[LovebugLPN]

Okay, I just went through a divorce about a year ago. During the time I was married I lost a lot of friends. My best friend stood by me. I am filling out applications to get back into nursing but when it gets to references I only have 1. I would use my old boss but I married him so he is out. He says I can use his family but that would be a lie because they are related to me and it says no family members. Would it be better to just write the 1 reference I have and hope they will interview me and then I can explain? I do not think it is good to lie and I don't think I could live with the guilt.

[TazziRN]

Don't lie, because if you get caught it will look bad for you. List the one and under the others write "Will explain on interview."

[LovebugLPN]

Thank you. Do you think this will get in the way of me being hired? I like your suggestion about listing "will explain at interview". That is a great idea.

[TazziRN]

Employers are more understanding than you think, as well as others.

When I first left my ex my credit rating was in the toilet because of him. Every place I applied to live, I failed the credit check. Finally I sat in one office and poured my heart out. I had a good job and the means to pay the rent, I just had bad credit because of my ex. The manager was willing to take a chance on me and rented an apartment to me when no one else would touch me.

[LilPeanut]

They understand. I moved around a lot, so it has always been hard for me to find references. Actually, finding references to get into nursing school was hard too!

I've always explained "I just recently moved to this city/state/country and don't have many current references that are non-related" and I've never had an issue. On my resume, I just say references provided upon request, and if they request them, I can give a more thorough explanation and the options they have.

[GingerSue]

sometimes I've asked co-workers (former co-workers) to give me a reference and that has been fine

could you do any volunteer work for a while and get a reference from them?

[kukukajoo]

I wouldn't even write "will explain" as many people have the same last names. How about including some of your instructors and maybe pre-nursing career references? I think we all have to start somewhere and everyone has to understand that.

Also, like ginger sue said, any volunteer work would be acceptable to use as well.

Best wishes in your job hunt!

[I_am_Julia]

I think this will raise some questions that will get your resume tossed to the side. Having an incomplete resume or less than minimum asked on the resume is a huge red flag.

Originally Posted by LovebugLPN

Thank you. Do you think this will get in the way of me being hired? I like your suggestion about listing "will explain at interview". That is a great idea.

[Spidey's mom]

Your pastor. Your best friend. A teacher. Landlord. Co-worker.

Just don't lie. Always be honest.

steph

[kstec]

When I applied for my first job out of nursing school I only had one reference and I explained that I'm a mother of two and married and that I do not have to much of a social life outside of my family, which is the truth. As we get older friends grow apart, so I only had one true person to put down. I got the job. Honesty can be a good thing and if they judge you on that exclusively than that's their loss.