Bio/Chem degree vs nursing degree

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Which degree do you believe is more difficult. I know difficulty is based on the person. So I'm asking which is more difficult to you upper lvl hard science classes or upper lv nursing classes including clinicals?

People that have been through both are more than welcomed to comment. This is based on opinion which one do you think you'd have a tougher time in? I know nursing has a cut off at C+, but the hard science degree is meant for Med school so you shouldn't have anything lower than a B. If you get Cs and Ds you can still get your degree but you won't get into med school so the same amount of academic pressure holds for the both majors.

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Any opinions?

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I think it depends on the person. IMO I think that the nursing classes are harder than science classes, but then again I'm a science geek. 6.02x10^23 is my fave number. Even in elementary school I was in the 99th percent tile for science, skipped 9th grade science and took AP science classes in HS. In college I got A's in Bio, Micro, and Chem. For me it was easy while many others flunked out of the classes.

In nursing school it's VERY different. I can't just memorize facts and regurgitate them for the exams. It can be tricky learning how to think like a nurse. Once you get the hang of it it's not too bad but getting to that point can be a challenge for some, it was for me. In my program 80% is a C and anything lower is a fail. As it stands this semester, yes we have class in the summer, I have a 93.5. A 94.5 is an A. I've never had to work so hard for an A in my life and should be able to pull it off by the end of the term.

Everyone is different and to each their own.

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A lot of it depends on your life situation while you are earning said degree. My accelerated nursing program seems harder than either my undergrad or grad biology degrees. However, part of that is because I had FAR more flexibility when I was earning each of my biology degrees and there weren't a lot of assignments to turn in. I learned at my own pace and did the tests, lab reports and occasional papers.

Whether an accelerated program or a traditional program, nursing seems to have, in addition to the exams, a lot more graded assignments to take up considerable time outside of class (plus clinicals take up way more "applied knowledge" time than any biology lab ever did). Then add in doing my nursing program at the accelerated pace and it's hands-down more difficult than either of my biology degrees were. The material may not be particularly more difficult, but the timing/pacing makes it more difficult to master material prior to being tested on it. Then add in that our schooling is more "step-by-step nursing" and real life is more "simultaneous multitask nursing," and really isn't any question in my mind that my nursign degree is more challenging/more draining than my previous educational experiences.

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I can't just memorize facts and regurgitate them for the exams.

After 10 years working in research, I know that BEING a scientist is a lot different from the testing in school. However, I agree that undergrad science classes are very much about fact regurgitation while nursing exams are a whole other beast.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

My niece had 3.9 and couldn't get into med school in her Biology degree. She is in an accelerated BSN right now And Is working her tail off...she thinks the nursing is harder by far.

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Thanks for the opinion. I've noticed that someone of you guys have a nursing school with strict grading scales. An 80 being a C you have to admit that isn't the norm

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An 80 being a C isn't that unusual for a nursing program. There are plenty of school that grade that way. Some are even worse. Where I've noticed the biggest differences in grading scales is the difference between an A and a B. Even other schools that have 80 as a C will have a lower limit for an A than my school.

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Thanks for the info. Now back to the topic at hand difficulty between hard science and nursing lets go!

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I hold a Bachelors of Science in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry (what my university considered a "Pre-Med/Pre-Professional Degree"). My GPA was too low for me to get into Medical School though. I am now pursuing a BSN. Granted, I am not very far into the program (I have completed one semester of actual nursing classes). So far the BSN classes are time consuming, but much easier, as far as difficulty of content is concerned. Nursing school may prove to be harder in the end, but so far, no. My first semester of nursing school was much easier than my first semester of all upper level biology and chem courses. Like I said though, I have only completed one semester of actual nursing courses. I'm sure it will get harder as the program progresses...

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Yeah it will around Med surge time

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Any other opinions

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