How to Get Into Nursing School in 2025: A Comprehensive Step-By-Step Guide for Starting Nursing School the Right Way

If you aspire to become a nurse and help patients and communities in health improvement and well-being, the first step you must take is getting into nursing school. However, the process of selecting an educational institution, choosing the right learning program, applying, and successfully enrolling can be more difficult than it seems.

That's why we provide you with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that teaches you how to get into nursing school in 2025 and provides all the essential information for your selection and enrollment process. If you make the right choices at the starting point of your journey, you will have an easier time achieving your desired nursing career and advancing to your fullest potential.

Here is what you need to know about getting into nursing school:

Why Pursue a Nursing Career?

Becoming a nurse comes with many benefits, including job stability and rewarding career paths that are both professionally and financially fulfilling, as well as personally satisfying. Nursing is one of the most respected, in-demand, and impactful professions in the workforce. Professionals in the nursing field experience increased career mobility and a varied range of employment opportunities. Most importantly, nurses have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of others and their communities.

Nurses are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that employment for registered nurses (who make up the largest share of nursing personnel) will grow by 6% over the decade, which is higher than the growth for all occupations (4%). The increase would mean that, by 2033, there would be just a little under 200,000 new jobs created for RNs, over the 194,500 openings available each year. 

The more nurses advance their education, the higher their demand becomes. For instance, when considering more advanced nursing positions, such as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), employment growth is expected to be 40% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than for all healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners (9%). 

Nursing pays well. The average salary for registered nurses ($98,430 per year) is more than 1.5 times higher than the average US salary, as reported by SoFi Learn ($63,795 per year), exceeding it by a net value of $34,635. Even when comparing the earning potential of an entry-level nursing role, such as that of a licensed practical nurse ($64,150 per year), the latter still earns more than the average US employee. 

Read more about your earning potential in our Nurse Salary by US State report.

You have a wider variety of career paths. Nursing offers a range of specializations, from pediatrics to critical care, geriatrics, public health, and so on. Thus, once you join the profession, even if you complete a general educational program, you can reorient your career path in a direction that you feel passionate about. Additionally, many non-traditional nursing careers also benefit from flexibility in their work settings. These can include travel nursing, school nursing, telehealth services, and even education and faculty jobs.

Nurses are the most trusted professionals in the US. Nurses have taken the #1 spot on Gallup’s Annual Poll for 23 consecutive years, according to the American Nurses Association. Thus, nursing can prove not only professionally and monetarily lucrative but also personally fulfilling, as it gives you the chance to care for people from various walks of life in their most vulnerable moments. 

Straightforward career ladder. Although they can pursue many routes, nurses have clear specialization programs and protocols, with their advancement opportunities being clear and transparent. This means that once you enter the workforce and get accustomed to the environment, you can have a steady professional growth trajectory.

There are many more reasons to pick nursing as your career, and you can read more about why you should become a nurse. The first step to reaping its benefits is to attend nursing school and receive the necessary education to start practicing.

What Is Nursing School Like?

Nursing school is an academically rigorous and fast-paced learning experience that is also highly rewarding for aspiring nurses. When enrolled, you can expect a blend of theoretical instruction, laboratory practice and simulations, as well as supervised on-field experiences that prepare you to deliver safe, effective, and sensible care to a wide range of patients in various scenarios and real-world settings.

How Does Nursing School Work?

The curriculum you will encounter in nursing school will vary based on the program of your choice, but it will generally include courses in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, and a broader corpus of nursing fundamentals, which includes courses in psychology, healthcare ethics, and leadership classes.

Beyond healthcare-specific knowledge and skills, nursing school students are expected to master critical thinking, time management, and interpersonal communication. You will also undergo various types of evaluations, including written exams, lab demonstrations, individual and group projects, and practical assessments. Your learning experience will also involve taking standardized exams, such as the ATI or HESI. These can gauge your readiness for the NCLEX-RN exam, which is necessary for licensure as a registered nurse.

Nursing schools can differ in many aspects, which you should consider before enrolling in your desired program. At Nightingale College, learners can enroll in hybrid or entirely online accredited academic programs that combine online instruction with supervised on-ground field experiences (SOFEs), as well as various preparatory modules to ensure learner success and provide the maximum flexibility in education.

Our online curriculum focuses on four target areas: Concept-Based Theory (CBT), which centers on big-picture ideas and develops critical thinking skills; Intervention Skill-Based Preparation (ISBP); Case-Based Preparation (CBP); and Direct Focused Client Care Preparation (DFCP). You will have multiple opportunities for immersive learning, including virtual simulations and at-home lab kits. As for the supervised on-ground field experiences (SOFEs), you can complete your necessary practice within the premises of one of our partner healthcare organizations. You can find the SOFE areas at a glance here.

