Whether you are recommending a nurse for a new job, an internal promotion, or a nursing school program, your recommendation is a crucial part of a colleague's, student's, or employee's career path. If they request a nursing letter of recommendation from you, that is a sign of great confidence in you.
Both the applicant and the recipient—a hiring manager, admissions committee, or facility—will expect you to candidly and persuasively depict the candidate's best capacities, personality attributes, and relevant experience. So, here comes your challenge:
How do you translate their day-to-day performance and character into a compelling story that does them justice?
This guide will help you with some tips for:
- How to write a recommendation letter for a nurse
- What to include in a nurse recommendation letter
- Nursing letter of recommendation examples for different scenarios
- Expert tips that will help you make your letter stand out
What is a nurse recommendation letter?
A nursing letter of recommendation, also known as a nursing reference letter, is a formal, signed document that supports a nurse or nursing student and serves as a professional endorsement of an applicant's experience, clinical skills, academic qualifications, and character. Recommendation letters are usually addressed to a specific potential employer, facility, or educational institution.
Traditionally, a former supervisor (a nurse manager, charge nurse, or clinical director) or a professor who is familiar with the applicant and their abilities will write letters of recommendation. As a complement to a resume or nursing program application, a letter of recommendation offers a more personal and often practical perspective on the applicant. It is an opportunity to provide insights into the applicant’s:
- Clinical competence and reliability
- Compassion and ability to work on a team
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Dedication to patient care
The focus of the recommendation letter should vary based on its specific purpose:
- Nursing job application: This letter validates clinical competency, reliability, teamwork, and the ability to handle stress.
- Nursing school application: This can be important for BSN, MSN, DNP, or CRNA applicants. The letter outlines academic potential, critical thinking skills, dedication to learning, and suitability for advanced study.
Nursing reference letter vs. letter of recommendation
The application process typically requires nursing reference letters or letters of recommendation. Both are highly valuable for career advancement, as they showcase the professional capacity of the nursing student or job applicant. However, there is one main distinction between the two:
Letter of recommendation for a nurse: Addressed to a specific organization, committee, or person and is tailored to a particular position or purpose, a nursing letter of recommendation often provides details or examples regarding the applicant’s capacity that make them a strong candidate for that particular opportunity.
Nursing reference letter: More general in nature and can be used for multiple nursing school or job applications. It is usually addressed "to whom it may concern."
This article will focus on the more powerful and personal letter of recommendation for a nurse, though the templates and tips can be easily adapted to create a general nursing reference letter.
What should you include in a letter of recommendation?
A strong nurse recommendation letter follows a clear, professional structure and is often between 300 and 500 words in length. Here is a list of the most relevant and valuable information that you should try to include in a nurse recommendation letter:
- A professional letterhead and date (including your full name, title, organization, contact information, and the date the letter is written)
- Information about the recipient
- The salutation (use a formal greeting)
- A brief introduction describing your professional relationship with the applicant and specifying the duration and context of your acquaintance
- Main content (describing the candidate’s skills, personal qualities, communications, and teamwork and highlighting the most outstanding points with pertinent examples; mentioning professional qualifications, specializations, and relevant experience; acknowledging significant achievements, contributions, and awards or honors)
- The conclusion & endorsement (your firm, enthusiastic final endorsement and offer to be contacted)
- A professional sign-off
The above format will help you get started on the right path to creating an engaging and compelling nursing letter of recommendation. Below are a few different template examples to help you understand what a standard recommendation letter looks like and provide a source of inspiration.
Nursing recommendation letter template
Use the following template as a guide for writing either a nursing letter of recommendation for an external job, for an internal promotion, or for nursing school:
Letterhead with your name, position, hospital/organization/nursing school, address, and contact information
Date
Recipient’s name with their position/title, hospital/organization, and address (including city and state)
Greeting, addressing a specific person or committee with information provided by the applicant (“Dear…”)
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend [the applicant]. In my position of [your title at your organization], I have had the pleasure of working closely with [the applicant]. During [the time you worked together], I have come to notice exceptional dedication, teamwork, competency, and professional growth.
