Penalized for Not Having 3 Professional References?

[neemo]

Before nursing school about 5+ years ago, I worked for a year and a half at a doctor's office, and before that, I worked as a student tutor (almost 10 years or more ago). For personal reasons, I chose not to keep in contact with my most recent former supervisor. Unfortunately, it seems as if this was the wrong decision as I am applying online to various positions as a new nurse. Those darn applications ask whether they can contact my former place of employment, and if not, why not?

Does it look bad if I say no because it has been too long? My former supervisor does not seem to recall me when I tried to contact him, and the doctor's office I worked in has undergone huge changes so I am not sure whether saying yes, you can contact them is a good idea. Also, how long do most companies hold on to former employee records? Would HR bother trying to contact a place of employment that was from almost a decade ago?

[caliotter3]

I do not try to second guess what is available and what is not when filling out these applications. If I am providing names, or written letters, from personal references, I keep the info current, but there is no way that I worry about anything otherwise. I have had places of employment change addresses, close down, and undergo other changes, that I have no control over. If the prospective employer wants to make an issue of all of this, then they are going to do it anyway. I have only had what appeared to be a problem in this realm, twice. In both instances, it was very evident that the prospective employer was only fabricating excuses for their decision not to consider me. I moved on to the next employer. I would advise you to concentrate on that which you can influence, and don't obsess over circumstances that you can not change.

[neemo]

Thank you for your advice.

[elkpark]

Ditto what Caliotter said -- I provide the contact info for all my previous employers, as requested, and, as far as I'm concerned, they can all work it out amongst themselves from there. I'm not responsible for whether anyone who remembers me is still working there, and I'm not responsible for how long they maintain their personnel records. I am responsible for providing the names and contact info if requested.