Is nursing school hard? If you’re thinking about getting a nursing degree, you might have asked yourself this exact question. The short answer—yes, it can be. While it’s true that nursing school can definitely be a challenge, Galen’s approach to nursing education provides extensive support programs, tools, and encouragement to help our students achieve their goal of becoming a nurse. We’ll support you from enrollment through graduation with personalized academic support and many resources to help you overcome challenges.  

Galen specializes in helping students across all walks of life reach their nursing education goals. As a school dedicated solely to quality nursing education and the success of our students, you can count on us. We’re here to help guide you along your journey. Keep reading to learn what to expect, discover real student stories, and get practical tips to help you manage nursing school and reach your goals. 

At Galen, we understand our students’ challenges. Whether you’re a working parent, starting your second career, coming back to school after a long absence, or tackling nursing school for the first time, we know what it takes to help you succeed. We have the resources and support you need to help you from day one through graduation. This includes 1:1 tutoring support, personal advisors, and easily accessible online support. 

Starting a new career path can be nerve-wracking. The same goes for going back to school. Many students are afraid of failing and have concerns about course load and the difficulty of classes. But we’re here to tell you this is normal. We have resources that were created to help you tackle any fears head-on. Your dedicated Academic Advisor, assigned to you upon enrollment, will work with you to help you feel confident and secure. Your faculty and program directors are here for you to get extra help when needed. And don’t forget your classmates, who will become a strong network for encouragement and support, an extended family even.  

We understand that with any large test or exam comes anxiety. When you’re choosing a nursing school, you want one that will prepare you for the National Council Licensure Examination, better known as the NCLEX®. This is the nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the US.  

That’s why at Galen, we ensure that you can take your nursing boards with confidence. We offer proprietary course content that prepares you for your licensing exam. Our curriculum specialists understand the content you need to know and tailor your exams accordingly, with faculty assistance to prepare you from the outset. We even have specialists who have experience writing for the NCLEX®.  They work to ensure every test and test question you take at Galen aligns with the NCLEX® test plan’s style, structure, technique, and mapping. You’re supported throughout your journey at Galen. From the first day of class to the day you sit for your licensing exam. 

Nursing school is a commitment, just as furthering your education is an emotional, financial, and personal investment. This is why it’s important to be both strategic and mindful when making goals for yourself while pursuing a nursing education. After all, nursing is in high demand! You have the gusto for the role. The next step is to employ strategies that will help you get there.    

While nursing school can be challenging, it can also be incredibly rewarding. We want to ensure you’re set up for success, so below are some tips to improve your study habits and time management.  

If you’d like to learn more about our tips for doing any of the above, check out our time management tips, advice on how to find balance while in school, and a blog on how to stay focused. 

Galen has a range of faculty and resources you can utilize. From academic advising specialists to designated courses and resource centers, we’re here to help bolster your journey. Our goal is to help you reach your goals, starting from understanding admission requirements to enrollment all the way through graduation. 

We’re ready to help you from day one! In addition to being assigned an advisor from the moment you enroll at Galen, GPS is one of the first courses offered. GPS stands for Galen Pathway to Success and is a course most new pre-licensure students take to help navigate college level coursework and the ins and outs of being a college student. GPS can be considered your source for all the tools and support you need to start strong during your first two quarters as a new Galen student. There, you can learn how to use the wide range of resources available in specific ways that work well for you. 

This is your central support hub. No matter the challenge, you can turn to the Student Resource Center. There you can contact on-demand advisors, use library and technology resources, or find Galen All Access—your on-demand, 24/7 nursing program partner with thousands of on-demand videos that complement the content you learn in class, all with direct application back to NCLEX preparation 

Galen offers extensive education resources including tutoring options, as well as the ability to work with one of our Content Enrichment Specialists when you want a deeper dive into any topic. These specialists are more than tutors; they’re nursing educators who can connect the dots between theory and the practice of caring for patients. 

Within the Student Resource Center, you can also find information about Disability Services or access Galen’s licensed counselors to schedule a virtual counseling session at no additional cost. 

Nursing needs you, and we want to help turn your dreams into a career. Whether you’re just thinking about getting into nursing or you’re already an RN looking to gain new skills and responsibilities, Galen can help make that happen. We can discuss options for completing a degree quickly or a more flexible timeline for students with outside commitments. Whatever you need, we’re here to support you.