Here is a great tip: When beginning a Travel Nursing Career, keep Current "Peer References". As you probably know, most nursing supervisors are either reluctant or forbidden by hospital policy to give written or even oral recommendations and references. Yet, when you begin work in the travel nurse field, the agency will ask you for references.
The easiest way I have found is to start you own testimonials from fellow RN's, doctors and health care providers that you know. They are not bound by human resources. Do not overlook LPN's, it shows that you can work well with these nurses also.
What should your Peer References contain? It could and should be short and concise. When I needed some references I typed out an outline and just had fellow nurses I worked with sign it. You should have no trouble in finding willing RN's you work with you to fill these forms out if you are a competent nurse.
My form looked like the following:
Letter of Reference
To: Whom It May Concern:From: Another Nurse RN
With regards to Ms. Your Name Here RN. I have worked closely with and observed Nurse Here in the Med/Surg field for XX months or years. I have found her to be a competent, caring, professional registered nurse who discharges her duties in a thoughtful and efficient manner. Please do not hesitate to contact me for more information if needed. The best time to reach me by phone is between the hours of 9am-3pm Mon-Fri.
Sincerely,
Another Nurse RN
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
888-888-xxxxx.
(Currently Licensed RN Florida, North Carolina, California or how long licensed)
References do not have to be complicated or long. One word of caution though, the hiring agency will call these individuals, so you must keep your contact information current. Get at least three of these to begin with. Update them with new contacts every assignment if you can. These references will be like gold to you in the long run. They can also be beneficial if you change travel companies or get an offer to go back to the same hospital but a different unit.
If you can find ex supervisors who no longer work in those positions, have retired, or returned to nursing on a unit, those are excellent to have also. However, mostly it will be other RN's that will make up the bulk of your references. It is well worth your time to collect and keep these Peer References current.
