[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]High school students can prepare for a nursing career by taking advanced science and math classes, earning CPR certification, and volunteering in healthcare settings.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Shadowing nurses or finding a mentor can show to colleges that you’re serious about a nursing career and help you discover which field of nursing you want to pursue.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research programs and their NCLEX pass rates to help you find a school that will set you up for success.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you a high school student hoping to enter nursing school after graduation? If so, you can get a leg up on the often-competitive admissions process. Discover the steps you can take now to prepare for nursing school and make sure your application stands out.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How to Prepare for Nursing School Before High School Graduation[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In high school, you can lay the groundwork for a solid foundation to become a nursing student. In addition to [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/ask-a-nurse/what-can-high-schoolers-do-to-become-a-registered-nurse/”]asking advice from a professional nurse[/hen-ui-link], consider these 10 tips for preparing for nursing school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1 | Take the Right Classes[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many nursing schools set high admission standards, so setting yourself up with the right high school classes can give you a competitive edge when you apply. Prioritize science and math courses, such as biology, statistics, and chemistry. If your high school offers more specialized courses like anatomy and physiology, then enroll in those.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many high schools offer advanced placement (AP) courses, which expose students to higher-level coursework. Colleges often offer credit to incoming high school students with high AP scores. Even just seeing AP courses on an applicant’s transcript can help boost admission chances, too.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Examples of [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/prerequisites-for-nursing-school/”]nursing prerequisites[/hen-ui-link] include:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Microbiology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]English Composition[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Biology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nutrition[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Introduction to Psychology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2 | Explore Nursing Programs While in High School[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Once you’ve chosen your schools, explore their curricula. You may be able to take high school classes for dual credit — in other words, high school classes that can also be counted toward postsecondary programs, like nursing school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you can’t access this option, consider taking the closest courses your high school offers. Your guidance counselor can guide you in this process.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can also expand your search beyond high school, taking courses at a local community college or hospital. A willingness to think outside the box can make your nursing school application stand out.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3 | Earn Basic Life Support/First Aid Certification[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You do not need to wait until nursing school to learn how to save lives. You can gain your first aid and basic life support certifications while you’re still in high school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students can enroll in weekend or evening classes through the Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Certifications are valid for two years.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some nursing schools may require first aid certification as a prerequisite. Even if certification is not required, first aid skills look impressive on a college application.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4 | Look for Nursing Volunteer Opportunities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]High school students can gain exposure to healthcare settings through volunteering.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Find a healthcare facility like a hospital, an assisted living facility, or a clinic and check if it hosts volunteer programs. If it does not have a formal program, offer to volunteer for a few hours per week. Ask if you can shadow nurses to learn about the field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/internships-and-volunteer-opportunities/”]Nursing volunteer hours[/hen-ui-link] can stand out on college applications. Plus, if you focus on volunteering in the healthcare industry, you can show those representatives just how serious you are about your nursing career plans.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5 | Talk to a Nurse[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Ideally, prospective nurses will have access to a volunteer opportunity or a nurse mentor. You may have a nurse in your family or social network that you could approach for more information about the profession.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you have trouble finding a nurse in your network or community, consider talking with the nurse at your school. [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/careers/school-nurse/how-to-become/”]School nurses[/hen-ui-link] help students daily with health-related matters and can share their perspectives and experiences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Another possibility is organizations for aspiring healthcare professionals. For example, consider joining [hen-ui-link href=”https://hosa.org/” target=”_blank”]HOSA-Future Health Professionals[/hen-ui-link], a nursing organization for students as young as middle school.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]There may be other organizations in your area that can help connect you with nurses and nursing resources. Contact your school’s nurse, health teacher, or guidance counselor to get started.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]6 | Research Nursing Degree Types and Admission Requirements[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Aspiring nurses can follow a few different academic pathways to get their start in the industry. Familiarize yourself with these different options to know which nursing degree is best for your specific career goals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]7 | Research Nursing School Entrance Exams[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Traditionally, colleges require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, nursing schools may prefer candidates to take [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nursing-entrance-exams-guide/”]nursing entrance exams[/hen-ui-link]. Specific requirements vary by program type.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the nursing program, students may take the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test or the Test of Essential Academic Skills Exam, among others.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]8 | Check NCLEX Pass Rates[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]When researching nursing schools, consider several factors, including available programs, graduation rates, and accreditation status. One key statistic for nursing schools is the rate at which their students pass the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/guide/”]NCLEX-RN[/hen-ui-link], the all-important exam leading to nurse licensure.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]High pass rates on the NCLEX indicate that a school thoroughly prepares students for their exams and careers. A low pass rate might suggest a lack of quality education.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If you feel unsure how to evaluate a school’s pass rate, compare it to the national NCLEX pass rate. In 2025, 89% of first-time RN students passed the NCLEX, according to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/exams/exam-statistics-and-publications/nclex-pass-rates.page” target=”_blank”]National Council of State Boards of Nursing[/hen-ui-link]. Therefore, you can generally consider a pass rate over 80% above average.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]9 | Learn About Nursing School Waiting Lists[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some nursing schools receive more applications than available spots, which means they must be selective with candidates.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In your nursing school research, make note of your prospective schools’ acceptance rates and waitlist times. This way, you can think strategically and apply to schools that give you the best chance of success.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]10 | Stay Up to Date[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Learning about current nursing trends and issues can keep you in the loop about your educational and career decisions. This knowledge can help you determine the direction or specialty you want to pursue. It can also give you a leg up on nursing school interviews.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can find several resources to help you stay up to date. The [hen-ui-link href=”https://journals.lww.com/ajnonline/pages/default.aspx” target=”_blank”]American Journal of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] publishes the latest nursing research, for example.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can also check out (trustworthy) nursing profiles on social media platforms like TikTok or LinkedIn. These bite-sized bits of nursing knowledge are a great way to find topics that interest you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How do I prepare for nursing school while in high school?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Check with the program you’re interested in to see what resources they offer or recommend. Inquire about summer prep programs to get a head start on coursework, take relevant courses like advanced placement (AP) while in high school, and consider online resources dedicated to preparing for nursing school.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What classes should I take in high school to prepare for nursing school?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Science classes, such as biology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology, lay the foundations for nursing coursework. Statistics courses can prove useful too. Colleges prefer applicants with solid writing and communication skills, so English and writing courses can boost your admission chances.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Can I attend nursing school while in high school?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can’t attend nursing school while in high school, but you can prepare yourself. Consider campus visits, meeting with faculty, taking relevant AP classes, or partnering with a nursing program for independent study.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the hardest prerequisite for nursing school?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Typically, science courses like chemistry and biology are perceived to be the most difficult. However, there’s no single most difficult prerequisite for nursing school. The difficulty level ultimately depends on your unique strengths and weaknesses.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]