Common Challenges of Nursing School and How to Overcome Them

Students who go to school to become a nurse are on a mission. Many have selected this career path so they could take care of people and make a difference in their communities. Nursing can be a rewarding and fulfilling career. If you are a nursing student, you might be excited to start working in a hospital, clinic or any other healthcare setting. However, before you can fully start your career, you must tackle nursing school.

You learn a lot while in school but it can be easy to be caught up in your busy schedule, classes, clinical rotations and exams.

Here are some challenges you'll face as a nursing student and how to overcome them. 

Dealing with Homework and Assignments

As a nursing student, you’ll have a lot on your daily schedule. You may be busy with lectures, labs, assignments and projects. Nursing students can expect many hours of reading, independent case studies and presentations during their time at school.

While the homework can be taxing, some tactics to tackle the load are:

• Start your work early. Nothing is worse than waiting until the last minute to complete a project that ends up not being as great as it could have been. Starting early helps keep you on track and stay motivated, especially when tasks are more grueling. Working on a project a little bit every day can help lighten the workload and also make your work seem more manageable.
• Figure out what to prioritize. Even with assignments piling up, learning which one to prioritize can help limit the feeling of being overwhelmed. To determine what should be completed first, look at the due dates and the complexity of each task. Some big projects can be broken into smaller tasks and other projects can be pushed back to make room for projects that have a closer due date.
• Stay organized and have a clean workspace. Maintaining organization and staying focused can help with your productivity and reduce stress. Try creating lists or minimizing the amount of clutter in your work area. Other another tip could include keeping a planner or using organization apps.

Herzing-Atlanta BSN grad, Aminata Kuyateh, offers some advice for students: “My advice for others is to just stay focused and be positive. Always do your work on time and study hard. More importantly, learn to prioritize your time.”

Managing Nursing Clinicals

Clinicals are where nursing students take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply it to real situations. They can sometimes be challenging since they test and evaluate not only your nursing knowledge but also your professionalism and attitude towards patients. Many nursing students find clinical a helpful way to get real hands-on nursing experience.

Some advice to confidently complete clinicals include:

• Always ask questions. Never assume anything to ensure you’re implementing the best strategy to keep you and the patient safe. It is always best to double check if you don't feel confident about doing something. As a nursing student, you are still learning so don't be afraid to ask questions!
• Take advantage of the resources provided to you by your university or clinical program. Clinical instructors are one of the best resources for nursing students and will guide you as you put theory into practice. Ask them questions when you need help.
• Be prepared for anything. Review your patients’ medical history or anything related to nursing care before you go. You might also want to practice skills you might perform during clinical. While at your clinical, something might not go as planned, but you should have confidence in yourself and in your educational experience to know that you can handle those problems or setbacks.
• Nurture connections. Clinicals are not only a great way to gain field experience, but also offer opportunities to network with nurses. Be sure to keep in touch and thank those who helped you. Also, join groups like the National Student Nursing Association to continue to build your professional network.

You can take some inspiration from Donnalee Fulton, who earned her Associate in Nursing from Herzing-Birmingham. She advises students, “Be dedicated and determined, regardless of what challenge comes your way. Don’t give up, even when you feel overwhelmed. The reward, in the end, is amazing.”

Preparing for the NCLEX

The National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) is one of the most important and difficult milestones for a nursing student. Passing this exam requires a lot of preparation and it is different from other tests you take as a nursing student.

Some tips to assist in your preparation for the exam include:

• Study for the NCLEX. Don't try to do all your studying the night before the exam—you will be unsuccessful. You can review course materials from your nursing classes or you can find practice questions and other study tips online to help prepare. The NCLEX is a cumulative exam so you will need to review information regularly in order to commit it to memory.
• Know your learning and study style. Understanding what methods help you learn best is an important aspect of studying for the NCLEX. While some may like working in a group setting, others might prefer learning on their own. Figure out what techniques work for you to make the most of your studying.
• Don’t stress yourself out. Test-taking can be intimidating, but it’s important to stay positive to get through it. Try putting that nervous energy into something productive like planning out a study schedule or exercising to clear your mind. Other ways to overcome the stress of test-taking include finding a support system and trying to maintain a positive attitude. You have worked hard to get to this point and all your hard work will pay off!

Nursing school has its challenges, but in the end, all of your hard work and long hours will be worth it!

