Want to Be a Nurse? Your Guide to Nursing Pathways and What to Do If You’re Not Admitted

Nurses have always been integral to healthcare, but the pandemic made their impact more visible. From a career standpoint, nursing offers meaning, stability, and strong labor-market demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects registered nurse employment growth of 5% from 2024–2034, with an average of ~189,100 openings per year. For advanced practice roles (nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners), BLS projects 35% growth from 2024 to 2034.

Despite strong demand for nurses, access to nursing education—especially bachelor’s-level nursing—is highly competitive. As a result, aspiring nurses should understand the following: 

• There are multiple legitimate entry routes into nursing

• At the bachelor’s level, direct admission into nursing is the only “guaranteed” pathway to a BSN program. Because many universities require a competitive application, typically during sophomore year, students who know for sure they want to become a nurse should consider direct admit nursing programs. 

Below is a clear breakdown of pathways to nursing (LPN, RN, BSN, MSN), including alternate-entry options. Also, we explain the options for college students who are not admitted to nursing programs at their universities.

Step 1: Know the Credentials and Where They Lead

Pathway A: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

What is an LPN? An LPN provides foundational nursing care under the supervision of an RN or physician (setting and scope vary by state and employer).
Typical timeline: Often 12–18 months (commonly through community colleges/technical programs).
Licensure: NCLEX-PN.

Why Choose the LPN Path to Nursing?

• Faster entry into healthcare

• Lower up-front time and cost

• Can be a stepping-stone to RN through LPN-to-RN bridge programs
  
  

Expert Tip:💡LPN roles may be available in long-term care, rehab, home health, and some outpatient settings. However, in many markets, hospital hiring is concentrated on RNs.

Pathway B: Registered Nurse via an Associate Degree in Nursing, Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN/ASN)

What it is: A two-year nursing degree that leads to RN licensure.
Typical timeline: Often 2–3 years total.
Licensure: NCLEX-RN.

Why the RN via ADN/ASN Path to Nursing?

• Cost-effective route to becoming an RN

• Can become licensed and employed sooner than a traditional four-year route

• RNs can complete a RN-to-BSN later through flexible (often online) programs while working
  
  

Expert Tip:💡Admission is competitive due to limited clinical seats. Also, some employers may prefer the BSN. 

Pathway C: Registered Nurse via Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

What it is: A four-year nursing degree that leads to RN licensure and provides broader preparation in leadership, community health, research literacy, and complex clinical reasoning.
Typical timeline: 4 years (traditional).
Licensure: NCLEX-RN.

Why the BSN Path to Nursing?

• Many employers prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses—AACN’s employer-related surveys are widely cited in this area.

• Earn more money.

Expert Tip:💡The BSN is the most common foundation for graduate study (MSN/DNP) and advanced roles.

Pathway D: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

The MSN can mean two different things depending on who you are:

1) MSN for current RNs (traditional)

Who it’s for: Nurses who are already RNs (typically with a BSN) and want to move into:

• Leadership/administration

• Nursing education

• Informatics

• Some advanced specialty routes (depending on program)
  
  

2) MSN (for non-nurses) Direct-entry / alternate-entry 

Who it’s for: Students who already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want a graduate-level entry route into nursing.
How it works: These programs usually include an accelerated RN-prep portion (to qualify for RN licensure) and then graduate-level coursework.

Reality check: Not all direct-entry MSN programs lead to advanced practice licensure. If the goal is Nurse Practitioner (NP), students must confirm the program includes the correct advanced practice track and clinical requirements.

Step 2: Understand Direct Admit vs. Traditional (Competitive) Nursing Admission

If a student knows they want to earn a BSN, the admission model matters—a lot.

Traditional / Competitive Admission (common model)

• Student is admitted to the university (often as “pre-nursing”)
  
  

• Completes prerequisites (often during freshman/sophomore years)
  
  

• Applies to the nursing program later (often sophomore year for junior-year clinical start)
  
  

• No guaranteed seat in nursing—only the opportunity to apply
  
  

• Student competes with classmates (and sometimes transfer students) for limited seats

Expert Tip:💡No one, even the strongest students, should assume they will be admitted to a nursing program.

Direct Admit Nursing (common at many BSN programs)

• Student is admitted directly into the nursing major from high school
  
  

• Nursing sequence, including clinicals, often begins in the freshman year
  
  

• Student has a guaranteed nursing pathway as long as progression standards are met.

