Can an internship coordinator at a hospital write a LOR?

[Henry101]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello all,

I have been in a stroke internship for the past 6 months at a hospital and have been working under the leadership of a nurse who runs the stroke awareness and prevention program. There is a lot of patient contact and I also do administrative work for the hospital.

So, basically, my question is if it is acceptable to submit a LOR to the medical schools I am applying to as my "clinical" reference? Does anyone have any experience in this?
The pre-med advising office at my school suggested against it and said that a nurse couldn't adequately comment on my clinical experience and it should be a doctor. The thing is, I barely get to see the attending neurologist. Not sure what to do. What do you all think?

 

[Nymphicus]

I am unaware of schools requiring "clinical" letters of recommendation (unless you are referring to DO schools who may want a DO-specific letter).

 

[Catalystik]

I have been in a stroke internship for the past 6 months at a hospital and have been working under the leadership of a nurse who runs the stroke awareness and prevention program. There is a lot of patient contact and I also do administrative work for the hospital.

So, basically, my question is if it is acceptable to submit a LOR to the medical schools I am applying to as my "clinical" reference? Does anyone have any experience in this?
The pre-med advising office at my school suggested against it and said that a nurse couldn't adequately comment on my clinical experience and it should be a doctor. The thing is, I barely get to see the attending neurologist. Not sure what to do. What do you all think?

Such a letter would be similar to an Employment letter and IMO would be acceptable to use, since the RN is your direct supervisor and knows your work the best. But I share the opinion of @Nymphicus . It would only be useful at schools that allow for elective LORs beyond the typical "two letters from science faculty who taught you and one non-science faculty", +/- a research LOR.

 

[tiedyeddog]

Can you ask the neurologist for one and have the nurse speak of your character to the doctor? I think getting a letter from an attending would make it much more impressive.