What Is Nursing School Like: What to Expect, What You Will Learn, and Essential Tips for Starting Nursing School

Attending nursing school is undoubtedly an exciting event, but it can also be challenging in many ways, and it comes with numerous uncertainties and unanswered questions. If you are wondering what to expect in nursing school, what it is like, what you will learn, and what your schedule will look like, you have arrived at the right place.

We will provide you with all the key information for starting nursing school, including the expected learner experience, curriculum, class and clinical schedules, and essential tips for a successful first-year experience as a nursing student.

What Is Nursing School Like? Learner Experience for Different Educational Paths

Your experience in nursing school will depend heavily on your program choice and the level of education you aim to complete. There are multiple educational paths to a nursing career, including practical/vocational nursing programs and different levels of registered nursing degrees. Each path has its own length and scope, but whichever you choose, be ready for rigorous training. Here are the primary educational paths for entry-level nursing:

• Practical Nursing (PN) Diploma Program – Usually about a 1-year diploma or certificate program that prepares you for practical nursing duties under RNs and doctors. This path is shorter and gets you working sooner, but with a more limited scope of practice.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – A 2-year undergraduate degree that prepares you to become a Registered Nurse (RN). ADN programs focus on core nursing skills and clinical practice. Many ADN graduates later bridge into BSN programs via RN-to-BSN fast tracks.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – Usually a 4-year college degree (or around 2 years if you already have prerequisites or another degree) that prepares RNs with a more in-depth curriculum. BSN programs include additional coursework in leadership, research, public health, and other advanced topics.

Regardless of whether you enroll in a diploma, ADN, or BSN program, all nursing schools combine classroom learning with hands-on clinical training, and all demand hard work. BSN programs are the most comprehensive. For instance, a BSN student might be required to complete anywhere from 300 to 700 clinical hours before graduation. However, PN diploma and ADN programs are also intensive. 

In every case, expect a rigorous education that will challenge you but ultimately prepare you with the knowledge and skills to provide safe patient care. It is also worth noting that post-graduate programs differ from these entry-level paths in many ways, particularly in the depth and intensity of activities.

Starting Nursing School: Orientation and First Semester

The first days and weeks of nursing school can be a whirlwind, and it’s perfectly normal to have first-day jitters. After all, you’re diving into a new environment with its own language and expectations. 

Most programs begin with an orientation for new nursing students, introducing them to the journey ahead. During orientation, which typically occurs during the first week, you will meet your instructors and fellow learners, review the curriculum and syllabi, and discuss program expectations and policies. Professors will likely discuss the required textbooks and supplies you need, such as your stethoscope, scrubs, and clinical equipment, as well as the dress code for labs and clinicals. This is also when you’ll learn about the schedule for classes, labs, and any upcoming clinical rotations.

Don’t be afraid to take advantage of the orientation period to ask questions and connect with classmates. If you find some things to be unclear or complicated, chances are that your peers are in the same boat. Many learners find it helpful to “buddy up” with a peer or form a study group right from the start. A study buddy or group can become an invaluable support system, since you’ll motivate each other, share notes and study tips, and commiserate during stressful times. Most important of all, you will always have a support group to fall back on. “You do not get through nursing school alone,” as the saying goes, so start building your support network early.

Find out more about how to get into nursing school.

The First Semester Experience

Your first semester of nursing school will likely feel like learning a whole new world. You’ll be introduced to a lot of medical terminology and foundational concepts. Many programs begin with fundamental nursing courses and science classes to provide a solid foundation. It’s common to cover subjects such as anatomy and physiology, the basics of nursing care, and health assessment in the first semester. You’ll also spend time in skills labs learning basic nursing procedures. Expect that the way you study may need to change – nursing material can be dense, and memorization alone won’t be enough. Be prepared to devote extra hours to studying and to use new strategies (flashcards, concept maps, supplemental videos, etc.) to understand the content, not just memorize it.

There’s no need to sugarcoat it: many students describe the first semester as the toughest adjustment. You’ll have to juggle challenging coursework and learn clinical skills at the same time, which can turn out to be mentally and physically taxing. You might even feel overwhelmed at times. One day, you’re practicing how to take blood pressure on a mannequin, and the next day, you’re quizzed on cell biology. It’s a lot! The key is to stay organized and not hesitate to seek help when needed. Use a planner to track all your exam dates and assignment deadlines.

