PO Box 210203

Tucson, AZ 85721-0203
Tel: (520) 626-6154
Fax: (520) 626-4062
www.nursing.arizona.edu
May 1, 2020

To Whom It May Concern:

Angelica Painter: regardless of how you pronounce her name (think angel), you will want to be
sure that she is the newest member of your healthcare team. Why? Angelica is one of the most
caring, empathetic nursing students I have encountered as a clinical instructor. My fellow
instructor who taught her as a pre-nursing student put it this way, "Angelica was out there
immediately trying to figure out how to help the patients get what they needed!" No question,
one of her major assets is that of a patient advocate---as one would hope in an aspiring RN new
grad. However, just to reassure you, she has the maturity and life experiences to have clear
boundaries.

Angelica was my student during her 10 week psychiatric/mental health nursing clinical rotation
last semester. As a clinical instructor/lecturer with fifty years experience in various psych
nursing areas, I have a unique opportunity to become acquainted with my students as
individuals. Since they're learning to use their own personalities as a therapeutic tool, I try to
help them get to know themselves more in depth and as members of a team on our four unit
inpatient facility. During our psych rotation, they also experience working with older adults,
pediatric therapy services, and intensive adult outpatient services. My goal for them is to
practice interpersonal relationship skills that can be generalized and applied to any nursing
endeavor they choose.

Angelica stood out as a role model during our psych rotation as the student who, when the
instructor (me) said "Time to go on the psych I.C.U.", led the charge with that "can-do", "this
should be interesting" attitude. Then, in post conferencing, she would describe in great detail
exactly what had transpired among the students and patients... always a good teaching/learning
experience. Granted there were times that Angelica marched to her own drummer, but never to
the detriment of the patients or her classmates. Her problem solving/ critical thinking skills just
had a creative "out of the box" quality to them--something our profession could use a little more
of---true innovation. Asking the "Why not?" question!

Now the usual (but true) description of the strengths and attributes that Angelica will bring to
your organization: 1) a broad and in depth nursing knowledge base; 2) highly developed
technical/technology abilities; 3) excellent verbal/written communication skills and finally; 4) an
appreciation of the value of the continued application of evidenced-based nursing practice.

If the above description has not convinced you that Angelica would be an excellent candidate
for one of your open positions, then please interview her in person. Since she has an
abundance of energy, her earnestness and enthusiasm may appear to be evidence of
nervousness. Just get her talking about becoming a real nurse, and she will focus on how she
just wants to help people feel better---and she means it! Authenticity, compassion, quality care-
giving and leadership---all wrapped into one. Angelica is just waiting for you to give her the
opportunity to get going!

Sincerely,

Susan Markovich, RN, MSN

Clinical Instructor