Preparing for nursing school starts well before your first day of class. Between prerequisite courses, entrance exams, clinical clearance paperwork, and financial planning, most students need six months to a year of lead time to get everything in order. Here’s what to prioritize and when.
Finish Your Prerequisite Courses
Nursing programs require a specific set of science and general education courses before you can even apply. While every school sets its own list, most programs require around 16 semester units of natural sciences (anatomy, physiology, and microbiology, all with labs) plus behavioral and social science courses like psychology and sociology. You’ll also need about 6 semester units of communication coursework covering oral, written, and group communication skills.
If you’re still in high school, building a strong foundation now saves time later. Four years of English, three to four years of math through at least algebra and geometry, and two to four years of science including biology and chemistry will give you a head start on college-level prerequisites. Physics and computer science help too. Check the prerequisite lists at several schools you’re considering, since requirements vary from program to program. A course that counts at one school may not transfer to another.
Know the Application Timeline
Nursing school applications follow structured cycles, and missing a deadline can push your start date back by an entire year. Most programs use centralized application systems where you submit transcripts, written statements, and resumes in one place. At competitive programs, early deadlines carry real advantages. Johns Hopkins, for example, releases decisions in late January for students who apply by November 1, while priority deadline applicants hear back around the end of March.
Start gathering your materials at least three months before the earliest deadline. Official transcripts can take weeks to arrive, and you’ll want time to write and revise your personal statement. Build a simple calendar with every deadline for every program you’re applying to, including separate dates for transcripts, test scores, and supplemental documents.
Prepare for the Entrance Exam
Most nursing programs require either the TEAS or the HESI A2 as part of your application. The two exams overlap in subject matter but differ in structure. The TEAS is standardized: every student takes the same sections (reading, math, science, English and language usage) in the same order. The HESI A2 is customizable by school, meaning your program chooses which sections to include, which can affect both the structure and difficulty of the test. HESI A2 sections can include math, reading, vocabulary and grammar, anatomy and physiology, and additional subjects depending on the school.
Passing score requirements vary by program. Some set minimum scores for each section, while others evaluate your overall performance. Check your target schools to find out which exam they accept and what score they expect, then give yourself at least six to eight weeks of focused study time.
Build Effective Study Habits Now
Nursing school moves fast, and the students who struggle most are often the ones still relying on passive study methods like rereading notes or highlighting textbooks. Two techniques backed by strong evidence will serve you throughout the program: active recall and spaced repetition.
Active recall means forcing yourself to retrieve information from memory rather than simply reviewing it. Even when you answer incorrectly, the act of trying to pull information from your brain makes you more likely to retain it long-term. This works because of what researchers call the “testing effect,” where your brain is more likely to move information from short-term to long-term memory when you practice retrieving it.
The simplest way to use active recall is with flashcards. Write a fact, process, or diagram on one side and a question or prompt on the other. You can also generate your own exam questions from class notes: write questions on one page and answers on another, then test yourself and check your key. For complex processes like disease pathways or drug mechanisms, try explaining the material out loud as if you’re teaching someone else. This forces you to search your brain for connections and reveals gaps in your understanding. When you pair any of these methods with spaced repetition, reviewing material at increasing intervals over days and weeks, you both strengthen recall and retain information longer. Start practicing these techniques with your prerequisite courses so they feel natural by the time nursing coursework begins.
Get Your Clinical Clearance in Order
Before you can set foot in a clinical setting, you’ll need to complete a stack of health and legal requirements. This paperwork takes longer than most students expect, so start early.
Immunizations and Titers
Clinical sites require proof of immunity to several diseases. The standard list includes Hepatitis B, influenza, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), varicella (chicken pox), meningococcal disease, and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap). For some of these, you’ll need blood tests called titers that prove you’re actually immune, not just that you received a vaccine years ago. If your titers come back showing low immunity, you may need booster shots and then retesting, which can add weeks to the process. Some facilities also require unvaccinated personnel to wear a surgical mask in patient areas during flu season, so staying current on influenza vaccination keeps things simpler.
Background Check and Drug Screening
Expect a criminal background check that looks for convictions that could pose a risk to public safety, prevent you from completing clinical rotations, or result in denial of your nursing license. Programs typically order this through a specific vendor, so you can’t just bring in your own.
You’ll also need to complete a ten-panel drug test before your initial clinical placement, usually no more than three months before you start. The panel screens for amphetamines (including methamphetamines), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, marijuana, methadone, opiates, and phencyclidine, among others. Some clinical sites may require additional or random drug testing throughout the program. If you take any prescribed medications that could trigger a positive result, have documentation from your provider ready.
BLS Certification
You need Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification before clinical rotations begin. The standard accepted credential is through the American Heart Association (AHA), though some schools also accept the American Red Cross Basic Life Support course. Regular CPR certification or the AHA Heart Saver course will not be accepted, so make sure you’re signing up for the correct level. Online-only courses are also typically rejected because you need hands-on practice to demonstrate competency on a real person. BLS certification is valid for two years, so time it so you won’t need to renew mid-program.
Get Your Gear and Technology Ready
Nursing students need specific equipment beyond what a typical college student carries. At minimum, you’ll need scrubs in your program’s required style and color, nursing shoes that meet clinical dress codes, a stethoscope, and a blood pressure cuff. Scrub sets (top, cargo pants, and jacket) run around $100. Medical textbooks are significantly more expensive than those for other majors, so budget accordingly and look for used copies or rental options early.
Your laptop matters more than you might think. Many programs use specialized testing software like ExamSoft for proctored exams, and it has specific hardware requirements. For Windows, you’ll need at least an Intel i3 processor (or equivalent) at 2.0 GHz, 4 GB of RAM, and 1 GB of available hard drive space running Windows 10 or newer. Macs need an Intel processor with similar RAM and storage specs. Screen resolution must be 1024×768 or higher. You’ll likely be required to complete mock exams before your first real test to confirm everything works. If your current laptop is aging, replace it before the semester starts rather than troubleshooting software issues during exam week.
Plan Your Finances Early
Nursing school costs extend well beyond tuition. Between equipment, uniforms, certification courses, immunization records, and background checks, first-year expenses add up quickly. Filing your FAFSA is the baseline step, but several nursing-specific funding sources can make a significant difference.
The HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship Program is one of the most generous options available. It covers tuition, eligible fees, and reasonable costs including books, clinical supplies, instruments, and uniforms. Recipients also get a monthly stipend. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident who is accepted or enrolled in an accredited nursing program. You can’t have an existing service commitment, any federal judgment liens, or overdue federal debt. The program gives funding preference to applicants with the greatest financial need. In exchange, you commit to working at a facility with a critical shortage of nurses after graduation. Application cycles open periodically, so check the HRSA website regularly.
Beyond Nurse Corps, look into state-specific nursing scholarships, hospital-sponsored tuition programs (many health systems will pay for your education in exchange for a work commitment), and professional nursing organization scholarships. Apply broadly and early, since many deadlines fall months before the academic year begins.