Published
Hello and happy holidays. I've just graduated nursing school a week ago and now preparing for state boards. After graduation what did you do? Did you take some time off? Did you work? Did you begin applying for jobs? Everyone's answer is different, and I'm curious to see them all. Thanks. :-)
Immediately following:
Went to dinner with my family.
Went to my friend's house and got drunk.
Recorded a video of myself whilst cutting my horrific clinical uniform to shreds.
1-2 Weeks after:
Hung out on campus for 2 weeks while attending my mandatory NCLEX review with my classmates/friends/teammates/partners in crime.
3 Weeks after:
Had right ACL reconstruction surgery
Following several months:
Went to PT, took painkillers, studied for the boards, hounded the BON for my ATT, cried while my classmates got licensed and found gainful employment.
I eventually got my ATT and took my NCLEX. It took forever, NJ's BON is notoriously bad and slow. Then it was the holidays and I found a job the January after I graduated.
Unconventional, to say the least.
I had to go to a wedding two days later, then had minor surgery the day after my return, then had a shingles outbreak on my back during recovery. Fun times.
That took up about 3 weeks post-graduation, during which I didn't really do any job hunting or serious studying for the NCLEX. After I was feeling better, I started the study sessions and job hunt in earnest.
In the few weeks following graduation sent out several job applications, started interviewing for jobs, and got a couple of offers, I studied for the NCLEX and also took a fun camping trip. I also spent a fair amount of time cleaning my apartment, going out with friends, and getting back to some of my hobbies that had been neglected during my practicum time.
NurseDisneyPrincess
66 Posts
I got drunk and took the summer off and traveled. First place I went was France. Halfway through I went to Italy. I ended my summer vacation in Bali and came back home and laid around for a week, sleeping off my travels.
Then I went and found a job. Finally!
I highly recommend taking an extended break/vacation before beginning your nursing career. You'll have your whole lie to work. Reward yourself with some me time first. You've earned it!