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A letter of recommendation for nursing school is a signed personal endorsement. A teacher or supervisor writes it to show admissions committees the skills and character grades cannot show. This page gives sample letters for nursing students, LPNs and nurse practitioners, plus writing steps.
You can also start from our general letter of recommendation template.
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A nursing student letter of recommendation example shows the order a strong letter follows: the writer’s role, the applicant’s results, a personal quality with proof, and contact details for follow-up.
Replace each blank with details about the person you are recommending, change “they” where the applicant prefers another pronoun, and cut any line that is not true of them. Then adjust the wording to match your own experience and the instructions of the school.
An instructor’s letter suits a student applying to a BSN, ABSN or other nursing program, because the writer has seen the student’s coursework and class habits directly.
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am proud to recommend ___________ (full applicant’s name), who is applying for admission to the nursing program at ___________ (name of the university). I taught ___________ (applicant’s name) in ___________ (number) courses during ___________ (terms or academic years). In that time, they have shown strong academic ability and steady, careful work.
As ___________’s (applicant’s name) teacher, I have seen their interest in ___________ (subjects related to the student’s future specialization, such as family medicine or child health). They earned ___________ (grades or results) in ___________ (course names) and came to every nursing seminar prepared.
In ___________ (date), ___________ (applicant’s name) spoke at a student panel discussion on ___________ (topic). They also prepared a report for ___________ (name of the conference) and presented it on ___________ (date).
I do not know a more hardworking and patient student. ___________ (applicant’s name) shows compassion for patients and also keeps careful, accurate notes. During ___________ (clinical placement or class project), they ___________ (a short, true example of what the student did and how it helped).
___________’s (applicant’s name) dedication and kindness make them a strong fit for your nursing program. I am glad to share more about their academic work. Please contact me at ___________ (your phone number) or ___________ (email address).
Sincerely,
___________ (your name)
___________ (your title and department)
An LPN letter of recommendation comes best from a charge nurse, nurse manager or other supervisor who has watched the applicant care for patients, and it works for a bridge program or a new job.
Dear ___________ (name of the admissions committee or hiring manager),
I am the ___________ (your title) at ___________ (name of the facility), and I am writing to recommend ___________ (full applicant’s name), a licensed practical nurse on my unit since ___________ (date). I have supervised their work directly for ___________ (length of time).
___________ (applicant’s name) gives patients steady, attentive care. On a typical shift, they ___________ (duties, such as giving medications, checking vital signs or updating care plans). Their charting is accurate and on time, and I rarely need to ask for a correction.
One moment shows the kind of nurse they are: ___________ (a short, true example, with no patient names or other identifying details). The rest of the team trusts them, and newer staff go to them with questions.
___________ (applicant’s name) is ready for ___________ (name of the program or position). I recommend them without reservation. You can reach me at ___________ (your phone number) or ___________ (email address) with any questions.
Sincerely,
___________ (your name)
___________ (your title and facility)
A nurse practitioner letter of recommendation is usually written by a supervising clinician or practice manager, and it recommends a working colleague for a new position rather than a student for school.
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter recommends ___________ (full applicant’s name), who has worked as a nurse practitioner at ___________ (name of the institution) under my supervision for ___________ (length of time). During this time, they have shown both professionalism and empathy toward patients.
___________ (applicant’s name) is among the most hardworking and involved people I have supervised. They make good use of the education they received at ___________ (name of the college or university), and they find solutions in difficult situations, such as ___________ (a short, true example). During their time here, they also completed ___________ (name, length and location of any internship or added training).
___________ (applicant’s name) builds real rapport with patients, and many patients ask to see them by name. They are responsible, organized and easy to work with.
I am sad to see ___________ (applicant’s name) leave our clinic, but I recommend them for ___________ (name of the position). If you would like to know more, please call me at ___________ (your phone number) or email me at ___________ (email address).
Sincerely,
___________ (your name)
___________ (your title and institution)
A letter for a nursing graduate program, such as an MSN track, gives more weight to advanced coursework, conference work and the applicant’s readiness for independent study.
Dear Graduate Admissions Committee,
I recommend ___________ (full applicant’s name) for admission to your graduate nursing program. I have known them as their teacher for ___________ (length of time) at ___________ (name of the university), and they are among the most talented students in the class.
