Starting nursing school requires a mix of academic prerequisites, health clearances, certifications, gear, and financial planning. The specifics vary by program, but most nursing schools share a core set of requirements you’ll need to complete before your first day of class or clinical rotation. Here’s what to prepare for.
Prerequisite Courses
Before you can apply to most nursing programs, you’ll need to complete a set of college-level courses with a grade of C or better. The science courses are the backbone: human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, microbiology with lab, and introductory or general chemistry. These give you the foundation for understanding how the body works, how infections spread, and how medications interact with biological systems.
Beyond the sciences, expect to complete English composition, a critical thinking or logic course, oral communications, college-level math, and statistics. Some programs bundle a few of these together or swap in slightly different humanities requirements, but this general list holds across most ADN (associate degree) and BSN (bachelor’s) programs. You can knock out prerequisites at a community college before transferring, which saves money and is a common path. Just make sure the institution is regionally accredited, or your credits may not transfer.
GPA and Entrance Exams
Most nursing programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0, though competitive schools expect higher. Your prerequisite science GPA often carries more weight than your overall GPA, so strong performance in anatomy, physiology, and microbiology matters more than your elective grades.
You’ll also need to take a standardized entrance exam, typically either the TEAS or the HESI A2. The TEAS covers reading, math, science, and English language usage. The HESI A2 tests similar areas but may also include anatomy and physiology sections 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 specific program’s benchmarks early so you know what to aim for, and budget time to study. Many students take prep courses or use practice exams before sitting for the test.
Health and Immunization Requirements
Nursing students work in clinical settings alongside real patients, so programs require proof that you’re up to date on a specific list of vaccinations. You’ll need documentation of immunization against hepatitis B, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap), and seasonal influenza. Some programs also require a meningococcal vaccine. If you’re unsure of your vaccination history, a blood test called a titer can confirm whether you have immunity.
You’ll also need tuberculosis (TB) screening, usually a skin test or blood test, completed within a specific window before clinicals begin. Many programs use third-party tracking services like CastleBranch to verify and store your immunization records, which may come with a one-time account fee. Plan ahead here: some vaccine series, like hepatitis B, require multiple doses spaced over several months, so you can’t complete them last minute.
BLS Certification
Every nursing program requires Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association before you start clinical rotations. This is a specific healthcare-provider-level course, not the basic CPR class you might have taken in high school. It covers CPR for adults, children, and infants, along with choking response and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The course takes a few hours and results in a provider card valid for two years. You’ll need to renew it if it expires before you graduate.
Background Check and Drug Screening
Expect to complete a criminal background check and drug screen before you can register for classes or enter a clinical site. At many schools, this isn’t a one-time event. Programs like the one at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences require students to repeat the process annually, and enrollment is contingent on acceptable results each time. Clinical facilities set their own policies, and a flagged result can prevent you from completing required rotations, which effectively ends your ability to finish the program. If you have concerns about your background check, contact the program’s admissions office early to discuss your situation.
A Laptop That Meets Program Specs
Nursing programs rely heavily on testing software, remote proctoring tools, and online learning platforms that have specific hardware requirements. A Chromebook, iPad, or Android tablet will not work. You need a full laptop running either Windows or macOS.
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing provides a representative set of minimum specs: for Windows, an Intel Core i5 processor or higher, 16 GB of memory, a 250 GB solid-state hard drive, a 14-inch display, and Windows 10 Pro or higher. For Mac, an M1 chip or higher, 16 GB of memory, a 250 GB solid-state drive, and macOS Ventura or higher. You’ll also need an integrated webcam and a quality headset for remote proctoring, online exams, and any virtual coursework. Your specific program may have slightly different requirements, but these numbers are a safe baseline. A three-year warranty with accidental damage coverage is worth the investment given how much you’ll depend on this machine.
Clinical Gear and Supplies
Your program will specify what to buy, but the essentials are consistent across schools. You’ll need scrubs in whatever color your program requires. Fit matters more than brand: you’ll be on your feet for long shifts, so choose something comfortable that allows a full range of movement without being too loose.
A good stethoscope is your most important clinical tool. Entry-level models work, but investing in one that produces clear, high-quality sound makes it easier to detect subtle heart and lung abnormalities during assessments. The Littmann Classic III is a popular choice among nursing students for its balance of quality and price. Beyond that, you’ll want medical bandage scissors for cutting gauze and dressings, a penlight for checking pupil response and examining wounds or the throat, a watch with a second hand for counting pulse and respiratory rates, and comfortable, closed-toe nursing shoes with good arch support.
For classroom supplies, a reliable set of colored pens or highlighters helps with note-taking in anatomy-heavy courses. Many students also invest in a quality planner or digital calendar early, since juggling lecture schedules, lab sessions, clinical rotations, and study time requires deliberate organization from day one.
Financial Planning
Nursing school costs vary dramatically depending on program type and residency status. At the University of Washington, a resident BSN student pays about $4,469 per quarter, while a non-resident pays $14,880 per quarter. Accelerated BSN programs, which compress the curriculum for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field, can cost significantly more: UW’s accelerated BSN runs $13,430 per quarter.
Tuition is only part of the picture. Budget for textbooks and supplies, which can run several hundred dollars per semester. Add in the costs that sneak up on you: the CastleBranch immunization tracking account, annual background checks, CPR certification and renewal, clinical placement fees, a stethoscope, scrubs, and potentially liability insurance. Some programs require students to purchase access to testing platforms or simulation software on top of tuition. Financial aid, scholarships specifically for nursing students, and employer tuition reimbursement programs are all worth exploring. Many hospitals offer tuition assistance in exchange for a work commitment after graduation.