How Hard is a BSN Program – (10 Biggest Challenges & How to Overcome)


Written By: Kelsey BaderKelsey Bader, BSN, RN

Kelsey Bader is a registered nurse from Louisiana. Kelsey has a diverse range of experiences. Some of Kelsey’s work experience includes bedside nursing in ICUs at various hospitals in COVID and non-COVID units, emergency rooms. Read Full Bio »»
, BSN, RN


Are you considering a career as a registered nurse but wonder which type of program is the best to pursue? If you have been looking into the different types of programs, chances are, you have probably come across some Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Maybe you like the idea of earning a bachelor’s degree but you can’t help but question, “How hard is a BSN program?”

As much as I’d like to tell you BSN programs are super easy, I cannot. BSN programs are designed to challenge you, which means you will take some difficult classes. However, with a little insight from people who have been there, you can find the tips you need to succeed. That means you’re in luck because I am going to share my personal experiences and what I believe are the 10 biggest challenges you will face in a BSN program and how to successfully overcome them with you. When you finish reading this article, you will have the information you need to decide if earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is something you want to pursue.



What Topics are Covered in a BSN Program?


The curriculum plans for BSN programs cover lots of topics. Every course you take will build upon the previous one, preparing you to function in the capacity of a registered nurse upon graduation.

In your BSN program, you will learn fundamental information from topics including Nursing Fundamentals and Skills, Pharmacology, Dosage Calculations, Medical-Surgical Care of Adults, Maternal-Child Nursing, and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing. Along with the fundamentals that frame your nursing curriculum, you will also take courses focused on topics such as leadership, ethics, and nursing theory. Because each program’s curriculum differs slightly, the best way to know the courses you need to take is to request a curriculum outline from the schools you are considering attending.



Is a BSN Program Hard?


A BSN program is designed to prepare you to take care of others, relying on your critical thinking skills and clinical judgment to advocate for your patients and to make decisions from a leadership standpoint. Because the responsibilities of a bachelor’s-prepared registered nurse are great, you can expect the program to be challenging.

It’s like the old saying goes: if it were easy, everyone would do it. After all, would you really want someone who succeeded in an “easy” program to be the one taking care of your loved one? Well, of course not! You would want to feel confident in the nurse’s skills and knowledge. That is what a BSN program is for! The programs are structured to create a solid foundation for future nurses. There will be challenges, obstacles, and pressure, but these factors are the very things that foster growth.



What Makes a BSN Program Hard?

(The following are the 10 biggest challenges you will face in BSN programs and ways you can successfully overcome them.)


CHALLENGE #1: Competitive Application Process


About the Challenge:

From the very beginning, after reviewing the application process and requirements, you may already be thinking, “Wow, BSN programs are hard!” The admission requirements vary from program to program. Some criteria may include things like completing a long list of prerequisites, completing an application essay on why you think you are the best candidate for the program, and participating in an admissions interview with program faculty.

You must not only meet the admission requirements, but chances are, you will be compared to other candidates. BSN programs look for the most qualified candidates for their programs, which can make you feel like it is a challenge to even get accepted. I understand that it can seem like a lot when you are first getting started! Keep in mind, though, that the programs are designed to be competitive to ensure that potential nursing students have the drive to follow through. After all, that same drive is what will carry you to graduation!

How to Overcome:

Take it one step at a time! Anything can seem overwhelming when you are looking at the bigger picture. After you have narrowed down the top universities that you would like to attend, become familiar with each program’s application requirements. Once you know the requirements, you can select the university that best aligns with your overall goals for your nursing school journey.

For me, I went into nursing school with a long list of course credits because I had completed two prior degrees. I knew my main goal was to graduate as quickly as possible! I started looking at local universities and went with the one that accepted almost all of my prior credits and had good reviews of their nursing program.


CHALLENGE #2: Strenuous Curriculum


About the Challenge:

The curriculum in a BSN program is hard and given the fact that you will have other people's lives in your hands, it should be! You will learn about anatomy, physiology, microbiology, psychology, countless disease processes, medications, and nursing fundamentals.