Throughout their training, ___________ (applicant’s name) kept a consistently high grade average. They took added electives related to nursing, such as ___________ (course names and credits), and took part in events inside and outside our university, including ___________ (names and dates of conferences or panel discussions). In practical classes, they applied theory correctly and with confidence.
___________ (applicant’s name) stays calm under pressure, which is a valuable quality for a nurse. They find solutions quickly when a situation calls for it. Despite a heavy workload, they still help classmates and colleagues who are stuck.
With these abilities in mind, I strongly recommend ___________ (applicant’s name) for your program. If you have any questions, please send them to ___________ (email address) or call me at ___________ (your phone number).
Sincerely,
___________ (your name)
___________ (your title and department)
For applicants outside nursing, see our letter of recommendation for a student and our guide to medical school letters.
The best writer for a letter of recommendation for nursing school is someone who has watched you work and can describe it with real examples, such as an instructor or a clinical supervisor.
A familiar writer with concrete stories usually helps more than a senior title with nothing specific to say. Pick a teacher from a class where you earn high grades, because that teacher can give concrete examples of your achievements. The writer’s position still matters, so it appears in the letter header.
| Writer | Good choice when | What they can describe |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing or science instructor | You earned strong grades in the class | Results, preparation, how you handle hard material |
| Clinical instructor | You have completed a clinical placement | Patient contact, calm under pressure, teamwork |
| Teaching assistant | Your class was too large for the professor to know you | Lab work, class participation, your goals |
| Charge nurse or work supervisor | You already work in health care or have been out of school | Reliability, duties, how you treat patients and staff |
| Head of a research project | You helped with research | Attention to detail, persistence, how you use evidence |
| Head of a volunteer group or hospital placement | You gave regular time to patient-facing service | Compassion, commitment, why you chose nursing |
If your professor teaches a large class and cannot get to know you well, ask a teaching assistant. The assistant can help the head professor write the letter and add details about your goals and achievements. You can also visit the professor during office hours and take an active part in class so that they remember you.
If you have been out of school for a while, contact a former instructor and remind them which course you took, what you earned and what you did well. A current supervisor is another good option, since they can speak to how you work today. Read your program’s instructions first, because some programs ask for an academic writer and others accept a professional one.
Ask for a nursing school recommendation early, in person if you can, and give your writer everything needed to write about you in specifics. These steps keep the request easy to accept:
Give the professor, assistant or supervisor the documents below, so they can link your past and current achievements to the nursing school you want to join.
A short request message names the program, reminds the writer how they know you and asks plainly for a strong letter.
Dear ___________ (name of the writer),
I am applying to the ___________ (name of the program) at ___________ (name of the school), and I hope you would be willing to write me a strong letter of recommendation. I took your ___________ (course or placement) in ___________ (term), and I enjoyed ___________ (a specific part of the work).
I have attached my CV, my personal statement and a short list of achievements. The letter is due on ___________ (date) and goes to the school through ___________ (portal, email or mail). If you are not able to take this on, I understand completely.
Thank you for considering it.
___________ (your name)
Building a relationship with your professor well before you ask gives them real examples to use in your letter. You do not need to push for attention. Take part in class, ask questions and show that the work matters to you, both for your current studies and for your future. A good relationship with the professor helps them write a truthful and specific nursing student letter of recommendation.
A nursing letter of recommendation includes identification details, the writer’s relationship to the applicant, specific achievements, personal qualities and a clear reason the applicant fits nursing.
The letter is an honest picture backed by proof, not a piece of fiction about how excellent the student is.
Identification details tell the admissions committee who is writing, who the letter is about and when it was written.
Write out full legal names. Even if you work at a well-known college or school, avoid abbreviations and colloquialisms.
The achievements section gives the admissions committee evidence that the applicant can handle a nursing program, drawn from what the writer has seen firsthand.
Back your points with facts, such as certificates and internships. Academic results show the applicant can do the work, while personal qualities show how they will treat patients and colleagues, so a strong letter covers both.
Personal qualities carry weight in a nursing letter when each one comes with a short, true example, such as a clinical placement or a student event the applicant helped organize.
| Quality | Where it shows | How to prove it |
|---|---|---|
| Empathy and compassion | Time with patients | Describe how the applicant comforted or listened to someone |
| Calm under pressure | An ER or ICU placement | Describe a busy moment and what the applicant did next |
| Attention to detail | EHR entries, lab work | Mention accuracy you checked yourself |
| Teamwork | Group projects, shifts | Name a time they helped a classmate or coworker |
| Perseverance | Study goals, such as a high GPA | Show the progress over time |
Leave out patient names and any other detail that could identify a patient.
