This is an exciting but scary period where you start thinking about what you should do next. Should you go straight to work? Should you take a small break? Should you travel the world? There are endless scenarios that are equally possible and we are looking forward to know what path you choose. No matter which one decide, it just has to make sense to you.
Go straight to work
Although we strongly recommend everyone to have a proper rest before starting their career, we understand that we all have different priorities and that’s okay. You might have kids who depend on you, you might want to save money for your friend’s wedding or you might just want to finally have your own money after all those hours of unpaid labour. This is a very valid decision. How exciting!! Go get that blue uniform you worked so hard for!
Travel
Have you ever considered backpacking, interrailing or even exploring your own country? Now is the time! Take a few days, weeks or months off to live your life exactly how you want. Make unforgettable memories. Go get drunk (or not), be free and wild. Your job can 100% wait for you.
There are so many options available catered to your needs and none of them have to make you bankrupt. Time to enjoy life!
Move to a different country
Everyone knows that working in the UK as a nurse is one of the most depressing things ever🥲. Horrible weather, even more horrible salary, unsafe staffing levels- you name it. Now, if you really like nursing but don’t want to settle for this country, just go somewhere else! It’s that simple. If you’re not happy, that will eventually take a toll on your mental and physical health which could ultimately affect the quality of care you deliver to your patients. No real and significant systemic changes will take place in the next few years so why not trying something else, even if temporarily? Cute scrubs and a good quality of life: that’s what we call a win-win.
Recruitment companies might require you to have at least 1-2 years of experience, but you can always start your research and check what other requirements you must have to make the application process as smooth as possible.
Go home and take your time
As you might have figured out by now, nursing is extremely challenging and depending on where you decide to work, it will not be easier. The pressure, the responsibilities, the anxiety… they will remain and they can definitely wait for you. So, before going back to that crazy world, why not going home? Go recharge your batteries, sleep in your comfy bed WITHOUT SETTING AN ALARM, hug the people you love the most (and your pets), have proper food and just breathe. 2 weeks? 4 weeks? 3 months? 4 months? It is entirely up to you. Just listen to your body and try to understand how long of a break you need as you should be able to negotiate your start date with your employer during the interview. Take this opportunity to celebrate birthdays, Christmas’s, Eids, Diwalis, Yom Kippurs, Vaisakhis, whatever you want. When you start your job, you might not have the chance to do so every single year so now is a great the time.
Go home and take your time.
Whatever you decide, remember that you’re doing this for no one else but you.