Learning how to prepare for nursing school is essential for successfully navigating it. Before starting nursing school, you’ll need to ensure you are up to date on vaccinations, get your finances in order, and work on building healthy self-care habits. You’ll also need excellent time management skills.
Starting early is an important part of learning how to prepare for nursing school. You’ll need to plan how to finance your education, adjust your schedule, and meet clinical requirements such as vaccinations. These steps can help you understand how to be successful in nursing school.
At Northeastern University, students enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program receive support as they prepare for nursing school. As a Northeastern ABSN student, you will work with a dedicated admissions counselor who provides personalized guidance throughout the admissions process.
To learn how to prepare for nursing school before classes start, work closely with your admissions counselor throughout the admissions process. Plan your finances, strengthen your time management skills, and adjust your schedule.
Why Preparing for Nursing School Matters
Learning how to prepare for nursing school is important because nursing school is an intensive learning experience. You’ll need to balance coursework, labs, clinical rotations, and study time.
If enrolled in an accelerated BSN program, you may be required to make a commitment similar to a full-time job. Preparing in advance can help you manage these responsibilities and reduce the risk of burnout by keeping you organized and helping you manage stress. Familiarizing yourself with basic concepts, such as nursing terminology, before enrollment may also give you a stronger foundation.
How to Prepare for Nursing School: 10 Steps for Success
Learning how to be successful in nursing school begins with thorough preparation. Take the following steps:
1. Know the Program Requirements
First, confirm your eligibility for the nursing program. Requirements vary depending on program type. For example, traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs may require a high school diploma, while accelerated programs may require a bachelor’s degree or a certain number of college credits.
At Northeastern, the ABSN program accepts applicants with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 college credits. No prior healthcare experience is required. Additional ABSN admissions requirements include completion of prerequisite courses, two letters of recommendation, and a goal statement.
Explore how to pay for nursing school with this financial aid guide.
2. Work With Your Admissions Counselor
Your admissions counselor can help you prepare a competitive application. Be transparent about your academic record and personal circumstances so your counselor can provide appropriate guidance. If your transcripts contain discrepancies, tell your counselor at the beginning of the admissions process. Addressing them early gives your counselor time to help you develop a plan.
Your counselor may also ask about personal circumstances that could affect your nursing education, including whether you have adequate support. If you have children, for example, consider whether you can arrange reliable childcare.
Keep your counselor informed of your progress throughout the admissions process and address issues as they arise. They will help you navigate the entire process.
3. Prepare Your Finances
It is critical that students prepare their finances before starting nursing school. Financing options can include federal and private loans, grants, and scholarships. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your eligibility for federal aid. Then, research scholarships before considering private loans.
Tuition is not the only expense to plan for. Preparing for nursing school may also involve purchasing equipment, such as a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff, and covering living expenses while enrolled full-time.
4. Plan Your Schedule
Nursing students are busy and must learn to balance coursework, labs, and clinical rotations with studying. If enrolled in an accelerated program, the workload can feel more intense because of the accelerated timeline.
To prepare, you can ask your admissions counselor how to succeed in nursing school to learn what to expect. While it can feel overwhelming or intimidating at first, know that success is possible through academic resources and support from loved ones, your nursing cohort, and faculty.
To keep your schedule organized, purchase a planner or find a digital app that meets your needs. You can also start developing time management strategies, such as creating a “reverse to-do list.” For several days, record each activity and how long it takes. Then review the list to identify activities you can remove or limit to make more time for studying.
5. Get Up to Date on Vaccinations Before Starting Nursing School
Nursing students must meet vaccination requirements for the program and clinical sites. Ask your admissions counselor which vaccines are required, locate your immunization records, and schedule any necessary appointments with your pharmacy or healthcare provider.
6. Start Healthier Habits
Accelerated nursing school is intensive, so protecting your physical and emotional well-being is important. Consider the following:
- Eat well. Nutritious food supports energy and concentration. Before enrolling, identify healthy, easy-to-prepare meals to help you avoid relying on fast food.
- Follow good sleep hygiene. Establish consistent bedtimes and wake times before nursing school begins. Blackout curtains or a white noise machine may also help improve your sleep environment.
- Identify quick fitness routines. Exercise supports physical and mental well-being, but lengthy workouts may not fit your nursing school schedule. Learn efficient routines, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), to make the most of your workout time.
How hard is nursing school? Discover what to expect.
7. Improve Your Time Management
Time management is essential in nursing school. Remove unnecessary activities and use your available time efficiently. Try these strategies:
- Find a quiet study space to limit distractions.
- Consider taking a break from social media during nursing school.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique to structure focused work periods.
- Prioritize tasks by importance and urgency.
If you feel overwhelmed, pause and identify the most important and urgent task. Focus on completing one task at a time.
8. Study Nursing Terminology and Other Fundamentals
If you’re concerned about the nursing school curriculum, begin reviewing foundational material before classes start. Online nursing tutorials and study guides can introduce nursing terminology, dosage calculations, and other fundamentals.
9. Build a Support System
A strong support system can help nursing students manage competing responsibilities. Family and friends may provide emotional support or practical help with childcare and errands. Before nursing school begins, discuss your plans with loved ones and explain the support you may need. Once enrolled, connect with classmates and support one another by creating study groups.
10. Adjust Your Schedule to Accommodate Nursing School
Nursing school is a commitment similar to a full-time job. In addition to a full course schedule, students must also dedicate time to coursework and studying. You may need to reduce personal commitments during this time.
Don’t lose sight of why you chose this path in the first place. While you will need to invest a great deal of time, nursing school is just one step in your journey to becoming a nurse. It is a temporary commitment that leads to a rewarding career.
Discover How to Be Successful in Nursing School at Northeastern
Northeastern University is committed to supporting your success in nursing school, offering small class sizes that allow faculty to provide personalized attention. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 62 college credits, you can earn a BSN in as few as 16 months.
With three ABSN locations and three annual start dates, you may be able to start your nursing journey soon. Request info today and connect with an admissions counselor to learn about Northeastern’s ABSN program.