[The applicant] has consistently demonstrated solid clinical skills and a profound commitment to patient care. Their adaptability to challenging situations, their ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, and the professionalism they maintain under pressure all stand out. From managing challenging patient cases to contributing toward unit goals and academic pursuits, they excel in all avenues.
Of particular note is [their] [specific quality or achievement]. (You can mention leadership qualities, academic achievements, or special skills relevant to the purpose of the letter.) This makes them an exceptional candidate for the next step in their career, whether it be a new nursing position, an internal promotion, or acceptance into a nursing education program.
I strongly believe that the clinical expertise, work ethic, and compassionate nature of [the applicant] will make them a great asset for your team/program. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any further information.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature] [Your Typed Name] [Your Title]
Nursing letter of recommendation examples
Here are specific samples or formats that can be used for letters of recommendation for a nursing student, an internal promotion, or another job application:
Recommendation letter for nursing school
All letters of recommendation for nursing school can have a similar format to this one:
Subject: Letter of recommendation for [the applicant]
Dear [Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name or "Nursing Admissions Committee"],
It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for [the applicant] for admission to the [Name of Program] program at [University Name].
I have had the privilege of knowing [the applicant] for [how many] years, first as their [your relationship with the applicant] at [the university]. During this time, [the applicant] consistently demonstrated the intellectual curiosity, academic rigor, and compassionate character essential for success in advanced nursing practice.
I find [the applicant] to be an exceptional student academically. They were one of the top performers in my class, consistently contributing actively to discussions and further developing the ideas of their peers. Their questions revealed that they had done extensive reading about the subject, effectively linking complex theory to real-life patient management. In the capstone project on [topic of the project], [the applicant] conducted thorough research and presented a compelling analysis that was innovative, evidence-based, and showed strong writing and critical thinking skills.
Clinically, the applicant is equally impressive. During their clinical rotation on our simulation floor, they showed a remarkable aptitude for patient assessment and differential diagnosis. [The applicant] is calm under pressure, highly collaborative with their peers, and possesses a natural empathy that puts their patients at ease. They are not satisfied with knowing what to do, but rather seek to understand why every intervention is done.
[The applicant] would talk enthusiastically about [the specialty], and I strongly feel their commitment, intellect, and maturity make them one of the best candidates for your program. They have the motivation and potential to be an exceptional [role] and leader in the profession.
I highly recommend [the applicant] to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your signature], [Your typed name], and [Your title]
Letter of recommendation for a nursing job
For a nursing job, a sample recommendation letter could look like this:
Dear [name of nursing director],
As a nursing supervisor at [name of healthcare facility], I have had the pleasure of working with [the applicant] for three years. During that time, I admired their reliable dedication to the hospital as a staff nurse, first in the med-surg unit and then in the intensive care unit. They were promoted to the ICU due to their advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) skills and proficiency with specialized equipment, including ventilators, infusion pumps, and monitoring devices.
[The applicant] demonstrated high levels of leadership and initiative; I will mention one recent example. They recognized the need to improve team performance during resuscitations and spoke about it with their supervisor. Together, they organized ACLS training sessions for healthcare professionals on staff, resulting in reduced time to defibrillation, slightly increased survival rates, and reduced neurological damage. This example also shows their outstanding capacity for teamwork with supervisors and other colleagues.
During their school years, they volunteered at a nearby nursing home, visiting the residents. They established genuine friendships, showing great patience and loving appreciation.
They graduated from the [name] nursing school and have continued to develop professional expertise through experience and online courses. Two of the several courses they have successfully completed are Vital Signs—Understanding What the Body Is Telling Us (University of Pennsylvania) and Leading Healthcare Quality and Safety (George Washington University).
I highly recommend [the applicant]. I am confident they will be a suitable fit for the assistant nursing manager role at [name of healthcare facility]. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
[Your signature], [Your typed name], and [Your title]
Letter of recommendation for an internal promotion
To help the applicant with an internal promotion, a letter of recommendation could look like this:
Dear [Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name],
It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend [the applicant] for the position of [the new position] on the [unit name] unit.
