How does nursing school work? And what is the nursing program like? Nursing school is a challenge, but learning what to expect can make it easier. At Harding, you’ll take online coursework, attend in-person nursing skills and simulation labs and complete clinical rotations at nearby health care facilities.
Nursing school isn’t just about academics; it’s a place where you develop the courage and compassion needed to care for others. Accelerated nursing programs are fast-paced, requiring sustained dedication and commitment. During the first semester of nursing school, you’ll take introductory courses that show what life as a working nurse might be like.
Although nursing school can be challenging, it helps to attend a nursing school that offers exceptional student support, such as Harding University’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing program in Northwest Arkansas. Here, you’ll learn lifesaving skills and prepare for a meaningful career that truly makes a difference in your community.
Before enrolling in nursing school, consider the questions: “What is the nursing program like?” and “How does nursing school work?”
What Is the Nursing Program Like?
The ABSN program at Harding offers a fast track to becoming a nurse, so you’ll be taking in a lot of information on a tight schedule. This means you’ll need to be prepared to treat nursing school like a full-time job that may require more than 40 hours per week.
The fast pace is worthwhile because you’ll be able to graduate in as few as 16 months and join the nursing workforce sooner. Plus, as a nurse, you’ll be joining a group that is consistently voted the most trustworthy and honest profession.
What to Expect in Nursing School
How does nursing school work? The ABSN program at Harding combines instructional learning with hands-on experiential learning. For greater convenience, you’ll complete the coursework online. The coursework includes videos, reading materials, simulated case studies, self-assessments and various course assignments. You’ll also have access to the discussion forums to connect with other students and your instructors. You’ll take proctored exams at our ABSN program site.
In addition to the coursework, you’ll attend in-person nursing skills and simulation labs. Nursing skills labs teach fundamental nursing skills, such as nasogastric tube insertion and wound care. Nursing simulation labs allow you to work through various patient care scenarios using high-tech medical manikins. Along the way, you’ll develop clinical decision-making skills and learn how to apply the nursing process.
Lastly, you’ll complete a series of clinical rotations at nearby health care facilities. You’ll be able to put what you’ve learned into practice as you gain experience providing direct patient care. Our clinical rotations encompass a range of nursing specialties including:
- Adult health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
Day-to-day Life as an ABSN Student
As previously mentioned, life as an ABSN student is very busy. You’ll have a full schedule of online classes, in-person proctored exams, in-person labs and clinical shifts at local health care facilities. You’ll also need to fit in plenty of time for studying and preparing for the NCLEX-RN® exam.
Because of the fast-paced schedule, you won’t have as much time for personal hobbies and social activities. However, it’s still important to set aside some time for self-care. Try to fit in exercise, healthy meals and enough quality sleep.
Although you’ll be busy, you’ll also have plenty of support to get you through each day. At Harding, our nursing instructors are committed to supporting your success. If you’re struggling with a particular nursing concept or skill, you’re encouraged to turn to your instructor for clarification or extra help. You can also lean on other members of your cohort for support, and you might decide to form a study group with some of them. Your nursing cohort is the group of students going through the program at the same time as you, with the same start date and expected graduation date.
Your First Semester of Nursing School
It’s helpful to know what to expect in nursing school during the first semester. Your first semester at Harding University will be an exciting time. You’ll jump right into the world of nursing and learn what it takes to make it as a professional nurse. During the first semester, the curriculum will cover new medical terms and phrases. The content will build on your previous education to ensure you have a solid foundation for the rest of your nursing education.
You will go through an orientation to ease you into how learning at Harding works. We’ll show you the resources we offer to help you be successful. During orientation, you’ll also meet your professors and cohort.
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In your first semester orientation, you can expect professors to:
- Introduce the curriculum
- Explain the syllabus
- Lay out expectations
- Review the required uniform for clinicals and simulation labs
- Recommend needed supplies and required textbooks
After orientation, the real work begins! You’ll be ready to start your ABSN coursework, undergo skills and simulation lab experiences, and start preparing for clinical practice.
What Do You Learn in the First Semester of Nursing School?
Your first semester curriculum in the Harding ABSN program is made up of 16 credit hours. You’ll take some core nursing classes, as well as other courses intended to give you a solid foundation for becoming a well-rounded nurse.
First semester courses include:
- BNEW 3022: New Testament Survey
- NURS 3000: Professional Nursing
- NURS 2030: Health Assessment
- NURS 3540: Gerontological Nursing
- NURS 3620: Nursing Practice Interventions
- MATH 1110: Fundamental Math for Nurses
- NURS 1000: Introduction to Nursing
The subsequent semesters will build upon the first semester’s work. As you progress, you’ll take courses in topics such as mental health nursing, pharmacology, chronic health and nursing research.
How Difficult Is Nursing School?
As mentioned above, nursing school offers a pathway to a rewarding, fulfilling and trusted career. However, that path will challenge you in ways you likely haven’t experienced before.
The workload will be intense, so we do not recommend working while enrolled in the Harding ABSN program. In fact, we encourage you to treat the program like a full-time job. When you’re not studying, you’ll be in classes, labs, clinicals or taking exams. Nursing school is difficult, but if it’s your dream to become a nurse, the hard work is worth the payoff.
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Preparing for Success in an ABSN Program
Now that you know what to expect in nursing school, you can begin preparing for success. Consider the following tips:
- Make a solid study plan. Schedule designated times for study and diligently digest material in an organized way rather than just powering through it.
- Start NCLEX prep early. You’ll have some time between your graduation date and your NCLEX test date; however, waiting until after nursing school to start studying for the NCLEX is a mistake. It’s best to begin preparing as early as the first semester. Start by answering a few practice questions each day and then progress to taking full-length practice exams.
- Prepare yourself mentally and physically. Nursing is a very physical job. You will be walking around helping patients and might need to lift them. You’ll be on your feet for long periods of time. Nursing school will simulate these challenges, but getting comfortable shoes and hitting the gym are great ways to be proactive.
- Stay focused. During study sessions and while working through the coursework, you’ll need to work in a distraction-free setting. Use noise-canceling headphones and try the Pomodoro technique to stay on track.
- Use nursing mnemonics. You’ll need to retain a large volume of information, so try memorizing some nursing mnemonics to make it easier.
- Stay organized. Find an organizational system that works for you, and stick with it. Keeping all your class notes, learning materials and other items organized right from the start is ideal.
- Know when to take a break. Nursing school is intense, and burnout can happen. It’s important to give yourself a break now and then to enjoy an activity or some time with friends.
Start Your Nursing Journey at Harding
Harding University is a top choice for aspiring nurses in Arkansas and beyond. With three start dates per year and the opportunity to graduate in as few as 16 months, we can help you earn a BSN sooner. To be eligible for admission to the program, you’ll need a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 64 non-nursing college credits. You may also need to complete some prerequisite courses prior to enrolling.
Contact one of our dedicated admissions counselors today to begin your nursing journey.