Nursing School Survival: How Hard Is It and How To Succeed (2023)

FAQs

Is nursing school actually hard? ›

Nursing school is competitive to get into and challenging to get through. Because programs require many credit hours, nursing students sometimes end up taking multiple difficult courses in one semester. Think of late nights studying for exams in addition to clinicals where you'll gain hands-on nursing experience.

Pharmacology. Pharmacology, or the study of medication, can seem scary because of the sheer scope of the course. "It becomes one of the hardest classes for nursing students due to the depth and amount of knowledge needed," says Megan Lynch, RN and instructor at Pima Community College.

The short answer is, YES!! You will survive nursing school if you buckle down and weather the storm. Nursing school is challenging, but with perseverance you can succeed.

Nursing school is difficult and will be hard to pass. Most students pass their nursing program, so you can too. How many nursing students fail? According to the National League of Nursing, the dropout rate for nursing programs in the United States is around 20%.

You Can Still Become a Nurse, so Don't Give Up

Maybe you can retake a class over the break, file an academic appeal, or take some other action to get reinstated in the program. Many failed nursing students have done this successfully. If that doesn't work, you can apply to another school with a nursing program.

Why is nursing school so hard? The top 6 challenges of earning a BSN include the rigorous curriculum, fast pace, need for multitasking, time commitment, personal sacrifices, and NCLEX preparation. However, despite these rigors, it's possible to rise up and master how to succeed in nursing school.

How many hours a day should I study for nursing school? Everyone is different, but in general, it is recommended that nursing school students study anywhere from 2-4 hours a day. Committing class material to memory is essential to becoming a registered nurse, so the more time studying, the better!

Yes, you can have a social life while studying to become a nurse. Despite the hectic schedule, there is a way to make time for loved ones and keep up with relationships. With the right tools, it is very well possible to live a balanced life between nursing school and family and friends.

Time management. Most nurses aren't able to identify which task is time consuming, has high priority or which tasks to complete first or later. There's a lot of multitasking in nursing which makes it difficult for nurses to manage their time. I would also say critical thinking mainly relating to time management.

What is the easiest class in nursing school? ›

Unfortunately, not all students who start nursing school pass nursing school. Successfully getting through nursing school is tough, and below, I have listed six common reasons students fail to pass nursing school.

Asking me if nursing school is worth the stress is like asking if childbirth is worth the baby. My answer is unequivocally, "Yes!" All jokes aside, if you have a genuine desire to care for others and help improve the quality of life for others, nursing is worth every moment of nursing student stress.

Nursing school will have semesters that are easier than others. The good news is that the longer you are in nursing school, the easier it gets. The coursework may remain about the same, but it will get easier due to: The fact that you'll be used to it after a semester or two and you'll know what it takes to succeed.

The most recurrent themes regarding the reasons behind BSN drop-out were: understanding that they were not suited to be nurses, perception of missing/lack of psychological, physical and practical resources needed to successfully cope with both nursing school and the nursing profession, inconsistencies between the image ...

According to the National League for Nursing, the national dropout rate for nursing programs in the United States is 20%, and this high attrition rate is considered problematic.

While most nursing schools set their minimum GPA requirements at 3.0, there are accelerated nursing programs out there that accept students with 2.7 and 2.8 GPAs. Keep in mind that this doesn't mean you'd receive a lesser nursing education with these programs.

If they fail, they'll need to wait 45 days before retesting. After failing three times, though, they'll need to complete a board-approved remediation program before the next retake. test-takers have six attempts to pass in total.

Facts About Nursing School That Might Surprise You

In fact, looking at the student-retention rates of nursing programs might be one of the best ways to ascertain how difficult they are. According to a National League for Nursing study, the national dropout rate for nursing programs was 20 percent.

How many times can you fail nursing exam? ›

Though the vast majority of candidates pass the exam the first time, those who fail are permitted to retake it after 45 days from their original test date. Candidates may retest as many as 8 times in a year. Candidates must pass NCLEX within three years from when they graduated nursing school.

The first year of nursing school is hard because you're starting a new venture. Not only are you learning new information specific to your industry, but you'll also be putting that education into action. Learning facts is much different than practicing them, so stretching yourself in this new way can be demanding.

For some, nursing school may be hard to pass because pursuing your nursing degree involves studying complex nursing topics for exams, completing assignments, preparing for skills and simulation labs, and participating in clinical rotations.

It is said that up to 90% of what you do on the job after graduation was not learned while in nursing school. I'm not convinced the learning curve is that high, but there is a lot of on-the-job training required. Nursing is a complex profession.

Homework and Assignments

As a nursing student, you'll have a lot on your daily schedule. You may be busy with lectures, labs, assignments and projects. Nursing students can expect many hours of reading, independent case studies and presentations during their time at school.

