Job Hunting: MDs as References?

[Music in My Heart]

I'm just wondering... have any of you chosen to utilize MDs that you've worked with as references? I've got very good working relationships with a couple of our docs and have wondered whether they might be considered good references in looking for jobs.

To me, references should cover a broad spectrum in order to help the prospective employer develop a more complete picture of a candidate and the opinions of the MDs who work with the nurse seem like they might be very valuable.

I'm wondering what others think... are MD references useful?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I have used 2 different MDs as references, with good results. :)

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

We always preferred to see them from nurse leaders. It wasn't exactly a strike against the applicant, but it was pretty much zero sum. They could have had a recommendation from my gardener and it might have carried as much weight. "Nice person, yada yada yada." It really takes a nurse to evaluate another nurse.

[Music in My Heart]

We always preferred to see them from nurse leaders. It wasn't exactly a strike against the applicant, but it was pretty much zero sum. They could have had a recommendation from my gardener and it might have carried as much weight. "Nice person, yada yada yada." It really takes a nurse to evaluate another nurse.

Interesting...

I'd have thought that comments from a doc like, "is able to clearly articulate the justifications for their requests on behalf of our patients" or "learned very quickly in an environment with limited support" or "raises salient points which have caused me to reconsider my treatment strategy" or "is a fearless advocate for what s/he believes is in the best interest of the patients" or "is a trustworthy practitioner and one who willingly admits their mistakes" or "has the ability to remain calm and execute rapid-fire orders in the midst of the sometimes chaotic trauma room" or similar veins would be particularly meaningful when coming from a physician.

To me, there are aspects of a nurse's knowledge, skill, and ability which are best evaluated by the physicians with whom they work.

"Nice person, yada, yada, yada" is a meaningless reference whether it be from the gardener, physician, or nurse manager.

[LegzRN]

I've used physicians as references before and landed the job.

[pedicurn, LPN, RN]

For a job with physician employer ?

Invaluable +++

That's a lot more valuable than a nurse manager reference

[MillieT]

I used physician references for the last job I was hired. I know they were called and I did end up getting the job even though I had little experience in the last 14 yrs!!

[casi, ASN, RN]

I would think that it depends on how closely you work with the MD. If you believe that the MD can say more than "well they are nice", and have a good idea of your work ethics and abilities I would say yes.

[netglow, ASN, RN]

Heck yeah. You just never know if you're gonna get a crabby NM interviewer who just hates ALL MDs though. So, I figure if I wind up with "that" during an interview, well fine - I am a professional and I network with everybody. I'm not going to cow to a basketcase nurse for a boss

[Misskala]

I was wondering about this as well. I have a Director of Nursing as one of my references as she was a clinical instructor of mine. And I know she has been called and has recommended me. (long story, I didn't get the job.)

*But now I am wondering if a Doctor calls HR to recommend an RN for the hospital, what that would do?

Many thanks! KaLyn:nurse:

[linearthinker, DNP, RN]

interesting...

i'd have thought that comments from a doc like, "is able to clearly articulate the justifications for their requests on behalf of our patients" or "learned very quickly in an environment with limited support" or "raises salient points which have caused me to reconsider my treatment strategy" or "is a fearless advocate for what s/he believes is in the best interest of the patients" or "is a trustworthy practitioner and one who willingly admits their mistakes" or "has the ability to remain calm and execute rapid-fire orders in the midst of the sometimes chaotic trauma room" or similar veins would be particularly meaningful when coming from a physician.

it would be more valuable to us, as the hiring committee, coming from a nurse.

to me, there are aspects of a nurse's knowledge, skill, and ability which are best evaluated by the physicians with whom they work.

no, absolutely not.

"nice person, yada, yada, yada" is a meaningless reference whether it be from the gardener, physician, or nurse manager.

well, obviously that was hyperbole, lol.

i can only speak to where i worked most recently. as i said, it didn't count against someone, but we didn't give physician recommendations as much weight. so that is not to say we wouldn't hire you, all other things being equal, an equally prepared and experienced candidate who did equally as well in the interview with excellent nurse recommendations would be more likley to be hired, that's all. good luck either way.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

yes, why wouldn't they be?