What to do after graduation...

manna, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2005

When do you graduate with your nursing degree?

My philosophy is this - when I find the area(s) that I'm most interested in, I'll know. Perhaps through the experience of clinicals, etc you'll be able to find an area that peaks your interest... and go from there?

Good luck! :)

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 11, 2005

I agree with manna ... If you are not sure about what you want to do in the long run, you should delay going to graduate school. Work a little after graduation and get competent as a nurse. Research shows that it takes 1-3 years for a new grad to get competent and comfortable in a staff nurse role. Use that time to find out about yourself as a nurse and to learn more about the many possibilities out there. Until you are actually practicing as a nurse, it is impossible to be sure where your actual interests and talents lie. Many people THINK they will like something only to discover that their views changes as they get a little experience.

As you practice as a nurse, talk to people in a variety of roles, find out what their typical day is like, etc. Go to some conferences and browse the journals that relate most to roles that appeal to you. Eventually, you will start to feel that some roles are not for you -- while others seem much more attractive. For now, focus on graduating and on getting yourself established as a competent nurse in your first job. THEN (and only then) focus on graduate school. There is nothing wrong with starting to look a little now, but don't make a decision too quickly, before you have had the chance to extablish yourself at the basic level.

Good luck,

llg