Enroll in and complete nursing program prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university. Generally, most nursing schools require you to complete basic college courses in English, math, science, psychology and sociology. You can complete such courses at your local community college to save money, depending on your budget.
Register for and complete nursing school aptitude tests. Nursing schools require students to pass aptitude tests that include English, math and science questions. Such tests include the HESI, NET and TEAS tests, and aptitude tests created by the nursing schools themselves. Contact the nursing school to which you plan to apply to find out which test you must take, test deadlines and fees.
Complete the Basic Life Support certification. Nursing school students must hold American Heart Association BLS certification to be eligible to participate in clinicals, the hands-on portion of nursing education programs. You earn your BLS certification at your local red cross, firehouse or community college, depending on which organization offers such courses and fees.
Volunteer at a hospital or other health care facility. Some nursing schools require students to provide proof of volunteer service in a health care facility to be eligible for admission. You can arrange volunteer service at hospitals and nursing homes in your area by contacting the health care facility's volunteer coordinator.