Additionally, as a learner, you will participate in the Capstone Project: Leadership at Work, where you can begin to apply the skills and knowledge you have gained. You will also have access to a full-time NCLEX success coach.

Discover more about the learner experience at Nightingale College and explore our academic programs.

Nursing School Timeline

The length, pace, and trajectory of your time in nursing school will depend on the pathway you have chosen. Below, you can find the details for various popular nursing learning options:

Although these are the most popular and straightforward learning paths, you should remember that, as a nurse, you have increased flexibility in reorientation and multiple opportunities for advancing your education later on. These options include programs such as CNA-to-LPN, LPN-to-ADN, and ADN-to-BSN paths, which provide fast tracks for educational and career advancement.

At Nightingale College, you can enroll in the LPN-to-ASN Program as a licensed practical nurse and advance to the registered nurse level in as few as 16 months. Alternatively, if you have already received your RN licensure and want to advance to the BSN level, you can opt for the RN-to-BSN Track, a 1-year fully online program that helps you advance to the highest level of RN-level accreditation.

Find out more about how long nursing school is, depending on your projected career path.

How to Get Into Nursing School: 7 Key Steps to Apply for Nursing School and Enroll Successfully

We will explore the seven essential steps to applying for nursing school and enrolling successfully in your preferred educational program. Here is how to get into nursing school:

1. Complete High School or Obtain a GED

Having a high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement for enrolling in an entry-level nursing program. Most educational institutions will also expect aspiring learners to have a solid academic foundation, particularly in science and math courses, such as biology, chemistry, and algebra, which are often seen as prerequisites for coursework in diploma or graduate programs. 

Your GPA may be a qualifying factor, as many nursing schools require learners to maintain a strong GPA, typically 2.5-3.0 or higher. A GPA of 3.0-3.3 or higher often qualifies learners for receiving scholarships, as is the case with the scholarships at Nightingale College.

When you complete your secondary education and intend to apply, you will generally be asked to submit official high school transcripts.

2. Choose Your Nursing Pathway

Before applying, you will have to decide what educational pathway you want to enroll in. Entry-level options include:

• CNA Certification – The shortest certification program that prepares you for the lowest-qualified position on the nursing career ladder. It is only recommended if you want to gain professional experience before committing to a longer, more thorough program.
• PN Diploma Program – Prepares you to sit the NCLEX-PN and become a Licensed Practical Nurse, a frontline position in healthcare provision with limited autonomy and scope of practice.
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) – A shorter program that prepares you to sit the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse. The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) are similar to the ADN, although they are more practice-oriented. After completing the programs, you will hold the same role as any other RN in clinical environments. However, your scope of practice, level of autonomy, leadership, and earning potential may be lower compared to those of Bachelor-level nurses.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) – The standard 4-year learning path to achieve the highest level of accreditation as a registered nurse. BSN-level RNs often have more opportunities for advancement, specialization, and for occupying leadership positions in their work settings.

You should choose your initial educational program based on your resources, availability to pursue a full-time educational track, and aspirations in the field of nursing. Once you have started your nursing career, you will have opportunities to advance your career by continuing your education.

3. Research Accredited Nursing Institutions

Accreditation is essential for nursing schools and similar educational institutions, as it is a way to ensure that their programs meet national quality standards and that they can qualify you for licensure and federal aid. You should ensure that the program you aim to enroll in is accredited by regulatory bodies such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), and the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA). Various educational paths can have additional types of accreditation depending on their specialization.

You can find out more details about the Accreditation and Affiliations of Nightingale College here.

There are additional ways to check and compare learning institutions, including examining their curriculum structure and specifics, reviewing their NCLEX pass rates, and evaluating the student support services they offer.

Learn more about the NCLEX pass rate and licensure rate at Nightingale College in the college performance data tab. You can also discover the learner services we provide, including:

• Learner Support Services (LSS): academic success plans, study skills and academic resources, referral to tutoring, APA resources, as well as time management and study schedules, and many other services.

• Career Services (CS): placement assistance (individualized job search, employment opportunities), networking events for alumni, learners, community partners, etc., collaboration with NCLEX coaching and preparation, commencement ceremony, professional development services and resources, and community and special awards and events.

• Housing, Commuter, and Child Care Services: offers and opportunities for finding a home close to work or a trustworthy childcare provider. 

These are only a few of the benefits we provide to our learners. Explore our academic programs and start your nursing journey.

4. Fulfill the Prerequisites and Admission Requirements

Once you have selected your desired learning program and educational institution, you must ensure that you fulfill a set of prerequisites, often including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and college-level mathematics. 

Aside from these requirements and the minimum GPA, some schools may also ask applicants to take various entrance exams, such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) or the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) Admission Assessment. Other common prerequisites may also include background checks, drug screenings, immunization records, and CPR certification. 

Programs can process applications differently, with some having rolling admissions (continuous review of applications, resulting in faster responses) and others employing stricter application deadlines (applications are reviewed in a set period). Thus, you should review the prerequisites, determine which ones you have fulfilled, and plan accordingly based on the process of your program of choice.

If you want to enroll in one of the academic programs at Nightingale College, you can review the admission process here.

5. Prepare and Submit Your Application

Once you have gone through the previous steps, you should have all the necessary documents and prerequisites for applying. Next, you will need to prepare your application for submission. A complete application typically includes a standard application form, official transcripts (official copies), entrance exam scores, letters of recommendation, a personal statement or essay, a resume, and a non-refundable application fee.

The order in which you will have to submit these materials may differ depending on the enrollment process of your nursing school of choice. Always check the admission process for each school and program you are interested in.

6. Prepare for Interviews and Follow-Up

Many nursing programs will also require you to attend an interview as part of the admission process. This interview can be held before you provide the complete set of application documents or after they are received and reviewed. They can also be individual interviews, attended in a panel, or virtually, and may assess your problem-solving skills, ethical reasoning, and ability to handle pressure in academic and clinical contexts, as well as your motivation for attending nursing school.

After attending the interview, you can also reinforce your interest in nursing and professionalism by sending a follow-up email or message. Once the interview process is complete, you may be asked to provide documentation related to your application and the answers you gave during the interview.

7. Develop a Tuition Payment Strategy

Going to nursing school also involves a financial commitment on your part, and you should create a clear economic plan to cover your tuition, living expenses, and associated costs, including fees, uniforms, clinical travel, and textbooks. You should do your best to calculate the relevant costs and estimate the financial investment you may have to make.

Use the Net Price Calculator from Nightingale College to get an estimate of the total cost of attending our academic programs.

Fortunately, you do not have to face the financial burden of going to nursing school alone. As a learner, you may be eligible for various types of financial aid, scholarships, and support.

How Do You Pay for Nursing School: Financial Aid Options

Although paying for nursing school may seem daunting, many financial aid options can help ease the burden. From scholarships and grants to federal loans and tuition reimbursement programs, you have multiple paths to fund your education as a nursing student.

Here is how to get into nursing school without feeling overwhelmed by the financial commitment:

Start with FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first resource that you should use when trying to cover the costs of nursing school. The FAFSA form determines your eligibility for federal student aid, which includes grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs.

You should complete and submit it to increase your chances of covering your educational costs, since funds may be limited and deadlines may vary by school, state, and federal levels.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships are merit-based forms of financial aid that do not require repayment from awardees, while grants are awarded based on the financial need of learners. Both types of assistance may come from government programs, private organizations, and nursing schools. 

When enrolling in a program from Nightingale College, you should check the Scholarships page from the Financial Aid and Tuition hub and determine if you qualify for any of the scholarships provided.

You will find various scholarships, including:

• Internal Scholarships, including the Future of Nursing and Honors Future of Nursing Scholarships, the Susan J. Jero Scholarship, and the Key to Success Scholarship.

• Scholarships for Military and Veterans, such as the Joining Forces Scholarships (JFS).

• Nightingale Foundation Scholarships, including the FNP Scholarship, the Shneyder & Kirk Reaching the Impossible Scholarship, the Utah Economic Nursing Scholarship, and the Bittner Scholarship (you can find out more about the Nightingale Foundation’s Scholarships here).

• Links to External Scholarships and the Scholarship Universe, a matching tool designed to help students find and apply for the right scholarships.

Our primary interest is promoting excellence in the nursing field and helping students from all walks of life reach their full potential, while also supporting patients and communities alike. Beyond our accessible and flexible academic programs, our scholarships are an integral part of our mission.

Student Loans

Federal loans usually offer lower interest rates and flexible repayment plans. There are subsidized and unsubsidized options, with subsidized loans covering interest while you’re in school. 

Comparatively, private loans come from financial institutions, such as banks or credit unions. They typically have higher interest rates and often require immediate repayment, as well as a credit check.

