Non-medical question for other nurses!?

Question

I'm looking to get back into travel nursing, hopefully by the end of next month.  Well, I'm having problems getting references from my last hospital job (I left about 5 mos ago).  All their HR dept will give is dates worked, salary, stuff like that.  I need more clinical references--it's a JACHO requirement for the travel company.  They have to be from supervisors there.  I worked on night shift and part of the reason I left is that I felt uncomfortable with the management there on the unit.  I called one of them and asked her to fill out this simple form and fax it into the travel company.  Well, it's been 2 weeks now and they haven't gotten the form.  I have called her twice and haven't been able to get her on the phone again.  I don't know what to do to get these necessary references.  My current job is doing case management in hospice and they can't give me the kind of references I need.  I need 2 and they have to be from my supervisors.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Don't go to HR because they won't help you.  On your night shift, there would be a charge nurse and you could give her the form to fill out.  This should be acceptable as the charge nurse is also a floor supervisor.  Check also to see if you also worked with a resident because they can also give you references.  Yes they can give you references but you need to find someone who has the time and understanding of what a travel nurse does.  Most nurses do not like travel nurses because they get paid more for the same job.

The mom · Answer

If it were me, I think I'd get in contact with the HR department of the travel company and explain the problem just like you did here.  Tell them that the reason you left was because you were uncomfortable with the management there, and that you have been trying to get them to submit the forms.  Perhaps they could transmit the forms themselves, rather than you doing it, and that might get a response.  It may also be the HR department can use other things instead of the references from the management.  If you worked regularly with any of the staff doctors or even other doctors with admission priveledges, perhaps they could give the references you need.  If the HR department of the travel company can't or won't help, perhaps you might want to consider a different agency as well.  If HR won't help now they probably won't be help in the future either.  If they really want you, they should be able to come up with something.

Non-medical question for other nurses!?

2 Answers