Life after graduation: what it's really like as a newly qualified nurse

Hi, I’m Sehar. I recently graduated with a First-class Honours in BSc (Hons) Nursing (Children’s) from the University of Bradford, and I’m now a fully qualified, practising nurse with the NHS.

Overcoming setbacks and completing my degree

In my final year, I failed one of my modules, which meant I had to retake that entire year. It was disheartening to think I would graduate a year later than my peers, but I remained resilient and completed the significant milestone of earning my degree.

Graduating was a huge milestone, and to anyone facing academic challenges: don’t give up. Your hard work will pay off.

Finishing my degree opened the door to many opportunities and career paths. I received my nursing registration pin in September 2024, which allowed me to begin applying for jobs, and graduated in December.

Landing my first graduate job

Applying for jobs was a frustrating process. After applying for countless positions, it felt like it was full of rejection and disappointment. However, things took a turn, and I managed to land four interviews! I was ultimately offered and accepted my current role.

For anyone wondering about timelines, here’s how mine looked:

• Applied: 1 October
• Interviewed: 15 October
• Job offer: 21 November
• First day; 9 December

While the journey was far from easy, I learned an important tip along the way:

Don't be afraid to ask for written feedback after an unsuccessful interview. Analysing that feedback helped me identify areas I could improve on and ultimately helped me land the right role.

What to expect as a new starter

Starting a new role can feel quite daunting, but I can assure you that it's not as scary as it may seem.

When I joined the trust, all new starters were welcomed with a friendly induction day and a full preceptorship week. We were given:

• valuable training sessions
• ice-breakers and team-building activities
• complimentary refreshments, goodies, and even lunch!

The trust also provides a comprehensive 1-year preceptorship program to ensure new starters are fully supported in their development. As part of this, I was given a preceptorship competency booklet. This allowed me to self-assess my progress, set short and long-term learning goals, and create action plans to achieve them, with the trust's support.

These competency booklets were reviewed every 4-6 weeks, enabling me to set new goals and track my achievements. I also had a 4-week supernumerary period to settle in. This was followed by 3 months to really get to know the role and become confident in the main aspects of my work.

An insight into my new role as a community staff nurse

I work as a community staff nurse in special inclusion learning schools, where I care for children with complex and special needs.

My responsibilities include:

• delivering both general and child-specific training to school staff

I am also responsible for administering clinical interventions like:

• gastrostomy feeds
• wound care
• medication
• catheterization
• VNS and gastrostomy button changes
• conducting nursing, continence, and health needs assessments
• attending multi-agency meetings (EHC plans, child-in-need)
• updating care plans, medication records, and documenting in SystemOne
• running nurse-led clinics and consultations
• ordering medical stock and supplies

What my day looks like: 2 months into my role

Here’s what a 'typical' day looks like (though every day is different!):

• 06:45: get ready and head to work
• 08:00: check emails and tasks
• 08:15: set up the clinical rooms
• 09:00: complete morning interventions
• 11:30: write up clinical records from morning events
• 12:30: lunch
• 13:00: afternoon clinical interventions
• 14:45: clean up for the next day
• 15:00: admin: MAR charts, SystemOne records, emails, e-learning
• 16:00: Home time

My 8-week preceptorship review

Recently, I had my 8-week preceptorship review, and it was a great opportunity to reflect and set new goals.

Key achievements:

• competency in administering medication and feeds via gastrostomy
• confidence in creating and amending care plans
• strong documentation and assessment (including Purpose T)

Learning needs:

• building confidence in delivering training to groups
• performing comprehensive nursing assessments
• experience with clinics and gastrostomy button changes

Still learning:

• cough assist procedures
• insulin delivery via device
• managing caseloads and waiting lists in SystemOne
• intermittent catheterisation

This review helped me build an updated action plan to continue progressing in the months ahead.

Investing in my growth

I've been intentional about supporting my development by:

• shadowing more experienced colleagues
• participating in activities that I feel will be beneficial to my development
• creating personalised flashcards to build knowledge
• creating crib sheets to guide me through the day

Furthermore, I've taken advantage of my 4-week supernumerary periods to complete my training and e-learning modules. This proactive approach has enabled me to prioritise other learning opportunities that will further enhance my competence in my role.

Thriving as a nurse

As I reflect on my journey so far, I feel well-supported and empowered. It's been nearly three months since I started this new role, and I'm proud to say that I've been able to take on a significant portion of my job responsibilities independently. While I'm still learning the remaining roles and duties, I've been managing the workload by prioritising tasks and finding ways to be efficient.

I'm really looking forward to continuing to grow and develop in this position. It's an exciting time as I take on more opportunities and challenges.

To all the future nurses and new graduates out there - best of luck on your own journeys! The learning curve can be steep, but with dedication and the right support, you'll be thriving in no time.

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