I can honestly say that between the three bachelor's degrees that I have obtained, nursing school was, by far, the hardest! There will be some days that you will feel like you're drowning in information, and just one more bit of information may make your head explode. That’s okay, though; those days are normal - believe it or not!

How to Overcome:

Although you cannot change the fact that the curriculum is strenuous, you can go into the program expecting the challenge and being fully prepared for the commitment that it takes to succeed! Half the battle is knowing what is expected of you and preparing to give it your all to achieve your goals.

I was always very fortunate when it came to my schooling. I could attend lectures and pass my exams with very minimal studying. All of that changed with nursing school, though! I had to literally teach myself how to study and learn what methods worked best for me. If you don’t already know your preferred study style or have a solid study method, research different methods and develop what works for you now. Trust me, you will need it!


CHALLENGE #3: Time Management


About the Challenge:

In a BSN program, your schedule is going to be busy! Between classes, labs, clinical rotations, and the time required to understand and grasp all the material, it will feel like you're constantly running. Not to mention, if you are working or have a family, you could literally feel like there are not enough hours in the day.

The time commitment that is required to be successful is another factor that makes the BSN program hard. You must be willing and able to commit the majority of your time to school and studying if you want to succeed.

How to Overcome:

The first step in overcoming this challenge is to make a schedule and stick to it! Outside of the timeframes that are already scheduled for you, like classes, labs, and clinical rotations, make a schedule for how you plan to utilize your free time. Schedule time to study and time to complete assignments based on the provided due dates.

When I say I lived by my planner while I was in nursing school, I mean I lived by it! Every little thing was planned out and scheduled! Being so meticulous with how I spent my time allowed me to build a routine and find a rhythm that worked for me. There are so many options for keeping up with your schedule, too. Whether you want a planner that is in a binder form that you can write in or if you use a digital planner, the important thing is to get prepared and organize your time!


CHALLENGE #4: Financial Burden


About the Challenge:

When you first request information on a school’s BSN program, you will likely be sent an outline of the courses that are scheduled for each semester/quarter, along with a tuition breakdown. If you do not know how much nursing school costs, seeing the tuition breakdown can leave you feeling defeated before you have even started. It can feel especially challenging if you don’t already have a plan in place to meet the financial requirements.

How to Overcome:

Consider every option and keep an open mind! There are financial resources available to help ease the burden of tuition costs. Some examples of these include scholarships, grants, federal student aid, or personal loans. To take advantage of some of these resources, be sure you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) by the deadline! Maybe you plan to dip into your savings or work while attending school and pay out-of-pocket. The decision is yours to make. I recommend weighing your options carefully.

Personally, I had to turn to federal student aid to offset my tuition costs. Taking out a loan on the front end of school meant I was not stressing about tuition costs throughout the program, which allowed me to fully focus on my schooling. Everyone's situation is different, though, and you just have to decide what option is best for you!


CHALLENGE #5: Integration of Technology


About the Challenge:

Let’s face it: the world we live in today is dependent on technology. Almost every single interaction that we have throughout our day is technology-driven. This means that educational programs have also strongly embraced the technological advancements that have been developed. If you are not a tech-savvy individual, the integration of technology can make the BSN program hard.

How to Overcome:

Utilize the resources that are available to you! Most campuses have an IT help desk through the school library that is there to help students with any campus-related technical issues they may face. If you are struggling to navigate a program that is specific to the nursing curriculum, do not be afraid to ask your professor for assistance! They are most likely the most experienced people in the program. Finally, be honest with yourself and identify your skill level. If you are someone who struggles to use a computer in general, consider enrolling in a computer literacy class when taking your prerequisites. The skills you will learn in that class are ones that you will utilize throughout your career, both as a nursing student and as a nurse!


CHALLENGE #6: Preparing for Exams


About the Challenge:

Nursing school exams are some of the most difficult tests I have taken throughout my educational journey. They truly are a different animal! If your instructors like to integrate the 'select all that apply' style questions that have gained popularity over the last several years, it can be extremely challenging! Couple this test question style with the strenuous curriculum that we’ve already touched on, and it is easy to see what makes the exams so challenging!