Loan Forgiveness and Tuition Reimbursement

Loan forgiveness programs are alternative systems that can cancel part or all of your federal student debt if you commit to working in underserved areas or high-need specialties. Another similar option is utilizing the tuition reimbursement programs. These programs are provided by healthcare employers who can cover your costs if you agree to work for them after graduation for a specific period. 

Some employers may even offer “Grow Your Own” education partnerships that fund your schooling entirely in exchange for a service commitment following graduation and licensure.

If you need help with covering your educational costs, you can read our insider tips on getting started with financial aid and the frequent mistakes related to completing financial aid.

How Can You Find the Right Nursing School for You?

Now that you know how to get into nursing school, find financial aid options to cover your costs, all you need to do is find the right nursing school for your needs. In this process, you must prioritize the aspects that matter most to you, including location, flexibility, costs, accreditation, program length, benefits, and outcomes. 

You should select a nursing school that offers a program that aligns with your career expectations and also fits your resources, goals, and availability.

Some key factors to consider when choosing your nursing school include:

• Accreditation (Obligatory) – The school and program that you choose must be accredited by a recognized agency, such as the CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA. Your chosen learning institution should present these details transparently.

• Licensure and NCLEX Pass Rates – Data on school performance and the success rates of its students can be good indicators of academic support and preparation. However, you must balance the licensure and NCLEX pass rates with program completion and retention rates.
• Format of Academic Programs – You can enroll in traditional (physical), hybrid, or fully online programs, depending on your level of certification and educational goals. Generally, entry-level licensure programs require you to complete a certain number of hours of field experience, with hybrid or in-person programs being the only available options. 

• Areas of practice – Nursing schools that do not require in-school attendance generally partner with healthcare institutions to provide accessible areas for completing the required clinical experience. You should ensure that you are close enough to one of the field experience sites.

• Student and Career Support Services – Look for nursing schools that offer suitable support services and resources, such as academic advising, tutoring (both during the nursing program and for NCLEX exams), career counseling, and networking and placement opportunities.

• Costs and Financial Aid – Compare the cost of tuition and fees with available financial aid options, including scholarships, payment plans, and other forgiveness or reimbursement programs.

What Are the Benefits of Online Nursing School?

Nursing programs that incorporate online learning can be a more flexible, accessible, and, in some cases, more affordable option for receiving quality education and earning your degree. Such options can also accommodate various lifestyles and conditions. 

Hybrid programs can allow learners to balance academic and family responsibilities when going to nursing school as a parent, accommodate working while in nursing school, and enable non-traditional students to receive education in situations that would otherwise limit their ability and access (for instance, being a reliable option for going to nursing school when pregnant).

One thing to remember is that no reliable nursing program that requires a minimum of practical experience can be entirely online. However, there are many learning options, including Nightingale College’s academic programs, that integrate online instruction, in-person seminars, and supervised on-ground field experiences to ensure that students have the opportunity to receive quality education in the most accessible, flexible, and balanced way possible.

In the end, enrolling in nursing programs that allow students to complete part of their education online can be a significant advantage for many types of learners who otherwise might not have achieved their academic and career goals.

Start Your Nursing Journey with Nightingale College!

If you want to reap the benefits of quality education in the most accessible way possible, the hybrid and online academic programs at Nightingale College are the choice for you.

Nursing Degrees at Nightingale College

• PN Diploma Program – A 12-month program combining online instruction with supervised on-ground field experience (SOFE) that includes 28 semester credits of nursing core and 14 credits of general education. It's ideal if you want to become an LPN and enter the workforce as soon as possible. 
• LPN-to-ASN Path – A 16-month hybrid program designed for current LPNs aiming to become registered nurses that prepares you to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and earn your RN licensure. 
• BSN Program – An 8-semester blended-distance program comprising 72 semester credits of nursing core and 48 credits of general education that features online coursework, virtual simulations, and supervised on-ground field experiences (SOFE), culminating in a capstone project focused on leadership. By pursuing the BSN program, you will be ready to sit the NCLEX-RN exam and join the workforce in as few as 32 months with the highest level of RN accreditation and the experience recommended for accessing leadership positions.
• RN-to-BSN Track – A 12-month, 3-semester, fully online learning option tailored for working registered nurses seeking to advance their education. The program emphasizes community health and leadership through experiential learning hours dedicated to community health and capstone projects.

