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Hi everyone! I’ve recently been offered my first nursing job as a newly qualified Registered Adult Nurse, working on an acute medical/stroke ward in South Devon.

I’m really excited but also nervous. For experienced nurses, especially those who’ve worked in acute medicine/stroke, what advice would you give someone starting their first nursing job?

Anything you wish you’d known as a newly qualified nurse, things I should revise before starting, or tips for those first few months would be really appreciated! ❤️

Today is my 24th birthday! 🎂

I didn’t do anything particularly special today, but I’m still grateful to God for allowing me to see another year.

24 feels so strange to say, I’m officially getting old now 😂. But more than anything, I’m thankful for life, for everything God has brought me through, and for the opportunity to enter another year with Him.
Please keep me in your prayers as I enter this new chapter. I pray that this year brings me closer to God, strengthens my faith, and helps me grow into the person He is calling me to be.

I also passed my interview on Friday and got offered a job so I’m sure that’s Gods birthday present for me🥹.

Amen 🙏

Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice from experienced nurses.
I’m a newly qualified nurse, but I haven’t actually worked as an RN since qualifying, so this would effectively be my first nursing job.
An agency has offered me block-booking shifts in Lincolnshire. Initially they mentioned I’d mainly be working in ED as well as wards, but after I raised some concerns, they said they’d try to give me a ward shift first before booking me into ED.
The recruiter advised me not to make it seem like it was my first shift as a newly qualified nurse and instead just mention that I was new to the trust’s systems (e.g. EPMA). I’ll complete the trust’s mandatory training before starting.
My concern isn’t about confidence—it’s about patient safety. As an agency nurse, I’m worried I may be expected to work independently without the structured support or preceptorship that newly qualified nurses usually receive. I also haven’t worked clinically since qualifying, so I’m concerned about whether this is an appropriate first role.
For those of you who have worked in ED or with agency staff, do you think these concerns are reasonable? Would you accept this placement, or would you expect more clarification about the level of support before starting?

Hi everyone,
I’ve been struggling with depression for quite some time, and my doctor has suggested that antidepressants might be something to consider.
The thing I’m wrestling with isn’t just the medication itself, it’s how it fits with my faith. Part of me worries that if I start taking antidepressants, I’ll somehow lose my closeness with Christ or that they’ll change who I am spiritually. I don’t really know where that fear comes from, but it’s something I can’t seem to shake.
I still pray, read my Bible, and want to trust God, but I’m also exhausted from feeling this way. I’m trying to understand whether taking antidepressants is compatible with trusting God, or if it’s something I should avoid.
For those of you who are Christians and have taken antidepressants, what was your experience? Did it affect your relationship with God in any way? Did you struggle with similar fears before starting them?
I’m genuinely looking for biblical wisdom and personal experiences rather than judgment.
Thank you, and God bless.

I graduated as a newly qualified adult nurse 9 months ago thinking that, like many of us, I’d finally be able to start my nursing career. Instead, it’s been one of the hardest periods of my life.
I’ve had several interviews where I was told I lacked experience… despite applying as a newly qualified nurse. While trying to find a Band 5 role, I continued working bank shifts as a healthcare support worker across different hospitals just to keep going.
In April, I finally had an interview that I passed. I was told about a gynae opportunity and, based on my understanding of the conversations I had, I relocated from Manchester to Derby believing I’d be starting work soon.
I completed all of my compliance in April and then… I waited.
Every time I checked in, I was told they were still waiting for availability or “slots” in Derby. Weeks turned into months.
Then last week I was told the role wasn’t actually a permanent position but an overflow/bank-type role, and that there weren’t many shifts available within the department I’d interviewed for. I was also asked why I’d relocated to Derby, even though relocating had been discussed with me during the recruitment process.
I’ve now been unemployed since April, stranded in a city where I moved expecting to begin my nursing career.
This whole experience has taken a huge toll on my mental health. Alongside trying to build my career, I’ve been battling depression, going through therapy assessments, and I’ve recently been prescribed sertraline.
I honestly don’t understand why it’s so difficult for newly qualified nurses to get their first opportunity. We graduate wanting to care for patients, yet so many of us struggle just to get our foot in the door.
I’m not posting this for sympathy. I just needed somewhere to vent because this year has been incredibly difficult, and I’m exhausted.

Hi, I’m 23F and I’d love to connect with other Christians and build genuine, platonic friendships. I’ve found it a bit hard to meet people, so I’m hoping to find a supportive community here.

I’m open to chatting, sharing experiences, and just having good conversations 🙂

Hi! I’m 23F and recently moved from Manchester to Derby about three weeks ago. I’m looking to make strictly platonic friends aged 23–30.

I’m quite introverted and not really into meeting up straight away, so I’d prefer to start with chatting and getting to know people first. Just looking for genuine, low-pressure connections 🙂

Cheers