They didn't even check my references??

[Dad-2-3]

i'm a soon to be new grad in december and i recently interviewed at a large teaching hospital for a cardiac critical care internship. they called 4 days later with the offer. i accepted the next day after consulting with my wife overnight. anyway, i contacted my references the next day to thank them for their help in landing the position and all three of them said they were never contacted. this position was supposed to be very competitive and i was required to have letters of recommendation, fill out a separate questionnaire from the application etc. i think i represented myself well at the interview, and i have a good gpa, but i can't believe that they would hire me without checking references. it has me a bit concerned actually. in my opinion good grades do not necessarily make a good nurse, and anyone can interview well with a little prep work.

i guess they just desperate to fill an empty slot? is this a normal thing to not check references of new grads?? maybe i'm just wigging out and overthinking things!?

i guess it's a little late now to be doing any second guessing since i've already accepted the position.:trout:

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

I've only had one job ever in the healthcare field actually check my personal references. They've checked my school, they've checked my past employers, but not my personal references.

[ERRNTraveler, RN]

If your references had already written letters of reccommendation, perhaps your employer felt there was sufficient information in those letters to assist them in their decision-making process. A lot of employers don't check your references- they mostly rely on the interview, your experience, and background check.

[widi96]

Do to the threat of lawsuits ("I didn't get so and so job because you gave me a bad reference") it seems that most companies seem to be moving away from relying on references. I know of several companies that they will verify employment - date of hire, last date of employment and that is the only info they will give.

Then again, they may have just felt the letters were enough. You and your references did the work for them, they didn't have to call and check on everything.

Don't worry and CONGRATS on the new job!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

As a new grad you have not yet established a nursing work-record of any significance. Therefore, the references were merely personal opinions and the letters stood on their own. Now it is up to you to begin your professional resume as a nurse. Good luck!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Out of all of the potential places that I've submitted applications for employment, only 1 home health agency actually bothered to telephone the references that I had listed. All of the other facilities hired me without ever placing phone calls to the references on my application.

[MNmom3boys]

I had a similar experience. Had a good GPA, good interview, etc.

I was recently hired, and was sharing details of new position w/ former co-workers while having my teeth cleaned. My dentist - previous boss - had written an excellent letter of recommendation, but indicated that they had not contacted him further in any way. I thought it was strange, but kind of laughed it off. We both went with the theory that the letters already submitted by he and another nursing school source were sufficent. (Along w/ my resume and other info they had requested.)

I guess I put the hire down to (first all) my ability to present both on paper and in person my capability to do the job required. And, (secondly) I choose to trust that their experience, of nursing, managing and interviewing, gave them some insight as to who will be a good fit for the postion they are hiring for.

If it is a position that you wanted (you applied after all!), and you think you will enjoy and do well at it, why are you second guessing yourself now? Because they didn't make it feel exclusive enough, or hard enough to fufill their requirements? Or because you feel they didn't do due diligence by doing further questioning of references? Who had already written letters for you - or where they different people?

You are qualified. You got the position (internship). Go in there do the best job you can, and learn lots! Good-luck! (And have fun!)

[EmmaG, RN]

Out of all of the potential places that I've submitted applications for employment, only 1 home health agency actually bothered to telephone the references that I had listed. All of the other facilities hired me without ever placing phone calls to the references on my application.

I was offered the job, signed the contract, then 2 weeks later they called to tell me they were unable to reach one of my personal references because she worked nights. I just said, "oh well"

Congratulations dad!

[Hellllllo Nurse, BSN, RN]

In the Rio Grande Valley, TX, I went to apply for a job, and they did not want me to fill out an apllication. they didn't even want to see my nursing license!

I told them they needed to check it- I could be anyone off of the street posing as a nurse, or I could be a nurse in trouble w/ the BON. I tried to hand them my license and said "You need to check it."

The owner of the small facility said "No need for that. You seem fine to me. When can you start?"

[ERRNTraveler, RN]

In the Rio Grande Valley, TX, I went to apply for a job, and they did not want me to fill out an apllication. they didn't even want to see my nursing license!

I told them they needed to check it- I could be anyone off of the street posing as a nurse, or I could be a nurse in trouble w/ the BON. I tried to hand them my license and said "You need to check it."

The owner of the small facility said "No need for that. You seem fine to me. When can you start?"

I would be afraid to work at a place like that- if they didn't verify your license, what kind of co-workers are you going to be working with???

[Dad-2-3]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I guess I just expected a much harder interview/selection process. No worries....it is THE position that I wanted.

Thanks for the well wishes. I hope to learn a lot and become the best nurse I can. I will stop second guessing myself now.:trout:

[Dad-2-3]

In the Rio Grande Valley, TX, I went to apply for a job, and they did not want me to fill out an apllication. they didn't even want to see my nursing license!

I told them they needed to check it- I could be anyone off of the street posing as a nurse, or I could be a nurse in trouble w/ the BON. I tried to hand them my license and said "You need to check it."

The owner of the small facility said "No need for that. You seem fine to me. When can you start?"

That is very, very scary!!!