Registered Nurse (RN) Letter of Recommendation Template (with Example)

At some point in the application process for a nursing job, many employers ask applicants to supply a professional recommendation letter. The purpose of this letter is to give the employer a third-party account of the nurse’s skills, qualities, abilities, and accomplishments. By doing so, it strengthens the nurse’s chances of receiving a positive response.

A recommendation letter for a registered nurse is one type of such letter and can come in handy in several situations, such as when seeking a job, applying for a promotion, or joining a masters’ program. In this article, we review everything you need to know to draft it.

When Is This Letter Used?

A letter of recommendation (either requested by an employer or institution or volunteered by the nurse) can turn the tables in the following situations:

• New Job – A recommendation letter from a previous professor or employer can improve the chances of the nurse getting hired into a new institution.
• Promotion – A well-written recommendation can also convince a current employer that the nurse is ready and qualified for more duties within the same organization.
• Scholarship – If the nurse is applying to a masters’ program, the letter can be used to determine whether they deserve financial aid. It can also improve the probability of them getting into the program in the first place.
• Registration Status – Deregistration can kill a nurse’s career, and recommendation letters from established names can help them prevent expulsion and maintain their registration status.

Who to Select to Write this Letter

While anyone who knows the nurse can write a recommendation letter, the best references will come from someone with a strong, professional relationship with the nurse. This should be someone who has the first-hand experience of the nurse’s abilities and conducts at work, either through collaborating with the nurse or managing them. Suitable choices include:

• A work supervisor
• A university professor
• A hospital administrator
• A head nurse
• A doctor

What to Include in the Letter

• Writer’s identity – The letter should identify the writer by name, title, and job position. It should answer the question, ‘who is this person, and why are they a good reference?’
• Relationship – The letter should also explain the relationship between the writer and the applicant (which is often professional) by stating when, where, and how the two parties have interacted.
• Reason for the recommendation – Next, the writer should explain why they are recommending the nurse for the position. This is usually expressed as an assertion, such as ‘I believe he will be a great addition to your team.’
• Nurse’s professional qualifications – To justify the recommendation, the writer must demonstrate that the nurse is qualified for the position. This involves outlining the nurse’s qualities, work ethic, and accomplishments that are relevant to the field.
• Nurse’s character – The writer must also testify to the nurse’s non-technical skills (as related to the field), such as empathy, timeliness, and dedication.
• Contact information – The writer must include their phone number or email and invite the reader to contact them for more information.

How to Write a Registered Nurse (RN) Letter of Recommendation

An effective Registered Nurse (RN) Letter of Recommendation must outline the applicant’s skills and qualifications as related to healthcare. It should contain the following segments:

Introduction

Begin by supplying the sender and recipient names and addresses, the date, a subject line, and a proper salutation. In about two lines, inform the reader of your identity and relationship with the nurse, then include a general recommendation statement.

First Paragraph

Expound on the recommendation statement provided above by explaining why you are recommending the registered nurse. What are their qualifications? What is their work ethic? Are they passionate about the field? Explain what makes the nurse a good candidate.

Second Paragraph

In this paragraph, go even deeper on the information provided in the first paragraph by giving specific examples to demonstrate your points. Does the nurse have an exceptional memory? Mention a scenario when you saw this in their work. If you cannot be specific, discuss their non-technical skills like dedication and empathy.

Conclusion

Finally, close by recapping your recommendation of the nurse, e.g., ‘I recommend her for this position without reservation.’ Supply a formal closer such as ‘sincerely’ and sign under your name

Tips for Asking for a Nursing Recommendation Letter

While many people you have interacted with might be willing to recommend you for a new position, there isn’t always time to draft a full letter. It is up to you to convince them through how you ask. Consider the following tips on how to request a recommendation letter:

• Make it personal – It might seem easy to send a text to someone asking them to write you a recommendation letter, but this might come off as impersonal. If possible, arrange a meeting with the potential writer and ask them in person. You may also send them an email, which is more personal.
• Go into detail – The writer won’t know what you need included in your letter unless you tell them. Give them an outline or template from which to base their letter.
• Keep it brief – Professionals lead a busy life and may baulk at the idea of drafting a 3-page recommendation letter. Trim your template to fit in one page, then present it to the writer.

Registered Nurse (RN) Letter of Recommendation (Word Template)

Besides outlining the nurse’s qualifications, a Registered Nurse (RN) Letter of Recommendation also offers specific examples of how the nurse has practiced these qualities in their career. This detail is what differentiates this professional recommendation from a personal one and sets the nurse apart from other applicants.