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What is Nursing School Like? Study Tips to Help You Succeed

5 min read • April, 28 2023

Welcome to nursing school! You'll be challenged each day when you study nursing, but the result is a job in a rewarding profession. If you're feeling anxious, you're not alone. Most new students worry about how to prepare for nursing school. Read on for nursing school tips and a primer on how to survive nursing school.

What Is Nursing School?

Depending on your professional goals, a nursing school may entail a diploma program or an , bachelor's, or graduate-level degree. Whatever course you take, your education will be rigorous, but success is achievable if you come in knowing what to expect in nursing school.

Assignments for nursing school may include care plans, case studies, research projects, group presentations, and clinical (and plenty of textbook reading, of course). The nursing curriculum includes:

• Didactic coursework presented online or in-person
• Laboratory skills, including simulations of skills performed in clinical
• Hands-on clinical care at a hospital, nursing home, or other health care facility

Nursing school isn't meant to be a passive experience. Success requires a different learning mindset. The content learned in the classroom will be applied later in the laboratory and clinical settings. Rather than memorizing information, you must ensure that you understand the content. Then you use critical thinking skills to implement these skills when caring for patients and to pass the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) .

Learn more about  nursing clinicals and what students should expect .

How to Prepare for Nursing School

Most nursing programs offer an orientation to review the curriculum and expectations. You'll have a different orientation once you begin the program's clinical portion.

The nursing curriculum is firmly grounded in science and math courses. When preparing for nursing school, think about your previous or existing schoolwork in those areas and decide if you'll benefit from additional tutoring. Many nursing schools require a specific grade or grade point average before acceptance. Some nursing programs may also require pre-nursing courses or an entrance exam.

What Classes Do You Take in Nursing School?

In addition to supporting courses, the most common classes taken in nursing school include:

• Fundamentals
• Pharmacology
• Adult Health
• Women's Health
• Mental Health
• Nursing Research
• Health Assessment
• Public Health

9 Tips for How to Be a Better Nursing Student

• Determine your learning style.  You may identify with one or several of the four primary learning types (visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic). For example, one nursing student may learn better by reading textbook content and reviewing lecture notes, whereas another may absorb information by hearing the lecture. To confirm your learning style, complete a  Vark questionnaire
• Schedule study time like it's a job.  Setting regular study sessions will promote retention of content versus cramming the night before an exam. Remember that memorization isn't the key to success in nursing. Instead, focus on how you'll implement the content in nursing practice. Make it a point to review notes after each lecture while the content is fresh.
• Join a study group.  A study group can help you understand class content since other students may have more comprehensive notes or an easier way to remember information. Studying with your nursing peers may provide a support system to keep you accountable and stay motivated.
• Hire a nursing tutor.  If you're struggling in one specific nursing class, consider hiring someone to work with you one-on-one to help you understand the content. Be sure to ask for help. Even once you've completed a class, each nursing course builds upon the other, so the content may come up later or on the NCLEX.
• Take breaks . Most people can only look at the same content for so long before they lose focus. Practice self-care and take breaks. Knowing how to get through nursing school is about creating a balance between your studies and your personal life. Develop good self-care habits now to  prevent burnout  later.
• Try different study formats to see what works best for you.  Textbook reading and reviewing lecture notes are a foundation, but don't stop there. Make study guides, learn mnemonics, rewrite lecture notes, make flashcards, and watch informational videos. Once you've created a system, save and organize this information so you can refer to it later when  studying for the NCLEX .
• Take practice NCLEX tests . NCLEX-style questions require critical thinking. Many nursing exams use these types of questions to help you prepare for the licensing exam. Become familiar with this style of questions and take  practice tests  to hone your critical thinking skills.
• Get to know your nursing instructors . Classes provide time to ask questions, take additional notes on the nursing content, and build relationships with peers and nursing instructors. Take advantage of this access to knowledge and expertise. Ask questions, seek advice on the NCLEX, and learn from others' experiences as nurses. Remember that your nursing professor may also be a resource for future internships and letters of recommendation.
• Review the Code of Ethics for Nurses.  The NCLEX contains a section on ethical practice for nurses. The  Code of Ethics for Nurses  was developed by ANA and is available for students to view.

Final Thoughts

Time management is an essential skill for nursing students. A good study habit for nursing students is to set S.M.A.R.T. goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) that help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. These may include your study time and duration, test score goals, or plans to  join a nursing organization.

These tips will help set yourself up for success as you study nursing and pass nursing school. As the largest entity in health care and the most trusted profession, nursing programs aim to prepare nurses to be their very best. Expect to be challenged, but keep in mind the vast rewards nursing school delivers.  

Find  additional resources for nursing students  and discover the benefits of being an ANA Student Subscriber.

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28 Expert Tips to Successfully Pass Nursing School – (By a Nurse)

Nursing is a gratifying career. You get to deliver care to patients across their lifespan—interacting with the patient and their family, leaving a lasting impact on their life. A nurse's settings are endless, leading to multiple opportunities. Plus, you can easily advance your career, leading to even more opportunities for the nurse. Truthfully, the options are endless. But, one thing that keeps many people from pursuing a career in nursing is nursing school—because they have heard it is hard. Are you interested in becoming a nurse but wondering how to pass nursing school? Below, you will find 28 expert tips to successfully pass nursing school.

What Does Passing Nursing School Exactly Mean?

Is nursing school hard to pass, 6 common reasons why students fail to pass nursing school, 1. nursing is not their passion:, 2. poor time management:, 3. lack of studying or not committing enough time to study:, 4. stress and lack of support:, 5. not asking for help early on:, 6. fall behind in coursework:, how to pass nursing school, 1. time management, 2. get organized, 3. use mnemonics, 4. study everyday, 5. complete practice questions, 6. participate in a study group, 7. focus on course objectives when studying, 8. know your learning style, 9. do not be afraid to use outside learning resources, 10. give yourself a break, 11. find activities to do outside of school, 12. breathe, 13. good sleep habits, 14. eat a well-balanced diet, 15. exercise daily, 16. ask questions, 17. schedule meetings with your instructor, especially if struggling with a specific course or content, 18. do not cram for exams, 19. complete the pre-class prep, 20. maximize clinical experiences, 21. positive attitude, 22. set realistic goals, 23. have a good support system, 24. take 5 minutes after class to review information learned, 25. get to know your instructors, 26. review your course exams, 27. do not fall behind, 28. do not give up, my final thoughts, frequently asked questions answered by our expert, 1. how many hours a day should i study for nursing school, 2. how to pass my first semester of nursing school, 3. how to pass my last semester of nursing school, 4. how to pass my clinical in nursing school, 5. can i pass the nclex-rn without nursing school, 6. what if i pass nursing school but fail nclex-rn, 7. do my nursing school grades really matter.

The A to Z Guide to Starting Nursing School

NurseJournal.org is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.

Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:

• Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
• Provide specific, corrective feedback.
• Identify critical information that writers may have missed.

Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for NurseJournal.org as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.

Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.

How to Prepare for Nursing School

How to select a nursing school, how to apply to nursing school, how to pay for nursing school.

• What to Expect

Are you ready to earn your online nursing degree?

Going to nursing school is your first step in becoming a professional nurse. Discover what you need to know about applying and getting into nursing school, how to pay for it, and what to expect in this guide. Find out how to prepare for nursing school, including nursing school application requirements, and selecting a nursing school that’s right for you.

When applying to nursing school, there are many things to keep in mind. You want to choose the right nursing program so you can receive the education you need to start your career in a positive way. When considering applying to nursing school, ask these questions:

If you’re currently in high school , good for you for wanting to get a head start on your nursing career ! There are some things you can do now, including taking AP classes and taking advantage of dual enrollment if your school offers it. Other options are finding healthcare-related volunteer or internship opportunities and enrolling in courses in basic first aid and life support.Shadowing a nurse or other healthcare professional can help you better understand what a nursing career might be like. You can also get involved in the HOSA-Future Health Professionals to learn leadership skills. You also want to do as well as possible on the SAT . These strategies can help strengthen your nursing school application and resume.

Not everyone starts nursing school straight out of high school. Some college students will first earn a degree in science or another major before realizing that nursing most interests them. Other students will switch to nursing while part way through another program. Still, others may have an entirely different career (or several careers) before applying to nursing school in their 20s-40s and beyond.

Internships and Volunteer Opportunities for High School and Pre-Nursing Students

Discover nursing internships and volunteer opportunities for high school and pre-nursing students in our state-by-state guide

Ask a Nurse: What Can I Do as a High Schooler to Get a Head Start On Becoming a Registered Nurse?

High school students can take these steps to improve their chances of admission into a nursing program and get a head start on their education.

10 Ways High School Students Can Prepare for a Nursing Career

Check out 10 ways that a high school student can prepare for a nursing career of their dreams.

Most colleges and universities require students to submit SAT scores as part of their general application materials. SAT scores help a school compare individual students to their larger pool of applicants. After a student receives general admission into a school, some bachelor’s programs may also require students to submit their general SAT scores or SAT …

How to Choose a Nursing School

Choosing a nursing school is the first step in becoming a nurse. There are many things to consider, including how long a program lasts, the school’s accreditation, and the type of degree that’s offered. You must also decide whether to attend a technical school or college and the type of nursing role you want to pursue after graduating. After graduating, you need to pass the NCLEX and become licensed.

Knowing whether you want to begin your nursing journey with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is a major decision.

Since it usually takes two years to complete, an ADN is the fastest path to becoming a professional nurse. Tuition at community colleges can be more affordable than 4-year universities. If you have an ADN, then you can then enroll in an RN-to-BSN bridge program while working as a nurse and building your career. There are online and in-person programs , and each option has its benefits and challenges.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) offers strong reasons for pursuing a BSN, including the fact that many studies and organizations —including the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing report —recommend that more nurses be prepared with a BSN.

