Post NCLEX life

Nurses New Nurse

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Everything I have worked so hard for has finally paid off! I graduated nursing school with my BSN, got an amazing job only a couple weeks after, and passed my NCLEX. But now that I passed the NCLEX, I have absolutely no idea what to do with myself when I'm not at work! I spent the last 5 years having to take nursing home with me (studying, clinicals, NCLEX prep) and now that I don't have studying in my life I honestly have no idea what to do! My brain is constantly spinning in circles thinking that I'm forgetting to study when I get home. Anybody else feel this way? Such hard habits to break after so many years!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I completely understand, graduated in March, NCLEX in April. It's been a strange adjustment with lots of emotion for me I wasn't expecting. It's been hard transitioning from a go, go, go mentality to full stop. I'm trying to relax and enjoy the process of finding a job and enjoying being able to not having to have my face in a book. Been playing lots of catch up around the house. And spending time with my kids! I know I will be working soon and the real work and learning begins!!

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I'm so glad someone understands! I have been very confused about my feelings these last couple days. I always thought it would be such a relief after NCLEX. And it is, but I feel like my brain is trying to find another thing to be stressed about!

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Get certificates that will help with your career. Work on CEs. And other than that ENJOY life! Reconnect with family and friends you have missed during school and NCLEX study. Get a membership at the gym and USE IT! Start renting all the movies you wished you had time to see over the last several years. Read books that you don't have to memorize facts from. Go to the park, or the beach, or downtown and wander around. Smile, work hard, and you will start feeling "new normal" again soon!

Happens to all of us, you are definitely NOT alone!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Right now I'm in the in-between phase of passing NCLEX and starting my job. I have nothing to do and it is driving me crazy! I think that we need to get a hobby. I'm thinking that I will catch up on my reading list and perhaps start a new scrapbook of my college years. Also, keeping up with college friends will take a little more time and effort now, but is definitely worth it! We can adjust, I'm sure of it!

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My future manager told me to "relax" until orientation, but I'm struggling. Instead of relaxing post-NCLEX, I find myself searching for something to be anxious about. I can't get rid of the heavy weighted stress of nursing school. Also, I'm still picking up shifts at my former job, because I don't know what to do with my free time.

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Specializes in Progressive Care.

After I was finished I slept for 4 days :) Then started catching up with friends and family I didn't have time to see much while in school. They were very happy to celebrate my accomplishment and see me out of my cave.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I have been reading for fun, going to the gym, cooking yummy new recipes & considering adopting a another dog ;) Life after NCLEX is what I thought it would be (a period where I am grateful for all the hard work I put in) & I am so glad for this relaxing transition period before I begin a new graduate residency.

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Specializes in Med-Surg; Infectious Diseases; Research.

This is a good problem to have! Use that energy to keep learning at your leisure. Take CEs that interest you. But more than anything find yourself again and enjoy life! Travel, sleep, read, eat, run, catch up with loved ones...whatever you couldn't do when you were in nursing school.

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