Nursing school letters of recommendation allow the admissions team to understand who the applicant is beyond their GPA and whether they’d be a good nurse. You should request letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources, such as former professors or supervisors.
If applying to an accelerated nursing program, it’s possible to earn a nursing degree in as few as 16 months. First, however, you must navigate the admissions process, including submitting all required documentation, such as nursing school letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are an important part of your application package, so you’ll want to follow best practices.
When applying to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program at Northeastern University, you will work one-on-one with a dedicated admissions counselor throughout the admissions process. Your counselor will get to know you and help you through each step, including finding the right people to ask for letters of recommendation.
Before gathering your letters of recommendation, take a closer look at why they’re important and the specific letter requirements. You should also follow best practices when requesting a recommendation letter and note common mistakes to avoid.
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Why Nursing Schools Require Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are a standard part of an application package to nursing school. Every nursing school needs to ensure that the applicants it accepts can keep up with the academic requirements and will also become competent and ethical nurses who prioritize patient health and safety.
It’s a major responsibility, so the application requirements are designed to allow the admissions team to thoroughly evaluate each applicant’s suitability.
Letters of recommendation, however, are similar to admission essays or goal statements in that they provide a glimpse of the applicant's personality beyond their grades. For example, recommendation letters might speak to the applicant’s work ethic, passion for helping others or commitment to lifelong learning.
In short, letters of recommendation for nursing school enable the admissions team to make appropriate admission decisions.
How Many Letters of Recommendation Do You Need for Nursing School?
The number of nursing school letters of recommendation you’ll need depends on your school’s admission requirements. This information may be available on the admission requirements page of the nursing school’s website. If unclear, you can ask your admissions counselor for guidance.
Northeastern University requires two letters of recommendation. They must be from academic or professional sources, meaning you could ask a professor or a supervisor at work to provide letters. Northeastern prefers that at least one of the letters to be from an academic source.
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How to Request a Letter of Recommendation for Nursing School
Before you can request recommendation letters, decide whom to ask. You could ask former professors, supervisors or mentors who know you well and can attest to your performance, work ethic and other personal attributes.
You can contact your references by phone or email. You could also ask in person if you see them regularly.
During the conversation or in your email, you’ll want to mention:
- What you need, when it’s due and how to submit it
- Information about the nursing school, such as why you selected it
- Why you chose that particular individual to ask for a letter
- Any particular skills or experiences you would like the individual to discuss
You should also share your current resume and any other relevant information. Be sure to ask politely and send a thank-you note afterward.
What Should Be Included in a Letter of Recommendation for Nursing School?
Nursing school letters of recommendation do not need to be long, but they should offer a comprehensive look at the applicant and the relationship of the letter writer to the applicant. In general, each letter should contain the following components:
- Introduction: The intro should include the letter writer’s name, title and relationship to the applicant. It should also briefly introduce the applicant and discuss their suitability for nursing school.
- Performance and skills: The body of the letter should cover the applicant’s performance in academic or work settings and relevant skills, such as critical thinking and communication. It should also discuss personal attributes, such as work ethic and professionalism, and provide anecdotes as examples.
- Conclusion: The conclusion should state the applicant’s suitability for the nursing program and why the letter writer believes they would excel as a nursing student and nurse. The letter writer should also provide contact information for further questions.
Tips for Writing a Compelling Nursing School Letter of Recommendation
While there is no standard format for a letter of recommendation, there are best practices every letter should include. A compelling nursing school letter of recommendation should:
- Be concise
- Use concrete examples of the student’s strengths and character
- Discuss why the student would excel in nursing school and be a competent, ethical nurse
- Be personalized
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Nursing School Recommendation Letters
It’s easy to make mistakes with letters of recommendation for nursing school but knowing the commonly made mistakes can help you avoid them. If you’re the applicant who is requesting letters of recommendation, you’ll want to avoid the following mistakes:
- Asking a friend: Don’t ask a friend or family member to write a letter for you. The letter won’t be accepted. Always ask academic or professional sources.
- Asking someone who doesn’t know you well: Although you can’t ask a family member or friend for a recommendation letter, you should ask someone who knows you well. For example, choose a professor who served as your departmental advisor or with whom you completed an independent study.
- Waiting too long: As soon as you know you’ll need letters of recommendation, send out your emailed requests or make the phone calls. You’ll need to give the individuals plenty of time to write your letters. This allows them to be thoughtful with their words. Plus, it’s impolite to ask someone to write a letter of recommendation with very little notice.
If you’re the person who has been requested to write a letter of recommendation for a nursing school applicant, you’ll want to avoid the following mistakes:
- Not talking about yourself: Although a letter of recommendation should focus on the applicant, you’ll also need to introduce yourself. Concisely explain how you know the applicant and briefly discuss your position and experience.
- Not using specific examples: It’s not enough to simply state that you know the applicant has solid critical thinking skills and academic ability. You must provide some examples, such as anecdotes, demonstrating this. Consider which projects the applicant completed that highlighted their skills.
- Not stating specifically that you recommend the applicant: Be specific when endorsing the applicant for the nursing program. You might write something like, “I highly recommend considering (name) for this nursing program, as I believe (name)’s past achievements will translate
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Ready to Apply to Northeastern University?
Northeastern University is committed to supporting the progress of our nursing students. Our small class sizes and dedicated nursing instructors ensure our students receive the personalized attention they need to thrive in a challenging nursing school environment.
If you have a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 non-nursing college credits from an accredited school, you may be eligible to apply to our ABSN program. Contact an admissions counselor today to learn about the next steps to take.