How to Overcome:

Take full advantage of the study materials that are available to you! Check your textbook and see if they provide a website that has practice questions for each chapter. If that is available, go through those questions! Identify the study method that works best for you and stick with it!

Once I taught myself how to actually study, I realized I learned best by using flashcards and reteaching the material to someone else. I made so many flashcards in nursing school that I felt like my hand was going to fall off! If I was able to find reputable resources online that provided flashcards for the materials we were covering, I purchased them! As for reteaching the materials, I would either teach aloud to an empty room or talk one of my family members into listening to my lecture. Regardless, just reiterating the material aloud helped me to retain it better. You have to figure out what works best for you! Do not be afraid to try a new technique if you need to!


CHALLENGE #7: Nerves Regarding Clinical Rotations


About the Challenge:

Clinical rotations can have you experiencing a whirlwind of emotions as that portion of the program starts to approach. It is completely normal to feel nervous! Many students feel anxious during the first few rounds of clinical rotations. I mean, after all, this will be the first time for most students to fulfill a role with direct patient interaction. Professors are aware of this, and there is some grace within the first few rounds of clinical rotations for this very reason.

How to Overcome:

Recognize that it is completely healthy and somewhat expected to be nervous during clinical rotations. I remember waking up super early just so I could check - for the third time - that I had everything I would need in my clinical bag. I would arrive at my assigned clinical site almost an hour early just to make sure nothing unexpected happened that delayed my arrival. It seems silly looking back, but at the time, doing these things helped reduce my anxiety a little bit.

Now, when it came time for my first patient interaction, I was a ball of nerves! I remember I was so nervous that I completely forgot a few steps in my head-to-toe exam! But guess what, I survived! Once I was back at the nurse’s station writing my notes and realized I missed something, I just went back into the patient’s room to gather the information. The patient didn’t know that I had missed a step. She just thought I needed to check something else. That is when it hit me - most patients don’t know the ins and outs of the medical field like the professors do. They are not critiquing or grading every little thing you do! So, take a deep breath, take your time, and practice what you’ve learned. You have got this, and it will eventually all come together and become seamless!


CHALLENGE #8: Preparing to Take the NCLEX


About the Challenge:

The NCLEX exam is the end-all and be-all when it comes to nursing. Everything that you have worked so hard for comes down to one final test. Wow, talk about pressure! Depending on your standardized test-taking skills, this may be the one component of nursing school that you have been dreading the most! One reason BSN programs are hard is because they are designed to prepare you to not only sit for the NCLEX exam but ace it!

How to Overcome:

Most nursing programs have coursework built into the curriculum that mirrors the NCLEX to help prepare you for the exam. For example, my university used ATI and Hurst Review. When your institution incorporates materials from companies that specialize in NCLEX prep, do the work! I do not just mean to do the assignment and what's needed to get a satisfactory grade for that specific course. I literally mean you must go through and complete everything that your subscription gives you access to!

If there is a bank of practice questions, use them! If your school is using a program that isn’t working with your learning style, then look into purchasing access to an alternative program. Personally, I relied on all the practice tests available through ATI and Hurst Review, along with what felt like endless question banks. After graduation, in the days leading up to my exam, I would set a goal to go through 25-50 practice questions each day from different sources. You can do this!!


CHALLENGE #9: Experiencing Graduation Anxiety


About the Challenge:

Whether you are naturally an anxious person or not, you are bound to experience some level of anxiety the closer you get to graduating from your BSN program. It is the realization that you are about to be out on your own without the safety net of professors to protect you from making a mistake. The weight of being responsible for another person’s life can weigh heavy on your mind!

How to Overcome:

Don’t overthink it! If you have made it this far and you’re at the finish line, then you’ve proven that you have what it takes to be successful in the field of nursing. Plus, almost all employers have a preceptorship or training program in place to help ease you through the transition from nursing graduate to licensed nurse. Take full advantage of this time!

If you do not fully understand something, ask your preceptor or trainer for help. Ask all the questions! Don't worry, though! Even after you have moved on from your preceptorship, there will still be days when you turn to the more seasoned nurses of your unit for advice. Just remember, it is always okay to ask for help!


