Nursing school demands more than memorization and hard work. It requires effective tools that support learning, organization, and clinical application.
How can you better manage your time and boost your learning?
The best apps for nursing students do exactly that—helping new and future nurses master key concepts, prepare for exams, and navigate clinical practice with greater confidence.
Whether you’re studying anatomy, managing drug calculations, or preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), using the right mobile tools can significantly streamline your process.
Study apps for NCLEX and nursing exams
Here are the best apps available for nursing students preparing to take the NCLEX.
UWorld NCLEX
UWorld remains a leading name in nursing exam preparation apps. Known for its realistic NCLEX-style questions and detailed rationales, this tool helps students understand not only the correct answers but also why they are correct.
- Platforms: Nursing apps for iPhone, Android, and website
- Strengths: In-depth explanations, performance tracking, and NCLEX-style formatting
- Cost: Subscription required
NurseAchieve
NurseAchieve offers customizable practice exams and a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) simulator. Its question bank aligns closely with the NCLEX testing experience.
- Platforms: Web, iPhone (limited), Android (limited)
- Strengths: Simulated exams, test strategy support, adaptive testing features
- Cost: Subscription required
ATI MobileMentor
Created by ATI Nursing Education, MobileMentor includes thousands of NCLEX-style questions, concept review modules, and study tools.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android
- Strengths: Official prep content from a trusted source, nursing diagnosis, and case studies
- Cost: Often bundled with ATI coursework access
Flashcard and terminology study apps
Do you study better with flashcards?
Quizlet
Quizlet is one of the most widely used nursing flashcard apps. It enables students to create, share, and use flashcard decks for nursing terminology, disease processes, pharmacology, and more.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android, Web
- Strengths: Customization, collaborative study, searchable public decks
- Cost: Free with optional premium upgrade
Brainscape
Brainscape uses a confidence-based repetition system to optimize memory retention. It’s an ideal app for nursing terminology and pharmacology decks.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android, Web
- Strengths: Spaced repetition, clean interface, user-generated content
- Cost: Free with optional Pro plan
Pharmacology apps for nurses
Need help with your pharmacology courses?
Epocrates
Epocrates provides quick, reliable drug references, interaction checks, and dosing guidelines, making it one of the best pharmacology apps for nurses and nursing students.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android
- Strengths: Comprehensive drug database, pill ID, interaction checker
- Cost: Free basic access; premium plan available
Micromedex Drug Reference
This tool is designed for healthcare professionals on the job. Nursing students can use it to understand drug classifications, contraindications, and side effects in real time.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android
- Strengths: Hospital-grade data, detailed monographs, clinical tools
- Cost: Free through many institutions; otherwise, subscription-based
Anatomy and physiology apps
If you’re struggling with anatomy and physiology, why not try one of these apps?
Complete Anatomy
This is one of the top nursing anatomy apps, offering 3D models, animations, and interactive quizzes that support visual learning.
- Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Android, Web
- Strengths: High-detail 3D anatomy, real-time muscle movement, dissections, and case studies
- Cost: Free trial, paid version required for full access
Human Anatomy Atlas by Visible Body
This app features in-depth human body models and customizable views. Nursing students often use it for anatomy lab prep and clinical anatomy reference.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac
- Strengths: Professional-grade visuals, detailed anatomical labeling
- Cost: Paid app (one-time or subscription options)
Clinical nursing apps
Looking for an app that will provide a broader base of clinical knowledge and support?
Nursing Central
Nursing Central combines drug guides, disease references, and journal access into one interface. It is one of the most all-inclusive clinical nursing apps available.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android
- Strengths: All-in-one clinical resource, mobile-friendly, peer-reviewed references
- Cost: Subscription required
Medscape
While geared toward broader healthcare, Medscape remains a key clinical resource. Nursing students and new nurses can refer to it for clinical decision support, news updates, and disease overviews.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android, Web
- Strengths: Free clinical tools, continuous content updates
- Cost: Free
Diagnostic and calculation support apps
Nursing Diagnosis Handbook App
Based on the popular nursing diagnosis handbook, this app provides step-by-step guidance on NANDA-I nursing diagnoses.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android
- Strengths: Evidence-based diagnoses, links to interventions and outcomes
- Cost: Paid app
MedCalc
MedCalc is a reliable tool for dosage, IV rate, and unit conversion calculations. It’s one of the most trusted nursing calculator apps in academic and clinical settings.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android
- Strengths: Broad calculator suite, clinical formulas, user-friendly interface
- Cost: Free
Interactive learning apps with case studies
Are case studies helpful for your learning style?
Shadow Health Digital Clinical Experiences
This app includes virtual patient scenarios to help students practice assessments, documentation, and clinical reasoning.
- Platforms: Web (mobile-optimized)
- Strengths: Realistic patient interaction, simulation-based learning
- Cost: Paid access through schools or direct purchase
Lecturio Nursing
Lecturio provides video lectures, quiz questions, and case-based learning experiences. It aligns with the nursing curriculum and NCLEX preparation needs.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android, Web
- Strengths: High-yield content, expert instructors, adaptive learning paths
- Cost: Subscription required
Organizational and study support apps
Organizational skills are more than a line on your RN resume; they’re essential for every nurse.
Notion
Notion helps students organize notes, schedules, clinical assignments, and more. It’s a powerful digital workspace and one of the top nursing student resource apps for staying organized.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android, Web
- Strengths: Custom templates, cross-device sync, real-time collaboration
- Cost: Free with paid plans for advanced features
Evernote
Evernote continues to serve as a reliable study aid for organizing coursework and setting reminders. It supports audio notes, PDF imports, and tagging.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android, Web
- Strengths: Searchable notes, multimedia inputs, integration with calendars
- Cost: Free basic plan; premium upgrades available
Recommended free nursing study apps
Many nursing school apps offer high-value content without requiring payment. Some of the most useful free nursing study apps are even useful after you graduate and enter the workforce, such as the following:
- Nursing Dictionary by Farlex: Quick reference for nursing terms
- Skyscape Medical Library: Combines drug, disease, and clinical calculators
- Picmonic: Free tier offers visual mnemonics for pharmacology and pathophysiology
- Eponyms: A Simple reference tool for common medical eponyms
iPhone vs. Android: Platform considerations
When selecting nursing apps, platform compatibility matters. Most top-rated apps are available for both iOS and Android devices, but some work better on one platform than the other.
For example:
- Complete Anatomy performs more smoothly on iPads due to its advanced 3D rendering.
- Notion and Quizlet sync well across Apple devices with native support for widgets.
- Android users may find Micromedex easier to access via some university-provided links.
Always review app reviews and confirm current support before downloading.
Choosing the right apps for your learning style
Each nursing student learns differently. Some prefer interactive case studies. Others rely on flashcards or video content.
Here are a few questions to help you evaluate apps to help nursing students:
- Do you learn better through visuals, repetition, or practice questions?
- Are you looking for daily clinical tools or only exam prep?
- Will you be studying offline or need mobile syncing?
Test free versions when possible before investing in paid plans.
The role of mobile apps in nursing education
Nursing apps can’t replace lectures or clinical rotations, but they can fill critical learning gaps. They offer immediate access to information, simulate real-world scenarios, and give students the opportunity to study on their own time.
As nursing schools continue to integrate technology into the curriculum, students who use the best apps may gain a measurable advantage in test performance, information retention, and confidence on the floor.
The right combination of nursing study apps can make a difference, not just in passing exams, but in becoming a prepared and effective professional at your first nursing job.