How Hard Is Nursing School?

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is an attractive option to students for a number of reasons. Registered nurses (RNs) earn a median annual salary of $86,070, the employment outlook is strong through 2033, and there are plenty of opportunities for advancement.

However, nursing can also be a challenging field, requiring physical stamina, emotional resilience, and a lot of mental energy. Nursing school is no different. From coursework covering biology, anatomy, research, and more to clinical rotations where students work with real patients in a healthcare setting, nursing school exposes students to the profession’s challenges to prepare them for what lies ahead.

This article explores common nursing school challenges and offers guidance to prospective students on how to succeed in a BSN degree program.

Common Nursing School Challenges

Admissions

One of the first challenges students seeking a BSN degree face is getting into nursing school in the first place. While admissions procedures and criteria vary by school, in general, BSN degree programs are highly selective, seeking students with both a strong academic background and the required aptitudes and temperament needed for nursing. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), in 2022, over 66,000 qualified applications were rejected from BSN degree programs at nursing schools in the U.S. While this shouldn’t discourage students from applying to nursing school, it does illustrate the level of preparation that students must put into their applications to be considered for nursing school.

Coursework

Nursing is a complex field that requires advanced knowledge of the body and its various systems,, a wide range of practical skills, and an understanding of the ethics of providing care. Students learn all this and more through their coursework, which typically includes classes in topics related to chemistry, biology, anatomy, pharmacology, ethics, research, and more. A BSN degree program curriculum will also include practical courses that teach students key skills like patient assessment, caring for wounds, placing IVs, and more. The coursework can be demanding, and most programs have a minimum grade threshold for students to pass their courses and advance through their program.

Clinical rotations

Clinical rotations are another significant component of BSN degree programs, as they give students hands-on experience in healthcare settings. Although students completing clinical rotations are supervised by registered nurses, they must apply the practical knowledge in high-stress situations and face the emotional, physical, and mental demands common in nursing. Students complete their clinical rotations in various settings, depending on their specific program and area of focus. Clinical settings may include emergency rooms, psychiatric care facilities, intensive care units, neonatal care units, etc. For many students, their clinical rotation may be their first exposure to the realities of nursing, including dealing with difficult patients, death, trauma, and more.

Mental health

Nursing school and the nursing profession itself place unique mental and emotional demands on practitioners. This is a highly stressful field, where practitioners face life-or-death situations that require them to remain calm under pressure. Nurses must be able to witness physical and emotional trauma while maintaining focus and performing their duties as necessary. They also must hold emotions for their patients and their loved ones, which can take a toll on their emotional well-being. Before enrolling in nursing school, students should ensure their mental health is sound and stable.

Time management

Between classes, studying, and clinical rotations, nursing school is a significant time commitment, making time management another challenge nursing students regularly face. This is particularly true for students who are working or handling caregiving responsibilities for kids or other family members while earning their BSN degree. Because clinical rotations must be completed in person, students must be prepared to spend a significant amount of time on-site, while factoring in transportation time as well. The per-term courseload will vary by program and whether a student is enrolled full-time or part-time, but regardless, students must set aside enough time for classes, studying, and completing assignments to progress through their program.

Preparing for and taking the NCLEX

For most students who earn a BSN degree, the goal is to become a registered nurse. To do that, they must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a comprehensive competency-based standardized exam that evaluates a nurse’s readiness to practice as an RN. The exam is organized into four categories: Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. Aspiring RNs must demonstrate their proficiency in each area to obtain their RN license. Although students take the NCLEX after graduation, many programs include NCLEX preparation in their curriculums. Students must also take time to study and review information on their own to increase their chances of passing.

How to Prepare for Success in Nursing School

Gain experience in healthcare and nursing-related roles

Although, in most cases, students can enter a BSN degree program without any prior experience in nursing or healthcare, having some exposure to the field can be helpful. Some students may become licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) before pursuing a BSN degree. These roles teach individuals the basics of providing medical care while giving them an up-close look at the nursing and healthcare field. Other roles that can help students gain valuable experience include nursing assistant, emergency medical technician (EMT), and medical assistant.

Complete prerequisites

Most BSN degree programs have prerequisite coursework that students must complete before they start the program. In some cases, nursing schools require students to have completed these courses as a prerequisite for admission, while others offer the coursework as part of the degree program. Prerequisite coursework usually covers topics like biology, microbiology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology, all of which are foundational for nursing practice. Completing these prerequisites before enrollment in nursing school will help students start their nursing education on a positive note, as they will already be familiar with many of the areas they’ll explore in-depth throughout their program.

Find the program that’s right for you

Several pathways are available for students who want to pursue nursing education, and choosing the one that best suits your needs and experience can make nursing school easier. Individuals with no nursing education or experience can select a traditional BSN degree, which covers all the foundational and intermediate knowledge and skills needed to be an RN. Another option is to first earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), obtain an RN license, and then enroll in an RN-to-BSN degree program, that focuses on advanced skills. For students with bachelor’s degrees in a different field, accelerated BSN degree programs allow students to complete the required coursework and rotations for RN licensure in an abbreviated timeframe. There are also self-paced programs that allow students to work through the curriculum at their own pace to accommodate their needs and lifestyles.

Familiarize yourself with your school’s support services

Before enrolling in nursing school, students should learn more about what support services their school offers. This includes health and wellness services, such as counseling resources, mental health hotlines and check-ups, and support groups, to help students handle mental and emotional challenges. Students should also find out what academic support services are available, such as tutoring, study groups, and test prep, as this can be essential to maintaining academic progress. It’s also important for students to seek support from outside their school. Before starting your BSN degree program, establish support networks with family and friends to help you stay focused and also give you an outlet for releasing the stress you experience while in nursing school.

Nursing School FAQs

Should I get a nursing degree online or in person?

There are many high-quality BSN degree programs available both online and in person. The option that you choose depends on a variety of personal factors.

For some students, enrolling in an online BSN degree program is a better option because these programs are highly flexible and accessible. Students don’t need to limit themselves geographically or relocate to enroll in the program they want, and they can more easily integrate classes and schoolwork into their existing schedule. However, online learning requires strong time management, organization skills and comfort with autonomous learning.

Other students may find an in-person program more appealing if they learn better through discussion and hands-on activities. This may also be a better option for students who need additional support and accountability from instructors.

Is nursing school worth it?

While nursing school and the nursing profession can be very challenging, many factors make it a worthwhile pursuit. Nurses are essential in providing healthcare and support to patients and their loved ones in times of need. They perform critical tasks that help stabilize and treat patients, acting as a vital part of care teams alongside doctors, specialists, and others.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of registered nurses will increase by 6% through 2033, with roughly 194,500 new job openings annually. The annual salary range for RNs varies from $63,720 to 132,600. RNs who pursue additional education can go on to work as nurse practitioners or nurse anesthetists.

What are other popular healthcare-related degrees?

If you ultimately decide that nursing school is not right for you, plenty of other healthcare-related roles will allow you to help individuals in a medical setting. These roles include: