2023 Guaranteed & Direct Admit Nursing Programs

• Compare the differences between direct admit and guaranteed admission programs, as well as the common requirements for each.
• Explore undergraduate programs that offer guaranteed and direct admit, including why these programs are offered.
• Explore graduate programs that offer guaranteed and direct admit, including why these programs are offered.

While a college degree in nursing is not necessary to become a certified nursing assistant (CNS) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN), many nurses seeking to advance their career will find these degrees invaluable. Universities have also started heavily promoting their nursing programs in order to combat the nursing shortage in the United States,

At many universities, admission to the school itself does not guarantee admission into their healthcare programs. There is also often a delay before potential nurses are even able to apply to their school’s nursing programs.

Direct admit and guaranteed admissions programs are different. These schools allow qualified students to immediately start their nursing education.

What is Direct Admit?

Earning an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing (AND/BSN) often requires multiple semesters of pre-requisite work before even applying to a college’s nursing program. Direct admit allows future nurses to bypass these requirements and immediately start attending courses related directly to nursing.

Direct admit allows students to save time and money by only attending school for the time it takes to complete the practical nursing courses needed to graduate. Direct admission nursing programs are often extremely rigorous with at least 80% of students passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt.

Undergraduate Nursing Programs

In 2022, there were nearly 70 undergraduate programs offering direct admit to their nursing programs. A Majority of these programs require incoming students to have a minimum SAT/ACT score of at 1070/22 and a minimum GPA of 3.00.

For students who are interested in pursuing a more traditional undergraduate timeline but with the stability of direct admit nursing programs, consider universities that offer guaranteed admission.

Beginning this fall, Cumberland University is offering guaranteed admission to their nursing program for qualified high-school seniors.  Cumberland University produces nurses that primarily work in Tennessee and proudly states a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX.

High school students who wish to take advantage of Cumberland’s guaranteed admission must have an ACT score of at least 25 and a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. With these qualifications, students are guaranteed a seat in Cumberland’s nursing program in their junior year.

Montana State University is offering a similar program starting this fall, offering qualified, in-state students guaranteed admission to their nursing bachelor’s degree program. These students will complete their upper-class curriculum at one of MSU’s five nursing campuses.

Below is a list of other universities offering guaranteed admission to undergraduate nursing programs. Some of these universities guarantee admission to high-school students while others guarantee admission from qualifying community college programs.

• Carthage College
• Colorado Northwestern Community College
• Fitchburg State University
• ECPI University
• George Mason University
• George Washington University
• Georgia Southwestern State University
• Indiana University
• Lebanon Valley College
• Minot State University
• Murray State College
• Northern Michigan University
• Ohio State University
• Old Dominion University
• Penn State
• Purdue Northwestern University
• Rappahannock community College
• Regis University
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Illinois Chicago
• University of Iowa
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Mary Washington
• University of Missouri – St. Louis
• University of Nebraska
• University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
• University of Texas at Tyler
• Vincennes University
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Wesleyan College
• Winona University

Graduate Nursing Programs

Most graduate nursing programs want their students to already have a BSN prior to applying. This often leads to potential nurses returning to school after their initial non-nursing degree to attend an accelerated nursing program. These programs range from 11 to 18 months and can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $80,000.

For nurses who may already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, direct admit nursing programs can allow them to directly pursue a Master of Science in Nursing without attending an accelerated nursing program. The University of Pennsylvania is replacing its accelerated BSN program with an entry level master’s in nursing (MSN/MPN) program.

Guaranteed admission is much rarer in graduate nursing programs. However, starting this summer, The University of Virginia’s School of Nursing is offering guaranteed admission to qualified alumni who want to pursue a graduate nursing program such as a Master of Science in Nursing, a Post-Master’s Specialty Certificate, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. There will still be a basic application process, but it is expected to be quicker and easier than a typical graduate school application.

Below is a list of other universities offering direct admit or guaranteed admission to graduate nursing programs:

• Alverno College
• Azusa Pacific University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences
• Columbia University
• DePaul University
• Elmhurst College
• John Hopkins University
• MGH Institute of Health Professionals
• Marquette University
• Mount Saint Joseph University
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• Northeastern University
• Pacific Lutheran University
• Rush University
• Saint Catherin University
• Saint Louis University
• Samuel Merritt University
• San Francisco State University
• Seton Hall University
• Ohio State university
• Trinity College
• Texas Lutheran University
• University of Arizona
• University of California Irvine
• University of California LA
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Hawaii at Manoa
• University of Illinois Chicago
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts
• University of New Hampshire
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Toledo
• University of Virginia
• University of West Florida
• University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
• Vanderbilt University
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Western University

The Bottom Line

When pursuing nursing it’s important to consider the many variables that impact your own career journey. Whether you’re looking to enter your time as an undergraduate or pursue nursing after graduation, direct admit nursing programs are a fantastic option to consider.

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