Is nursing school REALLY that hard?

I just started the 2 year ADN program at my community college about a week ago. I am actually the youngest in my program at 18, and I have no nursing experience. Before I started, I obsessed over blogs and spent a lot of nights wondering if I could even make it through nursing school. I graduated high school in the top 5% of my class with a good ACT score, and I'm generally a hard worker. I am just wondering, was nursing school as hard as you thought it would be and if so, why?

Specializes in Med-Tele; ED; ICU.
courtneymann said:
I am just wondering, was nursing school as hard as you thought it would be and if so, why?

Well for me, yes it was just as hard as I expected... which wasn't all that difficult.

The only real challenges in nursing school were (1) the unrelenting pace and (2) the high-stakes nature of each class since my program did not permit retakes... fail a class and you're done.

A person of average intelligence with a good work ethic and solid study skills should not struggle in a well-run nursing program. That last caveat, though, is the kicker... some programs and some instructors aren't terribly competent.

I already had a bachelor's degree in english lit with a minor in education before I started nursing school. I breezed through the nursing pre-reqs, but I will say forever that nursing school was the hardest 2 years of my life. As has been previously mentioned, a lot has to do with the way the program is set up and ran. There was a lot of chaos and little organization in mine. I tell anyone that asks that my class pretty much self-taught and were determined to make it through (the 20 or so of us that made it all the way through). I was working 40 hours a week and in a night/weekend program, so I was overwhelmed and under-rested most of the time. Another thing, also mentioned, is the high stakes in nursing school. You fail, you're out, at least for a year until you can jump back in (if there's an open spot during the semester you need). Most nursing schools won't accept transfers mid-program due to the set up and requirements, so it's kind of 'do-or-die' which is intimidating!

Not really hard, but definitely stressful. It's far easier if you don't have to work. I work part time and have three children and it's definitely a challenge. You just have to make sure that you stay on top of assignments. There is a lot of reading involved and it just multiplies if you put it off. However, if you study a little each night - it is very manageable.

Specializes in TELE, CVU, ICU.

Nope. Tedious, not hard

Specializes in Case Management.

Nursing school is not as hard as some would have you believe. It requires a lot of dedication, commitment, and hard work. There is a lot of concepts that you must learn and gain the ability to apply your new knowledge to your developing practice. Stay focused, avoid negative nay-Sayers, study, work hard, and you will be just fine. It is a lot of work, but it will be well worth it. I have been in nursing 24 years and I still love it as much as I did on day 1. Good luck!

I know quite a few nurses, and I have decided that none of them have Stephen Hawking like super intelligence, they're just normal people, and if they can pass nursing school, then I can too!

Nursing school is very hard, harder than getting my BSN. My first class was so hard we lost half of the class, they call it the weeding out process. They have no problem failing anyone that doesn't pull their weight even in the final semesters. We are taking care of loved ones that are sick and vulnerable along with family members that are stressed and scared, there are not many jobs that are more important. Nursing school should be hard, I wouldn't want just anyone taking care of my kids and loved ones and you shouldn't either. If you work hard, study, apply yourself, and are in it for the right reasons then you should do well.

Yes. A recent study reported it was the most difficult degree to obtain. Having said that, there are a bazllion of us who have done it successfully. If you are organized, disciplined with your time and willing to.work, you'll do fine. Be aware, that most college students will earn 1 letter grade lower than they maintainef in high school. Be prepared to do.more to earn the same grades you earned in high school.

It's hard. Well it was for me.. But hey guess what I got through it with a great GPA and passed y NCLEX first shot. So it's do able :)

You have to be dedicated. I cut my social life to barely existent! I cut my work hours. I studied my ass off. Anything I struggled with I talked to my professors, and we figured out ways to get better.

The testing was tricky... But I got through it, and time management will be your bff

It was harder than my BA in Psych.

I worked 35 hours a week and had a social life the whole time. I don't remember it consuming me.

It's the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I tried an ADN program at 18 and didn't make it. Tried again at 50 and was one of only 7 out of original 30 that graduated without failing a class. My BSN was easier. Now my Masters is daunting in a completely different way. Good luck! Study hard and just think about passing and doing the best that you can do.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
sarose611 said:
Yes. A recent study reported it was the most difficult degree to obtain.

Nursing is a difficult degree for many to obtain because the profession has traditionally attracted more than its fair share of dreamers: those who are in love with the idea of being a nurse, but lack the academic skills to complete nursing school. Few other college majors attract a higher number of hopeless dreamers.

However, nursing school is not all that academically difficult, nor is it the 'hardest' college major.

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