Memorization is a major component of nursing school, but there's much more to a nursing education than remembering facts. While you'll definitely need to recall a wide range of information at the drop of a hat, memorization will only take you so far.

The national pass rate for the NCLEX-RN ranges around 85%. So does this mean that nursing school is easy? Nope. In fact, nursing school has to be challenging because life as a nurse is challenging (but rewarding).

Being a nurse is one of the most challenging jobs someone could do. It's physically and mentally demanding at times. However, at the end of the day, you feel amazing satisfaction and pride. Being able to help those in need for a living is unlike any other profession."

The average nursing student is 25 or younger, but that doesn't mean there aren't other nursing students who are older, too. You'll also find that nursing school is physically demanding. You'll spend 30 to 40 hours a week doing clinical rotations.

What is your weakest nursing skill? ›

Examples of common nursing weaknesses our experts say they hear include: Paying too much attention to detail. Wanting to do everything at once. Spending too long on paperwork.

The fastest way to become an RN is through an RN diploma program, which can be completed in as little as a year. While completing this program does not lead to a degree, it does make the individual eligible to take the NCLEX and earn their RN license.

Spending too much time on paperwork. Paying too much attention to detail. Attempting to complete too many tasks at once. A lack of clinical experience, which may apply to recent graduates or new nurses.

However, don't take it for granted that nursing school will be much easier than medical school, especially in an accelerated format. Both offer a unique set of challenges and demand the utmost in student commitment and work rate.

Nursing in the "real world" generally requires very basic math skills, but almost all programs require at least one college-level math class — usually algebra. Some nursing schools may require a basic statistics course as well, so if you know what schools you're applying to, be sure to check for this requirement.

One of the shortest certification programs is the certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program. Some CNA programs last as little as 12 to 18 weeks. Others may offer up to one year of training. The requirements of your state and the program you attend can affect the specific length of attendance.

Introverts can make excellent nurse leaders because they excel at mentoring and empowering others. There are other reasons why introverts can be amazing nurses. They have strong listening and observation skills which often translates into rewarding relationships with others.

Nursing is an incredibly stressful career. From the moment nursing students start their education program when they retire, they face difficult situations and stressors on a daily basis. In fact, stress and burnout affect 10-70% of nurses.

All nursing students dream of graduating and passing the NCLEX. Unfortunately, more than thirteen percent of NCLEX-RN candidates fail the exam on their first attempt.

Is crying in nursing school normal? ›

In fact, it's pretty common for nursing students to cry at some point during the whole nursing school experience. Few people like to admit that they have cried because it makes them feel weak or overly sensitive.

It is normal for nursing school to cause depression issues. You are not alone. Nursing school poses a physically and mentally challenging environment. There are many resources to help manage depression in nursing students.

Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.

I would have to say being selfish, anxious, unreliable, and impatient are some signs that would indicate a person is not cut out to be a nurse. If you find yourself not being able to put others needs before your own it would be hard to deal with a patient population.

NCLEX Pass Rates

The second-attempt pass rate for domestically-educated students taking the test was 45.56%. These results demonstrate that it is a pretty difficult test. The questions are designed to test your critical thinking, knowledge of the nursing process, and assessment skills.

The main reason why nursing school is challenging is because it involves learning about complicated nursing concepts and practical skills, then applying that information into diverse patient care scenarios — going well beyond memorizing facts. While it is challenging, nursing school is not impossible.

While it is difficult to compare nursing school to other degrees, it can certainly be considered one of the harder programs. However, in the end, nursing school is definitely worth the time and effort you put into it.

Why is nursing school so hard? The top 6 challenges of earning a BSN include the rigorous curriculum, fast pace, need for multitasking, time commitment, personal sacrifices, and NCLEX preparation. However, despite these rigors, it's possible to rise up and master how to succeed in nursing school.

Becoming a Registered Nurse is a solid career choice when it comes to job security, salary potential, and fulfillment. For nurses who plan to work in California, the rewards and opportunities are even more promising. The average registered nurse salary in California is often higher than any other state!

Nursing in the "real world" generally requires very basic math skills, but almost all programs require at least one college-level math class — usually algebra. Some nursing schools may require a basic statistics course as well, so if you know what schools you're applying to, be sure to check for this requirement.

What part of nursing is the hardest? ›

In sum, the path toward becoming a doctor can take up to 13 years. In contrast, to become a Registered Nurse (RN), you can opt to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), which takes two years, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which traditionally takes four years).

Nursing school will have semesters that are easier than others. The good news is that the longer you are in nursing school, the easier it gets. The coursework may remain about the same, but it will get easier due to: The fact that you'll be used to it after a semester or two and you'll know what it takes to succeed.

Students may fail nursing school for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it's a personal reason, and other times, the individual is going through some kind of health issue.