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How to Get Into Nursing School: Application Tips

A practical, step-by-step guide to building a strong nursing school application—from prerequisites and entrance exams to essays and timing.

Reviewed by the Pop Nursing editorial team · Updated June 2026

Key takeaways

Nursing programs are competitive and typically weigh four things: your GPA (especially in science prerequisites), entrance-exam scores, your application essay, and any healthcare experience—though exact requirements vary by school and state.
Most programs require core prerequisite courses like anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and statistics; strong grades here often matter more than your overall GPA.
Many schools require a standardized entrance exam such as the TEAS or HESI A2, though a growing number are test-optional—always confirm directly with each program.
Applying to several programs and starting early (prerequisites, exam prep, recommendation letters, and essays) can meaningfully improve your odds.
No school can guarantee admission. Requirements, deadlines, and competitiveness change often, so verify every detail on each program's official admissions page.

Understand What Nursing Programs Are Looking For

Nursing school admission is competitive, and most U.S. programs evaluate applicants on a few core areas rather than a single number. While the exact mix varies by school and state, admissions committees typically look at your academic record (especially science coursework), entrance-exam scores, a personal statement or essay, and any healthcare or volunteer experience. Some programs also interview applicants or weigh letters of recommendation.

It helps to first decide which type of program fits your goals. A two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can both lead toward becoming a registered nurse, and according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical entry-level education for an RN is an associate's or bachelor's degree (BLS, 2024). Accelerated BSN tracks exist for people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Each path has different prerequisites and timelines, so confirm the requirements for the specific programs you're targeting before you plan your courses.

Build a Strong Academic Foundation

Grades are often the first thing admissions teams review. Many programs list a minimum cumulative GPA somewhere in the 2.5–3.0 range, but competitive applicants frequently have higher GPAs—particularly in their science prerequisites. Because minimums and averages differ widely, treat any number you see as a starting point and check each school's published data.

Most nursing programs require a similar set of prerequisite courses, which often include:

Anatomy and physiology (sometimes two semesters)
Microbiology
Chemistry
Statistics
General education courses such as English, psychology, or human development

Strong grades in these science-heavy courses can carry extra weight, since they predict how you may handle nursing coursework. If you earned a low grade early on, retaking a prerequisite (where the school allows it) may help. Policies on repeats, course age limits, and which institutions' credits transfer vary by program and state, so verify them directly.

Prepare for the Entrance Exam (TEAS or HESI)

Many nursing programs require a standardized admission test, most commonly the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills, published by ATI) or the HESI A2. The TEAS covers reading, math, science, and English and language usage. A growing number of programs have become test-optional and instead emphasize GPA, essays, or interviews—so confirm whether your target schools require an exam at all.

Where a test is required, programs set their own minimum scores, and competitive applicants often score above the published minimum. To prepare, give yourself several weeks, use official or reputable practice materials, and focus on your weakest content area. Check each program's policy on how many times you may retake the exam and how recent your scores must be, since these rules differ by school. A higher score can strengthen an application, but no score guarantees admission.

Strengthen Your Application Beyond the Numbers

When many applicants have similar grades and scores, the rest of your application can help you stand out. A few areas worth investing in:

Personal statement or essay: Explain, specifically and honestly, why you want to become a nurse and what experiences shaped that goal. Avoid generic statements; concrete stories are usually more memorable.
Healthcare experience: Volunteering, shadowing a nurse, or working as a CNA, medical assistant, or hospital aide can demonstrate that you understand the realities of patient care. Some programs value this more than others.
Letters of recommendation: Where required, ask instructors or supervisors who know your work well and can speak to your reliability and academic ability. Give them plenty of notice.
Interviews: If a program interviews applicants, practice answering common questions calmly and professionally.

Because each school weighs these elements differently, read the application instructions carefully and tailor your materials to what each program actually asks for.

Plan Your Timeline and Apply Strategically

Strong applications usually start months in advance. A general sequence many students follow is: complete or be in progress on prerequisites first, take the entrance exam once you've reviewed the relevant content, then request recommendation letters and draft your essay before deadlines arrive. Application windows and deadlines vary by program and state, and some schools admit on a rolling basis, so build your own calendar around each program's official dates.

Applying to more than one program—and being open to different program types or locations—can improve your overall chances, since admission is competitive everywhere. Keep a simple tracking sheet of each school's requirements, deadlines, fees, and the documents you've submitted. Above all, verify every detail on the school's official admissions page, because requirements and competitiveness change from year to year. The encouraging context: the BLS projects employment of registered nurses to grow about 6% from 2023 to 2033, and reported the median RN wage at roughly $93,600 in May 2024—figures that reflect the field broadly, not a promise of any individual outcome.

Frequently asked questions

What GPA do I need to get into nursing school?

It varies by school and state. Many programs list a minimum cumulative GPA in roughly the 2.5–3.0 range, but competitive applicants often have higher GPAs, especially in science prerequisites like anatomy and physiology. Treat published minimums as a floor, not a guarantee, and check each program's average admitted GPA where available.

Do all nursing schools require the TEAS or HESI exam?

No. Many programs require a standardized entrance exam such as the TEAS or HESI A2, but a growing number have become test-optional and focus on GPA, essays, or interviews instead. Always confirm the current requirement on each program's official admissions page, since policies change.

How long does it take to become a registered nurse?

It depends on the path. An associate degree (ADN) often takes about two years, and a bachelor's degree (BSN) typically takes about four years; accelerated BSN options exist for students who already hold a bachelor's in another field. After graduating, candidates generally must pass the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, and timelines vary by program and state.

What is the NCLEX, and has it changed recently?

The NCLEX is the national licensure exam graduates typically take to become licensed nurses. Since April 1, 2023, it has used the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) format, which adds case-study questions designed to assess clinical judgment. Reported first-time pass rates in recent years have generally been high, but pass rates vary by year, program, and population and are not a guarantee of individual results.

How can I make my nursing school application stronger?

Focus on earning solid grades in your science prerequisites, preparing thoroughly for any required entrance exam, and writing a specific, genuine personal statement. Gaining healthcare experience through volunteering, shadowing, or working as a CNA can help, as can strong letters of recommendation. Applying to several programs and starting early also tends to improve your overall chances.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not admissions, career, financial, or medical advice. Program length, cost, accreditation, and licensing requirements vary by school and by state — always confirm details with the school and your state board of nursing.