How to Get into a Nursing Program: Essential Facts to Know

By Dr. Stacey Malinowski  |  07/09/2024

Are you thinking about pursuing a career path in the nursing field? Many people want to become nurses, because they have had positive experiences with nurses in the past or they have nurses in their families. Others may want to become nurses because they just want to help people.

No matter what your reason is for wanting to enter the nursing profession, there are countless opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life. From intensive care to emergency nursing, home health, or research nursing, there are a wide range of nursing specialties to consider.

Choosing to become a nurse is a big decision, and it can be overwhelming trying to understand where to begin. The most important step is selecting the right program for you from a nursing school.

How to Pick a Nursing Program

One of the great but often confusing things about nursing is that there is more than one way to enter the profession. There are many different types and formats of nursing programs, so knowing what you would like to achieve in terms of your career goals is essential.

First, any nursing program that leads to initial licensure as a nurse is known as a “pre-licensure nursing program,” so it is where you will want to start. Pre-licensure programs may be diploma programs, associate degree programs, bachelor's degree programs, or even master's degree programs.

Once you successfully complete the nursing school requirements, you will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®). This exam is what will grant you the ability to practice as a registered nurse (RN).

Obtaining a nursing degree is just the first of many steps you must complete before you will be able to practice as a registered nurse. You will also need to meet all of the additional requirements specified by your state board of nursing, which may include a criminal background check and drug testing. Please check with your state board of nursing to determine the eligibility criteria before you enroll in a nursing education program.

Diploma Programs

Nursing diploma programs are the minimal educational programs for obtaining licensure as a registered nurse. These programs are the more traditional, hospital-based or vocational school training programs that are typically much quicker to complete than a nursing degree program. Nursing diploma programs are no longer widely available, but there are certain parts of the country where you can still find them being offered.

While a nursing diploma is not a college degree, you will take college-level courses that may be accepted as transferable credits if you decide to enroll in a degree program at a nursing school later on. Diploma programs also tend to require much fewer general education courses than nursing degree programs.

These programs provide an excellent way to enter the nursing profession quickly; however, RN to BSN programs at a nursing school do not always accept applicants who do not have associate degrees. This requirement is especially worth noting if you intend to enroll in a BSN program in the future.

Associate Degree Programs

An associate degree in nursing (ADN) is sometimes referred to as a two-year nursing degree. ADN programs are usually offered at career schools and community colleges. They consist of two years of nursing coursework, but pre-requisites for admission may include non-nursing courses.

While many states and healthcare organizations now prefer registered nurses to have bachelor's degrees, the ADN offers a great way to break into the industry in a quick, cost-effective manner.

Once you complete your ADN and obtain licensure, it is possible to finish an RN to BSN completion program in as little as one to two years. In fact, many RN to BSN programs are offered entirely online.

The main difference between ADN and BSN degrees, in relation to their content, is that the ADN degree is focused on select general education requirements and hands-on patient care, whereas the BSN degree has more comprehensive education requirements for nursing students. A BSN curriculum provides a more holistic background and also incorporates more nursing theory, along with direct patient care.

Bachelor's Degree Programs

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a four-year nursing degree typically offered by most schools. The BSN degree at a nursing school generally encompasses general education requirements, electives, and a comprehensive nursing curriculum.

Healthcare organizations that are Magnet facilities may prefer or require their nursing staff to have a minimum of a BSN degree, so a graduate of a BSN program can pursue more job opportunities immediately after graduation.

Many nursing schools offer an accelerated track for BSN degrees to students who have bachelor’s degrees in another field of study. If you hold a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than nursing and you would like to pursue a nursing career, you may want to look into these types of accelerated programs.

Direct-Entry Master's Programs

A newer option to enter the field of nursing is called a direct-entry master's degree. These programs vary, but they are often available to aspiring nurses who have bachelor's degrees in fields outside of nursing.

Direct-entry master’s programs typically take around three years, and entering nursing with a master's degree can be helpful. For example, master’s-prepared nurses may qualify to seek for research and leadership positions, as well as direct care opportunities for patients.

