What are the Prerequisites for Nursing School?

If you’re dreaming of becoming a nurse or looking for ways to advance your current nursing career, you’ll need to understand the nursing school requirements you must meet before applying. Nursing programs are competitive, so knowing the prerequisites for nursing school can give you a strong start and increase your chances of acceptance.

Whether you’re aiming to begin a nursing career for the first time or looking for ways to move from LPN to RN, LPN to BSN, or CNA to RN in a nursing bridge program, certain academic, health, and background standards are almost always required. Learn exactly how to get into nursing school and what steps you need to take before submitting your application.

What are the educational requirements for nursing school?

The first step in meeting nursing school requirements is having the right educational background. Most nursing schools require you to have a high school diploma or GED. This is the minimum requirement for an ADN or BSN RN program. 

Pro tip: If you’re still in high school and know you want a career in nursing, take science courses like biology and chemistry, along with algebra or statistics. These types of courses will prepare you for your nursing prerequisites later.

What are Common Prerequisite Courses for Nursing School?

Most nursing programs require you to maintain a strong GPA and complete certain courses, also known as nursing prerequisites, before you are admitted into the nursing school and allowed to begin core nursing courses. Common nursing prerequisites include:

• Biology – A foundation for understanding anatomy, physiology, and diseases.
• Chemistry – Essential for pharmacology and lab work.
• Anatomy & Physiology I and II – Covers body systems in detail.
• Microbiology – Key for infection control and understanding pathogens.
• Statistics or College-Level Math – Helps with dosage calculations and research interpretation.
• English Composition – Builds communication skills for patient care and documentation.
• Psychology and/or Sociology – Helps in understanding patient behavior and mental health.
  

Are Nursing School Entrance Exams Required? 

Many nursing programs do require an entrance exam to help evaluate your readiness and chances of successfully completing nursing school. The most common nursing school entrance exams include:

• TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) – Measures reading, math, science, and English.
• HESI Admission Assessment – Similar to TEAS, often used by ADN and BSN programs.
  

Scoring well on these tests is essential when considering how to get into nursing school successfully.

Is Previous Healthcare Experience Required for Nursing School? 

While it’s not a strict requirement, having experience in healthcare can make your nursing school application stand out. Experience can include working as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), working as an EMT or Paramedic, and even volunteer work in hospitals, clinics or long-term care facilities.

If you don’t have any current experience and want to gain some, ask a nurse if you can shadow him or her to learn what to expect in a real-world nursing job.  

Will I Need to Pass a Nursing School Background Check or Drug Screening?

Most nursing schools require both a criminal background check and a drug screening before you start clinical rotations as a nursing student. This ensures compliance with healthcare facility policies and patient safety standards.

Will I Need CPR Certification for Nursing Clinicals?

You’ll likely need Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification from the American Heart Association before beginning clinical training. CPR certification is something that can also be used to help boost your nursing school application if obtained prior to the start of your nursing school career. 

Tips on How to Get Into Nursing School

• Plan early – Some nursing prerequisites have their own requirements, so map out your courses in advance. (You may even be eligible to complete nursing prerequisites using the credit by exam method which shortens the time to earning your nursing degree.)
  
• Maintain a strong GPA – Many nursing programs are competitive, often requiring a 2.75–3.5 GPA.
  
• Stay organized – Keep track of deadlines, entrance exam requirements, transcripts, prerequisite courses, and required documents.
  
• Get support – Consider study groups, tutoring, or prep courses for entrance exams.
  

FAQ: Nursing School Prerequisites & Requirements

1. Do I need healthcare experience for nursing school?

No, it’s not always required, but it can strengthen your application and help you confirm that nursing is the right career for you. CNA work or hospital volunteering are great options.

2. How long do nursing prerequisites take to complete?

If you’re starting from scratch, prerequisites can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on your program and course availability.

3. What GPA do I need to get into nursing school?

Most programs require at least a 2.75 GPA, but competitive BSN programs often expect a GPA of 3.0–3.5 or higher.

4. Do all nursing schools require the TEAS or HESI exam?

Not all, but many do. Always check the admission requirements for your specific program.

5. Can I take nursing prerequisites online?

Yes, many schools allow you to complete prerequisites online, but labs and clinicals must usually be done in person.

Is There a Way to Complete Nursing Prerequisites and Enter Nursing School Faster? 

You can earn credit for nursing school prerequisites using the credit by exam system. Credit by exam is supported by the U.S. Department of education and is a system designed primarily to help busy, working adults go back to school. Rather than attending semester-long courses, this path allows you to test out of college courses by passing one proficiency exam to earn the same college credits as if you sat in class. 

Achieve Test Prep makes it possible to prepare for these proficiency exams by attending one online class each week for as little as 5 weeks per course. Online classes at Achieve are supported by live instructors, so you’ll have the support you need to ask questions and make sure you truly understand the material for added confidence on exam day. 

The credits you earn via credit by exam are accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities nationwide and will transfer to your college of choice — helping you save time while making real progress. 

How to Prepare for Success in Nursing School

Meeting the nursing school requirements isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about building the foundation for your success as a nursing student and future healthcare professional. By completing your nursing prerequisites and preparing thoroughly, you’ll be well on your way to acceptance into the nursing school of your choice.