What Is a Letter of Recommendation for Nursing School?
A letter of recommendation for nursing school highlights an applicant’s suitability for a nursing program. It describes how the candidate works and performs in school from the viewpoint of someone who has seen it firsthand. A teacher, healthcare professional, or employer typically writes it.
This letter is essential to the application process for undergraduate and graduate programs. It summarizes the applicant’s top traits, helping them stand out to the admissions committee.
Other Letters of Recommendation for Healthcare Programs
If an applicant has requested another type of letter of recommendation, you may be able to fill it out with Legal Templates. We offer letters of recommendation for entry into medical school, PA school, a medical residency, or graduate school.
How to Write a Letter of Recommendation for Nursing School
Writing a letter of recommendation for nursing school involves several key steps to ensure it effectively supports the applicant’s candidacy.
Step 1 – Establish a Connection
Begin your letter by introducing yourself. State your name, position, and how you know the applicant. Give the length of time you have known the applicant and how you interacted with them during your relationship.
Use your connection to establish a reason for writing the letter. Explain that because of your interactions with them, you can confidently recommend them for a spot in a nursing program.
Step 2 – Support Your Endorsement With Details
Describe the applicant’s skills and qualifications. Highlight their specific strengths that are relevant to the nursing field. Use concrete examples and anecdotes to illustrate their clinical professionalism and excellence, focusing on attributes that may not be apparent from their resume.
Your letter should also include behavior traits relevant to nursing programs. Share stories that touch on the candidate’s compassion, innovation, and ability to work collaboratively. Below are some important qualities to highlight according to nursing schools and research:
- Enthusiasm to succeed
- Commitment to learning
- Self-motivation
- Confidence
- Effective communication skills
- Compassion and empathy
- Time management and self-discipline
- Flexibility and resourcefulness
- Critical thinking and problem-solving;
- Attention to detail
- Endurance
Admissions committees seek candidates who have the qualities necessary to succeed in a nursing program and as future healthcare providers. Therefore, a strong letter of recommendation should provide insight into the applicant’s commitment to the field, work ethic, and potential as a nurse.
Step 3 – Conclude the Letter
Conclude the letter with a strong statement of recommendation. Restate your respect for the candidate’s abilities and affirm your endorsement. Highlight your positive experiences working with them and assert that they would be an asset to the program.
Nursing School Letter of Recommendation Examples
Explore two specific examples of nursing school letters of recommendation. While your applicant may be in a different situation or pursuing a different career path, you can use these examples to model your endorsement.
Example 1: Letter of Recommendation for Nurse Practitioner School
Here’s an example of a letter from a supervisor who oversaw the work of a registered nurse now applying to nurse practitioner school.
Dr. Laura Jenkins
Department of Internal Medicine, Riverside General Hospital
2450 West Elm Street, Riverside, CA 92501
[email protected]
January 1, 2026
Admissions Committee
School of Nursing, University of California (Los Angeles)
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to recommend Jordan Avery for admission to the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of California. Having had the pleasure of engaging with Jordan as his direct supervising physician for three years at Riverside General Hospital, I have been impressed by his commitment to achieving a high standard. This positions me well to attest to his suitability for this application.
During his tenure in clinical nursing practice, Jordan has consistently demonstrated strong initiative in patient care. A notable achievement was his commitment to leading care efforts for complex chronic illness patients during a high-census period in our internal medicine unit. As a result, patient readmission rates decreased, and team communication improved.
Moreover, Jordan has shown remarkable leadership and collaboration through his involvement in facilitating weekly interdisciplinary huddles to improve bedside communication. Because of this, clinical workflows became more efficient, and nursing staff reported greater clarity in care responsibilities.
Beyond Jordan’s accomplishments in clinical nursing practice, he has made significant contributions to mentoring new nurses and leading skill-based training simulations. Through these contributions, unit onboarding times shortened and staff confidence increased.
To conclude, I am confident in recommending Jordan for the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. I have no doubt that he will continue to excel and go on to make significant contributions in the field of healthcare.
I am happy to provide any additional information or discuss Jordan’s journey further. I can be reached at [email protected].
Sincerely,
Dr. Laura Jenkins
Supervising Physician, Internal Medicine
Example 2: Letter of Recommendation for an Undergraduate Nursing Program
Here’s an example from a high school science instructor recommending an applicant for entry into an undergraduate nursing program:
Dr. Robert Harrison
Greenfield High School
245 Oak Ridge Drive, Greenfield, CA 93401
[email protected]
January 1, 2026
Admissions Committee
School of Nursing, University of Central Florida
Dear Admissions Committee,
I am writing to enthusiastically recommend Emily Johnson for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Central Florida. Having had the pleasure of engaging with Emily as her teacher for two years at Greenfield High School, I have been impressed by her commitment to achieving a high standard in all endeavors. This positions me well to attest to her suitability for this application.
During her tenure in advanced biology and human anatomy, Emily has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and a strong work ethic. A notable achievement was her commitment to conducting a senior research project on the impact of nutrition on adolescent health and presenting it at the district science fair. As a result, Emily received high commendations from the judges and recognition from the school faculty.
Moreover, Emily has shown remarkable compassion and empathy through her involvement in organizing a volunteer visit to a local senior care facility. Here, she led peers in offering companionship and basic health education to residents. Because of this, the initiative strengthened community engagement and fostered meaningful connections between students and seniors.
Beyond Emily’s accomplishments in the sciences, she has made significant contributions to the Red Cross Club. Through her involvement, Emily strengthened skills essential to nursing, such as communicating calmly in stressful situations and coordinating with others during service activities.
To conclude, I am confident in recommending Emily for the BSN program. I have no doubt that she will continue to excel and make significant contributions in the field of healthcare.
I am happy to provide any additional information or discuss Emily’s journey further. I can be reached at [email protected],
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Harrison
Head of Science Department at Greenfield High School
Letter of Recommendation for Nursing School Sample
View our free nursing school letter of recommendation template below to get an idea of what to include in yours. Then, create yours using our guided questionnaire. It’ll be ready to download in PDF or Word format for your convenience.
