Parhaat online-ABSN-ohjelmat | NurseJournal.org (2025)

FAQs

How to succeed in online nursing school? ›

Once you've found an accredited online nursing school, your next question will likely be, “Is nursing school online hard?” The short answer is yes: nursing school is hard, regardless if you take classes in person or from home.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows registered nurses earn a median annual wage of $77,600. Even if you attend a more expensive ABSN program and pay over $100K for your degree, after two or three years, you will begin to see a positive Return on Investment, indicating the cost of an ABSN degree is worth it.

Pharmacology, Microbiology, and Anatomy & Physiology each have a well-earned reputation for being difficult to pass. Some students may find Cardiology, Chemistry, or even Mental Health especially trying.

To start nursing school, you don't need any prior nursing experience or healthcare education. All you need is a high school diploma or GED. Once you are accepted, your journey to RN begins! You can become an RN in 2 to 4 years by studying for an associate's degree (ASN) or bachelor's degree (BSN).

GPA requirements depend on the type of nursing program you want to apply for, but most programs require at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. However, due to the competitive nature of nursing programs, most schools prefer a 3.7 to 4.0 GPA.

Is an ABSN the same as a BSN? ›

Traditional BSN programs are for students who have no previous college experience, and they require only a high school diploma. ABSN programs are designed to accommodate students who already have non-nursing degrees or, at the very least, enough college credits to qualify for admission.

More Comprehensive Education & Better Patient Care

All nursing programs will teach you the basics on providing clinical care, but nurses with a BSN are exposed to curriculum that covers communication, critical thinking, and leadership—all essential skills if you want to move up in your career as a nurse.

Why is nursing school worth it? There are many perks that a nursing career has to offer you professionally and personally. The desire to help others motivates many people to enter the profession, making it a very rewarding career choice. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to grow and learn constantly.

Both ADN and BSN degrees prepare nurses for entry-level roles. However, a BSN degree is designed to offer more career opportunities for upward mobility, and that comes with a bigger paycheck. The starting salary for a registered nurse with a BSN can be, at the beginning, similar to what an ADN nurse earns.

How many hours a day should I study for nursing school? Everyone is different, but in general, it is recommended that nursing school students study anywhere from 2-4 hours a day. Committing class material to memory is essential to becoming a registered nurse, so the more time studying, the better!

Carefully read the entire question. Don't rush through it or stop halfway through because you assume that you know what's being asked. Reword the stem to make it easier to understand, and answer the question. Look for hints or key words, such as most, all, first, best, primary, initial, always, and never.

Not being fully invested in the course work, not dedicating enough time to studying, being extremely stressed, or not using the proper study methods can contribute to a nursing student's inability to pass their courses. Ultimately leading to them failing out of their nursing program.

Many nursing schools require a minimum grade of roughly 80% to actually pass, as well. By the time you realize you aren't doing well enough to be successful in the course, the choices can be pretty limited. Failure happens all the time. It happens every day...

What is the hardest nursing exam? ›

The National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX, is a critical exam that every nursing student must take to become a licensed nurse. Passing the NCLEX is essential to begin your nursing career, but it is also one of the most challenging exams you will ever take.

The BSN is the nursing degree that most employers prefer, and it provides graduates the best career opportunities straight out of school. The minimum requirement for many nursing positions these days is a BSN.

The average age of ADN nursing students at community colleges is 26-40 years old. BSN programs have an average age of early-mid 20s. Students in RN-to-BSN programs are typically in their late 30s.

Key Nursing Statistics

44 years old is the average age of a registered nurse. 69.6% of all nurses in the United States are white. Black or African American nurses make up 11.4% of the total number of nurses, with Hispanics representing 8.8% and Asians at 7.9%.

Older adults, both men and women, wanting to join the nursing profession can bring wisdom, life experience and relatability to the aging population. It is never too late to start life as a nurse if you're willing to embrace new technology, study hard and demonstrate resilience.

Yes, getting into nursing school with a low GPA is possible. Many colleges put preference on the SAT or the ACT over GPAs. If you have a low GPA, you may want to focus on doing well on these exams. Some colleges have an open admission process, meaning they take anyone with a high school diploma or GED.

One of the first things you will learn in nursing school is to ask questions. You will see that asking questions or reaching out for clarification and support is a common theme in nursing school. Remember, you are not alone in the journey, and once you graduate, you will be starting a gratifying career.

What Is the Lowest GPA for Nursing School? The majority of nursing schools require GPAs of at least 3.0. However, some schools will accept GPAs as low as 2.0.

If they fail, they'll need to wait 45 days before retesting. After failing three times, though, they'll need to complete a board-approved remediation program before the next retake. test-takers have six attempts to pass in total.

You can retake the exam as soon as 45 days after your first attempt and take it up to eight times in a year. Also, the majority of states have no time limit on when you need to pass the NCLEX after graduation. The remainder give you a few years to pass the exam.

