I Have My Nursing Degree, What´s Next?

Becoming a Nurse isn’t easy. We both know it comes with sacrifices—physical, emotional, and yes, financial too. But once you finally get that nursing degree, the question becomes: What’s next?

This is my story, and for the second time, it’s my story all over again. The first time, I was at home, surrounded by all things familiar. This time though, I was far away—miles away— in a foreign country, speaking a language that wasn’t my own. The chance to find a job where I could confidently put my nursing skills to use was there, but I had no idea where to start or how to make it happen.

I hadn’t yet found that kind of mentorship—the kind that felt encouraging, like a guiding hand in unfamiliar waters. That’s when the idea of creating a space, a community where we could come together and share our journeys, began to take root.

There’s always that pressure, right? The pressure to find the perfect job. It’s not just internal pressure; your friends and family often put that weight on you too. There’s also that feeling that you need to start making money fast. I get it.

But here’s something I wish someone had told me sooner: It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay if your path doesn’t make sense to others. This is your journey, and it’s important to figure out where your interests lie. Trust me, you don’t need to rush into something just to check a box.

For me, I was always drawn to subjects like reproductive health, psychology, and understanding how the human body works. I loved reading about these topics and—honestly—teaching them to my classmates. In nursing school, we all learned that being a nurse isn’t just about caring for patients; it’s about being their advocate, educator, and collaborator. It’s about being creative and, sometimes, even entrepreneurial.

As you think about what you want to do, don’t rush. Take your time and explore what truly excites you—whether it’s clinical nursing, community health, research, or something else entirely. Don’t dismiss your natural abilities or creativity either. I truly believe that when you follow your passion, the challenges feel more manageable, even exciting.

Of course, there are so many different roles out there. You could consider hospital roles in areas like ICU, Medical-Surgical Nursing, or Dialysis Care—if that’s where your interests lie. Choose something that motivates you, because when you’re passionate about your work, it won’t feel like work.

And here’s something to remember: Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path. Nursing isn’t just about traditional bedside care. There’s room for you in areas like health technology, content creation, public health, consulting, and even teaching. These are all spaces where your nursing expertise can make a huge impact, just in different ways.

When it comes to internships and clinical practice, trust me—you need to take full advantage of these opportunities. They’re not just about getting through the work; they’re about learning how to connect with patients, build your clinical skills, and understand what it means to really care. Some of my most powerful learning moments happened during my internship. It was intense and challenging, but years later, I look back and appreciate how much it shaped me.

That being said, I do want to highlight that we absolutely need better internship conditions for nursing and medical students, especially in places like Kenya, where I trained. It’s time for us to advocate for better support, better environments—because the future of healthcare depends on it.

One of the core missions of The Nursing Collective is to empower nurses with the tools, knowledge, and resources to advocate for themselves. Knowledge is powerful, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t take action. That’s why I encourage you to build your clinical skills, but also invest time in developing your soft skills—things like communication, confidence, and self-management. These are just as important.

I want to be real with you: Building confidence as a new nurse takes time. Imposter syndrome? It’s real. Most of us go through it. But you can overcome it. Take it one day at a time, and challenge yourself to step into situations that push you to grow. Trust me, you will look back and see how much you’ve learned.

Having a mentor can make all the difference. If you can, find someone who’s been through the journey and is willing to share their experiences. It’s like having a guide to help you avoid some of the bumps in the road.

Remember, nursing is always changing. We can’t just sit back and assume we know everything. That’s why we have to keep learning. Whether it’s through workshops, certifications, or skill-building sessions, it’s so important to stay current and evolve with the profession.

The Nursing Collective is all about supporting nurses through this process. And we’re not just here to give advice—we’re actively looking to connect with mentors, and we’d love for you to join us in this journey of mentorship and collaboration. We believe in the power of sharing knowledge and supporting each other, so if you’re experienced and ready to guide others, or if you’re a newer nurse seeking guidance, The Nursing Collective is here for you.

The road may seem long, and sometimes it might feel like it’s just one challenge after another, but remember: You’re not alone. We’re in this together.