If you want to become a nurse, the classes you take in high school matter more than you might think. Nursing programs look for a strong foundation in science, math, and communication, and the right course load can put you ahead before you ever set foot on a college campus. Here’s what to prioritize.
Science Classes Are the Top Priority
Biology and chemistry are non-negotiable. Every nursing program requires college-level versions of both, and taking them in high school gives you the background to handle that coursework without struggling. If your school offers anatomy and physiology, take that too. It’s the single most relevant course you can take for nursing because it covers how the body works system by system, which is essentially what nursing school builds on.
Aim for at least three years of science. If you have room in your schedule for a fourth year, consider AP Biology or AP Chemistry. At Binghamton University’s nursing college, for example, a score of 4 on the AP Biology exam earns credit for introductory biology, and a score of 5 earns eight credits covering two semesters. AP Chemistry follows a similar scale. That’s real tuition money saved and prerequisite boxes checked before college starts.
Math Through Algebra II at Minimum
The California Board of Registered Nursing recommends three to four years of math, including algebra and geometry. Most nursing programs expect you to have completed at least Algebra II. Nurses use math constantly for dosage calculations, IV drip rates, and unit conversions, so this isn’t a box-checking exercise.
If your school offers AP Statistics, it’s worth considering. Many nursing degree programs require a statistics course, and a score of 3 or higher on the AP exam can fulfill that requirement at some universities. Statistics also comes up in evidence-based nursing practice, where you need to interpret research data about treatments and patient outcomes.
English and Communication Skills
Four years of English is standard for college admission, but strong writing and reading skills carry extra weight in nursing. You’ll write patient assessments, document care plans, and communicate with physicians who expect clarity and precision. AP English Language and Composition can also earn you college credit at some nursing schools, knocking out a composition prerequisite before you arrive.
If your school offers a speech or public speaking class, that’s a smart elective. Nurses spend their days explaining conditions to patients, advocating for care decisions, and giving shift reports to other nurses. Being comfortable speaking clearly under pressure is a skill you’ll use every single day.
Electives That Give You an Edge
Psychology is one of the most useful electives you can take. It’s a required course in every nursing program, and AP Psychology scores of 3 or higher earn college credit at many schools. Understanding how people think, cope with stress, and process illness makes you a better caregiver from day one.
A few other electives worth grabbing if they’re available:
- Health classes. Courses covering nutrition, exercise science, or mental health give you a broader understanding of patient wellness beyond clinical treatment.
- Foreign language. Spanish is especially valuable in U.S. healthcare settings. Being able to communicate with patients in their first language improves care quality and builds trust.
- Sociology. Many BSN programs require it, and it helps you understand how social factors like poverty, culture, and family structure affect health.
Dual Enrollment and College Credit
If your high school partners with a local community college, dual enrollment is one of the smartest moves you can make. Some schools have structured pathways specifically for future nurses. Tri-County Technical College, for instance, maps out a plan where 12th graders take introductory biology, English composition, psychology, and college-level math during their senior year, graduating with 13 hours of college credit already completed.
Courses like medical terminology and introductory psychology translate directly into nursing prerequisites. The advantage isn’t just saving time. Nursing programs are competitive, and showing that you’ve already succeeded in college-level coursework signals that you’re ready for the rigor.
CNA Certification While Still in High School
Some high schools and community colleges offer Certified Nursing Assistant programs to students as young as 16, no diploma required. A typical CNA course involves about 66 hours of classroom instruction and 108 hours of clinical training in a real healthcare facility, usually spread over about 10 weeks total. You’ll also need to get BLS/CPR certified, which is a requirement for the program and useful on its own.
Earning your CNA gives you paid, hands-on patient care experience while you’re still in high school. It also lets you find out whether you genuinely enjoy bedside care before committing to a four-year nursing degree. Many nursing school applications ask for healthcare-related experience, and working as a CNA is one of the strongest ways to demonstrate it.
Extracurriculars That Strengthen Applications
HOSA (Future Health Professionals) is a national student organization with chapters in many high schools. Members compete in health-related events at local, state, and international levels, covering topics from medical terminology to clinical nursing skills. HOSA is student-led, so you’ll also get leadership experience through running chapter meetings and organizing events. Nursing admissions committees recognize HOSA involvement as a signal that you’re serious about healthcare.
Volunteering in a hospital, clinic, or nursing home also carries weight. While there’s no universal number of hours that nursing programs require, the key is that your experience is directly related to patient care rather than administrative tasks. Even 50 to 100 hours of meaningful volunteer work shows initiative and gives you stories to draw on in application essays and interviews.
Keep Your GPA Strong
Competitive BSN programs typically require a minimum prerequisite GPA around 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, but that’s the floor, not the target. Programs with limited seats often admit students well above the minimum. A GPA of 3.5 or higher makes you a strong candidate at most schools and opens doors to scholarships.
Science and math grades matter most. Admissions committees look at your performance in prerequisite subjects more closely than your overall average, so earning a B in AP Chemistry carries more weight than an easy A in a less relevant class. That said, don’t tank your other courses. A well-rounded transcript with consistently strong grades across subjects signals the discipline nursing school demands.
Nursing Entrance Exams to Know About
Most nursing programs require an entrance exam, typically either the TEAS or the HESI A2. These tests measure your readiness in reading, math, and science. You won’t take them until you’re applying to a nursing program, but the content comes directly from what you’re learning in high school biology, chemistry, algebra, and English.
Which exam you’ll need depends entirely on the program. Associate degree programs more often use the TEAS, while BSN programs also lean toward the TEAS, though some accept either test. The best move is to check the admissions page of the nursing schools you’re interested in and note which exam they require so you can start preparing early. Strong high school coursework in science and math is the single best form of test prep.