How hard is the nursing school test? ›

Nursing school exams are challenging for almost everyone. They'll test not only your knowledge of course material, but also your ability to apply this information in a patient scenario. Developing a solid study plan and knowing what to expect on test day can go a long way toward passing these difficult exams.

BSN is an undergraduate degree which stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Completing a BSN program is one way to start your career in nursing and obtain your RN license. While technically all BSN graduates are RNs—at least if they take the RN licensure exam and practice nursing—all RNs aren't BSNs.

What is the highest-paid nurse? Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists! Earning $195,610 annually, CRNAs earn significantly more than any other type of nurse or nursing specialty.

MSN programs are usually more difficult to get into than BSN programs, and more prestigious MSN programs are especially competitive. Applying to an MSN program also requires nursing experience.

Nursing requires more dedication than many other careers. However, it's one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. Nursing school is notoriously difficult—and it's not for everyone. Graduate school is challenging as well.

So, ask yourself how caring are you of other individuals and their needs. In order to be a good nurse, you have to deeply care about people. If you are one of those types of people who just worry about themselves and do not really concentrate on how to help others, then nursing really is not for you.

While both undergraduate degrees will provide a strong academic foundation, a BS is a more general science degree while a BSN prepares graduates specifically for furthering their careers in nursing.

Nursing in the "real world" generally requires very basic math skills, but almost all programs require at least one college-level math class — usually algebra. Some nursing schools may require a basic statistics course as well, so if you know what schools you're applying to, be sure to check for this requirement.

Is 35 too old to start nursing school? ›

The answer is that going back to school to earn your nursing degree is an incredibly rewarding experience; you're never too old to become a nurse!

Nursing requires a variety of skills, including empathy, critical thinking, communication, and more. You do have to be smart for nursing school, but “smarts” aren't limited to just getting good grades. There are different types of intelligence that play an important role in getting through nursing school.

Many hospitals favor hiring nurses with a BSN because they can reach the IOM's recommendation without losing ADNs who are close to retirement age. If hospitals do hire nurses with an associate degree, they may require them to complete a BSN program within two to five years.

Health Assessment: the hardest semester of nursing school

Health assessment will likely be one of the initial courses you'll take in nursing school, and it involves delving into the various body systems and learning how to assess patients from head to toe.

Frequently Asked Questions About the NCLEX

According to NCSBN rules, you can take the NCLEX eight times a year with 45 days in between attempts.

The short answer is an emphatic yes! It is possible to get a nursing degree online. You can earn a variety of nursing degrees online from Ohio State, ranging from a Bachelor of Science in Nursing to a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

What is the fastest path to becoming an RN? The fastest way to become an RN is through an RN diploma program, which can be completed in as little as a year. While completing this program does not lead to a degree, it does make the individual eligible to take the NCLEX and earn their RN license.

Why is nursing school so hard? The top 6 challenges of earning a BSN include the rigorous curriculum, fast pace, need for multitasking, time commitment, personal sacrifices, and NCLEX preparation. However, despite these rigors, it's possible to rise up and master how to succeed in nursing school.

Nurses can make extra money from side gigs such as telehealth care, freelance medical writing, and tutoring nursing students. You may also choose a side hustle that isn't based on your nursing skills, such as making and selling crafts on Etsy, completing online surveys, or playing legit game apps that pay money.

Is it hard to study for RN? ›

Nursing school should be hard. Good programs take a rigorous, immersive approach to preparing you for patient care. There are pressing deadlines to meet, lab skills to master, and challenging exams to take. You may have moments of feeling exhausted, burned out, or defeated.

Nursing school is competitive to get into and challenging to get through. Because programs require many credit hours, nursing students sometimes end up taking multiple difficult courses in one semester. Think of late nights studying for exams in addition to clinicals where you'll gain hands-on nursing experience.

Occupational Health

One of the easiest nursing jobs to get into is in the field of occupational health. Occupational health nurses work in large industries, HMOs, and factories to treat work-related injuries and onsite illnesses. This type of nurse is employed to keep the workers on the job.

ADN and Related Programs

The way to become an RN with the lowest level of education is to go through an associate's degree in nursing or ADN program. Most ADN programs are two years long and are held at community colleges. There are numerous options to choose from, including part-time and full-time programs.

How many hours a day should I study for nursing school? Everyone is different, but in general, it is recommended that nursing school students study anywhere from 2-4 hours a day. Committing class material to memory is essential to becoming a registered nurse, so the more time studying, the better!

Most schools will tell you that it is impossible to work while in nursing school. But is that true? Many students need to work during school, whether to pay for classes, support their family members, or continue to support themselves – they have responsibilities that persist throughout the duration of the program.

It is possible to work part-time while in nursing school. In fact, it can even be an advantage to find a part-time job in the healthcare field, according to Donna Cardillo, RN, MA, CSP and author.

The first year of nursing school is hard because you're starting a new venture. Not only are you learning new information specific to your industry, but you'll also be putting that education into action. Learning facts is much different than practicing them, so stretching yourself in this new way can be demanding.