A new grad who needs some advice

beachgirl17 · Jun 5, 2016

Dedidier, I just wanted to reach out and give you some encouragement. You said you just graduated, got engaged, and looking at starting school again. It is a lot of change in a short time frame. You describe yourself as apathetic, unmotivated, and tired all the time - those feelings do not typically equal a healthy, happy life. I am writing from a personal standpoint - I personally went through many life changes at once within the last year and it all caught up with me and I found myself saying the same thing. I went to the doctor and discussed my concerns and symptoms, booked an appointment with a therapist, and started journaling. Know yourself and think it over - if you feel like you need to talk to someone, then don't hesitate. I am definitely not trying to offend you - but when you used those descriptive terms about yourself, I just thought how familiar those feelings are to me.

You are not lazy. You are describing feelings of uncertainty and fear about how to proceed. Make a doable plan for yourself and have someone else help you to be accountable. First, you have to pass the NCLEX, right? Make yourself study a little bit at a time. Find a place and time that works for you. Light a candle, make a nice work place for you at a desk at home, have your pet lie at your feet - whatever it takes to make it more pleasant. Also, start putting your resume together. Do not be too concerned about cornering yourself in a specialty. Not everyone's path is to go into acute care med-surg stuff. Life is short - pick a job you enjoy most days. No job is perfect. Nursing is awesome because you can change specialties down the road if you want a change. The key to changing specialties (even from outpatient to acute care) is an appropriate length orientation.

Hope this post helps a little bit.

You can do it!

NewNurse91D · Jun 5, 2016

Beachgirl17,

Thank you SOO much for your post; it was very encouraging and provided a lot of good advice! I feel a lot better now; and you're right, maybe I should go talk to someone! I'm glad that I'm not the only one whose been through something like this.

I'm definitely going to take your advice!

Again, thank you =]

dishes, BSN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

Maybe the reason you're having difficulty focusing on preparing for the NCLEX is because you're future-focused instead present-focused? If so, give yourself credit for all the hard work you've accomplished so far. Remind yourself that school provided you with the base nursing knowledge that you need in order function as a novice nurse and that it will be a matter of time and experience before you will become a proficient nurse. Once you are present-focused, start studying for the NCLEX, even if you only study for brief periods of time at the beginning, it is better than not studying at all.

NewNurse91D · Jun 5, 2016

Dishes,

You're 100% correct. I need to take a step back and focus on my NCLEX right now.

Thank you =]

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jun 5, 2016

I think that post-school letdown/deflation is kind of normal â€” happened to me too. You were probably so used to being all 100%-nursing-school 24x7, then *poof*! Suddenly you're done. It's hard to fill that void, even with NCLEX looming. Definitely give yourself a bit of adjustment time, as much as is reasonable and doesn't jeopardize your NCLEX plans. :)

Also, just a little advice: look at some non-profit schools. I graduated from Chamberlain, but I had a lot of tuition assistance and payed relatively little out of pocket. It's just crazy expensive unless you have GI Bill, tuition reimbursement, etc. Just my opinion.

NewNurse91D · Jun 5, 2016

Yes that's a very good point about the tuition costs. I did get a loan but it's my 3rd loan and the total is adding up quick! :/

And yes that's how I feel! thank you for the encouragement and reinforcement, now that I know that I'm not alone I feel better about it. I'm not going to rush of stress out too much either. NCLEX is my main focus right now forsure.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2016

I am also a new grad who graduated in May, I feel your pain right now. This past year has been an incredible roller coaster of emotions. I will trim it down to the last semester. I started working part time as a PCT, graduated, last semester of school, got engaged, bought a house, and tried to move. Getting a mortgage was almost a full time job itself. I have never been this stressed out in my life.

People think the nursing school stress ends when you graduate. It doesn't. I started a residency program at my hospital which is full time and I have NCLEX looming in less than five days. I still haven't fully moved and put my other house up for sale. Oh, and did I mention I am terrified to work as a nurse? I'm totally scared I'm going to screw up. With every ounce of me, I'm scared.

