Afraid to Apply for a Job

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

Dear Nurse Beth,

First of all, thank you for reading my question.

A little of my background:

I just got my nursing license (graduated last year). My potential references (clinical instructors) hasn't seen / or heard from me for 2 years since I left their course. I am trying to reach them, to let them know, I am applying for jobs, but none had responded.

I am afraid they might have forgotten me. If this is the case, how can I find a job without any professional references?

My experience is mostly with school placements and a final internship (for 1 semester). All of my experience are on Medicine floor, I never stepped into a surgical unit. (no experience)

I did most of my school placements in a less acute hospital. and I struggled a bit during my internship (at a Tertiary hospital). I skipped breaks to make sure i am able to complete my care on time. It was pretty stressful for me but the staffs on that unit are very supportive of me. I am feel not confident at all consider my "skip break tactic" during my internship. At the end of my internship, the charge nurse gave me her and the manager's business card and told me to check back when i have more experience.

(My most recent out of school experience is First Aid Responder, I received 3 awards from that unpaid position) but I don't have reference from them.

What should I do now? (I am afraid of applying for jobs in case I am asked to provided references)

Thank you for your insights!

Dear Afraid,

Your fear is holding you back and it's hugely important you break through and go after a job. Every month you delay, your chances of landing a position decrease. You are still in that 1 yr window of time past graduation when you are eligible for new grad residencies. Obviously you are conscientious and have a good work ethic.

Get going. You cannot wait until you feel more confident, or have X number of references, or anything else. You can already see where your procrastination has gotten you as far as the references from your clinical instructors. At 2 years out, you are not on their radar. In my book below, I tell students to ask for a reference letter the minute class is over, because that's your best chance of getting one, while they still feel you and are connected to you.

Apply today, start knocking on doors and activating your network. Find out where your classmates got jobs and call them. Get a copy of my book below and read it. You need it.

You must start looking forward, and not backwards.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Author, "Your Last Nursing Class: How to Land Your First Nursing Job"...and your next!

[caliotter3]

Go to the school and see your instructor references in person to elicit their help. That will jog their memories. It is so easy to miss messages on a voicemail but once they see you in person they will be able to remember you and offer some assistance. Meanwhile, apply to jobs anyway and list their contact information anyway. They are still your references until you develop more recent ones.