1305 N.

Martin Avenue
P.O. Box 210203
Tucson, AZ 85721-0203
Tel: (520) 626-6152
Fax: (520) 626-2669
www.nursing.arizona.edu

February 22, 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

Brooke Barney 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.

Give Brooke Barney the Registered Nurse Residency she is requesting for one reason – she
has worked for at least the last four years toward that goal. Just review her resume – Brooke
has 400 hours more clinical experiences than most grads due to her VALOR experience at the
VA. On top of that, her Student Nurse Tech work has exposed her to many diverse clinical
environments – so-called "in the trenches." Brooke's mind is like a sponge – she just learns,
thinks, and synthesizes whatever is happening around her. The same applies to her Medical
and Neurological ICU assignments at St. Joe's.

Now the usual (but true) description of the strengths and attributes that Brooke 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

So let's put all this together about Brooke: four years of scholarships for Academic Distinction,
extensive work opportunities related to healthcare, and numerous volunteer and leadership
experiences during her college career. It's even a plus to have a sorority affiliation these days
due to the philanthropic work and organizational leadership promoted by the group. When I first
met Brooke in her psych. clinical, I (the psych. RN) totally misread her – thought she was very
quiet and subdued, but "still waters run deep" – she was thinking and engaged the whole time.
So, don't make the mistake I made – recognize, appreciate her unique persona and all she
brings to nursing and nursing leadership in the future. Now back to that Registered Nurse
Residency – I think I've made my case for Brooke Barney. We need her!

Sincerely,

Susan Markovich, RN, MSN

Clinical Instructor