Additionally, nursing faculty understand the pressure you’re under and want you to succeed. If you’re struggling with a topic, ask questions early, visit your professors during office hours, or find a tutor. Recognizing when you need a hand is essential; nursing school is hard, but you’re not in it alone.

Discover 10 tips for starting the semester off right.

At Nightingale College, as a new learner, you will have all the support you need from the faculty, staff, and administration. We provide a broad range of learner resources and services free of charge that will help you navigate the often difficult task of studying to become a nurse. 

Find out more about the support you can expect from Nightingale College in our learner experience page!

 

What Will You Learn in Nursing School? Curriculum

Nursing school curricula are packed with science and nursing-specific courses designed to prepare you for patient care. In the first year, you can expect a heavy emphasis on core sciences and the fundamentals of nursing. In fact, the curriculum is often “science heavy” in year one so that students build a solid foundation for understanding how to care for patients.

Here’s an example of the kind of classes you might take in a first-year nursing program:

• Nursing Fundamentals – Introduction to nursing practice principles, basic patient care skills, and the role of nurses in healthcare.
• Anatomy & Physiology I (and II) – In-depth study of the human body’s structure and function. Often, A&P I is in the first term and A&P II in the second term.
• Health Assessment – How to conduct physical exams and health histories, learning to assess patients from head to toe.
• Pathophysiology – Understanding disease processes and how illnesses affect the body’s functioning. This course typically follows basic Anatomy and Physiology (A&P).
• Pharmacology – the study of medications and their effects on the body – is a crucial and challenging aspect of nursing knowledge.
• Psychology or Mental Health Nursing – Basics of psychology or an intro to mental health nursing, to understand patient behavior and mental wellness.

In later semesters, nursing students move on to more specialized subjects. Standard upper-level courses include Adult Health (Medical-Surgical Nursing), Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Women’s Health, Community/Public Health, Nursing Research, Leadership and Management, and more. By the end of the program, a BSN student has typically covered all the significant areas of nursing care, including care for children and mothers, mental health, and elderly patients. Associate degree programs cover many of the same clinical topics, albeit in a shorter timeframe or without some of the additional non-clinical courses that BSN programs include.

It’s essential to note that nursing education is progressive, with each course building upon the previous one. You will continually apply earlier learning. You might learn the theory of a concept in one lecture (say, how the heart functions in physiology class), then practice a related skill in the lab (checking blood pressure or administering cardiac meds), and later use that knowledge to make decisions in a clinical scenario with a real patient. Nursing school shouldn’t involve rote learning; it should include understanding and integrating concepts. You’ll need to develop critical thinking skills to connect classroom learning to patient care situations. Instead of simply memorizing facts for an exam, you’ll be expected to know why those facts matter and how to apply them when taking care of patients.

How Does Nursing School Work? Classes, Labs, and Clinicals

Nursing school can feel distinctly different from a typical college major due to its unique structure and curriculum. How does it work? In short, nursing education blends traditional coursework with hands-on practical training. You will split your time between didactic classes, skills laboratories, and clinical rotations in real healthcare facilities.

• Didactic coursework: These are your classroom or online lecture courses. They provide the theoretical foundation: the diseases, the nursing processes, the “book knowledge.” Depending on your program, you might attend lectures in person or learn through online modules (or a mix of both). Either way, expect plenty of exams, papers, and presentations. Nursing classes often involve case studies and care plans that train you to think like a nurse, not just recall facts.
• Skills lab and simulation: In parallel with lectures, you’ll spend time in nursing skills labs. These are supervised practice sessions where you learn and practice nursing procedures in a controlled environment. For example, you’ll learn how to start IV lines, insert catheters, dress wounds, give injections, and perform physical assessments on mannequins or simulation equipment. Labs are typically small groups, allowing everyone to gain hands-on experience. Many programs also incorporate simulation scenarios in which high-tech manikins “patients” can exhibit symptoms and respond to interventions. Simulation labs let you apply what you’ve learned and make mistakes safely – they encourage you to ask questions, practice teamwork, and build confidence before you ever touch a real patient. It’s an excellent opportunity to integrate your knowledge with practice.
• Clinical rotations: The most exciting and nerve-wracking part of nursing school is going out into the hospital or clinic as a student nurse. Clinical rotations provide an opportunity to care for actual patients under supervision. 

Find out more about what you should expect from your first day of nursing school labs.

When Do Clinicals Start? 

It varies by program. In many BSN programs, clinical rotations begin in the second year (after a year of foundational courses). Still, some schools start an introductory clinical in the second semester of the first year. Accelerated or direct-entry programs often have you in clinicals even earlier because of the compressed schedule. Generally, once clinicals begin, you’ll continue to have them each semester in different nursing areas.

During clinical rotations, you are assigned to a healthcare unit (like a medical-surgical floor, pediatrics, maternity, etc.) along with a small group of fellow students and an instructor. A clinical day can be a half-day or a full day (e.g., 6–12 hours long) depending on the program. Often, it’s one or two days per week that you spend at the clinical site, in addition to your classes on campus. Be prepared for clinical shifts that start as early as 6 or 7 AM. That entails waking up at dawn, putting on your scrubs, and being ready to report to the hospital. It’s a significant change from a typical college schedule, but it’s also where you really start to feel like a nurse. By the time you graduate, you will have amassed hundreds of hours of clinical experience.

In clinicals, you’ll apply your classroom learning to real patients: administering medications, dressing wounds, monitoring vital signs, collaborating with healthcare teams, and learning how to prioritize patient care. Expect a bit of anxiety at first – giving your first real injection or interacting with your first patient is scary for almost everyone. Your clinical instructors will guide you closely in the beginning. As you gain experience, you’ll handle more responsibility and perform more skills independently (still supervised). By your final semester, many programs have a capstone or preceptorship where you work one-on-one with a nurse preceptor to simulate the role of a graduate nurse.

Remember that nursing school is not meant to be done entirely online. While some programs deliver the lecture portion via online courses (especially accelerated BSN or RN-to-BSN programs), in-person attendance is mandatory for labs and clinicals – you cannot learn to start IVs or practice patient communication purely on a computer. Hands-on training is essential in nursing education. Even if you enroll in a hybrid or online nursing program, be prepared to travel to campus or assigned healthcare facilities regularly.

At Nightingale College, we aim to provide high-quality nursing education in a flexible and accessible environment – by combining online instruction with supervised on-site field experiences available in one of our many SOFE Areas around the nation. Whether you enroll in our PN Diploma Program, LPN-to-ASN Program to advance to the RN level as a licensed practical nurse, or the 3-year-long BSN Program, you will be able to study while also respecting your personal or professional obligations and responsibilities. If you want to advance to the BSN level as an RN, you can also enroll in a 1-year 100% online RN-to-BSN Track and achieve the highest level of education available for registered nurses. 

We also offer post-licensure programs in three popular, highly sought-after specialties: the MSN Ed Program (for aspiring nurse educators), the MSN FNP Program (for learners seeking to become family nurse practitioners), and the MSN PMHNP Program (for those interested in mental health and psychiatry). Each of these 2-year programs blends online learning with in-person seminars and preceptorship experiences to deliver top-level preparation for future advanced practice nurses.

Find out more about our academic programs and enroll today!

A Typical Nursing School Schedule and Workload

A day in the life of a nursing student is undoubtedly one thing: busy. Your future schedule as a nursing student will vary by program and semester, but it often resembles a full-time job in terms of time commitment. If you’ve heard nursing school described as a “full-time job with overtime,” that’s not far from the truth. A nursing student’s day is complete, structured, and often unpredictable. While the details vary by program and semester, most schools design the experience to mirror professional nursing life.

In the first semester, before clinical rotations begin, you’ll mostly be in classrooms and labs. Lectures might run three times a week, while the other days are dedicated to lab practice or simulations. On paper, this may sound like any other college course load of 12 to 15 credits. Still, the difference lies in the additional hours of preparation, review, and practice required by nursing-specific content.

Once clinicals start, the rhythm shifts. You may spend one or two full days each week in a hospital, typically an 8 to 12-hour shift. Clinicals also bring extra work: the night before, you’ll research your assigned patients, write care plans, and study up on medications. Afterward, you’ll complete reflections or formal paperwork. This preparatory and follow-up work is what stretches the nursing school week far beyond the classroom.

The rest of your time is quickly filled with studying, reading, and assignments. Nursing textbooks are dense, exams are frequent, and skills check-offs demand practice until you can demonstrate procedures perfectly. Unlike some college majors, where students cluster classes between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM, nursing students often have 6:00 AM clinicals, evening labs, or weekend shifts. Flexibility becomes a survival skill.

All told, you can expect to dedicate 40 hours or more per week to class, clinicals, prep, and studying. That’s why many students are advised to treat school itself as their “job” during this period, especially if they’re also balancing family or part-time work.

How Hard Is Nursing School? Common Hurdles and Challenges

Nursing school has a reputation for being tough, and it's earned. The challenge isn’t just the volume of work, but also its variety: science-heavy courses, practical skill development, and emotional encounters with real patients.

Here are the main challenges you may face during nursing school:

• The coursework itself is rigorous. Early semesters often pack in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and medical math – subjects that require memorization, critical thinking, and the precise application of knowledge. Exams are not just about recall; they’re often scenario-based, asking you to choose the “most correct” action out of several plausible ones.
• The pace is relentless. New material is introduced daily, and exams or check-offs arrive regularly. In accelerated programs, the timeline compresses even further, leaving little margin for falling behind.
• It can drain you both physically and emotionally. Students spend long days on their feet during clinicals, and early exposure to patient suffering or critical decisions can weigh heavily on them. Many nursing students experience fatigue, anxiety, or even imposter syndrome at some point. And while some programs foster healthy collaboration, others may carry an undercurrent of competition among students as they adjust to the pressure.
• The expectations for understanding are high. In nursing school, memorization isn’t enough. Exams are designed to test whether you can think and act like a nurse, not just recall information. Many questions are scenario-based, asking you to decide what to do first, or to choose the “most correct” option from several that all seem right. At first, this style of testing can feel frustrating, mainly when you’re used to studying for straightforward, fact-based exams. But this approach is intentional: it forces you to develop the critical thinking and prioritization skills you’ll need when caring for real patients. Success comes from moving beyond surface-level knowledge and understanding the “why” behind nursing decisions.
• The nursing environment is competitive. Admission to nursing school is challenging, and that competitive energy can sometimes carry over into the program. Early on, students may compare grades or feel pressure to outdo each other. But nursing is more about teamwork than it is competition. Those who collaborate, share resources, and support their peers tend to thrive the most, both in school and later in their careers.

With all these challenges, it’s essential to remember that nursing school is hard, but it’s also achievable, and people do graduate and become great nurses every day. The difficulty has a purpose: when lives are on the line, you want to be thoroughly prepared.

That is why having a support system to lean on is essential, as is remembering why you started and why your learning is crucial to you, your future, and the well-being of many patients.

Find out more about the everyday challenges of becoming a nurse and how to keep your self-esteem up during school.

How to Thrive in Nursing School: Tips for Nursing Students’ First Year

Although the workload is heavy, remember that most nursing students succeed and graduate on time, so can you. The difference between getting overburdened or overwhelmed and keeping up with school tasks and curricula often comes down to your preparation, habits, and the mindset you develop.

Below, you will find five key tips that will help you not only survive but thrive during your first year in nursing school, as well as later on:

1. Get Organized: Treat your study schedule like a work shift. Use a planner or digital calendar to map out exams, labs, and clinical days, and then block out study sessions in between. Many students find reviewing notes the same day they’re taken makes the information stick better than cramming later. Here is a guide to note-taking strategies for nursing students.
2. Adapt Your Style of Study: What worked in other classes may not carry you through nursing school. You’ll need to focus on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization. Concept maps, NCLEX-style practice questions, and peer discussions can all help deepen comprehension and understanding. If you find yourself stuck, reaching out to tutors, faculty, or even classmates can save you time and stress. Here are our guides to changing your learning style and developing study skills, recommended study guides, and nursing school study apps to try.
3. Build a Support System: Nursing school doesn’t need to be a solitary task. Study groups can make dense content more manageable, while classmates encourage when the workload feels overwhelming. Faculty and clinical instructors are also invaluable resources, so don’t hesitate to ask questions or seek additional guidance. And don’t forget to include family and friends: letting them know your schedule and needs helps them support you during the intense periods.
4. Don’t Forget About Your Well-being: A lack of sleep and high stress can quickly erode performance. Aim for consistent rest, balanced meals, and some kind of physical activity, even if it’s just a short walk. Find a stress relief ritual that works for you, such as journaling, yoga, or watching your favorite TV show. Self-care isn’t indulgent; it’s the foundation for sustaining your focus and energy. Here are our tips for avoiding and stopping nursing school burnout. 
5. Don’t Forget Why You’re in Nursing School: Nursing school can feel like a daunting task. Some weeks you’ll feel on top of the world, others you may doubt whether you’re cut out for it. In those moments, remembering why you started can carry you forward. So, don’t ever lose sight of the patients you’ll help, the stability of the career, and the personal meaning nursing holds for you. Plus, don’t forget to celebrate small wins, and remind yourself that the challenges are temporary, but the impact you’ll make as a nurse is lasting.