“Don't be afraid to pursue your dreams. Herzing University's Master's of Science in Nursing program challenged and sharpened me, but most of all, it made me stronger. If you don't pursue your dreams, you lose the opportunity to be your best possible self,” says Herzing-Online graduate Michele Scarborough.

Caring for Your Mental Health

Nursing school can be mentally and emotionally demanding, especially when balancing coursework, clinical rotations and personal responsibilities. Managing stress and prioritizing your mental health can help you stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed throughout your nursing education.

Here are some effective ways you can protect your mental health as you go through nursing school:

• Build a reliable support network. Whether you're struggling with a difficult assignment or feeling overwhelmed by clinical responsibilities, having a support system of classmates, friends, family members and instructors can provide encouragement and guidance when you need it most.
• Make time for self-care. Prioritize getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and taking breaks from studying to recharge mentally and physically. Consider reaching out to a mental health professional if stress becomes difficult to manage.
• Establish realistic academic expectations. Break large course assignments and study objectives into smaller, achievable tasks to reduce academic pressure and maintain a sense of progress without expecting perfection.

Take it from Kayla Nelson, one of Herzing’s BSN students at the Minneapolis campus, who understood the importance of having a reliable support network:

Having someone like my mother in my life has both inspired and encouraged me in my nursing journey. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without her. If you don’t have the support of family members, try confiding in your friends or other loved ones. Other students in your nursing classes can make for a great support system, too. 

Financing Your Education

Paying for nursing school can be challenging, especially when tuition, textbooks, supplies and other educational expenses begin to add up. Fortunately, exploring different financial aid opportunities and planning your expenses can help make financing your nursing education more manageable.

Here are some ideas for financing your nursing education:

• Explore financial aid opportunities. Research scholarships, grants, federal student loans and other funding options that may help cover educational expenses, and review Herzing's financial aid offers to learn about potential financial assistance offers based on your eligibility.
• Create a realistic budget. Calculate your tuition, educational supplies, transportation and living expenses to determine how much funding you'll need and consider part-time employment if your academic program and clinical schedules provide enough time.
• Explore employer tuition assistance programs. If you're currently employed, ask your employer whether they offer tuition reimbursement or educational assistance benefits that could help offset nursing school expenses.

Professional Networking

Building professional relationships is an important part of nursing school, but knowing where to start can be challenging. Connecting with classmates, instructors and healthcare professionals can help you find mentors, strengthen your professional knowledge and learn about potential career opportunities.

Here is what you can do to expand your networking pool:

• Build relationships during clinical rotations. Take opportunities to connect with nurses, clinical instructors, and other healthcare professionals by asking thoughtful questions, seeking feedback, and demonstrating professionalism during patient care experiences.
• Participate in nursing organizations and events. Join student nursing associations, attend healthcare networking events, and engage with peers and instructors to establish meaningful connections. Networking in nursing school can help strengthen your professional relationships and expand your career opportunities.
• Seek mentorship opportunities. Connect with experienced nurses or nursing school alumni who can share career insights, offer professional guidance, and help you navigate the transition from nursing student to registered nurse.

Enroll in an Accredited Nursing Program

If you’re ready to embrace the experience of a nursing career, then Herzing University is ready to support you on your journey. We offer a variety of nursing programs designed to help you develop the knowledge and clinical expertise needed to excel in a nursing profession. Here is a sample of the programs we offer:

• Associate of Science in Nursing: Our ASN program can be completed in 20-24 months and is designed to help you prepare for a career as a registered nurse. You can transfer 48-54 approved credits from an accredited institution. Courses focus on the fundamental principles and practice of nursing treatment and evidence-based practices.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: The completion time for our 120-credit degree program is usually around 36 months but varies depending on transfer credits from other institutions. Our courses focus on evidence-based practices, holistic nursing, and quality care. They are offered online and in person, depending on the location. Additionally, students are eligible for graduate-level courses with our dual credit offer.
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing: If you want to bypass the traditional BSN route, you can enroll in our accelerated program instead. Completion time for our 120-credit program is anywhere between 20-24 months, and you can transfer up to 90 approved credits. Our courses focus on multiple clinical areas, including mental health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and gerontological nursing.
• Master of Science (Direct Entry): Our 60-77 direct entry graduate program prepares students for a career as a registered nurse. Our program includes 100% online didactic classes coupled with in-person components (e.g., clinicals). Our program prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) and provide patient-focused care in clinical settings. Completion time varies, but students can complete the program as quickly as 20 months.

If you’re interested in learning more about Herzing University’s nursing programs, explore our nursing programs!