Was hired but no shifts available

Hi! This is my first post on the site although I have read many.

I graduated on May of this past year and passed the NCLEX shortly after. I had a difficult time finding a job, like many others. In mid September I was hired by a place which I thought would give me a little experience while I looked for something permanent. Unfortunately however, one by one, all of the Seeptember shifts I signed up for were canceled.

In October my spouse and I decided to separate, so I put the job search on hold because I didn't feel I could give it my all. I am now ready to get back into the game but I have a couple of questions regarding my resume and potential interviews.

I wasn't going to put this place down on my resume because I didn't work any shifts. I did complete all of the training and passed the tests (OSHA/bloodborne infections, HIPAA, vaccination administration, insurance, etc). Is there a tactful way to put the training I received on my resume without listing this place in the work experience section?

Is it a bad idea to say why I put the job hunt on hold? I know it is typically a no-no to talk about your personal life. Part of me feels like it will work against me to say that I was going through a separation but part of me feels like it would provide a legitimate explanation as to why I wasn't actively looking for a job. (I have 2 kids and childcare that needed to be sorted out, living arrangements, etc) I wanted to be able to focus completely on learning and excelling at my new career, maybe the interviewer would appreciate that? I just want to be honest if I am asked why I haven't been working, but don't know what would be best to say.

Anyway, thank you in advance for any feedback you have to offer. Last edit by sirI on Nov 28, '10 : Reason: edited per OP request
Since you had your job hunt on hold for only a month or so, there is no need to mention it. Everyone is having trouble finding a job, how would they know your weren't looking during that time?As far as this place - I don't know that it matters, It may look good to say you had the training, it accounts for some of your time. I'm sure the employers know about the per diem jobs, so it will not be a surprise to them that you never got any assignments.Good luck in your search!

A place hired me last year and I never worked for them that season. Another two employers also hired me and never employed me. I don't list any employer that has me fill out the employment paperwork but then does not give me work. You can be certain that the prospective employer will assume that there turned out to be something wrong with you, rather than the other way around. Don't waste your time or effort, after all, the employer didn't waste their time or effort to give you work.

I would just leave it off. When you do get hired at a hospital, more than likely they will make you do all that over again anyways.

The same thing happened to me last year...I got hired by a place but was never able to work any shifts, so I didn't put it on my resume...I figured it was pointless to do so since I never actually received a paycheck from them or anything. I ended up finding a permanent job soon afterwards anyway. Good luck!

Per Diem can blow. I worked 2 shifts last summer. Just tell them you were perdiem and there was low census. They're business people they know that nurses get canceled if theres no patients. Thats how it works.

Quote from OwensauntPer Diem can blow. I worked 2 shifts last summer. Just tell them you were perdiem and there was low census. They're business people they know that nurses get canceled if theres no patients. Thats how it works.

I'd just tell the truth. We hired a PRN nurse a month or tow ago. The only shifts we were able to offer her have been thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. She turned them all down, so they fired her.

Quote from linearthinkerI'd just tell the truth. We hired a PRN nurse a month or tow ago. The only shifts we were able to offer her have been thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. She turned them all down, so they fired her.

Quote from linearthinkerI'd just tell the truth. We hired a PRN nurse a month or tow ago. The only shifts we were able to offer her have been thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. She turned them all down, so they fired her.