Because of this, many hospitals now only hire nurses with a BSN, and these programs normally take four years to complete. However, if you already have an ADN, then it will take you less time. Depending on the nursing role that interests you, a BSN may be the best avenue to get there.

For those with a bachelor’s degree in another field, an accelerated bachelor’s in nursing (ABSN) usually allows you to transfer many credits towards the program. ABSN programs take anywhere from 11-18 months to complete.

Another factor to consider when choosing a nursing school program is the schools’ accreditation . The accreditation process involves an independent peer review by an organization with the authority to determine if a school meets educational standards.

Financial aid organizations want to know that a program prepares students for success in the field. Accreditation also signals to applicants and employers that the school offers a solid education. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredit nursing programs.

If you don’t attend an accredited school, you may not be able to sit for the NCLEX exam . An education from a non-accredited school may make it difficult or impossible to transfer your license to another state, according to this NCSBN map . Some employers may not hire you if you didn’t go to an accredited school.

How to Choose a Nursing Program

What Is Accreditation and Why Is It Important?

Types of Nursing Degrees and Levels

How Long Is Nursing School? Breakdown by Degree and Type of Nurse

In-Person vs. Online Nursing Programs: Which Is Right for Me?

Ask a Nurse: College vs. Technical School?

Once you’ve chosen a nursing school (or several schools) to apply to, it’s time to begin the application process . Nursing school requirements can vary, so be sure to follow the rules. The NursingCAS (Centralized Application Service for Nursing) allows you to apply to multiple schools with one universal application and one set of transcripts.

Volunteer experience (e.g., hospice volunteer or mission trip) and internships can strengthen your application, especially if these activities are related to healthcare. Prior work experience in a related area can also be helpful (e.g., EMT, paramedic, home health aide, certified nurses aide).

Admissions counselors can help you prepare your application. A nursing school application has many moving parts, so make sure you know each school’s requirements well. If you’re returning to school after working in another career, contact the school’s admissions office to find out which credits will transfer.

Common Prerequisites

Find out the timeline for applying to nursing school . Each program will have different deadlines. First, assess what prerequisites are required and make sure to complete them with the best grades possible since your GPA will count. Common prerequisites include:

Common Interview Questions

Next, you may need to take a nursing school entrance exam like the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) exam, or National League for Nursing Pre-Admission exam (NLN-PAX). After receiving your application, some schools may require you to sit for a nursing program interview . Common questions might include:

Also be prepared if the schools you’ve chosen require references, a resume, letters of recommendation, or a personal essay.

What Are the Prerequisites for Nursing School?

This guide explores common nursing school prerequisites. Discover what classes and requirements you need before you apply.

Nursing School Application Checklist and Deadlines

Applying to nursing school is the first step toward a rewarding career. Get all the information you need about the process in this detailed guide.

Applying to Nursing School

Are you considering a nursing career or wondering how to apply to nursing school? Now is a great time to get started. Read this guide to learn how to apply to nursing school and choose a program that suits your professional interests.

Application & Transfer Guide for Undergrads

Applying for college is a complex process. These are some of the most important issues to consider when choosing a program that best meets your goals.

Your Guide to Nursing Entrance Exams

Many nursing programs require prospective students to take an exam. There are various nursing entrance exams, including the PAX, TEAS, HESI, Kaplan, and PSB.

Preparing For Your Nursing Program Interview

Most people experience anxiety or nervousness before an important interview, but we hope the following tips and advice from nursing professionals can help you feel confident and prepared for the process.

Getting into the nursing school of your choice is probably the first thing on your mind. But after getting accepted and celebrating, the next big question is how to pay for it.

Starting nursing school is exciting, and there are many options to help you cover the cost of attending, including loans, grants, and scholarship. After all, once you become an RN, you can earn a higher salary, which will help you pay back any nursing school loans.

The cost of nursing school varies widely, depending on whether it’s a public or private university and other factors. Private universities might charge up to $40,000 for an ADN program, whereas a public university ADN education might range from $6,000-$20,000. BSN programs at private universities could cost $80,000 to $100,000, and BSN from a public university might run you $40,000.

There are numerous scholarships and grants for nursing students — the more you apply to, the better. Some scholarships may seem low, but every dollar helps when you’re putting together the resources to afford your nursing education. The AACN offers financial aid resources for nursing students, including links to scholarship search engines.

If you’re wondering if a nursing degree is worth it , consider the fact that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the annual median salary for registered nurses is $77,600. (Note that the BLS does not differentiate between nurses with an ADN or a BSN.)

The BLS projects 9% job growth for RNs from 2020-2030, which is as fast as average. With an ongoing nurse shortage, nursing graduates should continue to find demand in a large job market. If you have your sights on becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) in the future, the BLS projects 45% job growth through 2030, and reports a 2021 average annual salary of $118,040.

Once you’re working as a nurse, you can refinance your loans and save money by consolidating loans, decreasing your monthly payments, and getting a better interest rate.If you’re worried that money may be tight while you’re in school, there are plenty of budgeting calculators and other resources that can help reduce stress around money so you focus your energy on school. Student discounts, cheaper textbooks, healthy spending habits, and other tips can make a big difference if you’re disciplined about your finances.

Nursing Scholarships and Grants

Nurses deserve a break. These scholarships and grants offer financial awards to nursing students.

How Much Does Nursing School Cost?

How much does nursing school cost? Nursing school tuition depends on many factors, such as degree level and location. Learn more about nursing school expenses.

Why is Nursing School So Expensive?

Make no mistake: nursing school comes at a high cost. Find out why and get tips on how to maximize your nursing school education from our healthcare experts.

Paying for Your Nursing Degree

Are you curious about how to tackle your nursing school tuition? Check out our guide to discover ways to pay for your nursing education.

Is Nursing School Worth It?

Before choosing the nursing career path, you should carefully consider the cost of tuition, potential salary figures, and return on investment. On this page, we ask nursing professionals about these concerns.

Refinancing Nursing School Loans: Everything You Need to Know

Student loan refinancing has become more popular today in response to the rising cost of financing a nursing education. There are many options for nursing school graduates to refinance federal subsidized and unsubsidized student loans and private student loans. Refinancing involves taking out a new loan with new terms; the new lender pays off the …

Budgeting for Nursing School

This guide looks at budgeting for nursing students. Keep reading for tips to reduce costs, free budgeting tools, and links to useful personal management resources.

What to Expect in Nursing School

Once you’re accepted to nursing school and you’ve started your nursing education, you’ll have your hands full. There is plenty to get used to, a lot to learn, and many new experiences to take in, including clinical assignments with real patients.

In your first year of nursing school, you can expect to purchase a number of supplies, including:

Common Nursing Courses

You can expect clinical experiences to begin during your first or second semester after learning nursing fundamentals and attending “skills labs” that cover clinical hands-on skills. Common nursing courses include, but are not limited to:

Best Practices and Advice

Best practices and advice from former nursing students might include:

Some of the challenges of nursing school are the many hours of studying required to learn the enormous body of knowledge that makes up the profession. It can feel overwhelming, but every nursing student learns along the way that you just can’t absorb or know everything.

The first time you put on your scrubs and show up to a clinical assignment or practicum with your shiny new stethoscope, you’ll probably feel very new and awkward. Trying to learn new skills may make you feel like you have ten thumbs. If you don’t have previous experience interacting with patients and their loved ones (e.g., as nurses aides or EMTs) it will take time to find your “voice” and bedside style as a nurse.

As a nursing student, you may see, smell, touch, and hear things that are unfamiliar and unpleasant, and even some things that make you feel queasy. There’s a lot to get used to if you’ve never spent time in a hospital or nursing home before. The reality of what it’s like to be a nurse may be somewhat different than what you imagined (or saw on TV).

Make no mistake that nursing school can be very difficult, and there will be times when you’re frustrated, angry, confused, and exhausted. However, once you find your rhythm, feel more comfortable in your own skin, and gain some confidence in both the classroom and the clinical space, you’ll find that there are just as many rewards as there are challenges, if not more so. Nursing school is a fascinating journey that, when completed successfully, serves as a doorway to a career that can be as varied, interesting, and exciting as you would like it to be. According to a 2021 Gallup poll , nurses are deeply trusted by the American public. Your nursing career can reflect that trust in many ways. Enjoy the process, and look forward to the happy day when you can proudly say that you are indeed a registered nurse.

Ask a Nurse: What Are the Hardest Classes You'll Take in Nursing School?

15 Common Courses In RN Programs

How Online Nursing Programs Work

Advice From Nursing Grads to New Students

Nursing Internships and Practicums

• Approval of Nursing Education Programs. (2022). https://www.ncsbn.org/665.htm
• Baccalaureate Education. (2022). https://www.aacnnursing.org/Nursing-Education-Programs/Baccalaureate-Education
• Institute of Medicine, et al. The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. (2011). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24983041/
• Saad, Lydia. Military Brass, Judges Among Professions at New Image Lows. (2022). https://news.gallup.com/poll/388649/military-brass-judges-among-professions-new-image-lows.aspx
• Surgery for breast cancer. (2019). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/surgery-for-breast-cancer.html
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages. 2022. Nurse Practitioners. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291171.htm
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. 2022. Registered Nurses. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm

Page Last Reviewed: September 25, 2022

Whether you’re looking to get your pre-licensure degree or taking the next step in your career, the education you need could be more affordable than you think. Find the right nursing program for you.

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12 Things to Know Before Starting Nursing School

Posted on February 01, 2024

By Sophia Learning

Congratulations on deciding to pursue a career as a registered nurse (RN)! It’s an incredibly rewarding career with a range of subspecialties and promising growth.

But before you can get that dream nursing job, you have to begin your studies to become a nurse. Becoming a nurse can be overwhelming at times, so it’s best to manage expectations from the start.

What is nursing school like? Is nursing school hard? What do you learn in nursing school? Find out everything you can expect from nursing school and how to overcome potential challenges to set yourself up for success.

1. You May Be Overwhelmed

Nursing school can be hard. It won’t be hard the entire time, but prepare to be overwhelmed from time to time with the demanding course requirements. Some students wonder how they will make it through, so expect to see some classmates drop out. This profession isn’t for everyone.

As for your own career path, focus on one week at a time. The early courses will acclimate you to the demands of your education, but take it one step at a time.

2. Learn Your Study Strengths

Whether you’re entering nursing school right out of high school or you’ve taken a break, it’s crucial to understand your own learning style and habits to keep up with the massive amounts of information you must retain in nursing school.

If you’re not sure what works best for you, here are tips for how to study for nursing school:

• Getting together in study groups to build peer support.
• Time blocking your coursework to scaffold learning.
• “Chunking,” or breaking up course modules into smaller, more digestible sections.
• Flash cards to test your own comprehension.
• Mnemonic devices for memorization (a helpful skill during anatomy and physiology).

3. Attendance Is Paramount

One of the most important tips for nursing school is that it requires commitment. Unlike other programs that may have more leeway to miss a lecture here and there, nursing covers a vast amount of health and science information in a short period to challenge you with a rigorous pace – especially with accelerated programs.

Missing just one class could set you back to the point where it feels impossible to get caught up. While you can’t control extenuating circumstances like illness or bereavement, do your best to attend your classes. If something does come up, communicate with your professor and advisor early for support.

4. Failing a Test Isn’t a Career Ender

Naturally, you want to pass all your quizzes and exams with flying colors, but that may not be realistic for everyone. It’s possible that you may have a failing grade on an exam, but it doesn’t mean you should give up. Even a few low or failing grades on quizzes or exams over the course of your academic journey won’t stop you from fulfilling your dream of being a nurse, so dust yourself off and move forward.

5. Develop Work-Life Balance

Some people will tell you it’s impossible to work while going to nursing school, but people do it all the time. Some people choose nursing as a career change, while others may start as a certified nurse’s assistant (CNA) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) and choose to complete their nursing  degree while working .

Either way, it’s crucial to develop work-life balance to succeed. Planning out your work and class schedules, staying organized, and developing a support system can go a long way toward keeping your eye on the prize. If you do find yourself struggling, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

6. You Won’t Jump into Clinical Rotations

If you’re like most nursing students, you’re probably most excited about the hands-on experience of nursing and working with patients during clinical rotations. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of foundational information and theory you will need to learn first, so clinical rotations won’t start right away. Prepare for a lot of lectures before you get to put your knowledge into practice.

7. Some Concepts Only Make Sense with Clinical Rotations

Don’t zone out during your lectures! All that information will make more sense when you begin clinical rotations, which is when you will put your course concepts to good use by marrying theory with practice. The more effort you put into the lectures and exams, the better prepared you will be to excel in your clinicals.

8. Find the Right Clinical Rotation Fit

As a prospective nursing student, clinical rotations begin the “fun part” of your nursing education. You may be excited, but other employees in your clinical facility may not share your enthusiasm. Keep this in mind as you look for clinical preceptors, since you have the potential to flourish in a clinical environment with doctors and nurses who are excited to teach.

9. Make Sure You Know the Vaccination Requirements

All university and college students have requirements for vaccinations that can vary by state. Nursing students have stricter vaccination requirements from general students, however, since they will be working with patients during clinical rotations. Check with your school and make sure you’re up to date on your vaccinations before classes start.

10. In-Person, Hybrid, and Online Learning All Have Pros and Cons

Nursing programs are available in online and hybrid formats, giving you more flexibility with your schedule and independence. In fact, you can complete all your prerequisites for nursing online with Sophia – including labs – before moving into hands-on clinicals.

While there are a lot of benefits to online and hybrid learning, you will need to be self-disciplined and develop strong communication skills to succeed with your coursework. If you’re not sure what learning environment is best for you, consider a free trial to see how it works before committing to an online or hybrid program.

11. You Will Need to Pass the NCLEX Exam

At the end of your nursing journey, you will need to complete the  National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a licensed RN. The test can range from 75 to 265 questions, which may take up to five hours. It can be challenging, but don’t spend your entire academic experience fearing it. Your coursework will prepare you for the exam, so focus on the here and now to ensure your future success.

Fortunately, you will receive your results quickly – usually within 24 to 48 hours. If you don’t pass, you will have an opportunity to take it again. The goal is to pass on the first try, but plenty of exceptional nurses needed a retake to pass.

12. Nursing School Is Temporary, but the #NurseLIfe Is Forever

The trials and tribulations of nursing school are just a short period in your nursing career. Having a closet full of scrubs, saving lives, telling your best ER stories, and never, ever, watching a medical drama without picking out the errors – those last forever.

Get a Strong Start with Nursing School

Nursing is an in-demand field that’s only growing. Sophia helps students get a jump on their nursing education with self-paced health and science courses designed to transfer for credit for RN programs. Check out our  science courses and start your free trial!

Start a Free Trial at Sophia 

If you’re interested in trying out college-level courses as a high school student, Sophia offers self-paced online gen ed courses for students of all ages. Earn your college-level transfer credit in your own time and get a valuable head start on the college experience. Explore our courses today! 

Category: Student Success

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Accelerated BSN

What Do You Learn in Nursing School? A Sneak Peek at the Training

Health professions.

Nursing careers are known for being rewarding and in demand. Being able to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives every day is definitely appealing, but that doesn’t make it easy. Nursing school is intentionally challenging to prepare graduates for the rigors of the profession. Learning to balance compassionate service with precise science takes hard work, hands-on training, and real-life practice.  

If you have your sights set on becoming a nurse, you’re probably curious about the road ahead. What do you learn in nursing school? What skills will you learn? What types of training can you expect?  

Whether you are fresh out of high school or considering a career change, there’s  no better time to become a nurse . Our nursing program exists to prepare you for success in the field. Keep reading to gain a better understanding of what to expect from your nursing training at Bellarmine.  

What do you learn in nursing school? Breaking down the BSN 

There are several paths to becoming a registered nurse (RN). Some choose to devote two years to earning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), but most healthcare employers agree that a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the preferred credential for RNs.   

So , what can you expect to learn in a BSN program? The  American Association of Colleges of Nursing  (AACN), through The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, provides a framework for preparing individuals as members of the discipline of nursing, reflecting expectations acrossMthe trajectory of nursing education and applied experience (AACN, 2021).  This includes:  

Competency-Based Education 

Community Education  

Nurse management and leadership  

Patient Education  

Clinical and scientific skills   

Ethics  

Decision-making  

Humanistic values  

When it comes to exact curriculum, it will vary from school to school. To get a sense of what to expect, consider the following structure of the  Bellarmine University traditional BSN program :

Year 1:  

Students participate in general education requirements, and didactic learning (lectures and classwork).  Students are offered introductory nursing classes as an elective.  The Lansing School of Nursing at Bellarmine strives to engage first-year nursing students in the culture and activities available to all nursing students in our Bellarmine community.   

Year 2:  

Students participate in general education requirements, didactic learning (lectures and classwork).  Students are offered introductory nursing classes as an elective.  The Lansing School of Nursing at Bellarmine strives to engage sophomore nursing students in the culture and activities available to all nursing students.   

Year 3:  

Students begin core fundamental courses and start clinical rotations and simulations. Students continue clinicals and simulations in the second semester in addition to advanced nursing classes.  

Year 4: 

In addition to completing additional advanced nursing courses, students complete several clinicals (including a professional nursing course with a leadership clinical rotation with a nurse leader in a hospital setting) and prepare for the   NCLEX exam .  

“I often say a BSN degree is like a golden ticket – you can work in hospitals, schools, private companies, or elsewhere.”  

What are some BSN courses you can expect? 

Exact course names and curriculums will vary by program, but to give you a taste of the types of classes you’ll likely encounter in nursing school, here is a sampling of  BSN courses  offered at Bellarmine University Lansing School of Nursing:  

Intro to Nursing (Elective for freshman and sophomore students) 

Nutrition  

Foundations of Nursing Concepts 

Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 

Professional Nursing I, II and III with Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Leadership and Management  

Applied Pharmacology  

Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing & Wellness Across the Lifespan  

Population Health I and II 

Complex Nursing Care of Adults I and II 

Nursing Care of Childbearing/Childrearing Families 

Nursing Practice Immersion 

Comprehensive Nursing Review 

Nursing special topic electives are also available 

As you can see, BSN students can expect to be exposed to a diverse range of subject matter. This training and exposure help prepare graduates to make an immediate impact upon entering the field.  

What skills are developed during nursing school? 

Nurses have a unique role as healthcare providers. They are responsible for the majority of day-to-day patient care and communication, in addition to technical and administrative tasks. In the modern American healthcare system, nurses are also increasingly responsible for understanding the business side of nursing.   

To get a better idea of the actual skills taught in nursing school, we enlisted Bellarmine University Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Leslie Leffler, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC. As a seasoned nurse and instructor, she has seen firsthand how the field has evolved in recent years.   

“A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a more advanced and comprehensive nursing education compared to other nursing programs. Here are the specific skills and knowledge areas that are typically taught in a BSN program:  

Clinical Assessment 

Medication Administration 

Comprehensive Patient Care 

Intravenous (IV) Therapy 

Documentation 

Patient Education 

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 

Communication Skills 

Ethics and Legal Issues 

Infection Control 

Psychosocial Support 

Cultural competence 

Lan and Diagnostic Testing Interpretation 

Teamwork 

Evidence-Based Nursing Practice 

Leadership and Management Skills 

Emergency Response 

Palliative and End of Life Care 

Community and Public Health 

BSN programs typically have a longer duration and include additional coursework in areas such as nursing research, public health, and healthcare policy. Clinical experiences and practicum rotations are also an integral part of BSN programs, providing students with a broad range of clinical experiences to prepare them for diverse nursing roles. Graduates of BSN programs are often well-positioned for leadership, management, and specialized nursing roles in healthcare.” 

Professional values in nursing 

According to the AACN,  BSN-level nurses are expected to understand  and embody the following professional values for nursing practice:  

Altruism: deep and authentic concern for the welfare and well-being of others   

Autonomy: the right to self-determination on the behalf of patients   

Human dignity: respect for the inherent worth and unique individuality of all people and populations   

Integrity: acting in accordance with the accepted code of ethics and standard of practice for professional nurses  

Social justice: acting in accordance with fair treatment of all people, regardless of economic status, race, ethnicity, citizenship, disability, or sexual orientation

What else should you know about nursing school?

For those who are interested in becoming a nurse because they have a genuine passion for helping others but are apprehensive about the science and math requirements, take note. According to Dr. Lindsay, you shouldn’t write yourself off right away. She recommends seeking out resources and mentorship and seeing if you can improve in your weaker subject areas. 

“It’s a lot of work, a lot of sacrifice, a lot to learn, but it’s the best decision you could ever make. You get to help people, advocate for patients, connect them with resources, and improve the quality of their lives,” Dr. Lindsay shares. “I often say a BSN degree is like a golden ticket – you can work in hospitals, schools, private companies, or elsewhere.” 

Take the next step on your path to becoming a nurse 

You now have a much better understanding of what you learn in nursing school. If this information has you excited at the prospect of pursuing this rewarding profession, take the next step. Your skills and compassion are needed now more than ever!   

Learn more by visiting our traditional Lansing School of Nursing  BSN program page . Or, if you already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, take advantage of our Lansing School of Nursing Accelerated BSN  track.  

Reference: American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education.  https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Publications/Essentials-2021.pdf 

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Tags: Accelerated BSN , Healthcare , Lansing , Nursing

ABOUT BELLARMINE

Located in the historic Highlands neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, Bellarmine University is a vibrant community of educational excellence and ethical awareness that consistently ranks among the nation’s best colleges and universities. Our students pursue an education based in the liberal arts – and in the distinguished, inclusive Catholic tradition of educational excellence, the oldest and most rewarding in the western world. It is a lifelong education, worthy of the university’s namesake, Saint Robert Bellarmine, and of his invitation to each of us to learn and live In Veritatis Amore – in the love of all that is beautiful, true and good in life.

Things Every Nursing Student Should Have

Table of contents.

Most nursing schools include an essential supply list as part of their welcome package, but there are many more things that every nursing student should have. This list will cover your basic clinical gear, as well as any uniform or dress code guidelines that you may need to follow.

However, in almost all cases, these lists are just… lists. Except for your scrubs, schools will rarely include much guidance about the models or materials you will need.

Naturally, the items you get will also depend on your budget and lifestyle. But in general, you will be best served by sturdy gear rather than “professional-quality” items.

The Self-Gift List for Nursing School: Clinical Supplies

Buying your first set of clinical supplies is an important rite of passage. Here’s a rundown of what you will actually need and what models to choose.

Nursing bag

A nursing bag will help you keep all the other items on this list organized and safe and prevent them from getting crushed under your books.

Nursing bags come in three basic models: a briefcase-like “medical bag,” a fanny pack for medical gear, and a backpack-like model.

Once you can access a locker, my go-to choice would be the fanny pack. It won’t fit any large items, but it should fit the key gear for a physical exam. 

As for materials, go for synthetic and washable ones. If one model is “antibacterial,” then it’s worth the extra $10.

Steer clear from light colors, leather, or suede: if any blood spills, it will ruin your bag forever.

Stethoscope 

Stethoscopes can easily be the priciest item on your supply list, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices available.

It takes a lot of practice to recognize and interpret each model’s subtle nuances in sound quality. Anything labelled “Cardiology,” “ICU quality,” or “Pediatric” can cost hundreds of dollars, but you won’t reap its benefits yet. They make for a great graduation gift for a nursing student, though.

On the other end of the spectrum, that $15 plastic stethoscope will break easily and make things difficult during an exam. Instead, opt for a single-head lightweight model: you should be able to find a more-than-decent option for less than $50.

Stethoscope case

Even the sturdiest stethoscope will quickly get ruined if you let its head float around your backpack. A stethoscope case will help you protect your investment, and it will look more professional when you take it out. 

Make sure it’s a hard-shell model. If possible, choose a vinyl-coated one: it won’t stain, and you will be able to spray as much disinfectant as needed without ruining it.

Nursing watches are rarely used to stay on schedule or tell the time – that’s what your smartphone is for. In reality, your nursing watch will help you count breaths, track pulses, and measure reaction times.

You can use an old-school lapel watch, as long as you can see the seconds dial from a distance.

If you opt for a digital or smart one, make sure it has a silent alarm: patients breathe differently when they know you are counting their breaths.

Nowadays, scrubs are the standard uniform for all healthcare professions, so they are something every nursing student should have. We don’t want to venture too much when it comes to fabrics and models, as most nursing schools have their own specific requirements. 

If you can choose the model, get as many pockets as you can.

If you want a stretchy fabric, buy one size up : you will have to bend and lift things constantly, and something very figure-hugging will quickly get too hot.

Compression socks

These were not included on my school’s supply list! They just told us that we had to wear flesh-colored or white socks. Yet, most experienced nurses swear by them, and even I noticed the difference after a couple of days standing up. They will prevent your feet from swelling or aching.

Once again, choose a material that is easy to wash and dries quickly. If you can get padded or smooth toes, all the better – standing on seams can get painful after a couple of weeks.

Nursing shoes

Just like with scrubs, your shoes will be at least partly determined by your school. However, most schools don’t bother with many specifications besides color and the need to be closed.

The two most popular types of nursing shoes are clogs and trainers. People are usually fond of either one or the other. Personally, I don’t feel safe in clogs, but they seem to work well with yoga socks. 

If you are going the trainer route, try to get a model without laces. They will be easier to wash.

Penlight 

Penlights, or miniature flashlights that look like a pen, are going to be a near-constant feature in your main pocket. There are hundreds of models and colors out there. Just make sure you get one with a pupil size guide on the side. 

Although not on my school’s official supply list, a tumbler will be a vital part of your arsenal. 

It’s not just about being able to have coffee on the go: if you need a sip of anything while on the hospital floor, it should come from a lidded container. In some places, the floor supervisor might outright ban uncovered mugs or glasses. 

The near-constant use of hand sanitizer and “glove sweat” can quickly result in cracked or super-dry hands.

A small bottle of hand cream that can fit discreetly in your pocket works best. It’s best if you avoid heavily scented creams: they can irritate a patient’s sinuses, and any additives will increase the likelihood of an allergic reaction.

Other tools

A complete first aid kit contains at least a dozen more items, which you will learn to use during your first weeks in the hospital. These include relatively cheap gadgets such as pulse oximeters and vein finders, tape measures, disposable dressing kits, or surgical steel clamps and scissors sets. 

However, there is little point in buying your own: unless you are shadowing a paramedic or a home health nurse, you will find a cart with these tools in every hospital room. The only exception is bandage scissors, especially if you can find a nice pocket-friendly version.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 

Throughout the last two years, we have faced periodic headlines about PPE shortages at hospitals nationwide. The worst of that crisis seems to have passed, but I still hear many of my classmates wonder if nursing students should order their own PPE “just in case.”

In reality, this is a pretty complex question. Each hospital and school will likely have distinct guidelines about the kind of PPE you will need to use in each area. Most of the time, they should provide you with it. If you want to be extra safe, consider the following:

• Do have a spare surgical mask with you at all times
• Do change masks before you go home, especially if you live with any unvaccinated or vulnerable people
• Do carry a few extra pairs of gloves in your pocket – this was good practice even before COVID-19
• If you are allergic to latex, play it safe and bring your own nitrile gloves
• Don’t buy an N95 respirator mask without instructions to do so. These masks come in special sizes and need to be fitted and tested correctly.

The Self-Gift List for Nursing School: Study Supplies

As far as lectures are concerned, your essential supply list will not differ much from that of any other major. 

However, you will be taking notes at the hospital and writing your assignments at the cafeteria. So how can you best blend these two environments?

Writing materials

Make all your pens retractable and stay away from liquid or gel ink.

Have at least one small hardcover notepad. It should be stiff enough to help you write as you stand or walk around.

Get a clipboard to help you organize form templates, prescriptions, and charts. Plastic ones are better, as they are easier to keep clean.

Get flashcards sets in different colors. Every term, you will have at least two different courses requiring you to memorize large amounts of information quickly. The different colors will make it easier to classify them.

The best laptop for a nursing student is probably a 2-in-1. You won’t need to boot it up completely to use it in tablet mode and make it a more comfortable e-reader.

Legend says that before eBooks were a thing, most students relied on huge “Surgical-Medical Nursing” textbooks that could weigh over 10 pounds. So if you can’t get a 2-in-1 laptop, get a tablet.

Useful apps

These apps will help you review and look up information on the go:

Nursing Sim

Developed by NYU, this is a quick minigame that will have you assess patients and prioritize your tasks. You probably won’t be able to get a high score until your second semester, though.

Drug Handbook App

Medical publisher Lippincott Williams & Wilkins sells one of the most widely used physical drug handbooks for nurses. You will almost certainly find it on your suggested reading list. The app version includes much of the same information in a mobile-friendly format. If you buy the book or eBook, you will get a code for the app as well.

This app synchronizes with your Google Calendar and creates helpful pie charts that let you visualize your schedule. It’s useful for time management in general, but it will also help you keep track of your “periods” better during your clinical shifts. It will be invaluable if you need to shadow different nurses or observe separate procedures during each shift – like handovers, admission, or patient hygiene.

Lecturio Nursing

Fuel your nursing knowledge from anywhere

with the Lecturio Nursing app

Being and Feeling Ready: What Do You Really Need?

A big part of starting nursing school is learning your way around medical equipment. Although it is much more comfortable to buy online, try to go to a medical supply store to get a feel for your first instruments. We have included some starting suggestions here, but you will develop your own preferences as you learn how each item works.

Ximena is a copywriter and medical interpreter turned Nursing student. She feels very strongly about patient education and about opening healthcare access among women from immigrant and rural communities. During her downtime, she enjoys jogging, RPG gaming, and reading about classical history.

We've been there. We get it.

Don’t have a clue what to expect in nursing school?   Terrified of clinical?

Nurse Liz has spent years troubleshooting the challenges of nursing school for her social media community. Get her proven strategies and inside tips for every step of nursing school. 

Further Reading

15 Best Nurse Graduation Gifts 

Dropping Out of Nursing School: Pros, Cons, and the Aftermath

A Day in the Life of a Nursing Student

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Top 20 Nursing Skills You Learn from a Nursing Degree  

Published on: July 12, 2023

What is a skilled nurse, and what skills are required to be a nurse? Skilled nurses are those that have covered all the necessary training to excel in their chosen areas of practice. To gain all the skills they will need at the professional level, nursing students must ensure that their postsecondary nursing program is a core nursing skills competency program. Read on to learn about the top 20 skills that nurses must have if they want to succeed in the modern healthcare environment.

What Hard Skills Should Nurses Have?

Hard nursing skills often make a life-or-death difference for patients. Any good nursing degree should equip you with the core medical and procedural knowledge and experience that you will need to become licensed as a nurse and work confidently in your chosen field.

1. Patient Care Knowledge and Techniques

Because patient care lies at the very heart of the nursing profession, the knowledge and techniques needed to deliver that care are exceedingly important. This means that nurses must have a firm command of nursing fundamentals such as patient assessment, vital sign measurement, care planning and exam and treatment assistance. They must also possess a firm understanding of medical terminology and legal and ethical standards. Read on for more information about various technical, patient-oriented tasks that nurses generally learn in nursing school.

2. Urgent and Emergency Care

Even if you don’t necessarily plan to become an ER nurse, you will want to build some solid urgent and emergency care skills to support your practice. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, roughly 5 5% of registered nurses work in general medical and surgical hospitals , which must cope with a constant flow of incoming patients and urgent cases. Even outside the hospital setting, nurses may encounter emergency medical circumstances. For this reason, nurses are wise to learn at least basic urgent care fundamentals.

3. Taking Patient and Family History

A crucial element of the patient assessment process, gathering and recording patient and family history gives the healthcare team a solid foundation on which to start building viable diagnosis and treatment options. In addition to asking patients about any current symptoms, nurses need to gather information about past conditions and important issues such as allergies and pharmaceutical reactions. Beyond patient history, nurses must often take family medical histories to better diagnose hereditary conditions.

4. Healthtech Skills

The march of modern technology has improved healthcare by leaps and bounds. But this technology is useless in the hands of medical professionals who don’t know how to use it. Depending on their specific areas of expertise, today’s nurses may want to build healthcare technology (or “healthtech”) skills that allow them to file electronic health records (EHRs), conduct telemedicine visits, operate wearable devices and work with mobile health apps. Of course, healthtech-savvy nurses will also be able to use computers and mobile devices as needed in the workplace.

5. Proper Patient Transport

Helping patients with mobility issues is an integral part of many nursing positions. This might mean lifting patients in and out of bed, supporting them as they sit down or stand up, wheeling them in a wheelchair or hospital bed or assisting them as they walk. They may also need to instruct and train patients to use mobility equipment such as wheelchairs and crutches. When hospital patients are discharged, nurses may even be tasked with transporting them to a vehicle.

6. Performing CPR and BLS

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an essential skill and a required certification for all nurses. When a person’s heart stops beating, performing CPR as quickly as possible can  double or triple  that person’s chance of survival, according to the American Heart Association. All nurses must also hold basic life support (BLS) certification, which demonstrates an ability to respond immediately to assist people who are experiencing a severe medical emergency.

7. Medication Management

With the notable exception of nurse practitioners (NPs), nurses cannot prescribe medications, but they can aid qualified physicians and NPs in the prescription process. When the proper prescriptions have been filled, nurses play a critical role in the administration of medications and the oversight of the patient medication plan. As they monitor patient care, nurses often collaborate with physicians and other medical team members to change medications or adjust medication dosage.

8. Patient Safety and Infection Control

The patient safety concerns of nurses extend far beyond the specific facilities in which they work. Nurses must provide detailed instruction and do all that they can to prevent falls, avoid medication issues and generally ensure the safety of patients both while they are under direct care and after they depart the facility. A big part of ensuring patient safety, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, is infection control. Effective infection control measures not only protect the health of your patients but the health of healthcare staff and the general public as well.

9. EMR Charting

A key technological advancement in recordkeeping, electronic medical record (EMR) charting allows healthcare professionals to document and store patient medical information electronically. Storing this information in a centralized database or on the cloud, EMR charting is far more efficient and convenient than traditional paper charting.

10. IV Placement and Infusions

Short for “intravenous,” the term “IV” is often used to refer to the needle, catheter or tubing system that delivers intravenous fluids into a patient’s bloodstream. Nurses are commonly tasked with “placing” these IVs (inserting them into a patient’s vein, typically in the hand or arm). They must then generally oversee the infusion of prescribed fluids through the IV.

What Soft Skills Should Nurses Have?

While hard nursing skills (which are typically technical in nature and require in-depth medical expertise) are certainly essential, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of soft skills. These more general skills may not be specific to the healthcare sector, but they are often essential to master if you want to be a valued nursing team member and a top candidate for career growth.

11. Effective Communication

If you were asked to identify a skill/task that was taught in your basic nursing program that surprised you, effective communication may be the first to spring to mind. But the emphasis that nursing degree programs place on communication makes perfect sense when you pause to consider it. The average nurse constantly communicates with patients and their family members, and nurses of all kinds must learn to communicate effectively with the medical teams that they support, often in high-pressure and time-sensitive situations.

12. Critical Thinking

The tough scenarios in which nurses often find themselves require effective critical thinking in addition to communication skills. Critical thinking in the nursing profession involves accurately analyzing patient situations and making the best possible decisions based on that analysis. From onboarding new patients to identifying new conditions and symptoms, it is important for nurses to assess information and solve problems quickly.

13. Physical Endurance

Nurses often work long shifts and may have regular opportunities or requests for overtime, so nursing students should prepare to work long hours on their feet. Particularly strenuous tasks such as lifting patients in and out of bed and providing physical support during movement only add to the physical demand that many nurses endure during the workday.

14. Empathy for Family Members

A valuable quality among nurses, empathy is the ability to see things from someone else’s point of view. Because nurses often work with patients struggling with troubling health concerns, an empathetic approach is key when it comes to providing high-quality care. Although some people may be naturally more empathetic than others, empathy is also a learned skill – and it’s never too late to acquire it! Specifically, you can learn how to listen more carefully, validate the feelings of others and employ effective conflict-resolution strategies.

15. Interpersonal Skills

Building empathy can greatly enhance your interpersonal skills. Also known as “social skills,” interpersonal skills help you to interact with people in a friendly, affirmative and productive manner. This can aid in all your workplace relationships as a nurse, with individuals who range from patients to supervisors. Specific nursing interpersonal skills to emphasize include patience, cooperation, motivation, flexibility, dependability and leadership.

16. Teamwork Management

Because nurses generally function as part of a larger medical team, teamwork is paramount to success in the field. If you grow into nursing leadership positions over time, you will need to promote optimal teamwork by managing elements such as rapport and respect-building, problem-solving, conflict resolution, listening and persuasion.

17. High Attention to Detail

Because the health and well-being of their patients are so important and because they are tasked with a broad range of often complex tasks they must complete in a timely manner, nurses must be detail-oriented to succeed. They must exercise extreme precision to ensure that patients receive the right therapeutic treatments, including the right dosages of the right medication and at the right time. They must also be able to assess changing patient symptoms in detail and document evolving patient statuses with absolute accuracy.

18. Organization and Time Management

Good organization can help you manage your time, while effective time management can help you better organize your day. Nurses tend to handle multiple patients at once. Prioritizing and planning daily tasks, from medication administration to equipment setup, is extremely important.

19. High Adaptability/Flexibility

Although planning is a key element of nursing, nurses must also have the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. Each day is different for most nurses, and nurses often have to “roll with the punches” and cope with a constant stream of last-minute changes in areas that include shift scheduling, patient condition, treatment alterations and assigned responsibilities.

20. Ethics and Professionalism

While people may argue the finer points of ethics, most of us can generally agree on the basic difference between right and wrong. Essentially, nurses should approach their workplace responsibilities with a great amount of discipline and strive to treat everyone in the workplace with absolute respect. In terms of delivering ethical and professional care, nurses must endeavor to preserve patient dignity and remember their pledge to “first, do no harm.”

Your Story in Nursing Starts Here

So what skills are needed to be a nurse? While the 20 listed above are a great place to start, your own nursing story might include any number of others. Keep the above list in mind as you consider a career in nursing. There will be opportunities to grow in some areas in your general life, but other skills will be developed as you pursue your nursing degree.

Park University  is a great place to begin writing your nursing story while working toward a  Bachelor of Science in Nursing  or another relevant degree through our  College of Education and Health Professions .  Request more information today to get started!

Park University is accredited  by the  Higher Learning Commission .

Park University is a private, non-profit, institution of higher learning since 1875.

