Would you go to your graduation if the course you are graduating in impacted on your mental health?

[Leapoffaith00]

Qualified as a mental health nurse in March. I studied for 2 years to gain a foundation degree and then 3 years to gain a degree in nursing. It was the hardest thing I have ever done whilst bringing up my dc's as a single parent.
I hated every minute of it. I kept going as it was too late to change my mind (mature student). Every placement I would think, this us the ace I will feel some kind of desire to work within it. Never did!!
It's over now! I can't even apply for jobs as it makes me anxious just thinking about it.
I continued with the degree to prove to myself (or was it) that I could complete something. I could over one challenges. Part of me knows I kept going because of ego. Proving I could be something/someone. I had a not do nice childhood where my step father would tell me I wouldn't amount to much, I am lazy, I wasn't allowed to visit home when I left at 17, he made me think I was useless. So I know why I kept going even though working in mental health impacted on my own. Now - I graduate next week. The cap and gown kept me going. But.....I'm not happy. I didn't get a feeling that I thought I would. I feel nothing. I actually feel worse as now I feel shame that I'm not going to use my degree. Do I go? Just for a photo in my cap and gown. What does this really prove? Will I regret it?

I found my Adult Nursing course tough but I did the graduation & now I'm glad I did.

I was a Staff Nurse for 8 years before resigning from the register due to serious mental illness that was exacerbated by the job.
I now have a low paid job as an HCA.
But the graduation photo is a reminder that once I had a career & worked hard to get that degree.

Even if you choose not to work as a mental health Nurse your graduation pic is a solid reminder of all that sacrifice effort & hard work, you will have a degree & a registration that can open doors for you.
Sorry to read that doing the course made you unwell, hope you are recovering now.

Go, and also access counselling to work through your feelings. You are good enough. Your DC must be so proud of you.

I'd go. It is a kind of finale - dc1 had a horrendous time and it was a real relief for her to actually go to the ceremony, do the hat and gown thing and get the piece of paper. Then draw a line under it and move on with her life.

I didnt get on great at the end of my degree so chose not to go. I felt the uni was quite unsupportive on a few things and I don't feel that I missed out. There are lots of options with your qualifications. A friend has done additional training to become a health visitor from an adult nursing qualification.

Go! Even if it’s just for closure.

Regardless of how much you hated it, you did the slog.

Close the door on it. Wear your cap and gown and acknowledge what you achieved. And be proud!

I did. Ironically my nursing was okay but my undergrad before that was awful, I was doing as different AHP course and failed my placement. Honestly, it nearly broke me. I had to switch to a ‘non-clinical’ degree. But at least I did that. I talked about not going but my parents encouraged me to go. I went. It was fine. I think my friends were really pleased that I’d managed to pass in the end! I agree it’s a symbolic end to the struggle and it’s a positive thing to do.

If you can find it in you to do it, I would. I was in a very similar position and very nearly didn’t attend mine, for similar reasons. I didn’t particularly enjoy the day, but afterwards was proud of myself for having done it even though I was not comfortable. Not doing it would have felt like a defeat and that feeling would have stayed with me a long long time. Going, felt like progress.

In terms of a career going forward, my job (teaching) doesn’t need my particular degree, but benefits from my knowledge, and of course I needed ‘a degree’.