February 15, 2018

Barbara O’Connor
Nurse Recruiter
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

Dear Ms. O’Connor,

My name is Rebecca Shiao and I will be graduating from the University of Arizona BSN
program in May 2018. During my clinical time in the BSN program, I have enjoyed the
opportunities that I’ve had working with older patients in the acute care setting, particularly
during my preceptorship on the VA hospital’s 3N telemetry unit. My interest and dedication to
serving this patient population would make me a wonderful match for the VA hospital, if a RN-
transition-to-practice position were to become available. As a nurse, I strongly believe in the
VA’s core values of the integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect, and excellence, especially
when it comes to providing care to our veterans.

Outside of my clinical experience at the VA, I also currently work as a nursing intern at the
Medication Management Center (MMC) for the UA College of Pharmacy, where I communicate
with elderly patients on Medicare to promote medication adherence and safety through
medication reviews. Through this internship, I have had interprofessional collaboration
experience with pharmacists and pharmacy interns at the MMC, which has helped me become
more team-oriented when it comes to delivering care to patients. Because of this experience, I
have learned how to better communicate and provide education to patients both in and outside of
hospital settings.

Through my participation in the Vanguard Nursing Scholars Program and involvement in the
Honor’s College, I have also had experience with conducting evidence-based research and
demonstrated my dedication to community service. Through these roles, I strive to learn how to
provide safer and more effective patient-centered care that is evidence-based. I am dedicated to
learning and continually improving my knowledge and skills to better serve my patients in any
setting.

It has been an honor and privilege to “care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his
widow, and his orphan” through my preceptorship, and it is my hope to continue to do so for
veterans in the future. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing
from you regarding any positions that become available at this hospital.

Sincerely,

Rebecca Shiao