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Bad Reference from a Clinical Instructor
I am a new graduate of a nursing school. On two of my most important clinical experiences during nursing, I had an instructor that seemed to be out to get me. Now that I am finished and out looking for a job they want me to give them the names of my clinical instructors. I am not sure what do. This woman has hindered most of my nursing experence in school and now she is haunting me in the job world. I need help. I don't know what to do.
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May 20th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Do they want all of your clinical instructors names, or just one to serve as a professional reference?
May 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
First..Congratulations! Welcome!
I would list your best instructors and leave her off the list. If anyone questions it, explain that you and she did not see eye to eye and you’re not sure she’ll be as fair in her responses as the others.
It shouldn’t be a problem. Many students have an issue with at least one instructor for a variety of reasons. For whatever reason she seemed to “have it in for you” work on proving her wrong. And then let go of it and move forward.
Nursing is a small world so NEVER burn bridges!! You never know who someone knows, respects and/or has a personal relationship with. You don’t have to bad mouth her, just say you did not see things the same way.
~Kathy
http://thenursingsite.com
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I agree with Karen Quan. I am a faculty member in a school of nursing. most of us bend over backwards to be fair but once in a while a faculty member is less so.Sometimes, though, the student’s perception is the problem. I have had students who were clinically not up to standards and they thought I was “out to get them” when I was actually giving them more attention and challenge to get them up to speed. One student came to me 5 years later to thank me for making her stretch. When we actually chatted (now as equals in the clinical world) I was surprised when she told me she felt that I was out to ‘get her’. I respected her so much for having the courage to tell me her truth and she also gave me the opportunity to find out what of my instructor behaviors I could change. We had a long chat and ended up laughing as we undertood how miscommunication can happen. We are still ‘friends’ and I wrote her a recommendation to graduate school.
So maybe you could talk with her now that you are done school and tell her how you felt and ask her for her perspective. Tell her how much you learned in school and how much you love nursing. You might be surpised. This might stop your angst and any possibilty that she will give you a bad reference.
Best of luck in your career.