Although nurses have always been integral to the medical profession, the pandemic challenged the general public to acknowledge just how critical nurses are for 21st century healthcare. The demand for nurses in the United States is robust and according to data published in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Handbook:
- Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, or about as fast as the average for all occupations
- Employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, or much faster than the average for all occupations
Three Paths to Becoming a Nurse
While there are three paths to becoming a nurse, it is important to understand that more and more employers of nurses prefer, and in some cases require, a bachelor’s degree: the focus of this blog post.
- Diploma program – typically administered in a hospital
- Diploma/Associate’s Degree program at an accredited community college
- Bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university (traditional/competitive or direct admission)
Note: all nursing candidates must pass the NCLEX licensing examination.
Since direct admission into a nursing program is the only guaranteed path to nursing at the bachelor’s degree level, competitive high school students are encouraged to apply to schools that offer that path (scroll down for 50 colleges & universities offering direct admission to nursing).
Traditional Admission versus Direct Admission
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Traditional/ Competitive Admission |
Direct Admission |
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50 Colleges with Direct Admit Nursing Programs
- Arizona State
- Barton College (NC)
- Belmont University (TN)
- Binghamton University (NY)
- Case Western Reserve (OH)
- Bradley University (IL)
- Clemson University (SC)
- Creighton University (NE)
- Duquesne University (PA)
- East Stroudsburg University (PA)
- Edinboro University (PA)
- Endicott College (MA)
- Fairfield University (CT)
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Southern
- Georgetown University (DC)
- Hartwick College (NY)
- Hiram College (OH)
- Illinois State
- Illinois Wesleyan
- Loyola Chicago
- Loyola New Orleans
- Marquette University (WI)
- Marshall (W. VA)
- Marymount University (VA)
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)
- New York University
- Niagara University (NY)
- Penn State
- Purdue University (IN)
- Queens University (NC)
- Quinnipiac University (CT)
- Rutgers (NJ)
- Shenandoah University (VA)
- St. Louis University (MI)
- Samford University (AL)
- San Diego State University (CA)
- Seattle University (WA)
- Seton Hall University (NJ)
- Simmons University (MA)
- Temple University (PA)
- The College of New Jersey
- Truman State University
- University of California, Irvine
- University of Californian, Los Angeles
- University of Cincinnati (OH)
- University of Connecticut
- University of Delaware
- University of Hawaii, Manoa
- University of South Carolina, Beaufort
Final Food for Thought
Although nursing is a noble and rewarding career, access to nursing school is competitive—as it should be! Students planning to pursue nursing career are encouraged to do their due diligence so that they understand the merits of one program over another and to ONLY apply to accredited institutions.
For more information on applying to college, regardless of intended major, feel free to reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com
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