It’s helpful to learn how to survive nursing school before the program begins. Some top advice for nursing students includes asking questions when needed, practicing stress management, learning from one's mistakes, and cultivating professional relationships. In addition, practice time management and focus on understanding over memorization.
If you’re planning on switching careers to nursing, the idea of heading back to school might seem daunting. Adding to that, nursing school is known for being particularly challenging. This is especially true if you’ll be enrolling in an accelerated nursing program. The fast-paced nature of the program lets you enter the workforce sooner, but you must be prepared to work long hours.
Although nursing school isn’t easy, it’s worth it if your heart is set on pursuing a meaningful career in nursing. At Northeastern University, students enrolled in our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program are supported throughout their academic journeys as they work toward earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in as few as 16 months.
From our friendly admissions counselors to our talented faculty, we are invested in fostering our students’ success from the moment they begin the admission process. Additionally, learning how to survive nursing school can be a little easier with the following nursing school tips.
Why Is Nursing School Challenging?
Before taking a closer look at the best advice for nursing students, it’s worth considering what makes the degree program such a challenge. You must be prepared for the following:
- Fast-paced schedule: An ABSN program allows you to graduate on an expedited timeline. This is great news for those who are eager to begin their nursing career; however, you must be prepared to put in 40-hour weeks and sometimes more. You will have an intense schedule of classes, labs and clinical rotations in addition to frequent studying.
- School/life balance: Because of nursing school’s intense schedule, you may not have a perfectly balanced life for a while. You might sometimes decline invitations to social occasions and ask family and friends for help with personal responsibilities.
- Difficult coursework: Nursing school coursework can be difficult, particularly for classes like pathophysiology and pharmacology, but remember, nursing schools do not accept applicants who are not capable of tackling the coursework. You must also pass prerequisite courses before starting the program, which establishes an academic foundation for succeeding in nursing coursework.
- Hands-on learning: In addition to coursework, you’ll need to pass experiential learning components like labs and clinicals. Some nursing students might find these hands-on learning experiences difficult, as they require mastering nursing skills and interacting with patients, either real or simulated.
How hard is nursing school, really? Consider these top factors that contribute to its challenges.
How to Get Through Nursing School
Although there are many challenges associated with these programs, surviving nursing school is indeed possible. Remember that if you choose to enroll at Northeastern University, you’ll have the benefit of supportive nursing instructors with whom you can work one-on-one.
You can also learn how to survive nursing school with these top 10 nursing school tips:
1. Network and Build Relationships
One often overlooked step for surviving nursing school is to network while you’re there. Building positive relationships with your nursing instructors, advisors, and fellow members of your cohort will help you meet nursing school challenges. These are the people whom you can turn to when you need extra help with something or if you’re struggling. These connections also have the potential to support you through your future career.
During your clinical rotations, focus on building relationships with working nurses in your units. Not only can they offer feedback on your nursing skills and help you improve, but they might also be able to connect you to job opportunities later on. In addition, you might consider reaching out to nursing alumni for career guidance.
2. Master Time Management and Create a Routine
One of the best pieces of advice for nursing students involves mastering time management. You’ll be very busy for the duration of the program, so implementing time management habits early will help you stay on top of assignments and responsibilities and avoid developing burnout.
Start by setting a consistent routine. Plan your schedule in advance, designating plenty of time to complete assignments and study. While you’re studying or working on coursework, eliminate distractions as much as possible so that you can focus on your work.
3. Take Care of Your Physical and Mental Health
Maintaining your physical and mental health is essential to understanding how to get through nursing school. Nursing careers are physically and mentally demanding. You will spend most of your shift on your feet, moving from patient to patient and exercising your clinical judgment. Nurses must also be mentally resilient.
Nursing school prepares you for the challenges of a nursing career, requiring you to pay close attention to your physical and mental health. Implementing these habits into your routine will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle:
- Undergo all health screenings as recommended by your doctor.
- Visit your doctor promptly if you notice any changes in your health.
- Eat nutritious meals and snacks, and drink plenty of water.
- Prioritize your sleep; your brain needs it to function properly.
- Try to exercise on most days of the week. It can be hard to fit in a full workout, so try high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, which are shorter but more intense.
- Set aside a little time each week to rest and relax with your favorite hobby.