Read our in-depth guide to passing nursing school.

Most important of all, you should keep in mind that the staff and faculty of your nursing school aren’t there to hinder your journey, but help you along the way. It may be hard to believe that those who are tasked with evaluating you can also be your most essential aides, whether it comes to mentorship, coaching, or insights into the daily life of a nurse. 

Unfortunately, the gap between nursing educators and learners is hard to bridge and certainly requires more than just words. That is why Nightingale College provides everything necessary to make the learning experience of those who choose our academic programs as pleasant, accessible, and constructive as possible.

The College provides a range of resources to support learning, including live tutoring, webinars, tutorials, group study sessions, individual tutoring, and complimentary textbooks and materials. You can also benefit from services such as academic success plans, time management and study schedules, counselling and human development resources, job placement opportunities, networking events, NCLEX coaching, and other professional development opportunities.

We fully believe that nursing school doesn’t need to be more difficult than it already is. That is why we aim to remove barriers and provide vital, much-needed assistance to nursing learners.

Find out what makes Nightingale College different and enroll in your chosen program today! 

FAQs About Starting Nursing School

What Is Nursing School Like?

Nursing school is first and foremost busy, but in the best, most purposeful, and rewarding way. You should prepare for a slurry of lectures, labs, simulations, and shifts, all coming at you, making your learning experience often feel like a full-time job. You will also have to read quite a lot, practice skills until they’re your second nature, and face frequent quizzes, exams, and check-offs. 

Additionally, the pace of learning will be pretty fast, and expectations are often high; however, remember that nursing is all about teamwork and mutual aid. In no time, and with the appropriate support, you will find yourself growing into the role.

What Do You Learn in Nursing School?

You will build a foundation in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and medical math. Then you layer in the nursing process, health assessment, fundamentals and skills, communication, ethics, and evidence-based practice. 

Courses expand into adult health, mental health, pediatrics, and maternal and newborn care. Expect scenario-based, NCLEX-style testing that pushes critical thinking and prioritization. Simulations and labs bring concepts to life. Clinical rotations translate theory into real-world practice with patients under the guidance of faculty and preceptors.

What Is the Nursing School Schedule Like?

The schedule in nursing school is relatively structured but also variable. Your first semester will be lecture-heavy, with some labs and simulations included. Once clinicals start, you should plan for an 8 to 12-hour shift on most weeks. With the added study blocks, skill practice, and exam weeks, the total time often goes beyond the 40-hour mark. Also, expect irregular hours, early clinicals, late-night labs, and sometimes busy weekends.

When Do You Start Clinicals in Nursing School?

Often by the first or second semester. Once you’ve passed key skills check-offs and met health and onboarding requirements, some programs begin with observation or simulation, then move into supervised patient care, typically on medical-surgical units. Schedules and start dates vary by school and site availability. Still, the arc is similar: master the basics, step into clinical practice with close support, then expand your responsibilities as competence and confidence grow.

What to Expect in Nursing School Clinicals?

Clinical days are where classroom learning comes alive. You’ll usually head in with prep work done the night before, such as reviewing your patient’s diagnoses, medications, and care plan. Once on the unit, expect to practice assessments, administer medications under supervision, chart accurately, and balance competing needs while working alongside the healthcare team. Afterward, you’ll debrief with your instructor and complete paperwork to reflect on what you learned. 

The shifts are long, and it’s normal to feel nervous at first, but with each experience, your confidence grows.