Is nursing school hard? It does have its challenges, like complex coursework, patient care scenarios in simulation labs and real patient interactions in clinical rotations; however, your nursing instructors will help you reach your full potential, and you can lean on other cohort members for support.
Some of the best things in life only come with hard work and perseverance. Remember that as you ask yourself, “Is nursing school hard? There’s no question that nursing school is a challenge. Between the hours of studying complex nursing topics for exams and preparing for your clinical rotation schedule, many nursing professors ask students to treat nursing school like a full-time job.
Most students who have already been through Utica University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program will tell you that nursing school is hard, but all the work is worth it. After graduating in as few as 16 months and passing the nursing licensure exam, you can call yourself a registered nurse.
To give you more perspective, we gathered all the best advice from current and former Utica University ABSN students about succeeding through the toughest parts of accelerated nursing school.
Is Nursing a Hard Major Compared to Other Majors?
Nursing is considered challenging because of its demanding coursework, clinical skills development and fast-paced nature. However, every student has unique strengths. Some students might find an English major challenging, for example, while others enjoy English classes and tackle them fairly easily.
It’s helpful to have a strong foundation of science and math skills when heading into a nursing program, although no prior nursing knowledge or experience is needed. Utica University, however, establishes certain degree requirement courses for incoming nursing students. These ensure that all our ABSN students are starting with a strong foundation of science and math competencies and are prepared to succeed in the nursing program.
Nursing school vs. medical school: Find out how they compare and begin planning your career pathway.
Why Is Nursing School So Hard?
You’ll likely find some parts of the curriculum more challenging than others. For instance, there is complex course material to master and high expectations to meet. You’ll also need excellent time management skills to juggle the many demands of your time.
Ultimately, nursing school must be difficult because of the significant responsibility of registered nurses (RNs). An RN is responsible for their patient’s lives, so nursing schools need to ensure that their graduates are up to the task.
The Fast-Paced Schedule
From the volume of information you must retain to the intense schedule of experiential learning, even traditional nursing school programs, which generally take four years to complete, can seem overwhelming. Condense that amount of material into a 16-month online-based curriculum, and you will need an even more immense amount of self-motivation to stay on track.
What Students Say:
Julia, ABSN Class of December 2019: “You have to commit a lot of time to it and be dedicated. The good thing about online (coursework) is you can do your work on your own time, but you don’t have anyone holding your hand through it. You have to be dedicated to educating yourself.”
Nursing Skills and Simulation Labs
As a Utica University ABSN student, you can expect to spend about 225 hours of lab time between skills practice and simulations that mimic real-world clinical scenarios in a controlled, risk-free environment. This nursing school experience requires you to apply nursing theory coursework and skills under pressure in front of your instructors and peers and then debrief with them on your performance. While you’ll hone key nursing skills without putting patients at risk, many students say the scenarios often feel as high-stakes as real-life clinical situations.
What Students Say:
Wisdom, ABSN Class of December 2019: “In simulation labs, you treat manikins like real patients because that’s how you get the best practice. I definitely took that in stride. You also have to remember that patients’ conditions may change. Just like in a real-life clinical scenario, you can’t go into a simulation lab as a robot and accomplish a specific task; you have to be dynamic and flexible. You have to be ready for that.”
Clinical Rotations and Patient Interactions
Unlike the simulated emergency scenarios you participate in during labs, clinical rotations involve real-life patients facing real-life medical issues. This is a significant source of nerves for nursing students, especially those without experience working in healthcare. Not only are you introducing yourself to a patient, but you’re also working with a licensed preceptor or clinical instructor to devise and carry out their care plan.
Clinical rotations will keep you on your toes, as every day will be different. Although clinicals can be a challenge, you can take a sigh of relief knowing we’ll ease you into the clinical experience starting the first semester, gradually increasing the level of clinical practice. Plus, you’ll have your nursing instructor and preceptor to turn to for help.
What Students Say:
Cody, ABSN Class of December 2019: “My first clinical at the hospital was nerve-racking. Even though the simulation and lab had prepared us, I was still nervous to be working with real patients. But when we arrived, I had a great experience. My clinical instructor really made sure to get us comfortable.”
Time Management
Between studying for exams, working long clinical shifts and putting in time for skills and simulation labs, accelerated nursing school involves a delicate balancing act to achieve continued success. That sometimes leaves little time for personal and family obligations, often causing students to feel overwhelmed.
For sure, the commitment to little but nursing school for 16 months is a grind. To get through it, it’s best to remember why you’re pursuing a nursing degree and take it one day at a time.
Jill, ABSN Class of December 2017: “You have to make a commitment to do 16 months of school and focus on studying and becoming the best nurse you can be. It’s a short time period, and it goes fast. You must stay on top of your academics to succeed in the program.”
Nursing School Exams and the NCLEX
The exams you’ll take in nursing school are unlike any other tests you’ve taken in prior fields of study. The questions are rarely straightforward by design. Most multiple-choice questions on nursing school exams have several correct answers; choosing the most correct answer is up to you. This questioning style forces you to think critically, a skill you must master to become a competent, confident nurse.
Once you graduate from nursing school, you must pass the NCLEX-RN® exam. Required of all nursing school graduates, the NCLEX tests your clinical skills to determine if you have the skills and knowledge to deliver safe patient care. Most importantly, you must pass the NCLEX to receive licensure to practice as a nurse.
What Students Say:
Lester, ABSN Class of August 2017: “The NCLEX is a different type of stress and anxiety level. You can get through nursing school and still be nervous for the NCLEX. The school does a great job of preparing you. … If you can get through these tests in nursing school, you’re going to have no issues with the NCLEX.”
Nursing school can be challenging, but preparing can make it easier. Try these 11 tips on preparing for nursing school.
Tips to Make Nursing School More Manageable
Is it hard to become a nurse? It’s not the simplest endeavor in the world, but countless people have done it successfully before you, and you can do it, too.
Here are some tips that may help you:
- Schedule: Create a schedule for each week of nursing school and stick to it. Include designated time slots for study sessions, along with your classes, labs, clinical shifts and assignments.
- NCLEX prep: Start preparing for the NCLEX early, even as early as the first semester of nursing school. Nursing school will go by faster than you think, and you don’t want to head into the NCLEX unprepared. Try to answer at least a few NCLEX practice questions each day.
- Supplemental resources: You’ll have plenty of learning materials to work through as a Utica University student. However, you can also look online for additional resources like study guides and practice questions.
- Study space: Your designated work area and study space should be comfortable, well-lit and free of distractions.
- Active studying: Instead of passively rereading materials and notes, use active studying techniques. For example, quiz yourself to test your recall. If you form a study group, you and your study buddies can take turns quizzing each other.
Lastly, practice self-care as well as you can. You won’t have as much time for yourself as you might be used to, but you should try to eat well and exercise. Remember to prioritize your sleep, which is crucial for proper cognitive function and overall health.
Prepare to Succeed at Utica University
Accelerated nursing school is hard, but it’s important to remember the result: the lives you’ll change with your knowledge. Are you ready to tackle the challenge of nursing school and work toward a meaningful career you can be proud of? Utica University is here to help with exceptionally dedicated nursing instructors and Academic Success Coaches who will work with you one-on-one to help you succeed.
When you’re ready to get started, we’re here to support you. Contact an admission representative today to discuss eligibility requirements and the next steps.