Write a letter of recommendation for nursing school in this order: letterhead, introduction, main body, conclusion, then signature and date. If the program provides its own form or portal, follow that instead.
The form builder at the top of this page asks for these details and produces a letter you can save, print and sign.
Enter the full name of the author of the message and add details about the educational institution.
The introduction greets the reader and gives your role and department at the educational institution. Briefly introduce the applicant, including their current status and the nature of your relationship. Also say how long you have known each other.
The main body of a nursing school letter holds the evidence, with grades and internships first and personal qualities after them.
This part usually consists of two paragraphs. Generally, the first covers the student’s results in class, while the second reveals their personal characteristics.
In the first paragraph, name the student’s grades and internships, if any, and show their progress during the training.
In the second paragraph, describe the character traits that help the student deal with tasks and cooperate with classmates and teachers. Mention their perseverance, their organizational and leadership skills, and any school events they helped run.
In both paragraphs, follow each claim with an anecdote that proves it, and use the real names of certificates and internships. “Worked well under pressure” tells the reader little. A sentence about what the student did during a busy clinical shift tells them much more.
The conclusion summarizes your key points and connects the student’s education and experience with the course they apply for. Give your phone number and email address, and say you are ready to provide additional information if necessary.
Affix your signature and the date when you wrote the letter, so the reader knows who stands behind it and when.
Nursing letters differ by the applicant’s stage: a student’s letter leans on coursework and promise, while a working nurse’s letter leans on patient care and on-the-job results.
| Applicant | Usual writer | What the letter stresses |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing school applicant | Instructor or volunteer lead | Grades, motivation, early patient contact |
| Current nursing student | Instructor or clinical instructor | Clinical skills, progress, teamwork |
| LPN | Charge nurse or nurse manager | Daily patient care, reliability, readiness for the next role |
| Nurse practitioner | Supervising clinician or practice manager | Clinical judgment, patient trust, added training |
| Graduate program applicant | Professor or research lead | Advanced coursework, conference work, independent study |
A strong nursing recommendation follows a clear structure, sticks to what the writer knows firsthand and proves each claim, while a weak one offers praise with nothing behind it.
Each nursing program sets its own rules for recommendation letters, so please refer to the program’s official website for more details.
After the letter is written, send it the way the program’s instructions describe, confirm that it arrived and thank the writer.
The number depends on the program, so read its application instructions before you ask anyone. Send only what it asks for, unless it says extra letters are welcome.
Under 34 CFR 99.12, a postsecondary institution does not have to let a student inspect a confidential letter of recommendation placed in their education records after January 1, 1975, if the student waived that right and the letter relates to admission, a job application or an honor. A waiver under 34 CFR 99.12 is valid only if it is in writing, signed by the student and not a condition for admission or for a service or benefit. After a waiver, 34 CFR 99.12 has the institution give the student, on request, the names of the letter writers and use the letters only for their intended purpose. A student can revoke the waiver in writing under 34 CFR 99.12 for actions after the revocation. Under 34 CFR 99.1, these rules bind a school that provides education or instruction to students and has funds made available to it under a U.S. Department of Education program, including aid such as Pell Grants that students may pay to the school for educational purposes. A school with no such funds falls outside these rules under 34 CFR 99.1. Where they apply, they protect a student, which34 CFR 99.3 defines as a person who is or has been in attendance at the institution and whose education records it maintains. An applicant who has never attended the school they are applying to is not yet a student of that school under 34 CFR 99.3.
Keep it to a letterhead, a short introduction, one or two main paragraphs, a brief conclusion and a signature. That layout is easy to read and fits on a single page.
No single format fits every program, so use the program’s own form or portal when it provides one. Otherwise, a standard business letter layout with the parts described above works well.
A nursing school reference letter and a letter of recommendation usually mean the same thing in an application. If a program lists references separately, it can be asking only for names and contact details, so read its wording closely.
A family member or friend is rarely the strongest choice, because an admissions committee wants the view of someone who has judged your work independently. Choose an instructor or supervisor unless the program says otherwise.
Yes, you can use the sample letters: copy the sample that fits your situation, fill in every blank, choose the right pronouns and adjust the wording so it reflects your real experience with the applicant.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
