When it comes to earning a degree, nursing consistently ranks as one of the most challenging programs.
Students often wonder, “Is nursing really the hardest degree?”
While it may not officially hold the Guinness World Record for difficulty, it’s widely regarded as one of the toughest due to its unique combination of rigorous academic coursework, clinical training, and emotional demands.
Let’s explore why nursing is so hard, what to expect from the program, and how it compares to other difficult degrees.
1. Why nursing is considered hard
Nursing programs are notoriously tough for a variety of reasons that go beyond just academics.
The degree requires a unique blend of practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and emotional resilience. Here are some of the key factors that make nursing one of the most challenging degrees to pursue:
- Intense academic workload:
Nursing students must master complex subjects like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology.
These courses are filled with dense material and require not just memorization but deep understanding.
Students often report long hours of study to keep up with the coursework.
- Clinical training:
In addition to academic courses, nursing students are required to complete extensive clinical hours.
These clinical rotations provide hands-on experience, but they are demanding, with long shifts that mirror the real-world environment of hospitals.
This can be physically and emotionally draining, as students often work in high-pressure settings.
- Emotional demands:
Nursing is not just about technical skills.
It requires empathy, patience, and the ability to handle emotionally charged situations.
Nursing students are often exposed to critical care situations, patient suffering, and even death, which can be difficult to process emotionally.
- Time management:
Balancing coursework, clinical hours, and personal life is no easy feat.
Many nursing students report feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of work they need to complete in a relatively short period.
Managing your time effectively is crucial to succeeding in nursing school.
2. What to expect in nursing school
If you’re considering nursing, it’s important to understand what you’ll face during your studies.
Nursing programs typically last around four years for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), though accelerated programs may be shorter. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect:
- Heavy course load:
Nursing programs pack in a lot of material. Expect to take classes in biology, chemistry, nursing theory, and ethics, among others.
You’ll also cover practical skills like administering medication, patient assessment, and wound care.
- Clinical hours:
Clinical rotations start early in your program and take place in hospitals or healthcare facilities.
You’ll be supervised by experienced nurses as you learn how to care for real patients.
These rotations can last 8-12 hours, mirroring the typical shifts of working nurses.
- Exams and certifications:
Nursing students must pass various exams throughout their studies, culminating in the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses).
This exam is required to become a licensed nurse, and it’s known for its rigor.
3. Why nursing school is still worth it
Despite the challenges, nursing remains one of the most rewarding careers. Here’s why nursing school is worth the struggle:
- High demand and job security:
Nurses are in high demand across the country.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects faster-than-average job growth for registered nurses (RNs) in the coming decade.
- Competitive salary:
While nursing school may be tough, it pays off.
Registered nurses in the U.S. earn an average salary of around $77,600 per year, with even higher earnings in specialized areas like nurse anesthetists or nurse practitioners.
- Fulfilling work:
Nursing offers the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives.
It’s a career filled with purpose, as you’re directly responsible for caring for patients and helping them through their health challenges.
4. Most stressful nursing specialties
While nursing is a rewarding career, certain specialties are known for being particularly stressful due to the intensity of the environment and the stakes involved. If you’re considering a career in nursing, it’s important to be aware of these high-pressure areas:
- Emergency Room (ER) Nursing:
ER nurses work in a fast-paced environment where they treat a wide variety of patients with urgent and life-threatening conditions.
The unpredictability of cases and the need for quick decision-making can lead to high stress levels.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Nursing:
ICU nurses care for critically ill patients, often those with severe injuries or life-threatening conditions.
They manage complex medical equipment and administer high-stakes treatments.
The emotional toll of working in an environment where patient outcomes can be uncertain adds to the stress.
- Oncology Nursing:
Oncology nurses care for cancer patients, many of whom are undergoing intense treatments or facing terminal diagnoses.
The emotional strain of caring for patients with long-term illnesses, along with the bonds that form with them and their families, can be emotionally draining.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Nursing:
NICU nurses work with newborns who are critically ill or born prematurely.
The care required is highly specialized, and the stakes are incredibly high, as these patients are the most vulnerable.
- Operating Room (OR) Nursing:
OR nurses assist surgeons during complex surgeries, ensuring patient safety throughout the procedure.
They need to maintain a calm, focused demeanor during long and often complicated surgeries, which can be both mentally and physically exhausting.
