Trouble securing references,

[tjcalirn]

I have two unrelated questions: first, I've been out sick for months and need two references from my last employer that was a travel contract. They say it's hospital policy NOT to give performance evals and refer people to HR where I have no record of employment since I was a traveler. They've given me a wonderful reference before but that was a while back before I got sick and now they've stopped people from talking to the charge nurses. The agency working on my potential contract says it's Joint Commission standards that they have two references but how could that be in such conflict with 'hospital policy'?

Second, why on earth do teachers get 100% financing on home loans and all kinds of perques and discounts and RNs don't? What the heck is that all about? Nursing has lame leadership for sure. Police, fire fighters and teachers get lower rent rates, lower rates on cruises and other bonuses that nurses certainly deserve as well. Seems like all the ANA and NLN are interested in are publishing articles instead of standing up for us in the face of Joint Commission nonsense and demanding that we are treated as well a other caring professions.