Nursing school is difficult because it teaches the complex skills nurses need to provide safe and effective care to various people. Nurses are often viewed as the eyes and ears of their patients and the care team.
Nursing school, however, is far from insurmountable. Knowing what to expect from your nursing education and understanding the possible challenges can help you better prepare for the realities of nursing school.
The National League for Nursing found that the average dropout rate for nursing programs in the U.S. is between 20% and 25%. Meanwhile, 24% of first-year students across all college programs drop out after their first year of study, which puts nursing school in line with national averages.
Learn more about nursing school, its requirements, and how to minimize difficulties.
Nursing School: The Basic Facts
Nursing school can refer to a handful of different types of nursing degrees, including:
- Associate degree in nursing (ADN)
- Master of science in nursing (MSN)
- Doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
- Ph.D. in nursing
Prospective nurses can also obtain a handful of shorter certificates, including a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate, a licensed practical nurse (LPN), or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) credential.
Different degree programs take varying amounts of time to complete. For example, ADN programs typically take two years, BSN programs take four years, MSN programs take 1-2 years, and DNP programs take 3-4 years.
Courses include instruction on how to treat patients with a litany of different maladies and complex topics like anatomy, pharmacology, and psychology. Foundational science and math courses like microbiology and statistics also are common requirements before or during nursing school. Some or even all of these classes can be challenging for many students.
Most of these degree programs also require a clinical component. During clinical experiences, nurses receive extensive, hands-on patient care experience. Clinicals may be the first time they interact with a "real" patient. And let's be honest: the sight of blood or other uncomfortable things can be just as challenging for some, if not more so, than nursing school coursework.
What Knowledge and Skills Do I Need Before Nursing School?
It takes a combination of both soft and hard skills to succeed in nursing school.
Hard skills include an aptitude or ability to learn STEM subjects, with an emphasis on those related to healthcare. You'll also need softer skills like effective communication, empathy, advocacy, and attention to detail. Perhaps the most important skills you'll need to graduate nursing school are persistence and effective time management, as the grind of earning a degree can be taxing.
Nursing school prerequisite courses vary by institution, but common examples include:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Biology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- English composition
- Lifespan growth and development
- Nutrition
- Psychology
- Statistics
You can usually complete these requirements at a community college or local university. You may also be able to earn credit during high school through dual enrollment courses.
Why Is Nursing School So Hard?
Nurses carry immense responsibility in their day-to-day roles, so it stands to reason that nursing school is challenging.
Some of the hardest parts of nursing school include demanding coursework, extensive class time, and lengthy clinical hour requirements. Due to the myriad of patients and conditions nurses may encounter daily, they must have full knowledge of various diseases, disease processes, signs and symptoms, medications and medication administration, lab tests and values, nursing theory, and policies and procedures.
That's not to mention patient interactions during clinical hours, which require adept bedside manners.
What's the bottom line? The next time you hear someone described as 'just' a nurse, remember how much education and training they've been through to practice nursing," nurses told NurseJournal.
Nursing school requires you to work hard and be well-rounded — just as you'd need to be as a nurse. Without putting students to the test, nursing students may not become capable nurses.
How to Make Nursing School Easier
Nursing school can be difficult, but there are ways to take some of the load off your shoulders.
Is Nursing School Really for You?
Nursing school isn't for everyone, and that's okay. If you find yourself continually struggling, it may be worth considering whether nursing is the right career for you.
That's not to say you should give up immediately after failing your first class. If you find yourself repeatedly hitting a mental or emotional wall with a core nursing component, it may be time to think about another career path. There are plenty of possibilities both in and out of healthcare.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing School Difficulty
