Is nursing school really "the hardest thing you've ever done in your life"?

[cn4207]

I'm starting an accelerated bsn program in the summer, and it seems like there is a consensus that "nursing school was the hardest thing that [people] have done in their lives" almost everywhere, whether it be allnurses.com, Youtube, or whatever.... And this isn't just said by some 20-year-olds who haven't jumped through hoops of life. I've heard it from people with biology degrees, MBA degrees, and even lawyers. I even read a comment by a lady who claimed that nursing school was the hardest thing she has done in 50 years of her life, including birthing her children! With that said, I know that it's certainly doable. But I haven't really seen people say this with law school, pharmacy school, or just any other professional school, (except maybe med school) so I'm curious. Is nursing school really that bad, or are we just a bunch of whiners? lol... Any input is appreciated!

[Amy01]

These are just exaggerations, thousands of nurses passed it so it's nothing new. You just need to manage things properly from the very first day…. If you think you can or you think you can't you are right”

[LovelyLocs, ASN, BSN, RN]

Ha, no.

Not saying college is easy, but giving birth was much more upsetting . That, and dealing with my husband not folding his clothes after I do laundry are on the top of my list .

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

Different people are built differently, and different programs are built differently.

I am a strong, determined woman, and there were times that I felt like my program was trying to get as close to killing me as possible, without actually killing me. Kind of like chemo.

Yes, I think it was the hardest thing I've ever done. The adjustment to becoming a parent was a close 2nd though.

Definitely don't go into it expecting that, I certainly didn't, and I never considered quitting, but it was more than just challenging, at least for me.

[gere7404, BSN, RN]

no

i get a kick out of kids say how hard school is when all they are doing is taking classes. I've been working full time and raising a family alongside going to nursing school while closing on my second house and getting ready to become a landlord with my first house and it's nowhere near the hardest thing I've done in my life.

So far, nobody has blown me up while my premature daughter I haven't met yet is 7,500 miles away in the NICU during my time obtaining my BSN.

[bvreeland]

It is extremely difficult IMO, but of course doable. You must be able to persevere and just keep pushing on. I think the reason people say its so difficult is because it is a different mindframe. It's critical thinking application style questions. In your pre-reqs or other degrees you could study for hours and pass an exam on memory, but in nursing school if you aren't able to critically think and infer information you won't be able to pass the tests.

[Exhuasted]

It really is everything you hear. BUT if nursing is what you really want to do it WILL be worth it. You just have to keep your focus on that goal.

[Serhilda, ADN, RN]

I always felt it was a very privileged statement, saying nursing school is the hardest thing they've ever done. For me personally, getting out of childhood poverty and working for the mere opportunity to become a nurse was the hard part. That was the work. Nursing school has been a dream come true and most days I feel as if I'm on cloud 9. Sure, handling your first code blue after a cadaver lab and turning in projects worth 60% of your grade gets stressful when all done within 3 days of each other, but it's a different sort of stress, not the kind that beats you down.

[Tacomaboy3]

I thought the A&P prerequisite courses were much more challenging than anything I'm studying now, though I'm only finished with 2 quarters of my RN program. I also think my bio degree had more challenging classes, too. As people have said, it probably depends on the program and your instructors - I've often heard that PhD nursing professors are more difficult grade-wise than MSN- or DNP-prepared nursing educators.

[Purple_roses]

I read somewhere (don't remember where) that the hardest things in an adult's life are getting married, getting divorced, having kids, and buying/selling houses. Seeing as I haven't done any of those things, it's not saying much that nursing school is the hardest thing I've done so far. It's hard. The first couple of semesters suck. But then you get into a routine and things aren't so bad, at least from my perspective. I'm currently in my last semester with just a few weeks left until graduation and I'm actually bored.

[helloego]

Even if it wasn't that incredibly difficult WHICH IT IS it would probably still be the most difficult thing that the people have ever done. Ask yourself who is in nursing school. It's going to vary but generally they're made up of 19 year olds to people in their early 20's. What have people that young had to do that was that difficult?

[Simplistic]

Even if it wasn't that incredibly difficult WHICH IT IS it would probably still be the most difficult thing that the people have ever done. Ask yourself who is in nursing school. It's going to vary but generally they're made up of 19 year olds to people in their early 20's. What have people that young had to do that was that difficult?

Yup thats me. Im 19, and in my third semester of nursing classes. By FAR, the hardest thing I have done

[llg, PhD, RN]

For me, my undergraduate program was extremely difficult for me emotionally because of some interpersonal issues, but not academically. My MSN was easy all-around -- great fun. And my PhD program experience was a bit more challenging academically, but a joy to do.

It really depends on the student's situation and the particular school.