Why does everyone think that they can be a nurse/ or nursing is so easy?

mainly because it's not that hard to get into nursing school....

It's pretty hard (or at least not easy) to get into the nursing schools in central IL that I know of. And they aren't easy to stay in once you are accepted either. We lost 8/32 people in my mental health class last semester alone.

I think a misconception would be for the ADN that since its at a community college that it must be easy. Or that its "only" a 2 year degree. But in reality with pre-reqs even an ADN is 3-4 years when all is said and done.

I dont think a lot of people realize the scope of nursing practice, and they may just think "oh, it doesnt take much to follow a doctors orders, and wipe a few bottoms." They dont realize we need to know what the how and why we are doing what the doctor orders, b/c if its wrong, its our butt on the line.

Well, "easy" and "hard" are relative. Getting into a nursing program is not that hard (way less pre-reqs and basically no 'weed out' courses) compared to med/PT/OT schools. There are a LOT of nursing schools in IL. People who failed to get into med/other grad schools choose accelerated BSN/MSN programs as their plan B as well as people who are looking to change careers/got laid off. I'm not saying it's the correct perception BUT the public people perceive nursing as "if all else fails, there's nursing"

As for ADNs, I have two friends who have skipped ADNs in favor of BSNs because getting into an ADN program is harder than getting into a BSN program. ADN programs have ridiculously long waitlists, a CC near me requires a CNA certification/experience, etc.

In other news, I really should be studying for my NCLEX

I agree - for someone for whom ANY college education would be a challenge, nursing school can be rather hard. However, for anyone who's been through college once already, nursing school is just work - hence the perception that it's "easy" amongst other professionals.