Questions to Ask as You Evaluate Nursing Programs

Starting nursing school is a commitment. Nursing schools offer a very rigorous course of study, so making that you find a school that is a good fit for you is essential.

Start by outlining your career goals and how much time you can dedicate to a nursing program. Some schools offer part-time plans of study or weekend options for busy working adults.

Consider the total cost of nursing school and how much you can financially contribute to your studies. For instance, does the school offer scholarships or grants? Do they accept federal financial aid? Will you need to work while you are in the program?

You may want to inquire about program deadlines at the nursing school. Some programs may give you five or 10 years to complete a program, including all general education and nursing courses. You will want to know what type of timeframe you have for completing your studies.

You will also want to know if the nursing school or university you are researching is properly accredited. Look for a school that has accreditation as a college or university, as well as specialty nursing accreditation, such as the accreditation offered through:

• The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• The National League for Nursing's Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)

Not only does accreditation demonstrate that a nursing school has met rigorous quality standards, but it can also impact your ability as a student to access federal funding sources. Additionally, the accreditation status of your alma mater could influence your admission to a more advanced degree program or a graduate school. In some cases, it may even affect your ability to get a job.

After you look into accreditation, check to see if the nursing programs you are interested in have been approved by your state board of nursing.

Another critical piece of information to ask for, which should be publicly visible on your state board of nursing website, is the nursing program's pass rate for the NCLEX-RN licensing examination. You want to be sure that your prospective program is properly preparing its nursing students not only to pass the program, but also to obtain RN licensure.

Some other factors to consider as you evaluate different nursing programs at a nursing school include the admissions process, whether entrance exams are required, prerequisite courses, and the wait list for new students.

Common Admission Requirements Among Nursing Schools

While each nursing school or program is different, there are several general admission requirements that are common to many schools. Many times, there are also admission requirements students must meet to be accepted into the college or university itself, plus additional admission requirements unique to the nursing program.

Some of the most common nursing school requirements include:

• A high school diploma or GED
• A minimum high school GPA
• The ability to pass a criminal background check (required for licensure at the state level)
• A minimum GPA in science-related general ed courses
• Meeting the general admission score on a nursing school entrance exam such as the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)

How to Improve the Odds That You Get into Nursing School

Due to various factors, such as limited clinical placements and a lack of nursing faculty, many nursing schools may have wait lists for admission into their nursing programs. These schools may use a system of points to prioritize candidates for admission.

Check with nursing school admissions representatives to find out about admission criteria specific to the programs you are interested in. You can also ask if there are any factors that help candidates climb to the top of the wait list.

In some cases, having experience as a certified nursing assistant can help. Taking the course to earn a certified nursing assistant certificate and gaining experience in this field lets you not only determine if you enjoy providing direct patient care, but also can help earn you a seat in a nursing school program.

It can also help to see how you fared, compared to others, on entrance exams and general education course grades. You may find it advantageous to retake entrance exams for a better score or retake general education courses or nursing prerequisites that hold a lot of weight – such as chemistry, microbiology, or algebra – for a better grade.

If you have good grades in those areas and still find yourself on a wait list, see what other, non-nursing courses you can take to keep making progress towards the degree while you wait for admission.

While there is a call for all nurses to have a minimum of a degree, the reality is that we are still experiencing a shortage of nursing professionals after the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of this shortage, we need a steady pipeline of nursing students working to fill more roles in healthcare facilities.

Diploma and associate degree nursing programs will not be your final destination in nursing, but each degree prepares students to pursue more advanced degrees and roles in the healthcare industry. The most important thing is to check out the options available to you and find a nursing program that will be the best fit for you and your lifestyle.

Nursing Degrees at American Military University

If you have an active, unencumbered RN license and are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, our university offers a flexible format in the courses we offer to prospective students.

An online program makes it possible to balance your coursework with the busy lifestyle that often comes with a nursing career. At AMU, nursing students can develop their knowledge every day through these programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• RN to MSN

The bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). For more information about our nursing degrees, visit our program page.

NCLEX-RN is a registered trademark of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.