A new grad who needs some advice

[NewNurse91D]

I know I wrote a novel but please read it and help a new grad out

Hello everyone!

I've used this website since I started nursing school for studying tips, help with my care plans, advice and general info; and I never thought that I would be posting a topic about being a new grad and needing help! It feels amazing to have gotten this far!

Anyways, I graduated in May of this year with my associates; and I'm currently working through 2 NCLEX reviews courses to prepare for the dreaded NCLEX.

This past month has been CRAZY for me; I got engaged, graduated and also got in contact with Chamberlain College of Nursing & am going to be starting, hopefully, in September to begin my RN->BSN->MSN path.

Sounds awesome, right?!

Well here's where I need some advice/guidance:

Ever since I graduated, I've felt...disengaged, apathetic and down right unmotivated. I'm EXHAUSTED ALLLLL THE TIME and am having an incredibly hard time staying focused and enthusiastic!

I'm doing okay in my NCLEX courses but aside from keeping up with my videos and taking notes-I haven't really been STUDYING at all.

I am currently employed as a GNA and do in-home care which I love; but I've barley put in any applications for RN jobs. Almost everyone from my graduating class have been putting in applications left and right; some even have already been hired at places.

I did contact a few places, one of which is actually pretty interested in me and wants me to start after my NCLEX.

My concern with the place that's interested in me is that it's not a hospital/acute care setting. Its a substance abuse and psych facility, which is something I would LOVE to do and have a passion for; but is that what I should do as a BRAND NEW NURSE??

In my mind, there's absolutely nothing wrong with working there as a new nurse EXCEPT when your weak areas are critical thinking, being able to think on my feet and make a nursing judgment call, performing nursing skills and overall nursing prioritization and time management. I feel like working in an acute care setting would help me with those areas; and lets face it- those areas ARE SOOOOO IMPORTANT!!!

I'm SO scared of getting a RN job and being a bad nurse.

I just feel so BLAH, I don't want to do anymore course work or studying! I'm TIRED...

I guess I just REALLLLLLY need some advice from you guys. I'm finding myself in this cycle of: poor motivation-> guilt -> attempting to study -> losing interest -> more guilt.

My fiancé is pressuring me so much to be more motivated and all that and I'm so tied of hearing it because I feel so misunderstood.

What should I do? Why do I feel this way?!

I'm scared that I'm messing up...

or maybe I'm just lazy.. I really don't know.

[NewNurse91D]

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.

Thank you!! I'm glad you replied because I now have more confidence after hearing about the nurses your knew who started in psych; and I'm thinking of going for it!

Thank you :)

[NewNurse91D]

"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.

Thank you :) and you're deff right. I need to stop beating myself up over not having the critical thinking skills yet because, as you said, it will come with time and experience!

[NewNurse91D]

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!

Definitely a good point! I'm feeling the crash from just getting out of nursing school. And setting myself some goals is something I really need to start doing!

Thank you :)

[TriciaJ, RN]

I'm tired just reading your post. Maybe you need to take a break from the hamster wheel. Focus on passing your NCLEX, bask in being newly engaged and take the job that's offered to you, since it rings your chimes anyway. And take a breath.

Once you've had time to regroup, you can think about additional schooling. You may want to put it off a year or two, get some experience, enjoy life, earn some money before racking up more student loans.

I just think that trying to do everything at once leads to diminished returns. And congratulations twice over!

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

Right after I graduated from the ASN, I was suffering so badly from information overload, that I didn't pick up one source of NCLEX review materials until AFTER that ATT was received (May '10) and I had paid for and scheduled my exam. In the meantime, I went through all sorts of excuses, including foregoing the NCLEX altogether, telling myself that my goal was to graduate from college (mission accomplished!) before I hit 50...never said anything about sitting through another NCLEX. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?😱 But, if you remember in your studies where they discuss sensory and information overload, then you might be able to relate to and identify with some of what's going on with you now. If that's the case, take some time away from studying and relax your mind so that when you do resume your preparation for the NCLEX, you'll be able to focus and retain the information.

I completed all degree requirements in February '10, officially graduated (degree conferred) in April 2010, and didn't actually test until June 2010. But when I did finally sit down to the NCLEX, it was a one-and-done, 75 question, one-hour event.

