A pre-nursing checklist keeps your application process organized, especially since nursing programs often require more than grades alone. Missing a single prerequisite or deadline can delay your start by an entire semester or year.
This guide walks through a 7-step pre-nursing checklist, so you can apply with confidence and nothing falls through the cracks.
Why You Need a Pre-Nursing Checklist
Nursing admissions involve several moving pieces at once: prerequisite courses, GPA requirements, entrance exams, immunizations and application deadlines. A pre-nursing checklist helps you track all of these in one place instead of discovering a missing requirement at the last minute.
7 Steps for Your Pre-Nursing Checklist
Step 1: Research Your Target Programs Early
Make a list of the nursing programs you’re interested in, and note each one’s specific requirements. Since requirements vary significantly by school, don’t assume one program’s rules apply to another.
Step 2: Complete Required Prerequisite Courses
Most nursing programs require specific prerequisite courses, often including anatomy & physiology, microbiology, chemistry, psychology and statistics. Confirm the exact list and any minimum grade requirements directly with each program, since these often differ by school.
Step 3: Track Your GPA Requirements
Many programs set a minimum GPA for admission, sometimes for your overall GPA and separately for prerequisite coursework. Check whether your target programs calculate GPA differently, since this can affect your eligibility even if your overall GPA looks strong.
Step 4: Confirm Your Required Entrance Exam
Find out whether your program requires the HESI A2, TEAS, NLN PAX or another exam. Our nursing school entrance exams guide breaks down the common options if you’re not yet sure which applies to you.
Step 5: Build Your Entrance Exam Study Plan
Once you know your required exam, don’t leave preparation until the last minute. If your program requires the HESI A2, start with a diagnostic practice test and build a schedule using our HESI A2 study plan.
Step 6: Gather Health and Background Requirements
Many programs require proof of immunizations, a background check, CPR certification or health screenings before enrollment, sometimes before you can even register for your first clinical course. Confirm these requirements early, since some can take weeks to complete.
Step 7: Note Every Application Deadline
List each program’s application deadline, along with any earlier deadlines for submitting entrance exam scores or prerequisite transcripts. Build in buffer time for a possible exam retake if needed.
Common Pre-Nursing Checklist Mistakes
- Assuming all programs have identical requirements. They rarely do.
- Waiting too long to test. Entrance exam results sometimes need to arrive before a specific deadline, and a retake takes additional time.
- Overlooking GPA calculation differences. Some programs weight prerequisite GPA separately from overall GPA.
- Missing health or background check lead times. These can take longer to complete than expected.
Keep Your Checklist Updated
Requirements can change between application cycles, so revisit your pre-nursing checklist periodically rather than only reviewing it once. Confirm details directly with each program’s admissions office if anything seems unclear or outdated.
FAQ
What should be on every pre-nursing checklist?
At minimum, track prerequisite courses, GPA requirements, your required entrance exam, health and background requirements, and every relevant deadline. Specific items beyond this vary by program.
How early should I start my pre-nursing checklist?
Many applicants start a year or more before their intended enrollment, especially if prerequisite courses or exam preparation will take several months. Starting early gives you room to retake an exam or complete a missing requirement if needed.
Stay Organized and Apply with Confidence
A thorough pre-nursing checklist turns a complex application process into a manageable set of steps. Research your programs early, track every requirement, and build buffer time into your timeline.
If your program requires the HESI A2, our free practice tests and complete study bundle can help you check that step off your list, and our HESI A2 study group on Facebook is a good place to ask questions along the way.
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