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7 Unexpected Things I Learned in Nursing School

By Carrie Mesrobian on 11/01/2021

Students heading into nursing school likely have some expectations about the experience going in. It’ll be challenging . It can get stressful . It’s probably going to be a little gross. All of that naturally comes with the territory of preparing yourself for practically any healthcare career, and nursing school’s no different.

But if you talk to those on the other side of their nursing school experience, there’s plenty of unexpected things they learned along the way.

To get behind the scenes and look at what kinds of exciting, interesting and yes, sometimes weird , facts you’ll pick up on during your nursing school experience, we asked nurses from all stages in their careers to tell us their most memorable learning moments.

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7 Surprising things I learned in nursing school

1. don’t let waste…just go to waste.

There’s nothing like starting off our number one takeaway with a bit of number two. The things nurses see coming through a clinic or hospital runs the gamut. From fungus to pus to feces, it’s often not very pretty, but time and experience help nurses become acclimated. Often times, these unpleasant things guide nurses in patient care.

“Poop is huge in making a nursing diagnosis,” explains Bobbie Russ, a registered nurse who works in long-term care. “Behaviors, colors, infections, smells, consistency: they all can tell you a lot.”

That’s right, there’s (hopefully figurative) gold to be found in patients’ bowel movements—so be prepared to get over any squeamishness quickly.

2. Don’t judge a book by its cover

Just because a patient looks healthy on the outside does not mean that everything is working like clockwork on the inside. Annette Lawton, an RN for nearly 40 years, recalls seeing a patient who was brought in because his friends thought maybe he wasn’t doing well but weren’t sure why. The answer came when Lawton and another nurse removed the patient’s boot, and his foot came off with it.

“That was my introduction to dry gangrene, ” Lawton says.

Once past the initial shock of the moment, the team had to act quickly to prevent further damage. Ultimately, the patient’s leg had to be amputated as it had been only hanging on by a few tendons and a very tightly laced boot.

While the likelihood of encountering a circumstance as extreme as this during your time in nursing school is pretty low, there’s a lesson here: People are really adept at putting on a strong front even when going through immense pain. Good nurses are perceptive and can catch the little signs that something’s not quite right with a patient.

3. Wound care, a cornerstone of nursing

All nurses learn about Florence Nightingale, the British nurse and statistician who is considered by many to be the founder of modern nursing. Nightingale’s experiences of tending to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War helped guide and influence sanitation and nursing practices for decades to come.

The lessons of Nightingale and wound care came to the forefront for registered nurse Madelene Antrim. The first patient Antrim cared for as a nurse involved direct wound care for decubiti or bed sores.

“The patient had decubiti in some places as large as a dinner plate,” Antrim recalls. Many nurses were required to turn and position the patient so the wounds could be viewed and treated. Antrim held open the wound’s edges so the healing skin could be debrided. Though Antrim went into labor and delivery nursing, she was drawn to the idea of helping alleviate suffering so directly.

It might seem like a nurse from the era of the Crimean War is ancient history to students today, but there are still techniques from that time that have carried on and have since been improved upon.

“We’re using ancient techniques like leeches —though for different reasons—all the way to the use of wound vacuums for better in-to-out healing,” Antrim says.

4. Not all critical care is critical in the same way

When nursing student Charlotte Bay first got started in nursing, she knew that Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Emergency Rooms were both considered critical care. At first, Bay assumed both areas would require similar nursing approaches.

“I couldn’t have been more wrong,” Bay says. “In the ER, there is a consistent scrambling of various healthcare professionals and an incredibly diverse patient population. From broken arms, heart attacks, children with coughs, people with migraines--the list goes on. No matter 12pm or 3am, the ER is pretty consistently chaotic. The ICU is much calmer. The staff usually have a solid understanding of what is ‘wrong’ with the patient and always a detailed, uniform procedure of treatment.”

Both areas of the hospital are essential, but Bay learned that different units require different skill sets from their nurses.

5. The medical value of a sponge bath

On the topic of bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers, one of the best ways to avoid them entirely is to keep a patient’s body (and bedding) clean. Moving and turning a patient for these reasons helps relieve pressure on areas where bed sores are common, such as the spine, tailbone, shoulder blades, hips, heels and elbows.

“Moving a patient to wash them or change their bedding and clothing is another way to relieve that pressure,” Lawton says.

While bathing patients is likely not a highlight of a nurse’s potential daily duties, it’s important to remember that there’s real medical value in taking the time to do this.

6. Nursing is a team sport

As a nursing student, Bay has had the opportunity to work with COVID-19 patients, both in Intensive Care and the general unit. Because COVID-19 patients’ lungs are under stress, putting them on their stomach makes it easier for them to breathe.

“Our lungs actually sit closer to our back than our chest,” Bay explains. “So, it’s easier for them to expand when we’re laying on our stomach.”

In the hospital, getting a patient on their stomach is called proning , a critical part of treatment for COVID-19 patients. This procedure—and many, many others common in nursing care--often requires more than one nurse.

“For patients who are intubated and sedated, there is a specific procedure that takes about five people to flip a person from their back to their stomach without breaking their neck or cutting off their airway,” Bay says.

It’s no secret that nursing is a physically demanding job. But having colleagues who have your back make taking care of people a whole lot easier. Of course, it’s not just physical tasks—nurses work as a team every day in their units to make sure patients’ needs are met.

7. Being a nurse is hard work, but it’s definitely worth it

People talk about the challenges of nursing for good reason. From time management to identifying the “most correct answer” in a given situation to learning how to work with new people, many who are in pain or feeling at their worst, nursing school and the profession overall comes with a lot of challenges.

But what makes this period of learning worth it is that in the end, you’ll be prepared for an in-demand career that helps heal and improve the lives of others. Not everyone can go in to work every day and do something truly meaningful—and that’s something to be proud of.

What will you discover?

What you’ll learn in nursing school goes beyond dosage formulas or the number of pints of blood in a human body. Each of these students and nurses cite continually learning new things as part of the draw for this career. While some of the learning moments might not be quite as memorable as the examples above, they do illustrate how growth as a nursing professional can come from where you’d least expect it.

Are you wondering about what it’s like to be a student nurse? If you think you have what it takes for this hands-on, ever-changing career and want to learn more about the nursing school experience, check out our article “ How Hard Is Nursing School? Students Tell All .”

Related Articles:

• COVID-19 and Nursing: 6 Ways the Pandemic Has Made an Impact
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Carrie is a freelance copywriter at Collegis Education. She researches and writes articles, on behalf of Rasmussen University, to help empower students to achieve their career dreams through higher education.

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Essential Tips for Nursing School Success: What You Need to Know

Aug 19, 2024 | Blog , Nursing Students

What should first-year nursing students expect?

Since nursing students are starting their experience in the field, their first year is to introduce them to nursing prerequisites and clinicals.

Some examples of responsibilities nursing students will have within their first year include classes on anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and other fundamentals of nursing. Your classes can also include hands-on activities and a mix of labs and lectures. Clinicals will test your lab skills and will be the start of nursing basics like administering vitals, giving shots, and conducting full-body assessments.

Some nurses say that their first year of nursing school is the hardest. This isn’t necessarily because of the coursework but the transition into nursing while learning the ins and outs of properly taking care of a patient.

So, take care of yourself as you face this transition in your life. You’re on your way to becoming an actual nurse! As exciting as that sounds, it’s also scary because you never know what’s on the other side of all of the work you’re about to do.

Remember that learning nursing skills can take practice, and it’s easier for you to take time to learn the expertise needed on the job instead of expecting yourself to have it all figured out the first semester.

To help you successfully navigate this journey, here are some tips that can help you adjust to life as a nursing student.  

Use the resources you have.

You’d be surprised at how many resources you have when looking around. Read the materials given to you on orientation day, or stop by your school’s student services to find more (free!) opportunities available to you as a student. You never know what you might find.

Taking the extra 10 minutes to read assignment instructions, the syllabus, or any other material you have can save you from asking additional questions at the end of the day.

Ask questions that feel “dumb.”

Yes, you’ve probably been told that there are no “dumb questions,” but when it comes to a patient’s well-being, it’s worth asking a question someone else might have, too.

If you feel anxious about doing this, practice asking questions to an advisor first, and then build confidence in larger rooms with multiple students.

Your instructors and advisors are there to help you succeed. Even if you think you might have asked a question that doesn’t make sense and embarrassed yourself, at least you know you’ve done it to avoid potentially hurting a future patient.

Create a routine tailored to your needs.

The first week of classes can feel hectic, but eventually, you can settle in and find a study schedule that works for you.

Strategies to help you stay organized and avoid missing deadlines include getting a calendar you can see daily and writing down upcoming deadlines. Another tip is to fill out a planner with all future assignments’ due dates and exams.

Find what self-care routines work for you.

Carving out time for self-care is as important as time spent learning. We all need breaks now and then, including nursing students who may think that time spent not studying is “wasting” time.

Good grades are essential, but they’re not everything. Designate space to refill your tank with activities away from school that make you feel good. This looks different for everyone, but some examples are exercising, getting enough sleep , or even something small like eating lunch with a friend.

Even though you’ll probably have strong emotions starting the new semester, know that this moment won’t last forever. The struggle of long nights studying will likely include making new connections with aspiring nurses who understand what you’re going through. Hang in there, and remember to be kind to yourself throughout your nursing journey.

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• Exploring Nursing Specialties, You Need to Know About - August 12, 2024
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Things You Learn in Nursing School that You Will Use as a Nurse

Nurses typically say their work is more of a calling than a job. Even if you feel called to this noble profession, you will still need some education. So what are some of the skills taught in nursing schools? How do nurses use these skills in their daily duties? How does a formal education benefit an aspiring nurse?

