Is it hard to become a nurse? Yes. Will it be worth the effort? It will be.
If you’re thinking about getting an associate degree or bachelor’s in nursing—or if you’re a working registered nurse (RN) who’s contemplating earning your graduate degree—it’s normal to wonder, “Is nursing school hard?”. Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it’s one of the most rewarding jobs.
How hard is nursing school? Truthfully, it isn’t easy—and it’s not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well. But how hard is it to become a nurse? Let’s discuss.
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Is Nursing the Hardest Degree to Earn?
There is no simple answer to this question. Every nursing program has different admissions requirements, and your particular situation and background may make you more attractive to some schools than others.
The good news is that there are several levels of nursing and hundreds of nursing schools and graduate nursing programs across the country, so if you don’t get accepted by one, research others.
Ultimately, your ability to get into nursing school or grad school will come down to these factors:
- Competition: Even though the demand for nurses is high, the competition for seats in nursing programs is even more intense. In 2022, numerous qualified students faced rejection from four-year colleges and universities. Schools of nursing nationwide declined a total of 78,191 qualified applications (not applicants).1
- Prerequisites: Given the competition, the more prerequisites you complete before applying to school, the greater your chances are of being accepted. Research which prerequisites you need so you can get ahead of the game.
- Experience: Any experience you have in the healthcare field will help your application. If you don’t have clinical experience, consider volunteering at a clinic or hospital.
How Hard Is Nursing School?
Nursing school should be hard. Good programs take a rigorous, immersive approach to preparing you for patient care.
Why is nursing school so hard? How hard is nursing school compared to other types of programs?
With pressing deadlines, lab skills to master, and challenging exams, you may have moments of feeling exhausted, burned out, or defeated. Be smart with the way you manage your time.
Is Nursing School Harder When You’re Pursuing a Graduate Degree?
If you are thinking of going to graduate school to earn your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), expect to put in the work.
Graduate coursework can be very challenging because you are learning more advanced material. However, the difficulty level will depend on the school and how well your education and work experience have prepared you.
How hard is nursing school considering these circumstances? It depends on the program’s flexibility. Some Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs have self-paced options that allow you to accelerate your time to degree completion by proving your competency in areas of knowledge. Or, you may be able to take a lighter course load to better balance your work and life responsibilities.
Is Nursing School Hard? Five Things to Expect Before You Enroll
Why is nursing school hard? The challenge often stems from the intense preparation required for this critical profession.
Here are five things you should expect before enrolling that highlight the demands and rewards of nursing school:
1. You’ll study a lot.
Nursing programs have a demanding credit load, and many nursing students stack challenging courses during the same term in order to fast-track their degrees. That could mean multiple critical exams on the same day or week. However, as long as you take the time to study and prepare, you should be okay. Search for practice tests and connect with classmates to form study groups online.
2. You’ll need strong time management skills.
If, for example, you will be attending grad school while working full-time as a BSN-level nurse, craft a schedule that creates balance. Find an employer who offers flexible scheduling. Perhaps consider an online BSN program so you can study anytime and anywhere, such as from your favorite café or library. Planning out your work and study schedule ahead of time will help reduce stress.
3. You’ll be challenged.
Is nursing school hard? There’s no doubt that nursing school and graduate school are challenging. You’ll be pushed out of your comfort zone. There may be times when you feel burned out and want to give up. That’s normal and okay. Remember to stay positive and focused.
4. You’ll have job flexibility.
Because of the increasingly high demand for nurses in this country, nurses enjoy a level of flexibility in their careers. They can work as traveling nurses. They can work locally or virtually anywhere. They can choose from dozens of specialty areas.
Some nurses choose to change their role specialties multiple times. Aside from patient care roles, options include working as a nurse educator*, nurse executive, family nurse practitioner or nurse entrepreneur. Nurses with more experience and an advanced degree may have more flexibility in setting their work hours and choosing their location.
5. You’ll have opportunities to advance.
Whether you are earning your RN, a BSN, a graduate nursing degree or a post-graduate nursing certificate, improving your credentials will open up new doors for nursing career advancement. It will also expose you to opportunities you hadn’t considered. You will network and collaborate with faculty and peers in other specialties, expanding your connections and possibilities. Joining a professional association can help as well.
Is Nursing School Worth It?
Graduates of nursing programs know they will make a difference in the lives of others. They also have an excellent chance of finding employment right out of college. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the number of jobs for RNs will grow 6% from 2023 to 2033.2
Master’s and doctoral degree programs prepare nursing students for direct and indirect patient care roles across various practice areas. You can be anything from a chief nursing officer (CNO) to a nurse administrator. The nursing career opportunities are extensive and exciting.
Is nursing school hard? Yes. Success is possible if you have a positive attitude, stay organized and commit to the career 100 percent.
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, as well as Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates designed for a working registered nurse. Our programs are offered online, with optional on-campus immersions**. Role specialties include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Educator*, and Nurse Executive. The MSN has several options to accelerate your time to degree completion. Complete coursework when and where you want—and earn your advanced nursing degree while keeping your work and life in balance.
*Call for availability.
**The FNP track includes one required hands-on clinical intensive as part of the curriculum.
Sources
- American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “New Data Show Enrollment Declines in Schools of Nursing, Raising Concerns About the Nation’s Nursing Workforce,” AACN, May 2, 2023, https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/new-data-show-enrollment-declines-in-schools-of-nursing-raising-concerns-about-the-nations-nursing-workforce.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Registered Nurses,” BLS, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/OOH/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.
