Submitting references for the VA

Hi All,

So I'm working on my application for the VA Hospital and they require three references and even have a form that I'm supposed to send out to them (my references) and have them fill out and send back to the VA's Human Resource Department. This may be a silly question but I am so new to this that I want to make sure I do everything correctly. I haven't worked in the last three years and have been home during that time to birth and take care of my last child as well as go back to school for my LVN. Since it's been so long and I'm sort of weary to ask my last employer for a reference letter, even though the form has an area "For Employers Only," is it okay to just ask my professors to fill out my reference form as well as prepare a letter? I've got two instructors that I want to ask that have either seen me throughout the program or has had me as a student in their class in which I excelled in. They've even offered to do so if I asked.

Also, the Director of my nursing program had prepared reference letters for everyone when we graduated. Can I just use that as one reference letter and just have her fill out the form for me? What if I need multiple reference letters for different jobs? Usually it comes sealed in an envelope, am I supposed to ask them to make me more than one? I know it takes time for them to do so, so I'd hate to bother them with multiple requests but they're the ones who can give me the most up-to-date and best reference possible. Thanks in advance for your responses!