References: What to do?

[BNE103]

I'm looking at applying to a couple of different NP programs.

I have worked at one Level III NICU for three years, and moved to another, highly respected hospital about 7 months ago. I also have a new PRN job for an excellent critical care transport program. I have a good GPA from nursing school, and am an officer in my local NANN chapter. In short, my resume isn't the problem...it's finding APRN/MD references.

These programs want APRNs or MDs that I currently work with who know my skill level, etc. One school even said that non-APRN references will be rejected. The problem is that my nurse manager and supervisor in both the NICU and transport jobs are non-APRN. So just by their "letters" alone, they are disqualified from providing their assessments on me, even though they know me well and are my managers. I work on units where, while I get great performance reviews and feel I am a good fit there, I am still relatively new to them and so don't have as much exposure to the APRNs or MDs. (Plus, the NICU is a large unit and I work mostly nights...and the transport team does not have as much direct daily interaction with APRNs.)

It's frustrating because, while I understand the point of references, this is potentially holding me back from applying to a program I know I'd do well in based on everything else in my repertoire.

So what do I do? Wait to apply and try to get to know more "higher ups" so I can have some references? How does one even go about doing that??

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

OP -

I cannot stress how important having a good, broad network of providers who know you and are willing to be your references, help you find preceptors, and even encourage you to continue while you are on this trek are. I know when I started I didn't feel like the providers I interfaced with knew me at all. However, over time I make contacts with them, I purposefully talked to them when it seemed like I wouldn't be interrupting them. I went out of my way to go to functions where I knew they would be. In short I made it a job of mine to build this network, and the more of a network you have, the more these things are going to be easier to you when the time comes.

My cohorts who have not laid this groundwork are struggling with simple things. I'm sure there are programs where everything is setup for you, and you don't need this network....until you graduate and then hopefully you will have established it. But, for many of the programs where you have to find your own preceptors, where you have to establish connections between the providers in your community and the school you choose, well, this network will be invaluable to you. I find, I use my network on a regular basis. It's a group that checks up on me, encourages me, brings me cases, and reminds me frequently of what I'm working towards.