Is nursing school as bad as they say?

jaderook01, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2017

Expect things to kick up a notch now that you're done with the prereqs. Yes, it will take up the majority of your time. Yes, you can still manage to work part time. No, you will not have much of a life. Yes, you will get to know your classmates quite well. Do not look at the big picture right now. Take things one week at a time. You also must be organized. That helps significantly.

I got my BSN after having a master's in another field altogether. Nursing school was more difficult than my first degree and master's put together. For a bachelor's program it's probably one of the harder ones out there.

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2017

I haven't found nursing school to be that difficult or time-consuming - it's actually been much less frustrating of a degree to pursue than my first degree (English). I let the "omg nursing school is the worst thing that will ever happen to you" hype get to me and was incredibly stressed for the first half of my first semester, which made things harder than they needed to be for me. As soon as I calmed down, relaxed about it all, and stopped killing myself reading textbooks and freaking out, I found school to be enjoyable. I pulled A's pretty easily all of my first semester and have been getting A's this second semester too. For me, half the battle was just learning to embrace the suck and getting on with it. Like a previous poster said, it helps to take things one week at a time and not to get too far ahead of yourself!!!

All that said, I don't have much of a life outside of nursing school aside from working at the hospital on a per diem basis, parenting my elementary aged child, and maintaining my relationship with my boyfriend but that really doesn't bother me much because I'm not the kind of person who needs to go out and partaaayyyyy to feel satisfied with my life. If you're a little introverted like I am, working a shift will be more than enough social stimulation for you and by the time you get home all you'll want is to veg out on the couch with Netflix and a snack

WanderingWilder, ASN · Feb 7, 2017

I think the hardest part is learning how to answer the test questions. Its not that the material is extremely hard, but you have to make sure you understand exactly what the question is asking, they usually aren't black and white. I enjoy the lab and clinical portion.

JJL618, RN · Feb 8, 2017

Following as I've just applied to the nursing program today. I'll know in May if I get in.

4mranch · Feb 9, 2017

Hi Sarah. I think that nursing school is as bad as you make it out to be. Yes, it will take up a lot of your time, but it should not be "all consuming". I did it while working part time and raising a family. It is doable. As others have stated you need to be organized, and have good study habits. I remember in one of our earliest lectures the professor said "Look at nursing school like an apple. Cut the apple up into sections, and just concentrate on the section you are on, that way you do not get so overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge you will need to learn". Those words helped me focus and not get too bogged down. Good luck.

Nursified · Feb 9, 2017

I am in my third out of four semesters of nursing school. I work as a PCT and have a long term relationship. Nursing school isn't necessarily hard but it is very time consuming. I'm constantly studying and doing projects and care plans. My significant other knows this and he accepts my busy schedule. However I still have a life. I still work 3 12 hour shifts per 2 week pay period and see my family and boyfriend on a regular basis. Time management is key. Don't procrastinate and you'll do fine.

As far as pre reqs and nursing classes go they are honestly apples and oranges. Pre reqs are very straight forward and if memorize the material you'll do well. Nursing school is nothing like that. You are constantly building on what you already know. There isnt passing and then dumping knowledge. Once you get into more advanced concepts you'll have to start taking what you've learned over multiple semesters and apply it to a scenario. You'll notice people even with 4.0's struggle because the material is completely different.

I am weird. I like nursing school better because I am very interested. Also, I am terrible at memorizing but do great understanding thorough concepts. This is not the norm though.

You will hear people who said it was the hardest thing that was ever done and then others say they never studied and got straight A's. Everyone is different. I do well. I get good grades, but I work for them. I take it seriously. Nursing school is what you put into it. You might have to take extra time on concepts you don't get. Or practicing nursing style questions so that you can figure out how to do well on tests. Go into it with that mind set from the beginning and you'll do well.

andrea3434 · Feb 9, 2017

If I can do it, you sure can! I am married with three children. I am still able to be a parent and a wife. Many of my classmates work as CNAs and at other jobs. Definitely not full time, but still. You have to have great time management and motivation.

BlueDawnRN, BSN · Feb 10, 2017

Time management, good study habits, and support from your loved ones are what you will need. I did well in school while working part time, helping to manage a household, maintaining a healthy marriage and working out most days. I didn't see friends much, didn't read for pleasure and pushed hobbies aside for a bit but it was all doable. It was difficult but fun and I made friends that I will have for life.

Pearl83 · Feb 10, 2017

Nursing school was moderately stressful. Once you learn how to answer the questions the "Nclex way", then you're good. My hardest semester was the 1st one because of how different the testing is from other majors. I did lots of practice questions and that helped. You also have to have an interest in the courses. Don't let negative people discourage you. If you like group studies that is helpful. Don't wait to study at the last minute. Also, record the lectures and listen to them as you drive places. I was fortunate to have be in a class where we all supported each other from Semester 1 till gradation. It was an enjoyable experience because we looked out for each other. When in doubt always ask, don't feel shy or bad...Best wishes and hope you get to be a nurse!!!

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Feb 10, 2017

At times it was pretty bad, but overall it wasn't horrible. I had a social life and I also worked. I did read most of the assigned readings and did a lot of practice questions. If I weren't striving for A/A- grades, it would have been much less stressful and easier. Ironically, NCLEX was far easier than nursing school. But all the learning from the nursing program was incredible.

Clint1076 · Feb 10, 2017

It's tough but it's totally doable. I work 30+ hrs a week and did just fine. Also, I had classmates with babies/small kids. You will definitely need to get your time management skills down but you'll need that when you're a nurse, too. Learn it now.

as far as your boyfriend goes, still see him. You will absolutely need some time away of nursing school for you! Enjoy your date night. Make it fun and stress free.

yes, it's a lot of work and it's time consuming but it was also a blast and you'll make lifelong friends. Congratulations and good luck!