Expert Tip:💡This is the only assured BSN pathway for college applicants.

Step 3: Understand Alternate and “Bridge” Routes 

Even if a student does not start in a direct-admit BSN program, there are legitimate ladders and alternate-entry routes to nursing:

1. LPN → RN bridge (often community college-based)
   
   

2. RN (ADN) → BSN bridge (RN-to-BSN) (often designed for working nurses)
   
   

3. ABSN (Accelerated BSN) for students with a prior bachelor’s degree (often 12–24 months)
   
   

4. Direct-entry MSN for career changers with a bachelor’s degree
   
   

Expert Tip:💡Nursing is a career where “climbing the ladder” is structurally built in. However, students still need to choose the starting rung that matches their context, timeline, finances, and risk tolerance.

What Aspiring Nurses Should Do Now (High School and Early College)

1) Build a rigorous transcript (and do well)

Nursing is a competitive major. Students should take the most rigorous courses they can succeed in—especially in science. A strong foundation in biology/chemistry (and ideally additional sciences) helps both admissions and later success.

2) Treat testing strategically

Some direct-admit nursing programs require test scores even if the university is test-optional. Students need to read nursing-specific requirements closely and plan accordingly.

3) Demonstrate authentic interest

Selective programs expect evidence of informed interest:

• Volunteering in a medical setting
  
  

• Shadowing (when possible)
  
  

• Caregiving roles, community service, or sustained service work
  
  

• Health-related clubs/activities (when authentic)
  
  

The goal is not to “check boxes,” but to show a sustained commitment to helping others and a realistic understanding of the work.

4) Evaluate clinical training and outcomes

Two key quality indicators:

• Clinical rotation quality and partnerships: 

• Ensure clinical experiences are geographically convenient

• Know when clinicals begin
  
  

• NCLEX-RN pass rates

• Know the institution’s NCLEX pass rates.

Nursing is a rewarding career, but access to nursing school is competitive. Students are advised to choose the path that best balances:

• Certainty (direct admit vs. competitive entry later)

• Cost and time-to-licensure (LPN/ADN ladder vs. BSN vs. alternate-entry MSN)

• Long-term goals (leadership, NP, education, specialized practice)
  
  

Expert Tip:💡Projections point to strong demand, but where opportunities are strongest can vary by region, and some workforce analyses continue to highlight potential shortages—especially outside major metro areas. 

What If You Don’t Get Into the Nursing Program at Your Current College?

Not getting into your college’s nursing program can feel discouraging, but it does not mean your goal of becoming a nurse is over. Nursing is still possible through several different routes. The best next step depends on your academic record, finances, timeline, transfer options, and long-term goals.

Below are some of the most common paths students can consider, along with the pros and cons of each.

Option 1: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree at Your Current College, and Then Pursue an Accelerated BSN

One option is to remain at your current college, complete a bachelor’s degree in another field, and then apply to an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program after graduation. These programs are designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree and want to transition into nursing.

Option 2: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree at Your Current College, and Then Pursue an Alternate Entry MSN

Another possibility is to complete your bachelor’s degree and then apply to a direct-entry or entry-to-practice Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. 

Option 3: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree at Your Current College,, and Then Pursue an RN Program

Some students complete a bachelor’s degree first and then enroll in an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or diploma RN program, later returning for an RN-to-BSN program. 

Option 4: Transfer to a Different College That Offers Direct Admission or Another Path into a BSN Program

For some students, the most sensible move is to transfer to another college that offers a clearer path to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

How to Decide Which Path Makes the Most Sense

Students in this situation need to be honest, practical, and strategic. Ask questions such as:

• How competitive am I for transfer or post-baccalaureate nursing options?

• How much additional time will each route take?

• What will each path cost in total, not just for the next semester?

• Will my credits transfer?

• Which option gives me the clearest and most realistic path to becoming a nurse?

Not getting into a nursing program at your current college is disappointing, but it is not the end of the road. What matters most is choosing a path that is realistic, financially sensible, and aligned with your long-term goal of becoming a nurse. 

Final Thoughts

Although nursing is a noble and rewarding career, access to nursing school is competitive—as it should be! Students planning to pursue a nursing career are encouraged to do their due diligence to understand the merits of one program over another and ONLY apply to accredited institutions where the odds of achieving their goals are maximized.

For more information on becoming a nurse or applying to college, feel free to reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com.