Obtaining Letters of a Rec for a First Time Traveler

[BellsRNBSN]

I've always wanted to try travel nursing, and now that I'm approaching two years of experience in my field, I'm thinking of applying to some travel agencies. It looks like most agencies require at least two letters of recommendation from direct supervisors.

I worry about being able to get these letters because only one or two of my co-workers know that I'm thinking of leaving the hospital I currently work at. I was even told right after getting my current job that the director and managers were worried I would leave soon after my training to work elsewhere. Gossip is a problem on our unit, and I would hate to tell my supervisors that I'm trying to get another job so I can get a letter of rec from them and then possibly end up not getting the job, or deciding to stay, and having to work alongside people who know that I tried to leave.

Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation? Any advice?

[nursetaminator]

I asked 3 travelers I worked with recently about recommendation letters bc I'm interested in traveling. All 3 looked at me like I had lost my mind. They have never been asked for letters in all the years they've been on the road.

[NedRN]

That is a difficult situation. I would start by grabbing a generic reference/evaluation form off of PanTravelers. I believe they are even editable so you can make it more palatable for your managers.

Everyone should maintain a professional portfolio and keep it up to date at all times. But it is a rare professional that actually does this. You do need to get one going with references, skills, certifications, anecdotes of how difficult situations were handled, work history, resume, certifications and achievements (down to committee service). I would approach your manager stating that you need to update your professional portfolio (you could even show it to her perhaps) and hand her a form - it takes literally two minutes to fill out. Ideally, you will hang out with her until she does it.

Charge nurse references, no matter what your agency said, are also perfectly acceptable. So are physician references if you work closely with them. I have an ER friend who gets the most amazing letters from docs. If all else fails, get a peer reference. Any will work for agencies and the interviewing nurse manager. That said, I always go for the manager or director, but in the operating room, I have better access to them than many areas of nursing.

[NedRN]

I asked 3 travelers I worked with recently about recommendation letters bc I'm interested in traveling. All 3 looked at me like I had lost my mind. They have never been asked for letters in all the years they've been on the road.

Per comments above, you are better off relying on obtaining your own references for a lot of reasons. Travel agencies do get them on their travelers but seldom share them with the traveler. Total loss of control that hurts your flexibility in who you choose to work with, and even knowing what has been said about you when you do the interview. Getting your own references puts you in control of your submissions and your career. Having them in hand makes you much more valuable to any future agency or staff job. Getting them started early in an assignment also protects you if there is a later issue with your competence.

Yes, most travelers and staffers don't bother. But then again, there are only a few travelers that can consistently get higher pay. Getting your own references is part of professional success.

[nursetaminator]

That is a difficult situation. I would start by grabbing a generic reference/evaluation form off of PanTravelers. I believe they are even editable so you can make it more palatable for your managers.

Everyone should maintain a professional portfolio and keep it up to date at all times. But it is a rare professional that actually does this. You do need to get one going with references, skills, certifications, anecdotes of how difficult situations were handled, work history, resume, certifications and achievements (down to committee service). I would approach your manager stating that you need to update your professional portfolio (you could even show it to her perhaps) and hand her a form - it takes literally two minutes to fill out. Ideally, you will hang out with her until she does it.

Charge nurse references, no matter what your agency said, are also perfectly acceptable. So are physician references if you work closely with them. I have an ER friend who gets the most amazing letters from docs. If all else fails, get a peer reference. Any will work for agencies and the interviewing nurse manager. That said, I always go for the manager or director, but in the operating room, I have better access to them than many areas of nursing.

Excellent advice! And thanks for giving suggestions on ways to obtain reference letters. It can be difficult in finding a way to approach a manager, charge nurse or colleague for these.

Yea, I was surprised to hear from the 3 folks I asked that they'd never solicited reference letters (and never been asked to provide them).