Who Should I Ask for a Letter of Recommendation?

[cdkruse]

I am a pre-PA student trying to plan ahead for the 2016-2017 application cycle, although I need help deciding which work-related letter of recommendation to use, as I have multiple options. All three of my options are described below, I'd appreciate any advice on making this decision.

 

1) I am currently employed as a Patient Care Technician at a hospital and could ask my nurse manager, who is my highest direct supervisor and who hired me for the position. The situation is that I have only been in my position for about six months and she has recently switched to a different position in the same department - so we still work together, she's just no longer my direct supervisor. Additionally, I primarily work weekends, as that's what fits easiest around being a full-time student, while she mostly works week days, so we don't work side-by-side frequently. However, she does monitor my work indirectly and has always given me very flattering feedback on my performance reviews.

 

2) Another option is that I could ask my head charge nurse for a letter of recommendation. Him and I have worked side-by-side more frequently and have bonded with over having similar hobbies. My concern is that a letter of recommendation from someone in a higher position could be more beneficial.

 

3) Yet another option is that I could ask the head of the nursing department at the nursing home I work at about 2 years ago as a CNA. Her and I always had a good work relationship and she always gave me positive feedback. My concern is that it was a while ago.

[DiggySRNA]

The one who knows you best and will vouch for you. You must choose the one who will make you look like an exceptional applicant and also as a future clinician.

[EMEDPA]

the best LORs for PA school come from docs and PAs you have worked with if at all possible. many schools REQUIRE a pa letter....

[guiriguiri]

I went with a professor, a PA I worked with, an MD I worked with, my clinic manager, and the manager at my volunteer clinic.

[cdkruse]

I already have plans to get letters from a professor and a PA that I've been shadowing. I only need one academic, one work-related, and one of my choice. I'm trying to decide between the three options above who I should I use for my work-related LOR.

[Glorious_Ignoramus]

In whom are you confident enough?  The writer needs to be well spoken, well written, professional, and be able to comment on your professional performance observed in addition to your potential as a PA.

 

That is really difficult to answer over the internet...for example the obvious answer is your supervisor/manager but that person may be a total nutjob or write like a valley girl talks.

 

Who would you select to make a phone call or personal appearance on your behalf?

[pa_app229]

I say go with who knows you best and can vouch for your abilities to become a future healthcare professional. I worked at an outpatient PT clinic and had my supervisor and a staff PT write one each for me, with the 3rd being from a professor. My advisor highly recommended against two PT's writing LOR and wanted me to ask a PA whom i shadowed. I decided to go with the PT's because they knew me best and was accepted this cycle.

 

What I am trying to say is focus on who knows you best, rather than what their title or position is. But of course look at each programs requirements, some programs may want one from a PA so make sure you fulfill that requirement if necessary.

[Rosslyn]

I agree with the above with one stipulation. If someone is going to write you a glowing LOR, it doesn't matter if they write like a valley girl talks. Not everyone you encounter is going to be well spoken, and while it's nice to have letters from people who are, it shouldn't be an automatic no if you know they'd write you a great letter. I have to imagine that the people who are on the deciding committee are human and can look past any grammatical errors that are made (in regards to the LOR's, not your personal statement or essay). I don't think it's a reflection of YOU how another person talks.

 

Just my completely unqualified thought process on the matter. :)

[Glorious_Ignoramus]

^ Would you trust an lor which appears to have been written by a high schooler with an inadequate grasp on grammar and professionalism?  Good luck with that.

[Rosslyn]

^ Would you trust an lor which appears to have been written by a high schooler with an inadequate grasp on grammar and professionalism?  Good luck with that.

A year ago my husband and I applied for his citizenship to America and had my mom write a letter for us to give the immigration official that interviewed us. Love my mom, but she's a high school drop out and her writing is far from professional. If an immigration official can grant citizenship with a letter like that, a PA school committee can let OP into their program with such a letter. You don't get to choose who you work with, and in my opinion, sending in such a letter is more real than choosing someone who doesn't know you as well. If it were me and the choice between someone who is articulate but doesn't know me well, and someone who has worked next to me for years but isn't very articulate, I'm going to choose the latter every day.