Current job refuses to give professional references

Workitinurfava, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2019

Some places of employment want two supervisors and 3 coworkers. It has happened to me more than once and I had supervisors tell me no but I am friends with some of my supervisors. Not sure why a supervisor would reference someone they don't like because you could be a great worker and the supervisor could just not like you. Keep this in mind Op. Ask the school if they can make an exception. Surely you aren't the only person to run into this situation.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Jun 14, 2019

On 6/1/2019 at 12:50 AM, P_B_Q said:
I just completed my BSN from WGU and am wanting to continue my education with CNW with Frontier University. Part of the application process is to provide two professional references and they give a detailed form to be filled out. My current position in a small facility has a policy against giving references. What?!?!?! So, here I am in a position that will not help me progress in my education. To be able to get what I need to go to the program I want, I'll need to find a new job in a company that will provide professional references. Goodness! Then how am I do know if the new company will do so? I am not the only one out there that has experienced this problem. Please, advice. I have a feeling it will be a while before I gain this.
Shane BSN, RN

You are going about it wrong.

You don't go through the facility, you go through the person. You are not applying for a job, you are asking for references for school. I went directly to my supervisors, I didn't go through HR.

The reason they don't want to give detailed references FOR A JOB is because of liability. There is no liability in giving references for school. If you have gone directly to your supervisors and they still say no, ask HR if they can help clarify this for them.

P_B_Q · Jun 14, 2019

That’s the thing, I did go directly to my supervisor (DON). They took it to HR who then informed me.

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Jun 15, 2019

4 hours ago, P_B_Q said:
That’s the thing, I did go directly to my supervisor (DON). They took it to HR who then informed me.

Ok, your DON is a jerk because a PROFESSIONAL reference for school is a personal opinion. This is what I would do so it doesn't look like you are trying to avoid getting a reference from your supervisor.

Tell HR this is a school requirement and have them write up on letterhead their policy so you can send that in.

Then ask if you can get others, like physicians, to write a letter of reference. They are on contract, they are not employed by the facility in most cases.