Good luck to you! It will all come together at the right moment. You'll receive your breakthrough just like I did.

[inthecosmos, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN]

Having just graduated and taken the NCLEX myself, I cannot relate to this more. I really thought my life would be a bit different once the stress of nursing school was over. When it wasn't, I thought maybe it'll pass once I take the NCLEX, but it didn't.

We've worked HARD the last two years for our degrees and title. It's okay to be exhausted once we slow down.

Celebrate your success for coming this far. Celebrate all the new things happening in your life. Focus of passing the NCLEX and becoming an RN.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

When I graduated from nursing school, I almost felt like I had post-traumatic stress disorder. I had nightmares about nursing school, NCLEX, nursing jobs. It's a lot to take in and I think your brain is begging you to take a break!

I had a horrible time studying for the NCLEX too, but somehow managed to pass on the first go! My advice to you is to try and relax a little. You're going to do fine, you've got this. Maybe put off starting up school for a semester and get your feet under you? Also, you will learn critical thinking skills anywhere you start. I know many people will tell you going to medsurg is your only way to go, but in this job market, if you're offered a position in your field of choice, TAKE IT.. I know many nurses who graduated nursing school and went straight into Psych and never looked back.

[CiaMia, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, APRN, NP]

Hi OP!

Just wanted to chime in with my story. I finished an ABSN program in December of last year, and was waiting around for my ATT through the holidays at the start of 2016. Finally got it and got my test date on 1/27.

The wait felt like forever. We had to do HURST as part of my program, but the thought of spending 8 hours a day studying before taking the NCLEX just DRAINED me. After 16 INCREDIBLY intense months, I could barely stand the thought of trying to keep going for the last few weeks. What really helped me stay motivated were: making study dates with friends; taking 2 solid weeks' time off around the holidays to give myself a mental break; giving myself a cut-off time in the evening of when I would work until. You can only push yourself so hard, and you can only do yourself justice when you test if you are rested and thinking clearly, not from running yourself ragged. Give yourself one (broad) area a day to review, and check things off as you go. That helped motivate me too.

As for specialty vs. not... I was in a similar position. I had interviewed for a new grad position on the unit I precepted on at the end of school (med/surg/tele) but also had an interview set for Major Local Psych Hospital (I did BSs in Psych for undergrad, spent 7 years working with the developmental disabilities/TBI population and loved it) to be on their float pool and cross trained for all units. In the end, I was offered (and accepted) the job where I precepted, but there was a LOT going through my mind: if psych is where I want to be, why would I do this first? But if I decline and don't get another offer, what then? etc etc.

In the end, I am so glad to be where I am. I know that I would have learned the critical thinking piece anywhere, but I'm so glad to be having this solid foundation to bring forward with me anywhere I go. Which isn't to say people can't be successful going right into specialities! I think they can be, depending on the person. You are who will make it work, if you go in with the attitude of wanting to learn from everything. Anything you take on with that attitude will be a positive, no matter what. :)

Keep us posted!

[TAKOO01, BSN]

I just want to say that I love this thread. The positive responses are great. I don't really have much wisdom to offer as a new grad myself, but I am taking inspiration from the replies.

[GraduateRN2016, BSN]

I graduated this May too and was telling some friends that very same thing. I'm having a hard time sitting down to study daily. I think we are just stressed mentality after nursing school so take it easy with your body and mind. Good advise from dedidier!!! I'm taking it too

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

Study for the NCLEX, but don't spend all day, every day doing it. Do some practice questions daily. Give it maybe an hour a day and feel confident in your education. I'll be honest, I went into the NCLEX COLD. I had spent the money on Hurst.. did one of the practice tests.. watched 1 or 2 videos.. but like y'all... I was so DONE and unmotivated. I went into NCLEX pretty convinced I'd fail (how could I not after barely studying?).. I passed with 85ish (wasn't watching the numbers) questions!

Now, I am not advocating y'all go in like I did having hardly studied at all, that was the stuff panic attacks are made of.. but what I am saying is studying all day and stressing all day is probably going to hurt more than help. If you limit yourself to an hour a day, I think you'll be more invested and do better.

Good luck to you all!