Preparing Your Teenager for Nursing School

If your teen is drawn to a career in nursing, that’s something to be proud of and something worth investing in. Today’s high school students are the next generation of healthcare leaders, and nursing offers a meaningful, in-demand career path with lifelong impact.

As a parent, you have the power to help your teen take early, confident steps toward that future. From course selection to real-world experiences, your guidance matters. This guide offers practical ways to support your teen’s nursing ambitions so they’ll be ready to thrive in nursing school and beyond.

Advanced Placement (AP) Classes for Nursing

Academic preparation is key for students interested in nursing. While every high school is different, encouraging your teen to take challenging coursework in science and math helps build the foundational knowledge they’ll need in a nursing program.

If your child’s school offers AP courses, consider encouraging them to take:

• AP Biology: Offers a deep dive into life systems; ideal for anatomy and physiology prep
• AP Chemistry: Helps with understanding medications and chemical interactions
• AP Psychology: Builds insights into patient behavior and mental health
• AP Statistics: Provides essential skills for understanding research and evidence-based care

These courses can strengthen college applications and give students an early taste of the content they’ll encounter in nursing school.

Nursing Student Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is one of the most impactful ways for high school students to explore nursing in a hands-on way. It also helps them develop important soft skills like communication, responsibility, and empathy—which are essential in any healthcare role.

Your teen may find volunteer opportunities at:

• Hospitals and Clinics: Many offer volunteer programs for high school students that include roles like delivering supplies, assisting with administrative tasks, or greeting patients.
• Assisted Living Facilities or Nursing Homes: These settings often welcome student volunteers to help with activities, provide companionship to residents, or assist staff.
• Community Health Events: Encourage your teen to look for short-term opportunities such as vaccination clinics, wellness fairs, or mobile health outreach events in your area.
• Blood Banks or Blood Drives: Organizations like the American Red Cross often need volunteers for event support, donor check-in, and promotional work.
• School Health Offices or Athletic Training Departments: Volunteering in a school nurse’s office or assisting athletic trainers during school events can offer relevant experience.

Encourage your teen to keep a log of their volunteer hours and what they’ve learned along the way. This not only supports college applications but also helps them reflect on their path toward nursing.

Nursing Programs for Teens

For high school students interested in nursing, there are many ways to get involved, build skills, and gain exposure to the profession before college even begins. Check out programs and structured opportunities such as these that can help your teen prepare for nursing school:

• Health-Focused Student Organizations: Encourage your teen to join HOSA-Future Health Professionals, a national career and technical student organization for aspiring healthcare workers. HOSA provides leadership training, competitive events, and exposure to careers in areas such as nursing, emergency medical services (EMT), and public health.
• CPR or Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Courses: Organizations like the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer entry-level certification courses. Not only are they a great resume booster, but they also provide essential life-saving skills that every future nurse should know.
• Dual Enrollment or Pre-Nursing Coursework: Some high schools partner with local colleges to offer dual-credit courses or pre-nursing classes in anatomy, physiology, or medical terminology. These programs allow your student to get a jump-start on nursing prerequisites.
• Exploratory Nursing Courses Online: Some colleges and medical organizations offer free or low-cost online courses for high school students interested in nursing and healthcare. These self-paced classes may cover topics like medical ethics, health careers, and basic biology.
• Health Science or STEM Camps: Many universities and hospitals offer summer health camps or STEM programs for high school students. These often include simulations, lab work, and opportunities to speak with medical professionals.
• Job Shadowing or Mentorship Programs: Shadowing a nurse, physician, or healthcare administrator can help students understand the daily realities of the field. If available, a formal mentorship with a nurse can provide long-term guidance and inspiration.
• Public Health Youth Programs: Look for teen ambassador programs or internships with your city or county health department. These often include public health education, community outreach, and exposure to policy work.

Helping Your Teen Take the Next Step

It’s never too early to start preparing for a future in nursing. From choosing the right high school classes to finding meaningful volunteer opportunities, every decision helps shape your teen’s path.

With your support, your teen can enter nursing school confident and well-prepared. And when they’re ready, Chamberlain University offers a variety of nursing programs and resources to help them succeed in this rewarding field.

Visit our high school nursing program page for more information here.

Learn More About Nursing Programs at Chamberlain University

Chamberlain University is proud to be recognized as the largest nursing school in the United States. Offering both online and campus-based options, Chamberlain’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

When your teen is ready to make a difference in healthcare, contact Chamberlain online or at 877.785.4955 to learn more. They can explore nursing degree programs that match their goals, interests, and learning style—and take the next step toward building their future in nursing.

Chamberlain University, an HLC-accredited institution, offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare professions. With a growing network of campuses and robust online programs, Chamberlain continues to build on more than 135 years of excellence in preparing extraordinary healthcare professionals.

By Chamberlain University