First of all, congratulations on passing your HESI exam. Now you want to know what to do after passing the HESI. Before your first class even starts, you need to read the course requireemnts, refresh your anatomy and other subjects’ basic concepts. You can also read about whether your HESI score is actually competitiveto see where you stand.
Knowing how to prepare for nursing school is not about studying everything early. In this blog, we will guide you on what to do 90 days before the classes start. We will also cover study preparation and time planning.
First: Confirm Where You Actually Stand
Passing the HESI exam does not mean that you got admitted to the nursing school as well. A program sets a minimum score, but admission depends on your grades, prerequisites, application, and other requirements as outlined by national bodies such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
As part of what to do after passing the HESI,you need to confirm your admission status in writing, check the remaining deadlines, and ensure that all the conditional requirements are met from your side. If you are on a waitlist or planning to reapply, then work on improving your scores. You can read how admissions teams weigh HESI scores and review your HESI score report to understand your result.
The Admin Checklist Nobody Warns You About
As soon as you are accepted, you need to start your nursing school prep checklist. Most of the schools providean admitted student checklist, so you need to check your school’s official website.
- Gather your immunization records. If they are from another country, then get them translated. Also make sure that your vaccines comply with CDC Healthcare Worker Immunization Guidelines.
- Complete all the required testing such as TB screening, physical examination, or blood tests.
- Complete the required background check and drug screening before the deadline.
- Get your CPR/BLS certification if your programme requires it.
- Provide proof of health insurance if required by your school.
- Submit all documents needed for clinical clearance before the deadline.
- Buy the required nursing school supplies, such as uniforms, a badge, stethoscope, and non-slip shoes.
Verification can take weeks. You also need clearance for attending clinicals. If you are wondering what to do before nursing school starts, begin your nursing school prep checklist as soon as you are accepted.
What to Study Before Day One (and What to Skip)
You don’t have to teach yourself anything before the classes begin. If you are wondering how to prepare for nursing school, then focus on revising your concepts that will help in the classes. For more guidance, read the nursing school guide.
Worth studying
- Go over anatomy and physiology, paying particular attention to the main bodily systems and how they work.
- Work on basic medical math, fractions, decimals, ratios, and dosage calculations.
- Go over word roots, prefixes, suffixes, and popular medical terminology.
- To make information about medications seem more familiar, learn a few basic pharmacology words.
For reviewing, you can read the anatomy and maths content you already coveredandyour HESI biology notes.
Not worth studying yet
- Do not try to read entire nursing textbooks before your classes start.
- You do not need to buy NCLEX question banks this early.
- Avoid studying advanced topics that you have not learned in a clinical context yet.
The HESI anatomy and maths topics can be useful for the first semester of nursing school, so keep your old HESI notes.
Keep the One HESI Habit That Actually Transfers
Exams for nursing school frequently rely more on application than on memorization. Even if you are familiar with a bodily structure, you still need to comprehend its functions and select the appropriate response when multiple possibilities appear to be correct. This is comparable to the ability you develop when you go over your HESI practice exams.
Examine each incorrect response and determine why you missed it after each practice test or exam. It can be a thoughtless error, a keyword that was overlooked, a flawed idea, or confusion between two identical responses. After that, go over that particular area and retake the test in 48 hours. This is a helpful aspect of learning how to study in nursing school since you concentrate on the errors that genuinely require correction rather than going over everything again.
Active learning techniquesandthe practice test review method can help you a lot in your studying.
What the First Semester Actually Looks Like
Your first semester of nursing school will look approximately like this:
| Component | What to expect | Rough weekly hours |
| Fundamentals of Nursing | Core nursing concepts, patient care, safety, and assessment | 5–8+ |
| Anatomy & Physiology or Pharmacology | Science and medication concepts connected to patient care | 4–7+ |
| Skills lab and simulation | Hands-on practice of nursing procedures | 2–5 |
| First clinical rotation | Supervised patient-care experience | 4–12+ |
| Independent study | Reading, assignments, practice questions, and exam preparation | 8–15+ |
When thinking about what to expect in first-year nursing school, you should expect the pace to pick up immediately.Also, the exams will beNCLEX-style from day one. Some programs also require students to maintain 75–80% grades to pass the course.
It is also important for you to know that HESI A2 is the admission exam, whereas the HESI exit exam is the one you take at the end of the program. You can read about the HESI Exit Exam you’ll face before graduation and critical thinking on nursing-style questions.
Protect Your Time, Money, and Sanity Before It Starts
Before your classes start, you should make a few changes to your routine. Talk to your family and partner about your limited time availability. If it is possible financially, reduce your work hours and plan a budget as well. Instead of waiting for classes to be busy, you should arrange child care in advance.
You can also prepare meals in advance, deep clean your hours, and handle any other household chores. You won’t have much flexibility when classes start, so arrange your travel early. Following all these steps will make how to prepare for nursing school easier.For more practical advice, see balancing work and study without burning out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after passing the HESI?
After passing the exam, you need to confirm your admission status and complete all the requirements. You also need to arrange clinical clearances before classes start.
How do I prepare for nursing school before it starts?
You can prepare by refreshing your concepts of science. Also, make a study schedule and complete any personal work at home, as you won’t get much time when classes start.
What should I study before nursing school?
You should only review anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, basic dosage calculations, and common pharmacology terms.
Is the first semester of nursing school the hardest?
The first semester can feel difficult because students need time to adjust to a faster pace, clinical work, and difficult exams.
What supplies do I need for nursing school?
You need to check your program’s supplies requirements. However, some common items may include uniforms, a stethoscope, clinical shoes, a watch, notebooks, etc.
Conclusion: Get Ready for Day One
The time between your acceptance and your first class is mostly spent in paperwork, preparation, and study habits. Refresh your subject knowledge and prepare a study schedule. If you are still wondering how to prepare for nursing school, then check your program requirements and follow them.