How High Schoolers Can Prep For Nursing School

Nursing admissions are competitive, and the work you put in during high school shows up on your application. Here's how to build a foundation now and make yourself a stronger candidate later.

1. Take the Right Classes

Prioritize science and math: biology, chemistry, statistics, and anatomy and physiology if your school offers them. Take AP courses where you can. Strong AP scores can earn college credit, and the courses themselves signal to admissions that you can handle higher-level work.

Common nursing prerequisites include microbiology, English composition, biology, nutrition, and introductory psychology.

If a local college offers dual-credit or pre-nursing courses, take them. You'll start college already ahead.

2. Explore Nursing Programs Early

Once you've identified schools you're interested in, look at their curricula and admission requirements. Take the closest courses your high school offers, and ask your guidance counselor about dual-credit options or classes at a local community college. Looking beyond your own school's catalog makes your application stand out.

3. Earn Basic Life Support and First Aid Certification

You don't have to wait for nursing school to learn how to save a life. The Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer BLS and first aid courses on weekends and evenings. Certifications last two years. Some nursing programs require first aid certification as a prerequisite, and even when it isn't required, it strengthens your application.

4. Volunteer in Healthcare

Find a hospital, clinic, or assisted living facility with a volunteer program. If there's no formal program, offer a few hours a week and ask to shadow nurses. Volunteer hours in a healthcare setting carry real weight on an application because they show admissions you're serious.

5. Talk to a Nurse

Get a firsthand account of the work. If you know a nurse through family or your community, ask about the job. If not, talk to your school nurse, who handles student health issues daily and can share what the work is actually like. Volunteering and shadowing are also how you meet a potential mentor, someone who can give you personalized advice through school and beyond. Organizations like HOSA-Future Health Professionals connect students, some as young as middle school, with the field. Your school nurse, health teacher, or counselor can point you to local options.

6. Research Degree Types and Requirements

Several academic paths lead into nursing. Learn how they differ so you can pick the one that fits your goals. A rough timeline:

• When you start high school: take college-prep classes focused on math and science, plus AP or honors courses if available.
• 2-3 years before graduating: volunteer at a healthcare facility.
• 2 years before graduating: take the SAT, ACT, or nursing entrance exams.
• 1-2 years before graduating: visit colleges and narrow your list.
• 1 year before graduating: start admissions essays and request recommendation letters.
• 6 months before graduating: submit applications.
• 2-5 months before graduating: decision letters arrive.

Treat this as a guide, not a rule. Go at your own pace.

7. Research Entrance Exams

Most colleges want SAT or ACT scores, but nursing programs often prefer a nursing entrance exam such as the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test or the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Requirements vary by program, so check each one.

8. Check NCLEX Pass Rates

When you compare schools, look at programs offered, graduation rates, accreditation, and one number that matters most: the rate at which graduates pass the NCLEX-RN on their first try. A high pass rate means the program prepares students well. A low one is a warning sign. In 2025, about 87% of first-time, U.S.-educated candidates passed the NCLEX-RN, so a school's first-time pass rate above 80% is generally above average.

9. Understand Waiting Lists

Some programs get more applicants than they have seats and run waitlists. Note acceptance rates and waitlist times so you can apply strategically and give yourself the best odds.

10. Stay Current

Following nursing trends and issues helps you choose a direction and gives you something to talk about in interviews. The American Journal of Nursing publishes current research. Trustworthy nursing accounts on LinkedIn or other platforms are an easy way to find topics that interest you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prepare for nursing school in high school? Ask the programs you're interested in what they recommend. Look into summer prep programs, take relevant AP courses, and use reputable online resources.

What classes should I take? Biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology build the foundation for nursing coursework, and statistics helps too. English and writing courses matter, since programs want applicants who can write and communicate well.

Can I attend nursing school while in high school? No, but you can prepare: visit campuses, meet faculty, take relevant AP classes, or arrange an independent study with a nursing program.

What's the hardest prerequisite? Chemistry and biology are often seen as the toughest, but it depends on your strengths. There's no single hardest course.