Skills and Knowledge Obtained in a Formal Nursing Program

The goal of any nursing program is to prepare students to assist doctors and allied health professionals in providing care to patients. Specific program content may vary slightly. However, all accredited nursing programs help future professionals conform to the American Nurses Association’s standards and principles . These include:

• Documentation procedures that safeguard patient data while keeping it organized and accessible to authorized parties.
• Proper delegation of duties to unlicensed nursing support staff to increase the quality of care.
• Steps to control the patient’s environment in order to reduce the chances of infection and to improve all levels of care.
• Encouraging collaborative efforts between professionals to improve patient outcomes.

Nursing students learn to apply theoretical understanding to their daily work. In this way, students become better nurses.

In addition to principles and theories, nursing students learn how to provide direct services to their patients by:

• Measuring and recording vital signs.
• Obtaining data to help the doctor make a diagnosis.
• Cleaning and sterilizing multi-use equipment and tools.
• Helping patients understand aftercare and medication instructions.

How Education Helps Nurses in Their Daily Duties

What practical skills do future nurses learn in an accredited program?

• Anatomy and physiology courses help nurses understand the biological basis of the illnesses and injuries.
• Medical terminology instruction makes it easier for nurses to communicate efficiently with other medical staff.
• Psychology courses are a vital part of learning how to communicate with a variety of personalities in the medical setting.
• Pharmacology courses show students how to measure and dispense medications according to the doctor’s orders.

In addition, specialty courses in maternal health, elder care, mental health, and surgical assisting prepare aspiring nurses to assist in a variety of healthcare settings.

Benefits of a Formal Nursing Education

Getting a degree does more than qualify nurses for an entry-level position. A formal nursing education offers a variety of long-term benefits.

• Networking:  Your fellow students and instructors could provide support throughout your education journey. After graduation, however, they could be even more important. The people you meet in your studies form a network that you can access for job leads, references, or information on other important opportunities.
• Variety:  There are some on-the-job training programs offered by hospitals and medical facilities that teach those with no experience how to work as a nurse. However, these programs are usually limited to the knowledge and skills needed in that facility. If you change your mind and want to pursue different positions, you could find yourself severely limited. A formal education prepares you to take on the challenges of a variety of entry-level positions, so you have more options.
• Room for growth:  Starting with a degree gives you more long-term options. With basic requirements out of the way, it’s easier to obtain higher degrees when you're ready to take on more responsibility. 
• Hands-on training:  More than just lectures and reading assignments, a formal nursing program shows students how to physically perform the duties that they will be responsible for on the job. This exposure is an essential part of honing your skills and making you a more effective assistant in the office or surgical setting.

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Top 10 Essential Nursing Skills You Need to Have

• What Are Soft Skills?

Top 10 Nursing Soft Skills

• How to Hone These Nursing Skills

As nurses, we must master many skills to become competent. In nursing school, we learn how to thoroughly assess our patients. Students conquer complicated equipment while also learning the intricacies of the human body. After graduation, we begin to advance our careers and continue to hone these “hard skills.” 

But beyond those, have you ever heard of soft skills? These are a completely different set of skills that are not specific to nursing, but you probably guessed it…a good nurse needs to have certain soft skills too! We’ve rounded up the top essential soft skills that nurses need to have in order to be successful.

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What Are Soft Skills? 

Soft skills or “people skills” are essential to nursing because nurses deal with patients, their families, and caregivers every day. 

These skills are not necessarily testable in the sense of an exam, but are traits we develop as we grow and mature. Good soft skills are highly sought after in any workplace, not just nursing. Those who have good soft skills tend to be more successful in their career. 

So, let’s dive a little deeper into some of the top soft skills every nurse should possess. 

1. Communication 

I think we can all understand why having good communication skills is essential in nursing. We work with a variety of people, from professionals such as doctors and pharmacists to our patients, who often have no formal understanding of the medical field. 

A nurse must be able to communicate effectively on many different levels. Effective communication is essential to successful patient outcomes. 

2. Compassion 

Compassion is defined as “sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.” As nurses, it is imperative we show compassion to our patients and their families, especially in times of illness. It is what we are trained to do…understand our patient’s situation and try to help them. 

Nurses tend to be nurturers by nature, and although this one can be tough when we lose a patient , it is still a very vital trait to have as a nurse.  

3. Conflict Resolution 

At some point in your nursing career, you will have to resolve a conflict. That conflict may be between you and a co-worker or a patient and a family member. Regardless, you need to have the ability to handle conflicts in a healthy way , so that the outcome is positive for all involved.  

4. Critical Thinking 

There are many long and broad definitions of critical thinking, but it can be defined simply as “disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.” 

In order to be a good critical thinker, you must also have a good solid foundation of nursing knowledge to develop an informed decision. This skills is important in all aspects of nursing but is of utmost importance for APRNs and ICU nurses. 

Not everything in nursing is textbook. In fact, most things in nursing are not textbook examples, which is one reason critical thinking is a central part of nursing programs. For anyone struggling with critical thinking, just know, as we become more seasoned in our careers, we become better critical thinkers.   

5. Dependability  

Who loves the coworker who constantly is calling out of work, leaving the rest of the team struggling to cover their patients? Or the coworker that is consistently late getting to work, causing you to clock out late every single shift? Don’t get me wrong, we all have things that come up where we have to take off, but being dependable is very important. It not only impacts the way our co-workers view us, but it also affects the quality of care and safety of our patients.  

6. Initiative 

Taking initiative means assessing a situation and taking action to address it on your own. Nurses who take initiative stand out in a unit, as it is a critical aspect of leadership in nursing. Depending on the circumstances, taking initiative can lead to small achievements or much greater successes because nurses are key players in practice improvements .  

As a nurse, we see firsthand what works and what doesn’t. Nurses who take the initiative to bring these things to light help contribute to better nursing practices. You could be the one who discovers a better way of practicing for all nurses just by taking the initiative!  

7. Professionalism 

Professionalism is defined as “the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person.” How you treat your co-workers and your patients reflects your level of professionalism.  

In nursing, we are expected to adhere to the nursing code of ethics , which includes autonomy, beneficence,  justice, and non-maleficence. The code of ethics is part of nursing professionalism. Being respectful towards others is an absolute must in nursing!  

8. Resilience 

With the ever-changing world of nursing, being resilient is a must. A resilient nurse has “the ability to face adverse situations, remain focused, and continue to be optimistic for the future.” Nurses were pushed to the breaking point during the pandemic but remained resilient. No matter how resilient you are, always remember that self-care is also important! 

9. Teamwork 

It’s always refreshing to work with team players. We all need help at times. When nurses work successfully as a team , patient outcomes are better, and the load is lighter on everyone. 

When you are a team player, your co-workers won’t mind helping you when you need help.   

10. Time Management and Flexibility 

Good time management skills are imperative to becoming an efficient nurse. Even with excellent time management skills , you must also be flexible. Time management and flexibility go hand in hand.  

We all know what it’s like to have our shift planned out, pacing ourselves, and then…boom…someone codes and everything we had planned goes to the wayside. 

Once things are under control, it’s time to regroup and reorganize our time for the remainder of our shift. Good time management and remaining flexible will make the shift much more structured so you won’t find yourself running around in limbo. 

How to Hone These Nursing Skills 

Practicing soft skills should be a daily occurrence for continued self-improvement. 

Some may come easier than others, but soft skills are just as important as hard skills. Remember, practice makes perfect. If you are a new grad or still in nursing school, give yourself time and grace to work on these skills. But know that they are just as important as learning how to insert a Foley catheter or how to draw blood correctly. 

Christy Book , BSN, RN, is a registered nurse from Louisiana. She has served as an assistant director of nursing, director of nursing, and divisional director of nursing in the long-term care setting. Other nursing experience includes medical-surgical, allied health instructor, and immigration. She is also an American Heart Association BLS Instructor. Christy’s passion for writing, researching, and educating others is what led her to become a nurse writer.

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What to Study BEFORE Nursing School

Study Tips and Getting Organized

FREE STUDY CHECKLIST

FREE DOSE CALC CHEAT SHEET

Are you wondering what to study before nursing school?

Or how to prepare for nursing school and make it easier to pass?

Unfortunately, most nursing students make a HUGE mistake when it comes to preparing for nursing school and it ends up costing them a LOT when they start school.

So in this video, I’ll tell you exactly what you should study before nursing school to avoid this huge mistake.

So stick around until the end, because you don’t want to miss any of these tips.

0:00 Intro 1:05 HUGE MISTAKE 2:27 Here’s what to do 2:54 MATH 6:55 What to do next 8:08 Outro

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Dosage Calculations (Nursing) | Dose Calc | Med Math

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HOW TO STUDY FOR ONLINE CLASSES

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Unfortunately, most nursing students make a HUGE mistake when it comes to preparing for nursing school and it ends up costing them a LOT when they start school. So in this video, I’ll tell you exactly what you should study before nursing school to avoid this huge mistake. So stick around until the end, because you don’t want to miss any of these tips.

What’s up my friend, my name is Christina Rafano and I’m the creator of the Nursing School Show, where we walk you through how to pass nursing school, step-by-step. Now hit that subscribe button and click the notification bell and let’s dive in.

So you’re probably asking yourself:

What should you study before nursing school?

How can you prepare for nursing school and make it easier to pass?

These are super good questions to ask, and most students I talk with get this wrong.

MAJORLY wrong.

So let’s talk about it. Here’s what most students do:

Most nursing students buy all their textbooks and start reading them before they start school. You’ll get all excited and want to get a head start on the reading. Then you’ll look at the class syllabus and realize that your professors have basically assigned the ENTIRE book for you to read.

When you see that syllabus and everything you have to read, you’ll tell yourself your life is over, nursing school was a terrible idea, and obviously you’ll never see your family for the next few years.

But, because you’ve been a rock start student up until this point, you’ll pick yourself back up and get to work.

HUGE mistake, and here’s why: because you don’t know what you don’t know. When you start nursing school, you’re going to learn so much in the first two weeks, it’s going to blow your mind.

