I graduated from nursing school, and I feel depress.

Tweety, BSN, RN · May 19, 2006

Change can be hard, and letting go is tough. Just look at the wonderful challenges you have ahead of you. Congratuations and good luck!

EricJRN, MSN, RN · May 19, 2006

Congratulations on a major milestone in your nursing career! It can be a little scary to get out there on your own. Whenever someone asks for a nurse at work, I still sometimes have to fight this little reflex to look over my shoulder. Then I remember, "Wait! That's me!"

Just try to remain open to the learning experiences that you'll no doubt be exposed to in your first job. The good news, if you miss school, is that your first job can still be a lot like school in a lot of ways. Tons of new information, a new environment - it's very likely that you'll even have to keep studying!

You may end up on a unit with other new grads. My advice there is to make friends with them and stick together because, again, you'll all be in it together.

Good luck!

MIA-RN1, RN · May 19, 2006

I'm feeling much the same as you. I'm not graduated just yet--I have to take my final exam next week, but there are no classes now, I am between jobs (new nurse job starts 6/5) and I am feeling like I am just floating. I need 26/101 points to pass, and so failure is not going to happen. I can't concentrate on reviewing my notes, and I can't seem to get anything much done around the house either. I feel like I am mourning the loss of school. I told my husband last night (when he asked me why didn;t I get dressed all day) that I feel like I lost something important to me. There will NEVER be anything like the last few years of nursing school, and I think its normal to feel the loss of it when its gone, and to miss it. Plus that great big safety net is gone; never again can we say "Oh Im sorry, Im just a student, I can't do that yet" or "Let me just grab my instructor before we do that" lol.

I had some personal losses this semester too, one painful loss less than 2 weeks ago, and I am sure its all catching up with me. I will be fine in a couple days. Planning on some retail therapy to get me thru.

ANyway, I think I feel the same as you and I think its normal. Cherish the memories but look ahead to the future, that's what I'm gonna do.

RNSuzq1, RN · May 19, 2006

Hi Animaniacs,

I was so glad to read your post, it let me know I'm not the only one feeling this way. We finished school last Monday and I went back to my CNA job on Wed., but felt totally lost and depressed and couldn't figure out why (I should have been thrilled that it was over).

When I wasn't working last week - I couldn't get off the couch, felt like a total slug.. I found out that my brother and his wife (both Nurses) weren't going to able to fly down for my Graduation/Pinning. Their daughter's prom is this weekend - I understood why they couldn't come, but I haven't seen them in 6 years, so it was a huge disappointment. Like you, I didn't belong to any of the "groups or cliques" in class - I was one of the older students and sort of beyond all the cliquey stuff. I have a couple of friends, but unfortunately nobody I got really close to. I'll actually miss the Instructors much more than my classmates. I was considering not going to graduation/pinning (just didn't feel like it for some reason)- but my husband and Sons got really upset with me, so I'm going.

I was at work the other night - one of my patients spilled his urinal all over his bed so I was in there making up his bed when (15) of his relatives walked in. He was getting blood and they started asking each other which blood type was the "universal donor". It's like my brain suddenly went dead - I was thinking - O neg. or is it O pos. (just couldn't remember and I got an "A" in A&P, go figure) and I was praying they wouldn't ask me, I felt like a moron. Anyways, I realized that they thought I was with housekeeping since I was making the bed and they didn't ask me anything. :uhoh3:

I think like other posters have mentioned that going from school to being out on our own as a Nurse without our Instructors around is just a scary transition period. I really enjoyed school, but I don't think that's what I'm going to miss - it's just the routine I was so used to for so long, sort of like the rug was just pulled out from under you - if that makes sense?

Anyways, my Graduation/Pinning is tonight so I got my butt off the couch to clean my very neglected house, get ready for tonight and try to get excited about this. Just wanted you to know that you're not alone - I'm guessing a lot of us feel this way. Take Care, Sue

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · May 19, 2006

You're not alone. I don't start work until June 19th. No tests, no class. I've started to study the NCLEX book, and started to workout at the gym (I know-easier said than done). It really does help.

Good Luck and congratulations! :mortarboard:

ortess1971 · May 19, 2006

Yup,you are definitely not alone in feeling a little lost and let down. I've been feeling like this since after my pinning on Wednesday....and thank God for this forum because my family, friends and coworkers would think I was silly for feeling this way. For the past 3 months, they've heard me say "I can't wait until I'm done" etc etc. Now I'm feeling sad? LOL I just keep telling myself that I will see many of my good friends at my GN orientation because many of us will be working at this particular hospital. I agree that it is also good to bond with other new nurses once you start working...

goliath738 · May 19, 2006

Congrats on finishing school. You are suffering what most people feel after they graduate from college. When I was younger and graduted with my first degree, me and most of my friends felt depressed no longer being in college because of peers, friends, etc. Give yourself some time for a new adjustment in life, and take time for you. I know everything will work out great for you. :lol2:

Bala Shark · May 19, 2006

That is a good feeling that you are missing school..I remember when I got my first degree not a nursing degree 3 years ago, I really did miss my classmates and going to school..

When I went to nursing school, I did not find any of my classmates who I wanted to be with..Most were arrogant, had cliques, high school type of stuff. Well I am graduating a a few days..I will not miss my classmates or going to school..Acutally I am quite glad that I will not see them anymore..lol..But yea, it is a good feeling to miss school..I wished I felt the same way.

Furoffire · May 20, 2006

it is normal to feel depressed after nursing school. one minute you are over your head with studying for exams, clinic and now its all over with :uhoh21: . it will pass soon and you will be up to your eyeballs with a new job and studying for your boards. hang in there! furball

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 20, 2006

I can tell you what I did. I wasted no time catching up on my favorite soap operas which I had to stop watching in order to get my school work done. I also booted up an adventure game on my PC that I had been dying to get started on. I had time to waste and I did plenty of it with Rollercoaster Tycoon on the computer. My neice gave me a burned copy of the disc and I would sit for hours at a time building amusement parks!

Take a trip somewhere. Go visit relatives. Since I'm out here in the west, Vegas always was my favorite place. Have you been to Disney World either out here or down in Florida? Visit New York City or Washington D.C. and take in all the museums if you've never been there. There are some fabulous places in this country.

You really need to take the time to de-stress from school. Once you get your license and start your first RN job I guarantee that things are going to get very stressful for you again. You may never have the freedom to just goof off and do whatever you want once you start working or have a family. Go make some memories.

cdngirl · May 20, 2006

I've been nursing for 14years (I can't believe it) and each employer I've had brings on that same sadness for me as well. Each new job I've had brings new friendships and memories of old ones along with some real good gut rentching laughter along with all those tears that are shead. That's how we grow and thank goodness for the internet we can stay in touch. I hope you are experiencing more of a sadness and not depression. Good luck and :welcome: to the crazy world of being a nurse.