What Did You Do Before Your First Job?

Hi, everyone!

I graduated nursing school in May, passed the NCLEX last week, and now have two months before I start my first nursing job. For those of you who had time prior to your starting date, what did you do to prepare? DID you prepare? I'm currently working at a restaurant, and I'm not certain if I want to take time off or work straight up to my start date at the new job. My restaurant is well aware that I'm leaving and have accepted another position, and they're super flexible about when I leave as long as I give them a few weeks notice.

After nursing school, it's difficult for me to understand what it means to "relax" - I want to be as prepared as possible, but I also recognize that it's probably important for me to take some time to chill before starting this new adventure.

For those of you who experienced something similar - what did you do?

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

I didn't have any time off so I apologize if this doesn't help. I graduated on Friday and started orientation the following Monday. If I did have some time off and some extra cash I would take a mini trip of some sort. Maybe a scrub shopping trip in the biggest city that's within driving distance of you? I'm guessing you don't want to wear your student scrubs and you'll need at least 3-4 sets depending on how you shifts align with laundry day. 😜 Being the newbie you probably aren't going to get any time off for a while so enjoy it while you can.

Wow, that's quick! Talk about a job straight out of college I live in the heart of Atlanta, so I don't have to go anywhere to get to a big city, but I like the idea of taking a scrub shopping trip. I'm definitely planning on doing that some time in August. Maybe a mini trip somewhere quiet would be nice... and true, I imagine I'm going to be working some strange hours and the best holidays for a looooooong time.

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

I live in a small town and knew the right managers of a local nursing home. Being the new grad I took what I could get 😜

If you do go scrub shopping check with your unit or facility to see if you have to wear a certain color.

Congratulations!

I graduated nursing school, got married the week after, came home from honeymoon, took the boards a week after and had a job that September.

I just chilled out. I did buy scrubs. Oh, and I got a hair cut, which my brother referred to as The Wife Cut.

***

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

I graduated NS in December 2002. I had worked as a CNA while in school, but quit my final semester because I had a newish baby and then my practicum to worry about. I already had a job lined up, and scheduled to start in early Feb. 2003. So during Jan. 2003 we moved about 3 hrs away, I studied for the NCLEX, and spent lots of one-on-one time with my little girl.

I worked in a group home with mentally ill adults all during nursing school. So, really no preparation for bedside at all.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Congratulations!

I graduated nursing school, got married the week after, came home from honeymoon, took the boards a week after and had a job that September.

I just chilled out. I did buy scrubs. Oh, and I got a hair cut, which my brother referred to as The Wife Cut.

***

Ha! I also got married after getting pinned, about 3 weeks later. Went straight from my NCLEX review class to my rehearsal dinner. I took the NCLEX 18 days I got married. I started working as substitute school nurse less than a month later.

My husband and I did get a 10 week old puppy as a wedding gift for ourselves, so he kept me pretty busy during that month before I officially started working as a nurse.