I am about to begin an Associates Degree Nursing Program this fall. It's my understanding that credit hours (semesters) are 1 credit=1 hour of class/week. Generally, one is expected to spend 3 hours of "homework" for every hour of class time. This fall I have a 2 credit Pharmacology course and a 3 credit Nursing Theory course with lab. This course load doesn't seem hefty, yet "Nursing School" carries with it an expectation of a great deal of work, tons of study time- a general "intensity". Why the disparity? Are Nursing School credits different? When I got my bachelors degree (years ago in another field), I would take 15 credits at a time. I'm confused. Thanks for weighing in!