- Spend some time outdoors.
- Practice stress management techniques, such as visualization and deep breathing.
- Talk to a mental health counselor if you start to feel overwhelmed.
4. Develop a Growth Mindset
You will likely experience moments when you feel incapable of mastering the material and becoming a nurse. When these occur, remember that they are not a true representation of your capabilities. It’s normal to experience imposter syndrome at times, but a growth mindset can counter it.
A growth mindset is the attitude that a person’s abilities can be acquired and developed through effort. It’s the opposite of believing that some people are simply born more talented or capable than others. People who develop a growth mindset tend to be emotionally resilient, lifelong learners who actively strive to cultivate their skills and knowledge. This is essential to surviving nursing school and building a successful career.
5. Focus on Understanding Over Memorization
You will definitely need to memorize information in nursing school, but it’s ideal to focus on developing a keen understanding of the material. A deep understanding helps inform your clinical judgment. This is critical to nursing school as well as passing the NCLEX-RN.
To help understand nursing concepts better, practice explaining them to someone without a medical background. The ability to accurately condense complex topics into simple words indicates a deeper understanding and can improve memory retention.
You could also ask yourself how a particular nursing concept applies in real life. Look for case studies of certain concepts to figure out how medical issues and nursing skills impact real-world patients.
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Remember that your primary reason for being in nursing school is to learn how to become a nurse. It’s often necessary to ask questions. Don’t hesitate to speak up when you don’t understand a concept, are struggling to master a skill, or simply need clarification. Your instructors are there to help you learn and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
7. Learn From Your Mistakes
In nursing school, you’ll complete skills and simulation labs. In skills labs, you’ll learn the fundamental nursing skills you’ll use in your career, such as inserting an IV line, drawing blood, administering injections, and placing catheters.
In simulation labs, you’ll work through patient care scenarios along with your cohort. In these labs, you will be responsible for assessing a medical manikin, identifying what’s going on and developing an appropriate nursing response.
Expect to make mistakes in both of these types of labs; that’s what they’re there for. You can make risk-free mistakes here so that you can learn from them and avoid making them in the real world with real consequences.
Learn 11 tips for studying in nursing school to help you conduct more effective study sessions.
8. Practice Stress Management Techniques
It is normal to feel stress while in nursing school. When feeling overwhelmed, try a breathing exercise to help you calm down enough to strategize. Start by taking a deep breath through your nose to a count of three, and exhaling slowly through your mouth to a count of five.
Stress management techniques, like breathing exercises, can help calm you in the moment and, when implemented as habits, stave off future stress. To fortify your surviving nursing school efforts, try practicing the following stress management techniques:
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Spending time in nature
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Guided imagery
- Mindfulness
9. Pay Close Attention to Constructive Criticism
This advice for nursing students is similar to learning from your mistakes. Throughout nursing school, your instructors, preceptors, and even peers may offer constructive criticism of your nursing skills or clinical judgment. It’s important to pay close attention, take notes and adapt as needed.
Accepting constructive criticism requires a thick skin. It’s important not to internalize feedback as a personal attack. Nursing school is a time to learn and grow, and constructive criticism is an important part of it.
10. Start Clinicals With a Professional Demeanor
Students often find clinical rotations to be the most exciting part of nursing school. Here is where you will apply what you’ve learned to working in actual healthcare settings. It’s critical to arrive at each shift with a professional demeanor and be ready to get to work.
Try the following nursing school tips to help you act professionally:
- Arrive at the facility early for each shift. Never miss a shift or be late.
- Maintain a professional appearance (e.g., scrubs, appropriate shoes, etc.).
- Have a positive attitude.
- Be the first to volunteer for a task.
- Work collaboratively with everyone in the unit.
- Accept that you don’t know everything about nursing. Be willing to learn and keep an open mindset.
- Respect patients’ privacy.
- Avoid gossiping.
Learn how to apply for nursing school in five easy steps.
How Northeastern Can Help You Become a Practice-Ready Nurse
Northeastern University is excited to help you begin a rewarding career in nursing. Our ABSN curriculum prepares you to graduate ready to sit for the NCLEX-RN in as few as 16 months. Plus, you can choose from three start dates per year.
With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, our ABSN program is designed for you to thrive. Contact an admissions counselor today to get started.
