Application Planner
Plan your nursing school applications.
A phased checklist working backward from your target start term. Confirm program-specific deadlines with each school — these are typical lead times, not promises.
How this works
Five short questions about your target term, the credential you're targeting, where you are with prereqs and the entrance exam, how many programs you're applying to, and whether you'll need financial aid. The planner runs the typical application lead times backward from your target term and returns a phased checklist with a "what to do next" highlight.
Same answers in, same checklist out. Every box is checkbox- tracked; your inputs + completions persist to localStorage on this device, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off. There is no server, no account, no email sign-up.
The guardrail: these dates are typical estimates, not program-specific. Every program sets its own deadlines and requirements. Always confirm exact dates with each school and your state Board of Nursing. The planner intentionally never asserts a specific program's deadline.
For the math behind the phases, see the methodology page.
Questions students ask
Application Planner FAQ
Are the dates here program-specific?
Answer
No. The planner uses typical lead times for nursing school applications: prereqs finishing 6 to 12 months before start, entrance exams scheduled 6 to 12 months out, recommenders given at least 4 to 6 weeks of notice, FAFSA opening October 1, and application packets submitted 3 to 6 months before the term begins. Every program sets its own deadlines and requirements. Always confirm exact dates with each school and your state Board of Nursing.
Does the planner save my progress?
Answer
Yes, in your browser. Your answers and which boxes you've checked persist to localStorage on this device. There's no server account, no email, and no tracking. Clearing browser data clears the plan. If you want to share or back it up, copy the URL with your answers encoded.
What if I don't know what program type I want yet?
Answer
Pick "Not sure yet" and the planner will point you to the Path Finder first. The Path Finder takes about ten minutes and returns ranked credential paths so you can come back here and run the planner with confidence.
Why does the planner ask how many programs I'm applying to?
Answer
Recommendation letters, transcripts, and personal statements all scale by application count. The planner adjusts the timing reminders so six applications don't catch you flatfooted at the deadline.
Does NursingFloor know which programs I should apply to?
Answer
Not in a personalized way. The Program Finder shows you every US program with the source data we have (state board pass rates, IPEDS cost data, accreditation, control type). The planner stays neutral on which programs you should choose. That's a decision you make with the school's own materials and your state Board of Nursing.