There are nine main aspects that contribute to the difficulty of nursing school, including the requirements of having to learn difficult topics at a very limited time, requiring dedication, and requiring an in-depth understanding. Students in nursing programs are expected to multitask, adapt to new clinical environments, study for the NCLEX, and work with limited free time.
What challenges do you face in nursing school? For starters, nurses save lives. If a member of your family needed the assistance of a nurse, it’s likely that you would want a trained professional to provide that assistance to your family member or friend.
Therefore, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is not an easy task; however, it is a goal that can be accomplished, and it can be done so in as little as 16 months.
The already difficult nature of nursing school is made even more so by the fact that some programs accelerate the learning process. However, if they are willing to commit themselves and put in the necessary effort, our students can and do achieve their goals.
As you embark on the rewarding career path that leads to becoming a nurse, it is important that you have a clear understanding of what lies ahead of you in terms of the challenges that you will face throughout nursing school.
Is Nursing School Hard?
If you have done any research into the process of getting into nursing school, you may already be aware that nursing is a highly competitive field to work in. This is true in most cases, and there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this.
It stands to reason that nursing school would be a challenging endeavor given that you would be responsible for the lives and well-being of your patients once you attained the position of a nurse. This begins with the application process that must be completed in order to enroll in a reputable nursing program.
Read also: How to get into Nursing School – Step-by-step Procedures
The difficulty of gaining admission to a specific nursing school will, of course, vary depending on where you apply and the academic requirements of the school to which you are applying. Aspiring nurses, however, are typically required to clear a number of hurdles before enrolling in nursing school.
These may include achieving a certain grade point average (GPA) threshold or completing prerequisite classes with a minimum grade requirement. Getting into nursing school requires a number of steps to be completed, one of which is passing the entrance exam. In addition, some schools require prospective students to write personal statements and take entrance exams.
Let’s talk about the things you’ll need to do in order to get into the Misericordia ABSN program, as well as the things you won’t need to do in order to get into the program so that you have a better idea of what to anticipate when it comes to getting into nursing school.
1. Nursing School Topics Are Hard
To begin, getting a nursing education is challenging. In a hybrid accelerated BSN programs such as the one that Felician offers, the curriculum consists of four semesters of education that are completed through rigorous online courses as well as in-person labs and clinical rotations. In nursing school, students are expected to learn a variety of topics, including but not limited to the following:
- health ethics,
- nursing research,
- patient assessment and care,
- pharmacology,
- physiology,
- public health, and more.
These ideas are not at all simple to grasp. Simply put, it takes a lot of time and energy to become proficient in these difficult subject areas, which is one of the primary reasons why nursing school is so challenging. Because nurses carry a significant amount of responsibility, it is essential for them to have a solid foundation of knowledge regarding healthcare.
2. A Fast School Timetable Schedule
The length of an accelerated program is both the appeal and the difficulty of taking part in it. You can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree much more quickly through accelerated nursing programs than you could through a conventional program.
Students at Felician University can earn their BSN in significantly less time than it would take them to complete a conventional four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing by enrolling in the hybrid accelerated nursing program that lasts for 16 months.
Students at a traditional nursing school spend the first two years of their education taking nursing-intensive classes. Students who have already earned their bachelor’s degree or have earned 60 college credits can benefit greatly from accelerated BSN programs because they can complete their BSN in a shorter amount of time.
Do you think you have what it takes to be accepted into a fast-track nursing program? Find out how difficult it is to get into nursing school and what is involved in the application process by reading this article.
On the other hand, despite the reduction in the available time, the pace remains the same. That denotes the accelerated program runs at a rapid pace. In order for you to stay ahead of the material, you will need to learn how to make the most of your time and study in an effective manner.
It is natural for students to experience feelings of being overwhelmed in the beginning as they adjust to the difficulty and demands that come with learning at such a rapid pace. Just keep in mind to keep to your study schedule and to start asking questions as soon as possible. The coursework in nursing school is cumulative, so it is essential to stay one step ahead.
3. It Takes A Substantial Amount Of Time
One of the factors that contribute to how challenging nursing school is the mental fortitude that is required to maintain dedication and self-control. You are starting out on a rewarding path that is full of potential when you enroll in nursing school; however, in order to achieve your objectives, you will need to put in a lot of hard work.
Even though it can be difficult to maintain focus and dedication to a study plan on a daily basis, the fact that accelerated nursing programs, such as the one we offer here at Felician, allow you to graduate in as little as 16 months is one of the many benefits of enrolling in one of these programs. This indicates that the time demands are temporary, and before you know it, you’ll be prepared to launch into a nursing career that will make a difference in people’s lives.
4. You Won’t Have Much Spare Time For Your Own Activities
One of the primary contributors to the difficulty of nursing school is the number of personal concessions that are required. You should plan to devote more than 40 hours per week to classes and studying while you are enrolled in an ABSN program. In addition, you should anticipate having to devote time to studying in the evenings and on the weekends. This indicates that you won’t have nearly as much time as you’d like for your own personal pursuits.
Nursing school should be your top priority, even though it is essential to strike a healthy balance between the time you spend studying and the time you spend on your personal life. You will have to prioritize nursing school over participating in social activities, which is something that many nursing students find difficult to do. You will, however, be making an investment in your future career if you make school a priority and put in the effort.
5. It Needs You To Understand It Rather Than Memorize It
Why is it such a challenge to prepare for nursing school? In comparison to the student’s previous coursework in college, nursing school frequently presents new challenges to the students. The breadth and depth of comprehension that is expected of nursing students is a major contributor to this phenomenon.
In nursing school, there is less of an emphasis on the memorization of facts and more of an emphasis on the synthesis of concepts. For instance, rather than simply memorizing the term “renal failure,” you’ll need to have a solid understanding of the function of the kidneys and how they interact with the rest of the body.
The process of getting an understanding of how the human body works is a complex one that requires a significant amount of time and effort. Some of the more difficult topics may require you to study them in a variety of different ways, such as drawing flowcharts, responding to practice questions, writing an outline, making flashcards, and watching supplemental videos.
Read also: Can a Nurse Practitioner Prescribe Medication
The work required to comprehend the material in nursing is laborious but essential. This is due to the fact that nurses are required to have an understanding of the rationale behind administering a particular medication to a patient, as well as the symptoms that should alert them to potential danger and the most effective means of catering to the patient’s specific medical requirements.
Why is education for nursing professionals so crucial? Gain an understanding of the influence that education can have on the care that is provided to patients as well as on your future career as a nurse.
Summary
Although it is difficult to compare nursing school to other types of degree programs, it is safe to say that it is one of the more challenging programs.
On the other hand, despite the time and energy commitment it requires, nursing school will undoubtedly prove to be worthwhile in the long run.
Recommended read: How to Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)