Its making me unmotivated. I'm exhausted after working. I want to enjoy my new life and family, but I can't. I try to study, but I get frustrated doing practice tests and I miss a bunch in a row. It feels defeating to me. My stress level is through the roof and I'm having a hard time focusing.

Take some time each day just for you. I started journaling all of my feelings. It's hard for those who are not in your position to understand your anxiety right now. Think about what makes you happy and what you have going on that is good in your life right now. It helps.

I wake up every day with small goals. Do 30 NCLEX questions, do a good job at work, learn one new thing today. If I do better, great, if I don't, at least I hit my goal. Also, exercise. It is a huge stress reducer. I'm not kidding. The endorphins are a great feeling!!

oceanblue52 · Jun 5, 2016

I can relate to some of what you are going through as a new grad. It's difficult to study for NCLEX after you just graduated and made that final push to wrap up everything. Is there any chance you could take a few days off for yourself? Get a massage, take a yoga class, go hiking, lay in bed and read a good fiction...anything to let your mind and body recharge a little. I myself have taken a few much needed time off in between studying Kaplan, even though it will probably push my test date back by a week or 2. You sound like you're on the right track! Don't beat yourself up. Also, in my personal experience working in Psych, I think a detox unit is a great starting experience. Managing detox is very medical, and you will be dealing with other Psych issues in your patients too which will pretty much apply to all nursing areas. Unless you are dead set on the ICU or becoming a CRNA or something, I think it will give you good experience. I've worked with several nurses that started in detox and now work in home health, public health, cardiac, hospice, etc. Be kind to yourself and your brain will subsequently help you figure out your next steps.

WheresMyPen · Jun 5, 2016

You are probably feeling the "crash" from all the excitement and that seems normal to me. Don't push it force yourself and don't cram. Set aside a limit for yourself. X amount of studying a day, and then gradually increase. My study kick didn't go in full gear until I already scheduled my exam. Then I had a measurable goal. Just like the care plans! Don't worry, and good luck!

Been there,done that, ASN, RN · Jun 6, 2016

"EXCEPT when your weak areas are critical thinking, being able to think on my feet and make a nursing judgment call".

Each and every nurse comes into this with weak critical thinking skills. We learn them as we go along. We were ALL scared of messing up when it came down to time to apply the information we learned in nursing school.

Fiance has no clue and needs to support you , instead of pressuring you. You have enough pressure.

NewNurse91D · Jun 6, 2016

I am also a new grad who graduated in May, I feel your pain right now. This past year has been an incredible roller coaster of emotions. I will trim it down to the last semester. I started working part time as a PCT, graduated, last semester of school, got engaged, bought a house, and tried to move. Getting a mortgage was almost a full time job itself. I have never been this stressed out in my life.
People think the nursing school stress ends when you graduate. It doesn't. I started a residency program at my hospital which is full time and I have NCLEX looming in less than five days. I still haven't fully moved and put my other house up for sale. Oh, and did I mention I am terrified to work as a nurse? I'm totally scared I'm going to screw up. With every ounce of me, I'm scared.
Its making me unmotivated. I'm exhausted after working. I want to enjoy my new life and family, but I can't. I try to study, but I get frustrated doing practice tests and I miss a bunch in a row. It feels defeating to me. My stress level is through the roof and I'm having a hard time focusing.
Take some time each day just for you. I started journaling all of my feelings. It's hard for those who are not in your position to understand your anxiety right now. Think about what makes you happy and what you have going on that is good in your life right now. It helps.
I wake up every day with small goals. Do 30 NCLEX questions, do a good job at work, learn one new thing today. If I do better, great, if I don't, at least I hit my goal. Also, exercise. It is a huge stress reducer. I'm not kidding. The endorphins are a great feeling!!

Thank you so much for sharing your story with me!! I completely understand what you're talking about and how you're feeling. And you gave some good solid advice, thank you for that :) I'll certainly take it!