Once you have selected a program, plan to apply to at least 3 schools. As the job market fluctuates, so do nursing school admissions, and the programs you want to attend may be impacted. This means that you may have to put your name on a waiting list for admission. Start the applications at least 18 months before you plan to apply.
Many programs require several pre-requisite courses prior to application to the clinical program.
These include anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology, psychology, sociology, english, and statistics. The pre-requisites you are required to complete will depend upon the program you choose. Starting the application process early will assure that you have time to complete the needed coursework. If you are taking courses at the junior college level, be sure that they can be transferred to the university of your choice later. Even if you do not plan to immediately pursue a bachelor's degree, when you do, you will be able to transfer those credits, reducing the number needed for graduation and sigificantly lowering your tuition costs.