How does Nursing rank in comparison to other majors in difficulty?

KatieBell · Dec 16, 2005

Well, having been a pre-med major and now a graduated licensed nurse, I can say definitively that the nursing classes were infintely easier than the pre-med chemistry, physics, and biology bunch.

I'd have to say though, each area has it's own challenges, and one who is highly successful in say a Chemistry major may be very unsuccessful at Philosophy. The same as a nursing major may have a very difficult time with a business major (economics is not exactly easy).

I think it is best not to compare, and not to worry about the prestige of a major- better to do something because you like it- and not be concerned about what everyone else is doing in comparison to you....

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2005

Nurses are very trusted in the public eye; however, the occupation of nursing does seriously lack the prestige. Nobody respects nurses with the exception of other nurses.

In my personal opinion, nursing is a challenging undergrad major. However, the general public fails to understand that. When you tell people you're a nursing major, many people will say, "That's wonderful."

Other people will react by saying, "Nursing? Why don't you just become a doctor?"

Don't choose your future career based on factors such as prestige and public perception. Prestige makes no difference if you are unhappy and wanting to commit suicide. Plan your career choices based on aspects that are likely to bring you fulfillment.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Dec 16, 2005

In total agreement with The commuter :)

stressgal, RN · Dec 16, 2005

I attend a community college and nursing is seen as the toughest program. The hardest to get into as well as the toughest grading scale.

luv2yoga · Dec 17, 2005

Well, obviously it's not as difficult as medical school. Compare the entrance requirements. I have an accounting degree and have just completed my first semester of clinicals. It is not harder than the accounting, the grading scale is a little tougher. An A starts at 94.

tencat · Dec 17, 2005

My first major was in English/Education, and that was a really easy major compared to nursing. I am working really hard for the grades I get this time around. It's not horribly hard; it's just challenging.

PAROPPY, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2005

At my college we have nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy assisstant, dental hygeine and other non-medical associate degree majors. Among the students that attend my college and also in the surrounding community it is considered one of the toughest programs around. The grading scale is hard and we have very tough but caring teachers. My school was one of the first associate degree programs for nursing started in the US and we take pride in that. I think its kind of sad that outsiders don't see how tough it is just because it is a 2 year school. Granted in a small radius there are (that I know of) 3 four year schools that offer nursing and you come out with a bachelors. When I tell people that I am going to a 2 year school for nursing sometimes I get looks like why am I complaining that its so hard because its only a two year school or even why am I complaining at all because its "only nursing". Nursing definitely does not have the prestige that it deserves.

perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2005

At my school nursing was definitely seen as one of the toughest majors on campus, but I think most all the majors have their tough areas; didn't seem to be any completely easy majors. I think nursing is hard in different ways than, say, pre-med classes, at least at my school... my roommate was pre-med so we talked about that kind of thing sometimes. Both were difficult, one not any easier at all than the other. However, I definitely don't think it's as hard as med school itself... but you probably already know that. I agree with I think you have to figure out what you want to do with your major, and make sure it's something you're interested in, and then you'll work hard at it, not worried about what others think of it. Good luck!

LydiaNN · Dec 17, 2005

It has been a really long time since I was in school, but this is what I remember: academically, and time wise, the pharmacy/science majors (we didn't have a specified pre-med major at my school) worked the hardest, especially sophomore year, when they had to take Organic Chem and Physics. My roomie was a pharm major, so I remember that well. I had taken A&P over the summer, so I had a pretty manageable load that year. All bets were off junior year, though. The pharm majors used to say that the 6th semester was the toughest on a practical level, but the 4th was the hardest psychologically (Organic !!) From 5th semester on, nursing was tough, because of the increased responsibilities in clinical, all the time spent there and doing care plans, etc I wouldn't agree that any major was harder, but then, it is so individual, anyway. I knew people who were acing Organic, but just squeaked by in their humanities electives, which were easy for me.

ICRN2008, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2005

KatieBell said:
Well, having been a pre-med major and now a graduated licensed nurse, I can say definitively that the nursing classes were infintely easier than the pre-med chemistry, physics, and biology bunch.
I'd have to say though, each area has it's own challenges, and one who is highly successful in say a Chemistry major may be very unsuccessful at Philosophy. The same as a nursing major may have a very difficult time with a business major (economics is not exactly easy).
I think it is best not to compare, and not to worry about the prestige of a major- better to do something because you like it- and not be concerned about what everyone else is doing in comparison to you....

Great response! I agree completely with KatieBell.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 18, 2005

CRNAhopefulguy said:
I was wondering when u tell someone, "Im a nursing major" Do they give u a weird look and tell u, oh thats easy, or like, oh thats difficult. Do u think that nursing is one of the most difficult majors at ur school? Is nursing at the level of being in medical school, or like pre-med? I know all the things we deal with from reading all the threads like.. "oh my life is over" .. "how am i gonna ever pass." When i think of other majors, psychology, business, philosophy, and education, i dont think they have it that hard. Does nursing have that prestige like saying, oh im gonna be a doctor, and we all go, "wow, thats real difficult". Do people go, oh a nurse, wow thats difficult compared to other majors.

Others oppinions on the difficulty and value of becoming a nurse will vary, depending on their understanding of what nursing and nursing school entails. And you know what they say about oppinions.....

My oppinion is that nursing is a very special feild, that encompasses a range of diciplines, and cannot be compared to other majors. Apples and oranges.

Best advice to you.......decide how YOU view nursing based on personal experiences and values, and disregard others "oppinions."