CHALLENGE #10: Career Field Competition


About the Challenge:

Depending on what area of nursing you plan to specialize in, there may be steep competition that comes with securing a position. Indeed, we are currently facing a shortage of nurses. However, many departmental positions are still highly sought after, such as ICU, L&D, NICU, and OR - just to name a few.

Most of these specialty departments are very particular about the candidates that they hire, especially if the candidate is a new grad. So, while the BSN program is hard in and of itself, you may also face the post-graduation challenge of landing the position you desire.

How to Overcome:

If you know what hospital you would like to work at and it is local to you, get involved with the organization before graduating. This may look different from hospital to hospital and unit to unit.

For me, this meant applying to work as a nurse tech at the hospital that I planned to apply to after graduation. Working as a nurse tech allowed me to not only get my foot in the door with the hiring managers, but also allowed me to work throughout various units of the hospital. Before I started as a nurse tech, I thought that I wanted to work in the ER. After working in both the ER and the ICU, I discovered that ICU was my true passion!

You will probably hear more than once throughout your time in nursing school that you need to work Med-Surg for at least two years before moving to a high-acuity unit. This is really generalized advice, and it varies on an individual basis. I graduated and went directly into working as an ICU nurse. I do not believe I would have been given that same opportunity had I not formed a relationship with hospital staff before graduating, though.



My Final Thoughts


Now that we have identified the 10 biggest challenges you will face in a BSN program and how to successfully overcome them, you should have a better understanding of what it takes to be successful as a nursing student! While there will be difficult days ahead, it is an achievable goal with the right level of commitment and preparation. You will stay so busy during your nursing school journey that it will seem to come to an end in the blink of an eye. Before you know it, you’re on a stage, being pinned and taking your oath as a nurse! Then, one day down the road, you’ll meet someone who is considering becoming a nurse, and they may ask you, “How hard is a BSN program?” Then, you will be able to share your personal experiences and how you overcame each challenge that you faced.



Frequently Asked Questions Answered


1. How Long Does A BSN Program Take?

Most BSN programs take four years to complete as a full-time student.


2. What Are The Hardest Classes In A BSN Program?

This can vary from person to person, depending on your interests and academic strengths. Most BSN programs require some tough prerequisites like anatomy and physiology (1 & 2) and Chemistry. Once you reach the nursing coursework, you will encounter courses like pharmacology, where you'll have to learn the uses, side effects, and interactions of various medications, along with how to perform dosage calculations accurately.


3. How Many Hours Do I Need To Study In A BSN Program?

There is no magic answer here. The important thing is to become familiar with what type of learner you are and the level of preparation it takes for you to pass your exams. It is always better to be over-prepared rather than not prepared enough!


4. Is It Hard To Work During A BSN Program?

Working during nursing school is challenging, but it is possible. You will face the challenges of the BSN program plus the additional element of a work schedule. Some challenges you will face working during a BSN program are having your work/school-life balance impacted, learning time management skills, and dealing with limited flexibility.


5. What Next After Failing A BSN Program?

If you fail a BSN program but becoming a nurse is still something you want to accomplish, set up a meeting with your guidance counselor as soon as possible! Depending on your program, you may have to retake the courses that you failed, or you may have to reapply to the nursing program all over again. Many programs have guidelines on how many attempts a student has to successfully pass the nursing program. The main thing is that your dream is worth chasing, so do not give up!



List of Sources Used for This Article


1. “150 Top Nursing School Interview Questions and Answers in 2024” (nursingprocess.org)
2. “How to Find Your Learning Style and Study More Effectively” (knowadays.com)
3. “NCSBN Research Projects Significant Nursing Workforce Shortages and Crisis” (National Council of State Boards of Nursing)


Kelsey Bader, BSN, RN
Kelsey Bader is a registered nurse from Louisiana. Kelsey has a diverse range of experiences. Some of Kelsey’s work experience includes bedside nursing in ICUs at various hospitals in COVID and non-COVID units, emergency rooms. Kelsey has worked in remote chronic care management, as a remote patient monitoring nurse, and has experience as an Assistant Director of Nursing.