If you want to further advance your education past the certifications necessary for entry-level positions (LPN and RN), you can pursue one of our MSN programs suited for three Advanced Practice careers:

• MSN Ed Program – An MSN program designed for BSN-prepared professionals who are passionate about nursing education and want to go into teaching.
• MSN FNP Program – Suitable if you wish to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with a focus on family care. The curriculum aligns with the AACN Essentials of Master’s Education in Nursing and prepares you to provide comprehensive primary care to patients and communities across the lifespan. 
• MSN PMHNP Program – Recommended if you want to specialize in mental health care. This program combines online didactic coursework with supervised clinical practice, preparing you to provide psychiatric assessments, diagnoses, and treatments across the lifespan.

Learner Experience

The learning experience at Nightingale College is built around a personalized and supportive learning environment designed to help aspiring nurses thrive. You will benefit from a concept-based curriculum that emphasizes active learning and clinical judgment, preparing you for nursing practice in real-life scenarios and a varied array of work settings. 

The hybrid format of our academic programs combines online instruction, in-person seminars, and supervised on-site field experiences, offering the flexibility of remote learning and accessibility to local experiential learning sites. This allows you to stay in your community while gaining hands-on skills. With dedicated learner support teams, academic coaching, and access to wellness and career resources, Nightingale fosters a holistic and empowering journey from enrollment to graduation. Beyond our programs, we also offer a wide range of academic coaching, learner resources, and services designed to support you on your educational journey and promote excellence in the field.

You can learn more about the learner experience, including details about our programs and the benefits provided to our learners.

Financial Aid Options

Knowing that the financial commitment can be discouraging for many aspiring nurses, we aim to support learners from all walks of life by providing a wide array of scholarships.

The financial aid you may access when enrolling in Nightingale College serves a dual role: it ensures that learners from historically underrepresented and underserved communities can access quality education, and it promotes excellence and leadership in the field by rewarding proficiency appropriately.

You can find out more about the costs of learning at Nightingale College and the available financial aid in our Tuition & Aid hub. 

Explore our academic programs and start going to nursing school in the most accessible way possible!

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Into Nursing School

How to Apply to Nursing School?

Here is the standard process of applying to nursing school:

1. Complete high school or obtain a GED.
2. Choose your nursing program or pathway (CNA, LPN, ADN, ASN, AASN, BSN, etc.).
3. Look up and research nursing schools certified by institutions such as CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA.
4. Check and ensure that you have fulfilled the prerequisites (GPA, courses, exams).
5. Submit your application and include the required documents, such as transcripts, recommendations, personal statements, and entrance exam scores.
6. Prepare for interviews and send follow-up emails after attending them.
7. Develop your tuition payment strategy and check for financial aid options that you may be eligible for.

Is There a GPA Requirement for Nursing School?

Yes, many programs require a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0. A GPA of 3.0-3.3 or higher not only increases your chances of entry but also your eligibility for scholarships and other types of financial aid.

What Are the Prerequisites for Nursing School?

Prerequisites for nursing school may vary depending on the chosen institution, but common ones include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and college-level mathematics. Some schools may also require you to take entrance exams (TEAS or HESI), perform background checks, and ask applicants for CPR certification.„

Should I Consider a Nursing Program Without Prerequisites?

While nursing programs with no prerequisites may offer easier access to education by lowering the entry bar, they may not provide the same level of education, clinical preparation, and credibility. If you do not fulfill the standard requirements for credible and certified nursing programs, consider postponing your application process or check if you can satisfy the necessary prerequisites with the help of the learning institution.

How to Get Accepted Into Nursing School?

To get accepted into nursing school, you should maintain a strong GPA, fulfill all required prerequisites, study for entrance exams and score well, submit a complete and compelling application within the timeframe specified by the institution, prepare for interviews, and prove that your are committed and ready to embark on the learning process.

How to Get Into Nursing School After High School?

You should ensure that you meet the requirements related to secondary education, including a high GPA and required courses such as science and math. Once you earn your high school diploma or GED, look for entry-level programs like a PN diploma or ADN program and apply using the standard application procedure. 

What Are My Chances of Getting Into Nursing School?

Your chances of entry will depend on your GPA, prerequisite courses, test scores, personal statement, and performance in interviews. While neither of these will determine your overall chances, you should prepare well at all stages of your application process.

How Do I Stand Out When Applying to Nursing School?

Your quantifiable results, such as your GPA, performance in science and math courses, or entry exam scores, can present you in a good light. You can also consider gaining healthcare and volunteer experience, securing strong letters of recommendation, writing a compelling personal statement, and highlighting your motivation during interviews.

Why Is Nursing School Accreditation Important?

Accreditation ensures the program meets national standards and qualifies you for licensure and financial aid. When looking at a nursing program or learning institution, look for certification by regulatory bodies such as the CCNE, ACEN, or NLN CNEA.