It is not difficult to become a nurse. Yes. It will be worthwhile. Definitely. It’s normal for you to be nervous about going to school if you are thinking of getting an associate or bachelors in nursing. Nursing is a more demanding career than other ones. It’s also one of the most rewarding careers you can pursue.
Nursing school can be difficult. Grad school can be challenging. But what is the real challenge?
Is it hard to get into nursing school?
This question is not easy to answer. Each nursing program has its own admissions requirements. Your particular circumstances and background might make you more appealing to certain schools than others. There are many levels of nursing, and there are hundreds of graduate and undergraduate nursing programs in the country. If you don’t get accepted to one school, consider researching other options.
These factors will ultimately determine your chances of getting into nursing school or graduate school.
Competiton: Although there is a high demand for nurses, the competition to get into nursing programs is fierce. Over 75,000 qualified applicants were rejected from graduate and undergraduate nursing programs in 2018 due to a shortage of faculty and classroom space.
Prerequisites: Because of the competition, you will have a better chance of being accepted to school if you complete as many prerequisites as possible before you apply. You can start researching the prerequisites that you will need to be successful.
Experience: Your application will be aided by any experience in the field of health care. Volunteering at a hospital or clinic is a good option if you don’t yet have any clinical experience.
How hard is it to get into nursing school?
It should not be easy to get into nursing school. Good programs prepare you for patient care with a rigorous and immersive approach. There are deadlines to meet, lab skills that must be mastered, and difficult exams to pass. There will be times when you feel exhausted, burnt out, or defeated. Smart time management is essential.
You can expect to work hard if you plan to go to graduate school to obtain your Master of Science (MSN), or Doctor of Nursing Practice. Because you will be learning more advanced material, graduate coursework can be quite challenging. The school you choose and your work history and education will determine the difficulty level. It also depends upon the flexibility of the BSN program. You may be able to speed up your degree completion time by taking self-paced courses. You may also be able take a lighter course load in order to better balance work and personal responsibilities.
Five Things You Need to Know About Nursing School
1. You will learn a lot.
Nursing programs require a high level of credit. Many nursing students take challenging courses in the same term to accelerate their degree. This could lead to multiple critical exams being held on the same day, or even every week. You should be fine as long as your preparation and study are thorough. You can search the Internet for practice tests, and you can reach out to other classmates to create study groups online.
2. You’ll need good time management skills.
You will need to create a schedule for your grad school and full-time work as a BSN-level nursing nurse. Look for flexible scheduling options from your employer. Consider an online BSN program. This will allow you to study anywhere and anytime, including in your local cafe or library. You can reduce stress by planning your study and work schedule in advance.
3. You will be tested.
It’s clear that grad school and nursing school can be challenging. You will be forced to step out of your comfort zone. Sometimes you may feel exhausted and want to quit. It’s okay to feel discouraged and want to give up. Keep your focus and positive attitude.
4. You will have flexibility in your job.
Nurses have a greater degree of flexibility because of the increasing demand for them. They can also work as nurses who travel. They can travel anywhere in the world, or work locally. You can choose from many specialty areas. Many nurses are able to switch roles multiple times. Other than patient care, there are other options. These include nurse educators, nurse informaticists, nurse executives, family nurses practitioners, and nurse entrepreneurs. With more experience and a higher degree, nurses may be more flexible in setting their own work hours and choosing their place of residence.
5. There will be opportunities to progress.
Whether you’re pursuing your RN, BSN or graduate nursing degree, increasing your nursing credentials will open doors to new opportunities for career advancement. You will be exposed to new opportunities that you didn’t know existed. You’ll be able to network with colleagues in other fields and faculty, and you will also have the opportunity to collaborate with them. This will increase your knowledge and expand your reach. A professional association is another option.
Why Nursing School is Worth It
Nursing graduates have the satisfaction of knowing that they will make an impact on the lives of others. You have a great chance of getting a job right out of college. The number of RN jobs in the United States is expected to increase by 12% between 2018 and 2028.
Nursing students can choose to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree program. They will be prepared for many roles in direct and indirect patient care across a variety of practice areas. From a chief nurse officer (CNO), to a nurse administrator, you can do anything. There are many nursing career options.
Nursing school can be difficult. It is not easy to succeed in nursing school. However, it is possible to remain positive, be organized, and give your all.
University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences offers a Master of Science degree in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice(DNP) degree and Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates for registered nurses. Online programs are available, as well as optional immersions* on campus and an annual interprofessional travel abroad. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Nurse Teacher**, Nurse Informaticist and Nurse Executive are some of the roles. There are many options for the MSN to speed up your degree completion. You can complete your coursework whenever and wherever you like, and earn an advanced nursing degree while maintaining balance in your life and work.
*FNP Track includes two clinical intensives that must be completed in order to complete the curriculum.
**Nurse Educator specialty not available for DNP program.
