Obtaining letters of recommendation while switching hospitals?

[Dreamweaver2be]

Hey all, I have a question and would appreciate any advice. I am preparing to apply to NA programs this summer, so I will be asking for letters of reference soon. I am currently working the night shift in the ICU I am at--I have been on nights for 8 mo.--and it is wreaking havoc on my mind, body, soul, family etc. I have talked to my manager more than once about switching to a day position to no avail, and I am thinking of moving to a different hospital for a day shift in an ICU that still offers the experience I need. My question is might that look bad to switch jobs only a month or two before I apply to NA school? The main issue I am concerned about is my letters of ref. from work--I am in good standing there now but some schools require a current supervisor's reference--if I am at a new place for only a month or two how could my supervisor even know me or the work I do well enough to write me one? I am just trying to figure out if I should suffer another 2-3 months on nights just until I apply then switch or if I could move to another hospital now without jeopardizing my work letters of recommendation.

[crnateach]

You are correct; a supervisor of only 1-2 months can not give you as thorough of an evaluation as one who has known you longer. But, it never hurts to get a letter of reference from both supervisors - especially if you are leaving in good standing.

[fungirl]

Have you only had 8 mos. of ICU experience?? If so , I would wait it out where you are at, b/c when you leave you will have to go through orientation and precepting again....This will also start you back at taking care of the turn and baste patients!!! In my opinion, stay where you are and use this time to continue learning ICU and to take care of high acuity patients!!

You are correct; a supervisor of only 1-2 months can not give you as thorough of an evaluation as one who has known you longer. But, it never hurts to get a letter of reference from both supervisors - especially if you are leaving in good standing.

[BeatOU]

I switched jobs before application with 10 months experience and I got in. What you will have difficulty doing is getting a job after you tell them you will start CRNA school in a 10 months. They sometimes want more of a committment. That was my problem.

[japaho41]

I was in a similar situation when I applied. Being that I was at my new position less than six months I did not feel comfortable asking my new supervisor for a rec. therefore I used my old position for my recs. There was only one program that wanted recs from new and old position regardless of the time I had been there. All in all go with the old they know you better.

[Dreamweaver2be]

Thanks all for your advice