Getting into nursing school straight out of high school is a realistic goal, and the process is more straightforward than most students expect. You’ll need strong grades in science and math, a passing score on a nursing entrance exam, and ideally some healthcare-related experience. The specific steps depend on which type of nursing program you choose, so that decision comes first.
Choose Between a Two-Year and Four-Year Program
Your first major decision is whether to pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Both paths lead to the same licensing exam, but they differ in cost, time commitment, and career options.
An ADN is a two-year program, typically offered at community colleges, with tuition running between $6,000 and $20,000. Some schools offer accelerated versions you can finish in 18 months. A BSN is a four-year degree at a university, with tuition ranging from $40,000 to over $200,000 depending on the school. The price gap is significant, and it’s worth weighing carefully.
The tradeoff: BSN graduates earn more on average ($92,000 vs. $75,000 for ADN holders) and have a wider selection of jobs. Many hospitals now hire only BSN-prepared nurses. A BSN also opens the door to graduate school if you ever want to become a nurse practitioner or specialize. BSN graduates pass the licensing exam at a slightly higher rate too, at 82.3% on the first attempt compared to 77.9% for ADN graduates. If you start with an ADN to save money, you can always complete a bridge program later to earn your BSN.
Build the Right High School Transcript
Nursing programs care most about your performance in science, math, and English. The courses that matter most are biology, chemistry, algebra (at minimum), and statistics if your school offers it. Psychology and health sciences are also valuable because they introduce concepts you’ll use throughout nursing school. Strong reading and writing skills show up repeatedly in nursing, from patient documentation to interpreting research, so don’t overlook English classes.
If your school offers AP, honors, or dual enrollment versions of these courses, take them. Dual enrollment courses in anatomy, physiology, or microbiology can double as college prerequisites and save you time once you start your program. Talk to your school counselor about what’s available.
GPA matters more than almost anything else on your application. Competitive BSN programs commonly require a minimum of 3.2, and meeting the minimum doesn’t guarantee acceptance. Direct-entry programs at many universities evaluate applicants primarily on their unweighted high school GPA. Aim for the highest grades you can manage in your science and math courses specifically, since admissions committees often calculate a “science GPA” separately.
Look Into Direct Admit Programs
Some universities offer direct admit or direct entry nursing programs for high school seniors. These are worth knowing about because they solve one of the biggest frustrations in nursing education: the traditional path often requires you to complete two years of college prerequisites before even applying to the nursing program, with no guarantee of acceptance.
Direct admit programs let you secure your spot in the nursing major before you start college. You apply during your senior year of high school, and if accepted, you’re guaranteed a place in the clinical nursing courses when the time comes. This removes the uncertainty and the risk of spending two years on prerequisites only to be turned away.
Spots are limited and competition is stiff. Programs typically evaluate your unweighted high school GPA along with healthcare experience. Students who have volunteered or worked in medical settings, or participated in health-related clubs and education programs, can earn extra points on their applications. If you don’t get into a direct admit program, you can still apply to the nursing major later through the traditional route.
Gain Healthcare Experience Before You Apply
You don’t need to walk into nursing school with a medical resume, but any hands-on healthcare experience strengthens your application and helps you confirm that nursing is the right fit. There are several practical ways to build this experience while still in high school.
- Volunteer at a hospital or clinic. Many hospitals have volunteer programs for students age 16 and older. Even tasks like escorting patients or restocking supplies give you exposure to the clinical environment.
- Join a Red Cross Club. The American Red Cross offers volunteer roles including disaster response teams, blood drives, health education, and community health initiatives through a partnership with the National Student Nurses’ Association.
- Get certified in CPR and First Aid. These certifications are inexpensive, take only a few hours, and show admissions committees that you’re serious. BLS (Basic Life Support) certification is even better, as many nursing programs require it before clinical rotations anyway.
- Earn a CNA certification. Some states allow high schoolers to become Certified Nursing Assistants. This is one of the strongest things you can put on a nursing school application because it demonstrates direct patient care experience.
Prepare for the Entrance Exam
Most nursing programs require you to pass either the TEAS or the HESI A2 exam. Your school will tell you which one they accept. Both test your readiness for the academic rigor of nursing coursework.
The TEAS has 170 questions (150 scored) across four areas: reading, math, science, and English. It takes about 3.5 hours and can often be taken from home. Many programs require a minimum score around 78% on each section.
The HESI A2 is longer, with 350 questions covering anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, grammar, math, reading comprehension, vocabulary, and sometimes physics. It takes about 4 hours and is proctored in person. A typical minimum passing score is around 80%.
Both exams have official study guides and practice tests. If your high school science and math foundation is solid, you’ll recognize most of the material. The areas that trip students up most are anatomy and physiology (which you may not have taken yet) and the science-specific vocabulary. Give yourself at least four to six weeks of focused study. Free resources exist, but the official TEAS or HESI prep books are worth the investment because they match the actual test format closely.
Follow the Application Timeline
Nursing program deadlines vary, but direct admission programs for high school seniors typically have fall deadlines. Some schools set their cutoff as early as December 1 of your senior year, which means you need to start preparing well before that.
A practical timeline looks like this: spend the summer before senior year volunteering and studying for your entrance exam. Take the TEAS or HESI in early fall. Request transcripts and letters of recommendation by October. Submit your completed application, entrance exam scores, and all supporting documents by the posted deadline. Then wait: most programs notify applicants in the spring.
If you’re applying to ADN programs at community colleges, deadlines tend to be more flexible, sometimes extending into the spring semester. But popular programs fill quickly, so applying early always works in your favor.
Pay for It With Scholarships and Service Programs
Nursing school has more financial aid options than many students realize. Beyond standard federal aid and university scholarships, nursing-specific funding exists at the national level.
The Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, run by the federal government, covers tuition, fees, books, clinical supplies, uniforms, and pays a monthly living stipend. In return, you commit to working at a healthcare facility with a nursing shortage after graduation. You’re eligible as long as you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has been accepted to an accredited nursing program. The program gives preference to applicants with the greatest financial need. Applications open annually, with award decisions typically announced by September 30.
Many state nursing associations and hospitals also offer scholarships specifically for incoming freshman nursing students. Your school’s financial aid office can point you toward local options, and the National Student Nurses’ Association maintains a scholarship database worth checking.