Students and early career

For many early career nurses and midwives, the transition from graduation to practice is a positive experience.

But some are confronted by the shift work, high levels of stress, unacceptable workloads, lack of support and guidance, responsibility and poor cultural attitudes or just the day to day work in their first few years of practice.

Students are also at risk. Study demands and the stresses of the healthcare environment can be challenging and put pressure on our mental health. Among nursing and midwifery students, many experience overwhelm, stress and event depression and anxiety. as stigma to seeking help and support.

Caring for yourself for success at work

It’s important to take care of yourself so that you can care for others, says Northern Territory remote area early career nurse Sarah.

“I think it’s important in my job to look after myself – if I cannot look after myself, I cannot look after other people. We’re in such a unique job. I want to be the best nurse I can be.”

Sarah has learnt some tricks of the trade in combating isolation and some of the challenges of remote area nursing. She speaks to her mum (who is a nurse) and friends back home regularly and has her best friend (her Red Heeler) with her. She’s also ready to use support services, including our service and the CRANAplus Bush Support Line if she needs to talk.

Study stress and how we cope

Some nursing and midwifery students report study stress can lead to unhealthy behaviours such eating more snack foods or skipping meals, less exercise, consuming more alcohol and less social interaction. Prolonged sitting, like when you're studying for long hours, can negatively affect your mental wellbeing, especially if you're already feeling stressed or feeling flat.

A 2021 study on Australian nursing students found:

48.5% reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression
37% reported experiencing anxiety
40% reported experiencing stress

(K. Wynter, 2021)

Financial stress

Studying nursing or midwifery can be financially tough. The demands of life, study, and unpaid placements often add up, and many students experience financial stress or placement poverty, making it even harder to stay afloat.

To help ease this burden, the Australian Government is introducing Commonwealth Prac Payments from 1 July 2025. These payments are designed to support eligible students during clinical placements. You can read more about what this means for you in the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal (ANMJ).

Seek support, choose health

Staying healthy can help buffer the impact of stress. Nursing and midwifery students, as well as those in their early years of practice, benefit from the right support and habits that promote physical and mental wellbeing.

New to nursing or midwifery?

Study stress, navigating the transition from student to graduate, feel you're not ready or daunted by your new on-the-job responsibilities?

We're here for you.

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If I was in charge of the degree, I wouldn’t be leaving the topics on nursing, burnout and compassion fatigue until the third year. That is something that I think people should learn about right off the bat. You can’t pour from an empty glass, and if your glass is starting empty, you’re in for a rough time...

Sarah - RN