that I knew well at school. I told them what I was applying for and most of them had some kind of pre-written letter that they just cut and pasted my info into. No one turned me down and I ended up with six or seven of them.

[fuuchan]

Thank you all so much!!

[hiddencatRN, BSN, RN]

I've emailed and had the conversation in person. The benefit of emailing is if they say no (never happened to me but my mom is a teacher and has said no to students she couldn't give a good reference too) you aren't putting them on the spot and you have time to absorb the information so the next time you see them you can be professional about it.

Or first clinical professor put a letter in our student file that she said we're free to use, and I think it's a good idea to ask every clinical instructor to write a letter, unless they seem evil and like they have it in for you My mom had a reference once and it was clear the professor wasn't really sure who she was, so fresh references are best.