Which of the following are usually not good people to use as references?

• A. Relatives
• B. Former supervisors
• C. Co-workers
• D. Instructors

Answer: (A)

Choosing references is about credibility and relevance. Relatives are usually not good references because they lack objectivity and often can’t verify your professional performance in a workplace setting. Employers want people who can describe real examples of how you handle patient care, follow safety rules, communicate with the team, and reliably complete tasks. Former supervisors, co-workers, and instructors are better choices because they have directly observed your work or performance in clinical or educational settings and can provide specific, credible examples. If possible, prioritize these professional references and reserve family references for character input only when asked, understanding they may carry less weight.