It’s a huge waste of time to try and read everything in the textbook before you start your nursing classes.

I know, I know. Even though your professors give you the ENTIRE TEXTBOOK to read and you feel like your life is ending.

Seriously – don’t read it all.

Because when you start nursing school, you’re going to find that your professors don’t teach you everything in your textbook, you are not tested on everything in your textbook, and if you tried to read this ridiculously massive textbook, it would take you about ten THOUSAND years. Okay – yes, THAT’S a bit dramatic. But you see my point.

Do you really want to read this whole thing in nursing school? No.

So here’s what you should do instead:

Focus on reading the sections of the book that your professors talk about in class.

That’s it. End of story.

Don’t believe me? That’s fine. Believe these students who have followed our study tips and totally rocked it.

This stuff works. And I walk you through exactly how to study in THIS video here , and I also give you the full step-by-step nursing school study process here in THIS FREE checklist . The link is in the description for you to get it.

Now, you’re probably wondering, “Well Christina, that’s great and all. But I need to wait until I start nursing school to do that. What can I do NOW before starting nursing school?”

And I have the answer for you, my friend.

Did you know, that when you start nursing school, within the first 2 weeks you will have a dosage calculation exam? This is where you need to calculate doses for pharmacology using MATH .

And get this: you can’t get any questions wrong. If you do, you’ll most likely have one shot at a make-up exam and then you get booted out of your program.

Now you know me, and you know I’m never here to scare you or anything. And if your anxiety just went up a little bit, don’t worry:

You will PASS.

I know you’ve heard the rumors that no one passes nursing school, but for real, if that was true well, we wouldn’t have any nurses now would we?

I break down the biggest nursing school lies, including that one, here in THIS video . So be sure to check that one out as well.

But, with all that said, the dose calc exam is a very serious thing. You must pass it, and you must get 100% on it, in order to stay in your program. Some programs may allow you to get a 90% on it, and if you’re in one of those, just be blessed, because that it not the case for a lot of students.

So if you’ve ever told yourself you were bad at math, listen up.

THIS is what you should be spending your time on. Not reading the textbook. Not getting a head start on papers. No. Practice dose calc. Because, if you don’t get this down before you start your nursing program, you will STRUGGLE the first few weeks.

Here’s what will happen:

You’ll have all these exams to study for, care plans to write, nursing skills to practice, AND a dose calc exam that you need to get 100% on. And you’ll need to focus on that dose calc exam at the expense of the other things, so you’ll actually end up getting behind. And you do NOT want to start nursing school off being behind.

So here’s what to do:

Go through THESE videos and learn how to answer dose calc problems. It’s WAY easier than you think, I PROMISE.

I also have THIS FREE dose calc cheat sheet for you that walks you through the simple 6-step process to follow to get your questions right every single time.

Then once you’ve watched those videos and downloaded that free cheat sheet, do as many practice questions as you can. Often times, nursing schools will send out a packet of practice questions for you.

Follow our simple 6 step process and do them until you understand it inside and out.

That is going to save you in the first few weeks of your program.

If you’re a NursingSOS Member , head on over to your dashboard and click on BONUSES . We have 2 dose calc workbooks in there for you filled with practice problems. And of course, I walk you through the answers and how to solve them! So be sure to check that out.

Now there’s one more thing that you should study before you start your program, but I want to address something really important first…and that is your math mindset.

I’m sure that at some point during this video you’ve said to yourself,

“There’s no way I can get 100% on a math test. I’m super bad at math.”

Stop right there friend. You are NOT bad at math . You just haven’t had the practice to get confident with it yet.

Just because you don’t know how to do it now, doesn’t mean you won’t know it soon, and it definitely doesn’t mean you’re going to fail. You are just starting nursing school, and you are NOT expected to know everything about everything right now.

So give yourself grace, and give yourself plenty of time to practice. The more you practice, the better off you will get.

Now, after you’ve done that, and ONLY after you’ve done that, the next thing you should study is the nursing process. The nursing process is the step-by-step system that you will follow in your entire journey as a nursing student and as a nurse. It is EVERYTHING in nursing.

I break it down really simple for you HERE in this video . So be sure to check that out – but only after you’ve mastered dose calc, deal?

Now here’s where I see nursing students get stuck all the time: they tell me,

“Christina, I’m taking nursing fundamentals and I don’t know how to critically think or think like a nurse.”

Of COURSE you don’t! You just started nursing school, friend. You are NOT expected to know how to critically think right now, that comes with time and experience.

So as you go through the nursing process, don’t beat yourself up that you don’t know how all the puzzle pieces fit together yet. You’re not expected to know that right now, it will come in time. Just focus on learning what the nursing process is and the basics for it. That’s your goal right now.

Now make sure to like, comment, subscribe and share this video with a friend. And click on this playlist right here so you can learn how to study in nursing school, and go become the nurse that God created only YOU to be. And I’ll catch you in the next video.

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Bachelor of Science Program

Not a traditional undergraduate student? Visit our continuing education Nursing degree programs (ACCEL and RN-BS)...

Students at Curry College School of Nursing and Health Sciences are immersed in a caring and innovative educational environment designed to promote transformative thinking, intellectual and social growth, evaluation of evidence, synthesis of knowledge, and interpersonal and clinical expertise.

Make an impact in today’s ever-changing healthcare field with a degree in Nursing from Curry College. Through specialized courses, clinical placements, supportive faculty, and state-of-the art technology, students receive a hands-on education to help them excel as a future nursing professional.

• Nursing (B.S.) Major Requirements, Mission/Vision, Policies and Expectations

High-Tech Nursing

Curry is a leader in the use of robust simulation to prepare students for practice. Students experience simulation-based education using manikins, standardized patients, and virtual applications to develop clinical judgment,compassion, and communication skills.

Clinical Locations Second to None

Curry College's location in the Boston metropolitan area creates the perfect opportunity for you to experience dynamic, hands-on learning at some of the best medical facilities in the world. Beginning sophomore year, you gain experience in a wide range of urban and suburban institutions as you complete your six semesters of required clinical work including pediatrics, maternity, mental health rotations, and more. Our students are learning the latest in healthcare at top Massachusetts hospitals, including:

• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
• Beth Israel Deaconess-Milton
• Beth Israel Deaconess-Plymouth
• Boston Medical Center
• Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital
• Brockton Hospital
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• Sturdy Memorial Hospital
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Clinical Experience Details:

• We maintain a maximum 6:1 student to faculty ratio during clinical rotations.
• Students participate in 6 semesters of clinical learning.
• The School of Nursing and Health Sciences maintains relationships with many clinical partners including area hospitals, healthcare providers, and community-focused agencies.

Become Competent and Career Ready

In addition to clinical placements, Curry nursing students can gain valuable experience engaging in simulated patient care scenarios, participating in disaster drills at local hospitals, and even traveling to France or Ireland to study health policy. You'll be educated with technology infused throughout your curriculum to prepare for the demands of today's healthcare settings.

Our students are learning the latest innovations and trends in healthcare while developing the knowledge, skills and attitudes to become the next leaders in nursing. Our School of Nursing alumni are making a difference in healthcare at:

• Beth Israel Lahey Health
• Boston Children’s Hospital
• Brigham and Women’s Hospital
• Franciscan Children's Hospital
• Good Samaritan Medical Center
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Seasons Hospice
• South Shore Health

Become Involved

On campus opportunities:

• Alexander Graham Bell Honor Society
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• Sigma Theta Tau - Nursing Honor Society

Student Nurses Association

Ask about our master of science in nursing.

Curry College’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares RNs for careers in nursing education and administration. For graduates who hold a non-nursing degree, Curry now offers an Accelerated Entry Master of Science in Nursing degree .

Course Requirements and Information

Nclex-rn pass rates.

Learning Outcomes

Nursing professionals are always in-demand, filling many roles to meet the needs in a variety of today’s healthcare settings, including:

• Ambulatory Care
• Gerontology
• Mental Health
• Nurse Case Management
• Obstetrics & Women’s Health
• Palliative Care
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• School Nursing

School of Nursing and Health Sciences Baccalaureate Program Outcomes:

• Identify health promotion and clinical intervention strategies for optimal individual and population wellness.
• Deliver culturally responsive, patient and family-centered care that integrates evidence and is based on a foundation of a liberal arts education.
• Use information technologies, teamwork strategies and collaborative communication to improve patient care and create a safe care environment.
• Interpret the effects of health policy on populations and healthcare systems.
• Engage in life-long scholarship and professional development.
• Apply leadership skills with creativity, compassion, and commitment to engage self and others in promoting and managing healing environments.

Explore Related Programs:

Sigma Theta Tau is active in supporting local nursing scholars through our ongoing research and academic awards program. We also routinely send members to destinations around this country and abroad.

Members of CCSNA participate in community, legislative and recruitment projects, develop leadership skills, attend national and local conferences, have access to scholarships, and more.

Exploratory Health Professions

The Exploratory Health Professions Program is designed to help students interested in health services fields identify and pursue a major that will lead to internships and employment in the health care industry.

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Go global with Curry College faculty members as part of our very popular Short-term, Faculty-led Courses, or create your own customized Study Abroad opportunity!

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Making the transition to college can be a little confusing and lot of fun. Your First-Year Experience at Curry College helps smooth out the bumps and puts you on the path to success.

At the heart of Curry College's undergraduate curriculum is our General Education (Gen Ed) Program. Gen Ed is based on our belief in the power and potential of the liberal arts.

Purple Pride for Clinicals!

School of Nursing and Health Sciences students don purple scrubs for their clinical rotations out in the field, representing the official color of Curry College.

Life-Changing Opportunities Await

Start with a foundation in the liberal arts. Add attentive faculty and countless opportunities to learn by doing. That’s what you’ll get with a bachelor’s degree from Curry. Learn what’s waiting for you today.

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