Any RN's willing to help out??

Hello Everyone,

I am currently in the midst of applying to entry level nursing programs. I have always aspired to be an RN and it has been a long road with having a family and also taking the required prerequisites. I am finally completing by BA in Human Development and it is now time to begin to fill out my applications. The only issue I have come across is that the schools I am applying to all require a letter of recommendation from an RN. I have been so busy with a full-time course load and raising my children that I do not know any RN's who would be able to write this recommendation! I am literally scrambling to search for an RN. I am so passionate about this career field and would be so very appreciative if any RN on this board could find it in their heart to help an aspiring nurse out.

Forever Grateful,
Dominique B.
I empathize with your situation, but how could you possibly expect someone who does not know you to write a letter of recommendation? What would you tell the school when they ask what your relationship is with the writer of the letter?

What about any nurses in the offices of the physicians you and/or your family see? Your kid(s)' school nurses? Can you ask any of your professors if they know someone who might be willing to meet with you?

Bill,I understand your concern and also any nurse I would approach would not know me personally even if I walked into my local doctor's office or hospital. With any letter of recommendation the individual usually provides a letter to the potential reference about themselves in detail and with enough information so that a nurse (in this case) would be able to gather enough information to write a recommendation. It was a question I decided to put out on this board in hopes of getting answers or help. I know that it is a long shot but I am trying all of my options. My child's doctors office does not have any nurses, only physicians and medical assistants. My next step is walking into a local hospital and asking and I am sure that is going to be pretty far fetched as well. Thanks for your responses.

Even though you are busy, I would suggest that you volunteer at a hospital for a couple of weekends if you have time before your application is due. This way you will be able to interact and hopefully meet someone willing to help you.

Good luck. But as this is an anonymous message board you have no way of knowing whether a poster is who they claim they are. Why not call the admissions office to see if that requirement could be waived as I doubt anyone would be able to write a valid recommendation

Quote from dbonilla1170Bill,I understand your concern and also any nurse I would approach would not know me personally even if I walked into my local doctor's office or hospital. With any letter of recommendation the individual usually provides a letter to the potential reference about themselves in detail and with enough information so that a nurse (in this case) would be able to gather enough information to write a recommendation. It was a question I decided to put out on this board in hopes of getting answers or help. I know that it is a long shot but I am trying all of my options. My child's doctors office does not have any nurses, only physicians and medical assistants. My next step is walking into a local hospital and asking and I am sure that is going to be pretty far fetched as well. Thanks for your responses.

Quote from dbonilla1170Bill,I understand your concern and also any nurse I would approach would not know me personally even if I walked into my local doctor's office or hospital. With any letter of recommendation the individual usually provides a letter to the potential reference about themselves in detail and with enough information so that a nurse (in this case) would be able to gather enough information to write a recommendation. It was a question I decided to put out on this board in hopes of getting answers or help. I know that it is a long shot but I am trying all of my options. My child's doctors office does not have any nurses, only physicians and medical assistants. My next step is walking into a local hospital and asking and I am sure that is going to be pretty far fetched as well. Thanks for your responses.

Its not really apprpriate to ask strangers on a message board for a recommendation.

i know this is putting you on the spot, but the following post from another thread has me confused. you say you know many rns willing to write you a recommendation but here you are requesting one from a stranger. also, i cannot help but be frustrated by the whole concept of entry level msn programs. yes, i too have a bachelors degree in another field, but i still earned my adn and have been working as a bedside rn for four years. i am considering applying to a nurse practitioners program in the future, but feel that one of the main "perks", if you will, of seeing a nurse practitioner is their foundation and irreplaceable experience as an rn. i understand not everyone has this point of view, but i felt compelled to comment nonetheless. i guess i just don't understand someone saying they "aspire to be an rn" when they are actually wanting to go straight to nurse practitioner without the true experience of being an rn. regardless, i hope you make the best decision for yourself. "feb 12 by dbonilla1170 i am beginning to start the application process for a np program this fall 2012, and part of the process is obtaining 2 or more letters of recommendation with at least one being from a np. i have a ba in human development and i am applying for a entry level masters program for fnp. i have volunteered at a local hospital for the past year and have not worked with any np's, only doctors and rn's. i am completely at a loss for how i can obtain a letter of recommendation if i do not know any np's! it is really frustrating because i know many rn's who are willing to write the letter but they are not np's. any advice would be greatly appreciated."

Quote from nurse leighi know this is putting you on the spot, but the following post from another thread has me confused. you say you know many rns willing to write you a recommendation but here you are requesting one from a stranger. also, i cannot help but be frustrated by the whole concept of entry level msn programs. yes, i too have a bachelors degree in another field, but i still earned my adn and have been working as a bedside rn for four years. i am considering applying to a nurse practitioners program in the future, but feel that one of the main "perks", if you will, of seeing a nurse practitioner is their foundation and irreplaceable experience as an rn. i understand not everyone has this point of view, but i felt compelled to comment nonetheless. i guess i just don't understand someone saying they "aspire to be an rn" when they are actually wanting to go straight to nurse practitioner without the true experience of being an rn. regardless, i hope you make the best decision for yourself. "feb 12 by dbonilla1170 i am beginning to start the application process for a np program this fall 2012, and part of the process is obtaining 2 or more letters of recommendation with at least one being from a np. i have a ba in human development and i am applying for a entry level masters program for fnp. i have volunteered at a local hospital for the past year and have not worked with any np's, only doctors and rn's. i am completely at a loss for how i can obtain a letter of recommendation if i do not know any np's! it is really frustrating because i know many rn's who are willing to write the letter but they are not np's. any advice would be greatly appreciated."

Asking for a letter of recommendation from strangers is inappropriate and defeats the purpose of those who requested it.

I agree with nurse Leigh. Becoming an NP is a rigorous, time consuming and grind of a task. You need to consider the fact that nearly all schools that provide higher levels of education are a business and like any bussiness the bottom line IS ALWAYS THE PRIORITY. Have you considered the fact that lack of actual clinical experience can come back to haunt you. I would never discourage anyone from following their dream. I am only advising you to be cautious. Working on the floor is an art form and for many thief strokes of technique may take years to develop. An NP has innumerable responsibilities. A program that advertises a curriculum that streamlines to that type of position should be approached with caution. Many of my colleagues here will tell you nursing school is very difficult; many people do not make it through. I would recommend you seek an ADN program then transition to a BSN program so you can get clinical experience at your school. You don't want to invest time, money and energy in a program without knowing exactly what your getting into.