5. Top 5 universities offering Premier Nursing Programs
1. Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, boasts one of the world’s most prestigious nursing programs.
The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing consistently ranks at the top for its comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
Known for its focus on research and clinical leadership, the school benefits greatly from its proximity to Johns Hopkins Hospital, one of the most renowned healthcare institutions in the U.S., giving students unparalleled access to cutting-edge medical training and research.
2. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is home to the esteemed Penn School of Nursing, offering degrees like the BSN, MSN, and DNP.
As an Ivy League school, Penn integrates evidence-based research into its nursing curriculum, preparing students to lead in innovative healthcare practices.
The school is widely recognized for its emphasis on healthcare innovation and collaboration across disciplines, setting it apart as a leader in nursing education.
3. Duke University
In Durham, North Carolina, Duke University School of Nursing offers diverse degree pathways, from accelerated programs for second-degree students to advanced practice degrees such as the DNP and PhD.
Duke is distinguished for its cutting-edge research initiatives and its close relationship with Duke University Hospital, one of the nation’s top medical centers.
This partnership provides students with valuable hands-on experience in a clinical setting.
4. University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), located in San Francisco, focuses exclusively on health sciences, offering both graduate and doctoral programs in nursing.
With a strong emphasis on healthcare innovation and leadership, UCSF is a leading institution in nursing education, renowned for its deep commitment to advancing the health sciences through education and research.
5. University of Washington
Lastly, the University of Washington School of Nursing in Seattle offers highly ranked BSN, MSN, and DNP programs, with a particular focus on community health and global nursing initiatives.
The school is recognized for its strong emphasis on public health and its collaboration with leading research institutes, making it a top choice for students interested in making a global impact in healthcare.
These universities not only provide robust nursing education but also offer excellent clinical training, research opportunities, and leadership development, making them some of the best places to pursue a nursing degree.
Other degrees that are also challenging
While nursing is tough, it’s not the only degree that can push students to their limits. Here are some other notoriously difficult degrees and why they’re considered challenging:
- Engineering:
Engineering programs, especially in fields like electrical or mechanical engineering, are known for their high level of difficulty.
Students face challenging coursework in mathematics, physics, and technical design, often requiring advanced problem-solving and analytical thinking.
The workload can be overwhelming, with long hours spent on complex projects.
- Medicine:
Medical degrees are often regarded as the most difficult due to their length (medical school can last up to 8 years, plus residency) and the sheer volume of material students must master.
Like nursing, medical students must balance academic study with clinical practice, but the depth of knowledge required is much greater.
- Law:
Law school is infamous for its intense workload, with students required to read and analyze large volumes of case law.
The Socratic method, used in many law programs, puts students on the spot, requiring them to defend their interpretations and analysis of legal texts in front of their peers.
This, along with preparing for the bar exam, makes it one of the most difficult degrees.
Final thoughts: Is nursing the hardest degree?
Nursing may not officially be the hardest degree, but it is certainly among the most demanding.
The combination of heavy coursework, clinical hours, and emotional resilience required makes it a tough challenge.
However, if you’re passionate about helping others and ready to put in the effort, nursing can be an incredibly rewarding career.
Still, it’s important to remember that every degree has its challenges, and what’s hard for one person may not be as tough for another. Whether it’s nursing, engineering, or medicine, each degree demands dedication, hard work, and perseverance.
FAQs
- Is nursing the hardest degree to earn?
Nursing is considered one of the most challenging degrees due to the combination of demanding academic coursework, required clinical hours, and the emotional resilience needed to handle patient care. While it may not be officially the hardest degree, it is undeniably tough.
- How long does it take to earn a nursing degree?
A typical Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes four years to complete. There are also accelerated programs that allow you to earn your degree in 12 to 18 months if you already have a degree in another field.
- What is the NCLEX, and why is it important?
The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is the final exam that nursing students must pass to become a licensed registered nurse (RN). It tests a student’s ability to think critically in nursing situations and apply their knowledge to patient care scenarios.
- What makes nursing school stressful?
The combination of heavy academic workload, long clinical shifts, and the emotional burden of caring for patients under pressure makes nursing school one of the most stressful degree programs.
- What skills do I need to succeed in nursing?
To succeed in nursing, you need a combination of hard skills (like medical knowledge, patient care, and technical proficiency with medical equipment) and soft skills (such as empathy, communication, and resilience). Time management and problem-solving are also critical in this field.