Wondering how to prepare for nursing school? It requires various steps and careful consideration, including understanding why you want to become a nurse, the type of degree you want, the kind of program, requirements, prerequisite courses, talking with an admissions advisor, and having a support network.
If you’re wondering how to prepare for nursing school, you are not alone. Applying to nursing school requires a serious investment of time and effort, so it’s crucial that you know what’s needed to get started. Consider the following:
- Know why you want to be a nurse.
- Decide what type of degree is best.
- Find the program right for you.
- Research admission requirements.
- Speak to an admissions advisor.
The University of St. Thomas Houston’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program can help you reach your goals faster than a traditional nursing program. In this 12-month program, you will gain the skills necessary to become a registered nurse through online coursework, simulation labs, and clinical rotations.
But what will you need to do to reach your goal? Here are some tips on how to prepare for nursing school.
1. Understand Why You Want to Become a Nurse
What encouraged you to transition into nursing in the first place? Perhaps the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic has played a role, a personal experience, or maybe you’ve always felt called to help others. Having a solid intention will help you stay motivated and focused throughout your nursing education.
As a prospective ABSN student at UST, you will be encouraged by a student body and faculty driven to carry forward the university’s core values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge. Our primary mission is to educate students to think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally, and lead ethically. This starts with a goal. Without a driving purpose, the regular demands of the nursing field could lead to dissatisfaction with your career choice. It’s essential to understand your motivations and draw on them to deliver the compassionate care that each patient deserves.
2. Decide the Type of Degree You Want
If you’re looking to maximize your opportunities within nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is a great route. Not only is a BSN degree becoming the preferred standard academic qualification in healthcare facilities, but a 2025 report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that hospitals employing more BSN-prepared nurses have lower mortality rates and shorter average patient stays.
The demand for the skillset and autonomy that BSN-educated nurses enjoy offers them better salary opportunities. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage for nurses in Texas was $90,210 as of May 2023. A BSN degree opens more doors for employment and allows nurses to pursue an even higher education more easily.
3. Find a School and Program That’s Right for You
Before transitioning into nursing, you must find a program that fits your needs and aligns with your nursing career goals. Various programs offer different lengths, usually 16-18 months. The ABSN program at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas, lets you earn your BSN in 12 months if you already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field or at least 60 non-nursing college credits.
When finding the right program for you, you must also consider location. Even though the ABSN program at UST offers its nursing theory courses through online coursework, it still requires skills and simulation labs at our ABSN Site in the Woodlands or our main campus in downtown Houston and clinical rotations in the Houston metro area. So, you must be physically present for some aspects of the program.
As the fourth-largest city in the U.S., Houston’s healthcare sector is expansive and continues growing. With institutions like Houston Methodist, Memorial Hermann, Texas Children’s Hospital, and the immense Texas Medical Center, there is no shortage of top healthcare jobs for qualified candidates.
4. Research Academic Qualifications
Before starting your nursing journey, you should research what academic requirements your specific program needs. In addition to holding a non-nursing bachelor’s degree or at least 60 college credits, the ABSN program at UST requires students to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0, complete the necessary prerequisite courses, and earn a passing score in the HESI or TEAS exam, among other admissions requirements.
5. Reach Out to an Admissions Advisor
If you choose to move forward with an accelerated BSN program, your next step is to talk to an admissions advisor. They are the best resources when preparing for nursing school. Don’t be alarmed if your admissions advisor asks you a lot of questions right off the bat—this helps them get to know you and your needs better.
Your admissions advisor will become your main point of contact throughout the rest of the application process, and they are available to answer any questions you may have and provide any additional details about the program’s admission process.
Speaking with an admissions advisor will help you determine your eligibility for our ABSN program, and they will help you design a plan to ensure you meet your target start date goal. Best of all, ABSN AT UST offers three start dates per year: January, May and August.
6. Complete Prerequisites
Your admissions advisor will help you sign up for the necessary prerequisite courses. These prerequisite courses provide each student with the same academic foundation and ensure a baseline of academic skills necessary for the program. Taking prerequisites through UST will introduce you to our mission and vision and familiarize you with the same online learning management system we use for the online portion of our ABSN program.
7. Complete the HESI or TEAS Admission Assessment Exams
To be admitted into our accelerated nursing program, you must complete the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Assessment exam and pass with a score of 80% or higher in the following sections: reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, math, and anatomy and physiology. Alternatively, UST admits candidates with a passing score of 78% on all sections of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), including the math, reading, English and language usage, and science portions.
It is a common nursing school admissions requirement, and the higher your score, the more possibilities you have of being accepted into nursing school.
8. Have a Support Network.
As an accelerated nursing student, you can expect to have a lot on your plate, spending up to 60 hours a week on your education. At UST, you’ll complete a rigorous blend of online coursework, hands-on labs, and in-hospital clinical rotations in three semesters. That said, it’s best to have an established support system before starting.
UST’s faculty and staff are here to answer questions and support you through the rigorous journey of becoming an RN. In addition, you will find the support of a community within your cohort, help each other, and know that you’re not making this journey alone.
Ready to Apply?
The process of applying to nursing school requires time and effort. Fortunately, you’re taking the steps necessary to start on the right foot. With our 12-month Accelerated BSN program in Houston, you won’t have to navigate the nursing school admissions process alone.
If you’re ready to accelerate your path to nursing, contact us today to get started.