writing letter of recommendation for a coworker

[aghhggh]

One of my coworkers is finishing up a school nurse certification and is starting her job search for a school nurse position. She asked me if I could write her a letter of recommendation. She's a great nurse and I'm happy to see her pursuing her dreams, so of course I said yes. But... I'm not really sure what to write!

The only letter of recommendation I've ever written was for a CNA who was applying to nursing schools. It was a little easier for me to write that because I was her supervisor. This nurse and I are both staff nurses. Are there rules or guidelines out there for writing a letter of recommendation for a coworker? (Is that even usually done? It had never occurred to me, but then again I'm not a very competitive job seeker.)

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

It's great that you are willing to do this.

Stick to the things you know (firsthand) about your friend. You need to lead off with clarification of your relationship - if you were a co-worker, include information about how long you have worked with her. Is she smart? well organized? dependable? a natural leader? well respected by colleagues? Other qualities that may be important in her new job might include communication skills & teaching ability. Be sure to provide examples to support your opinions. Normally, you need to mail the letter directly to the potential employer but I usually provide a 'courtesy' copy to the person I am recommending.