An interesting twist is a request for someone with whom you haven't worked in years. Indicate the length of time since the last contact and what they were like at that time. The request for a letter of reference can come at any time throughout our nursing careers. Some letter writers wonder if they are doing something wrong when composing a reference takes so much energy and time. This usually indicates that something is being done right.
Good writing takes thought and effort.
In the end, a reference letter is your gift to the requester and his or her future.