10 Ways High School Students Can Prepare for a Nursing Career

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.

In high school, you can lay the groundwork for a solid foundation to become a nursing student. In addition to asking advice from a professional nurse, consider these 10 tips for preparing for nursing school.

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.

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.

Examples of nursing prerequisites include:

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.

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.

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.

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.

Students can enroll in weekend or evening classes through the Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Certifications are valid for two years.

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.

High school students can gain exposure to healthcare settings through volunteering.

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.

Nursing volunteer hours 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.

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.

If you have trouble finding a nurse in your network or community, consider talking with the nurse at your school. School nurses help students daily with health-related matters and can share their perspectives and experiences.

Another possibility is organizations for aspiring healthcare professionals. For example, consider joining HOSA-Future Health Professionals, a nursing organization for students as young as middle school.

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.

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.

Traditionally, colleges require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, nursing schools may prefer candidates to take nursing entrance exams. Specific requirements vary by program type.

Depending on the nursing program, students may take the Kaplan Nursing School Admission Test or the Test of Essential Academic Skills Exam, among others.

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 NCLEX-RN, the all-important exam leading to nurse licensure.

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.

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 National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Therefore, you can generally consider a pass rate over 80% above average.

Some nursing schools receive more applications than available spots, which means they must be selective with candidates.

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.

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.

You can find several resources to help you stay up to date. The American Journal of Nursing publishes the latest nursing research, for example.

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.