Hi Angela, Would love to chat about your journey without a grad year 
Sure what would you like to know?
Can I start out by asking which state you are from, what year you graduated and whether you are RN or EN?
Tasmania 2007 RN
Awesome! So when you graduated did you apply for any grad programs?
No I was actually 9 months pregnant as a mature aged student and two kids already. I took a year off as I had a baby stick to breast for a year. When I was ready to work I contact the pool office and the NUM was fabulous she started me with a 6 week introduction program with their nursing education unit. So it was 3 days a week for 6 weeks. My preceptor worked along side me as you would with a third year student. The first week we did two full induction days to the whole hospital line HR, fire emergency etc and did some case studies and played with equipment. Then one day on the ward we were allocated to. Week two my preceptor backed off - was meant to do this after week 3 but she felt I was coping well - I had a great medical ward to start on. After six weeks the new program ended and I was offered a contract and asked to interview for a permanent job also which I was successful with. I think I was successful with this because my preceptor was so supportive. My third year facilitator was far from…I did contact the grad program which is transition to practice but the coordinator said I had to work 0.9 or 1.0 FTE. I worked 0.3 for a year, then 0.4 for another and when my baby started school went up to 0.5 then 0.6 . I’m a firm believer that grad year is great but as long as nurses have a great support person and NUM like I did then that’s a great start. I think students are so focused and obsessed about having to have a grad program because a lot of hospitals won’t hire without some experience. They can get experience anywhere and only focus on acute , when there is amazing opportunities at aged care, rural and sub acute. It’s harder if you have commitments like I did.
How great is that! So the pool office was that at a hospital? And was this kind of introduction something they did often for new staff?
At a hospital they do it for new staff and return after lengths of time.
That is great! So I'm guessing you don't feel disadvantaged at all by starting your career this way?
Not at all. I’ve always been very proactive in self education and being knowledgeable on areas of my scope of practice that need to be developed etc. I think being a matured aged student in my 20’s and nursing not as a first choice career but second actually was an advantage for me personally.
And what is your role now?
I’m in DEM 0.2 as a grade 3 and have a fixed term contract as a CNE for primary health at 0.5 for 9 months. I was in community nursing until a few months ago when I was the victim of horizontal violence so I left and the DON offered me a contract for 6 months and now I have another 8 month contract.
Sorry for my ignorance, what is DEM? And CNE is clinical nurse educator?
Yes clinical itself educator and department of emergency.
Oh great and you are enjoying those roles?
Both very different. Emergency is quick turn over or none at all due to bed block. You don’t get to do a holistic approach due to the turnover rates. Community is very holistic but they’ve changed the model and it feels a little task and time orientated. Educator is very rewarding to help more people by modelling, inspiring and improving practice for patient benefit.
If you could say one thing to a new grad who didn't get a program what would it be?
It’s not the end. Ask your friends how old they were when they started to walk… they won’t know and their parents probably won’t remember either, the important thing is that you all can and do it at different times but it doesn’t matter in the end - you can do it . Crawl before you walk and then learn to run. Find a mentor wherever you go, to learn from and to debrief with and do that for someone else in the future. Ask ask and ask again. Admit when you’re wrong or make a mistake, it’s people lives not cake recipes. Tell everyone you’re junior because your looks can be deceiving at times if your mature aged - people assume you’re more experienced. Never say that’s not my job, find someone to help you do it or someone who can. Be nice to everyone - I once had to have a long chat with a student when they asked why I had a break with the cleaner… she’s a person and my friend… she’s also saved people lives by telling me things like “blood in the toilet bowl and bed 7 was in there” or “I think bed 2 has hoarded tablets under her bed “… I could go on and on. Just don’t let the grad year stop you from having an amazing career ahead of you… don’t stop learning.
Amazing 
I love it! Thank you so much for sharing.
I love it! Thank you so much for sharing. If you found this post helpful please feel free to join in, share and ask questions over at Nurse Life Australia on Facebook!