We know what it’s like starting your nursing or midwifery career. SCARY, EXCITING, BUZZY, NERVE-WRACKING - the list could go on to describe all of the emotions you are feeling.

​To help settle your nerves, we have reached out to members who work across a variety of sectors and asked them to look back on their first year on the floor.

Check out this wonderful and probably super relatable list of the things they look back on and lol about now they are senior nurses or midwives:​​ 

“It took me six months to work out which way the flat bedpan went – embarrassing I know.”

“Became so stressed I would forget to go to the toilet… hello UTIs! Toilet breaks are a priority.”

“Didn’t utilise all the benefits of my NSWNMA membership e.g. get professional advice on issues like pay slips, rostering, etc, or access to free CPD.”

“I didn’t leave work thoughts at work. There was nothing worse than waking up in the middle of the night worrying that I forgot to make a patient a cup of tea.”

“Forgot that the senior staff on my ward were here to help.”

“Would fret about being slow…slow is not a bad thing, it’s actually typically a safe thing!”

“I was intimidated by the doctors and put them on a pedestal! The moment I got over this, all my shifts became so much easier.”

“Ordered two bubble tea on Uber Eats every night shift… it gets expensive quickly (don’t worry I have cut down to only one/night).”

We know that transitioning from being a nursing or midwifery student to a fully-fledged nurse or midwife can be scary.

Trust us, and 80,000+ other members –  union membership is your key to being supported throughout your entire career. 
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Also, don’t panic if you haven’t yet secured a spot for next year. IT’S A MYTH that you need a new grad placement to launch your career – there are plenty of other steps you can take. 

Check out this guide on how to kickstart your nursing and midwifery career without a new grad position!