How to Prepare for Nursing School

A Faculty Blog by Dr. Kristen Richmond

As the coordinator of the Bethel University nursing program at Grace College, I’ve engaged with countless aspiring nurses, including high schoolers planning to enroll in nursing school. Many students are at a loss for how to prepare for nursing school. They worry that their college studies will blindside them and overwhelm them with challenging skills and information. It’s a legitimate concern: nursing is an intense, rigorous field.

But high schoolers can take several measures to equip themselves and ease the transition. I’ve found that students who follow these steps typically enjoy more success in the nursing program. Read on to find out how to prepare for nursing school.

1. Make the most of your high-school courses.

Most high schools allow students some freedom in choosing classes. Opting for science-based courses such as anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and biology will expose you early on to central nursing concepts and terminology. When you take your college courses, you’ll have a grasp on the basics and find yourself able to tackle complex topics more quickly.

Those wondering how to prepare for nursing school should consider taking the SAT and/or ACT to meet the standard requirements. Research shows that students who achieve a minimum SAT or ACT score are typically more successful overall in their nursing program.

2. Become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or a patient care technician (PCT).

A CNA or PCT can work in nursing homes or hospitals. These jobs provide a great foundation for your nursing career before you even enroll in school. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience and navigate situations that exist only as theories in the classroom. When the time rolls around for your clinical, you’ll already have some experience under your belt.

These positions also bolster your resume. Future employers will note your initiative in seeking healthcare training as early as possible.

3. Learn your study style. 

You’re a hard worker, and you’ve already spent much time studying as a high schooler. You know that it’s one thing to read the textbook, another to remember what you’ve read, and a completely other thing to understand the content at a level that you can teach it to your future patients. 

Your workload will intensify in nursing school, so understand how you learn best now. Think about your study method, environment, and time of day. If you haven’t discovered your best study style, explore some college study tips here.

4. Be confident in your decision.

If you’ve prayed about this decision and sought wise counsel, there’s nothing left to do but walk boldly in it! Nursing is a calling, and caring for others is a special privilege. Once you’ve made up your mind to enter this rewarding field, focus wholly on honoring God where He’s planted you.

Nursing Studies at Grace College

At Grace College, we’re no strangers to a successful nursing program. In the previous four years, Grace nursing students had a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate. We anticipate a 100% pass rate for this year’s graduates.

If you’ve wondered how to prepare for nursing school, know that you can set yourself up for success even now in high school and continue on to an excellent nursing program at Grace College’s.

Discover Grace College’s nursing program with Bethel University, and explore admissions at Grace.

Dr. Kristen Richmond is the coordinator of the Bethel Nursing Program at Grace College and an assistant professor of nursing. She specializes in maternity nursing and has completed research for her doctoral degree on “Coping Skills Assessment and Training for Newly Graduated Registered Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” She holds a B.S.N. from Ball State University, an M.S.N. from Ball State University, and a D.N.P. from Regis College.