Having supervised [the applicant] for [number] years in their capacity as a [current position] in the emergency department, I have had the privilege of witnessing their professional growth firsthand. [The applicant] is more than ready to take this next step in their career, and I am confident that they possess the leadership, initiative, and clinical expertise required to excel in this new role.
[The applicant] has consistently demonstrated natural leadership abilities. They naturally fall into the "go-to" role during busy shifts, coordinating patient flow, mentoring junior staff, and resolving conflicts with professionalism. For the past year, [the applicant] has served as our unit's "super user" for the new EHR implementation, developing workflows and patiently training colleagues, which significantly smoothed our transition.
Moreover, [the applicant] has demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of our facility through [their] initiative. Last quarter, they voluntarily led an improvement project to enhance our door-to-balloon times for STEMI patients. The project involved working with EMS, the charge nurse, and the cath lab team, and their contributions resulted in a [mention specific result].
[The applicant] is an active problem solver, a respected mentor, and a skilled clinician who already possesses many qualities of a leader. They have the full support of their peers and my complete confidence.
I strongly recommend promoting [the applicant]. If you require any additional information, please let me know.
Sincerely,
[Your signature], [Your typed name], and [Your title]
7 Tips for writing a nursing letter of recommendation
These 7 points can help you write effective and personal letters of recommendation:
1. Provide real examples
Examples show the reasons behind your appraisal of the candidate. The following example illustrates practical leadership skills and a genuine concern for patient safety.
“As a staff nurse, the candidate identified a recurring issue with patient falls in their unit. They documented several cases and suggested a few simple modifications to the environment. Their proactive approach led to the implementation of safety measures that significantly reduced the number of falls.”
2. Emphasize specific skills
Point out skills that the applicant has mastered in the nursing profession. These skills may include using telehealth platforms, dialysis machines, or electronic health records (EHRs).
Soft skills, such as clear communication, are also essential to mention. Commitment to learning and adaptability are crucial in providing compassionate and capable patient care. Therefore, they are also good skills to point out.
3. Avoid being vague or generic
Specific skills, qualities, or experience give the potential employer a clearer and more credible picture of the applicant than enthusiastic but vague statements.
For example, “They are one of the best nurses I have worked with” is a flattering but ambiguous statement.
In contrast, the statement “I found that they consistently support the team with expertise in electronic health records and clear and empathetic communication” provides concrete indications of their capabilities.
4. Stay focused and avoid irrelevant information
The main advantage of a letter of recommendation over a reference letter is that it speaks to a specific institution or person, allowing you to focus on their interests and needs.
For example, a nursing home will need nurses with clinical skills in geriatrics, managing chronic conditions, memory issues, and end-of-life care.
On the other hand, hospitals receive a broader range of patients and require nurses with varied skills based on the unit where they will work. Hospital nurses, especially in the emergency room (ER), intensive care unit (ICU), and operating room (OR), rely on the capacity to think quickly and accurately assess patient conditions.
5. Be truthful
Use the power of truth.
An honest endorsement that aligns with the resume and other application materials fosters trust and credibility among all concerned.
6. Keep a professional tone
Clear and precise language, as well as avoiding slang or overly familiar expressions, conveys respect and seriousness.
Your focus should be on facts and information rather than personal opinions or emotions.
7. Be sure to proofread your letter
Spelling or punctuation mistakes make a poor impression and distract the reader from the message. Proofreading also allows you to remove redundant or irrelevant information or include an important point you had left out.
Pro-tip: It can be easy to miss typos and errors in your own writing. Try getting somebody you know to read over the letter to catch errors with a fresh set of eyes.
These tips provide a starting set of guidelines and advice to help you get started on drafting your nursing recommendation letter. You can use one of these examples for a sample reference letter for healthcare professionals and generate something that can really help the people who trust you advance in the nursing profession.
More nurse staffing and career resources by Nursa
Looking for more great tips?
You can also find a variety of resources for nurses and facilities on Nursa, including a guide on how to conduct a performance evaluation.
Explore more articles on Nursa:
- How to achieve staffing efficiency at your facility
- 5 Tips to help you avoid common nurse scheduling pitfalls
- Nurse float pool management: Best practices for facilities
These tools and resources are here to make your job a little easier.
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