How do you handle references/supervisor requests as a travel nurse?

[CaliBoy760]

I have been working registry/travel for the last couple of years. Whenever I apply for a new position I'm asked to provide my work history including my supervisors name and contact info. I never know how to answer this. Yes, as a travel nurse I reported to an onsight supervisor, but they really weren't my "supervisor" in the true sense of the word.

Often times I reported to a voice on the phone who may have been in an entirely different state. They are the ones who can verify my employment dates and such, so I end up listing them. After all, they are my actual employer.

How do you handle this question?

[perfexion, ASN, RN]

I made a few supervisor/manager friends along the way and specifically asked if I could use them as references. I just give my recruiters name for employment verification.

[NedRN]

Asking for supervisor's name and contact? That seems unusual to me, generally what is asked for is references. If that is what they really want, give them the name and number of your recruiter. The agency is your direct employer.

[Argo]

I made a few supervisor/manager friends along the way and specifically asked if I could use them as references. I just give my recruiters name for employment verification.

I do a mix of this and what ned says. If it is for a local PRN job I give ask the manager at my travel facility if they mind. If it is for another travel job I give them my recruiter info.

[NedRN]

I never ask if anyone minds, I simply hand them a reference form and ask them to fill it out. Then they don't get inundated with calls and you know exactly what they said. That limits the risk of random statements when they no longer remember you or are irritated by the call, or some random person answering the call, or the policy of many employers to only confirm dates of employment.

[HikingNinja, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

I never ask if anyone minds, I simply hand them a reference form and ask them to fill it out. Then they don't get inundated with calls and you know exactly what they said. That limits the risk of random statements when they no longer remember you or are irritated by the call, or some random person answering the call, or the policy of many employers to only confirm dates of employment.

All of the agencies I've dealt with so far will only take a written reference if you've worked with them before. If you are new to them they will insist on calling and "verifying" any written references. I still get written one's every where I go and use some of my peeps from my old perm job I had for years for phone references.