Nursing program application

Applying to a nursing program is a competitive, multi-step process that requires careful academic preparation, entrance exam scores, clinical experience, and strategic timing. With over 300,000 qualified applicants turned away from U.S.

65 steps across 12 sections

1. ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)

  • Duration: 2 years
  • Where: Community colleges
  • Cost: $6,000-$20,000
  • Outcome: Eligible to take NCLEX-RN and become a Registered Nurse
  • Best for: Budget-conscious students, career changers wanting fastest path to RN
  • Note: Many hospitals now prefer or require BSN; ADN nurses often pursue RN-to-BSN bridge programs later

2. BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)

  • Duration: 4 years (2 years pre-nursing + 2 years nursing program)
  • Where: Universities and colleges
  • Cost: $40,000-$120,000+ (varies widely by public vs. private)
  • Outcome: RN licensure + bachelor's degree, qualifying for leadership and specialized roles
  • Best for: High school graduates planning a nursing career, those wanting maximum career flexibility
  • Note: Increasingly the minimum standard for hospital employment; required for many advanced roles

3. ABSN (Accelerated BSN / Second-Degree BSN)

  • Duration: 12-18 months (intensive, full-time)
  • Where: Universities with accelerated programs
  • Cost: $30,000-$80,000
  • Prerequisites: Prior non-nursing bachelor's degree + completed nursing prerequisites
  • Best for: Career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field
  • Note: Extremely intensive; most programs do not allow students to work during the program

4. MSN Entry (Direct-Entry Master's)

  • Duration: 2-3 years
  • Where: Graduate schools of nursing
  • Cost: $60,000-$150,000+
  • Prerequisites: Prior non-nursing bachelor's degree
  • Outcome: Master's degree in nursing + RN licensure; may qualify for advanced practice roles
  • Best for: Career changers who want to enter nursing at an advanced level

5. LPN/LVN Programs

  • Duration: 12-18 months
  • Where: Community colleges, vocational schools
  • Cost: $4,000-$15,000
  • Outcome: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse
  • Best for: Those wanting the quickest entry into nursing; often a stepping stone to RN

6. Science Courses (must earn B- or higher at most programs)

  • Anatomy and Physiology I & II (with labs)
  • Microbiology (with lab)
  • Chemistry (general or introductory, with lab)
  • Some programs also require: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Nutrition

7. Math and Statistics

  • College Algebra or Pre-Calculus
  • Statistics (increasingly required)

8. General Education

  • English Composition I & II
  • Psychology (Intro and/or Developmental/Lifespan)
  • Sociology or Cultural Diversity
  • Nutrition (if not listed under sciences)

9. Important Notes on Prerequisites

  • Most programs require prerequisites to be completed within the last 5-7 years (science courses especially)
  • A grade of C or better is the minimum; competitive applicants earn B+ or higher
  • Repeating prerequisite courses more than once may disqualify you at some schools
  • Online science labs may not be accepted at all programs; verify before enrolling

10. TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

  • Publisher: ATI (Assessment Technologies Institute)
  • Sections: Reading, Math, Science, English & Language Usage
  • Questions: 150 scored + 20 unscored pretest items
  • Time: 209 minutes
  • Scoring: Individual scores (0-100%) and composite score
  • Competitive score: 70%+ (Proficient); 80%+ (Advanced) makes you highly competitive
  • Used by: Most traditional BSN and ADN programs
  • Cost: ~$100-$120 per attempt
  • Prep resources: ATI TEAS SmartPrep, Mometrix, practice exams

11. HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment)

  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • Sections: Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Math, Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, and sometimes Physics and Critical Thinking
  • Questions: 25-60 per subject area
  • Time: 2-4 hours (varies by school's required sections)
  • Competitive score: 75-80%+ in each required section
  • Used by: Many ABSN and accelerated programs
  • Cost: ~$40-$100 per attempt
  • Prep resources: Elsevier HESI study guides, HESI practice tests

12. Which Exam Do I Need?

  • Check each target school's requirements; you may need both if applying to different program types
  • The TEAS is more common overall; the HESI is favored by accelerated and bridge programs
  • Some programs are dropping entrance exam requirements (check Nurse.org's updated list)
  • Begin studying 2-3 months before your test date
  • Most schools allow 2-3 attempts per year; scores are valid for 1-2 years

Common Mistakes

  • Applying to only one program
  • Neglecting prerequisite GPA
  • Waiting too long to take the entrance exam
  • Generic personal statement
  • Not verifying prerequisite currency

Pro Tips

  • Take prerequisites at the school you want to attend
  • Get your CNA before applying
  • Form study groups for TEAS/HESI prep
  • Apply broadly
  • Have your personal statement reviewed

Sources

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