How to Get a Nursing Reference

Many people think of their list of references as an after-thought, something employers only look at after you dazzle them with your killer nursing resume and stunning interview skills. But references can actually help you get your foot in the hospital door, if they carry enough weight.

Big names and impressive titles can grab the attention of potential employers. After all, the health care industry, (like many others) is kind of incestuous – everyone knows someone who knows someone. So with the right names in the right positions, your references can be the key to landing an interview at your dream hospital in the specialty you want. Here are a few tips to find and cultivate some impressive references in nursing.