After nearly five years of studying for my Diploma and Bachelor of Nursing, over 1000 hours of placements, countless assignments and exams and huge amounts of stress, receiving my New-Grad offer felt surreal. I’ll be starting in the Emergency Department next year, which is something I’ve dreamt about since I began nursing.

Before starting my Bachelor of Nursing, I worked as an enrolled nurse, so I’ve already seen how challenging yet rewarding the nursing profession can be. But stepping into a RN role feels like a whole new chapter which brings me both excitement and nerves.

The New Grad application process was tough but rewarding. Writing and rewriting selection criteria answers, waiting for interviews and refreshing my emails every minute the day offers came out. When the offer finally came through, I was overwhelmed with pride and relief. It felt as though every minute of study, every placement, every long shift and every sacrifice made for my degree had finally paid off.

As I am preparing myself to start in ED next year, I’m feeling equally nervous and excited, I know how fast paced and demanding yet rewarding the environment will be.

To those who will be applying for New Grads in the future – don’t give up. The journey is long but when you receive the offer, it’s worth every moment of hard work.

Brooke Erichsen, EN