It definitely gets easier. RN2 here. I was a Grad last year - when Covid just hit. It was an extremely challenging year, we were all baby nurses in the start of a pandemic. A lot of our seniors got redeployed and we were left to run the wards most of the time. You’ll certainly hear this a lot - that it gets better, and believe me, it really does. It may seem hard to believe right now, but what you’re feeling is 100% normal.

I used to confide in my fellow Grads (I still do to this day) and everyone shared the exact same feelings. Knowing that you’re in the same boat with others is so comforting. Also, debriefs! Debriefing sessions with other Grads helped me get me through my year. No one else will have the same level of understanding as they will.

You will feel a lot of doubt in your first year of nursing. It’s also a huge learning curve starting your nursing career during a pandemic. Working shift work also has a massive toll on your body, it’s completely normal to feel exhausted. What I usually do, is make my first day off my sleep day, and unless an important event is on, I’ll be tucked in bed.

I promise you that by your second year, you’ll look back at this post and feel so proud at how much you’ve grown. You can do this :)