Nursing School Admissions 2025: Complete Guide to Getting Accepted (BSN, ADN & LPN)
Nursing school admissions are more competitive than ever. Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs at community colleges routinely receive 5-10 applicants for every available seat. BSN programs at top universities are even more selective. Whether you're applying for the first time or reapplying after a rejection, this guide gives you a complete, honest picture of what nursing schools want — and exactly how to give it to them.
Understanding the Three Paths to Becoming a Nurse
LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
LPN programs typically take 12-18 months and result in a certificate or diploma rather than a degree. They're offered by vocational schools, community colleges, and some hospitals. LPNs work under RN supervision in long-term care, home health, and some hospital settings. Admission is the least competitive of the three paths — most LPN programs require a high school diploma, basic prerequisite courses, and a minimum TEAS or HESI score.
ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)
ADN programs are 2-year programs offered primarily at community colleges. They're the fastest way to become a registered nurse (RN). ADN nurses can sit for the NCLEX-RN immediately after graduation. Admission competitiveness varies greatly — some programs are lottery-based, others are point-based ranking systems, and others use pure GPA ranking.
BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
BSN programs are 4-year degrees offered at universities and colleges. They're increasingly required by hospitals (many hospital systems now require BSN for all RNs). Admission is the most competitive. Traditional BSN programs admit students as freshmen or after completing prerequisite "pre-nursing" coursework. Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs are designed for students who already have a bachelor's degree in another field — they typically run 12-18 months.
Important Trend: The BSN-preferred movement is real. The Institute of Medicine has called for 80% of the nursing workforce to hold a BSN by 2020 (a goal still being worked toward). Many hospital systems now require BSN for RN positions or offer significant pay differentials for BSN vs. ADN nurses. If you have the time and resources, pursue the BSN.
Prerequisite Courses: The Foundation of Your Application
Most nursing programs require specific prerequisite courses before admission. These are separate from your nursing school curriculum — you complete them during your pre-nursing period. Common prerequisites include:
- Anatomy & Physiology I and II: The most critical prerequisites. Most programs require grades of B or higher. Must be completed within 5-7 years for many programs.
- Microbiology: Understanding of infectious disease and immunity. B or higher typically required.
- Chemistry (General or Introductory): Some programs require, others don't. Covers basic chemistry relevant to nursing pharmacology.
- English Composition: Standard college writing course. Usually requires C or higher.
- Statistics or Math: Basic statistics relevant to evidence-based nursing practice.
- Psychology (General and Developmental): Understanding human behavior across the lifespan.
- Nutrition: Some programs require. Usually easy to complete online.
- Medical Terminology: Not always required but strongly recommended. You can often complete this through Sophia or StraighterLine.
Entrance Exam Requirements: TEAS vs. HESI
Most nursing programs require either the ATI TEAS or the HESI A2 as an entrance exam. Each school specifies which exam they accept and their minimum score requirement.
ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)
The TEAS 7 has four sections: Reading, Math, Science, and English & Language Usage. Scores are reported as percentages (total score and composite). Most ADN programs require a minimum composite score of 60-65%. BSN programs at competitive universities often require 75-80%+. Higher scores significantly improve your ranking in point-based admissions systems.
HESI A2 (Health Education Systems Inc. Admissions Assessment)
The HESI A2 tests similar content — Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Grammar, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, and Physics (not all sections required by every school). Scores are reported on a 100-point scale. Most programs require a minimum of 70-75% in each required section.
GPA Requirements and Competitiveness
GPA is typically the most heavily weighted factor in nursing school admissions. Here's an honest breakdown of what you need:
- LPN programs: Most accept students with cumulative GPAs of 2.5+. Some competitive programs require 3.0+.
- ADN programs (community college): Minimum GPA typically 2.5-3.0. However, in competitive markets, the average admitted GPA is often 3.5+. Science GPA (A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry) matters most.
- Traditional BSN programs: Minimum 3.0 GPA, but competitive programs (top state universities, private colleges) typically admit students with 3.5+ overall and 3.7+ in sciences.
- Accelerated BSN programs: Usually require 3.0 overall GPA in your previous degree, but competitive programs want 3.3-3.5+.
How to Strengthen a Weak Application
If Your GPA Is Low
If your overall GPA is below a program's competitive average, focus intensely on your science GPA. Retake any science courses where you earned a C or below (many programs only count the most recent grade). Demonstrating an upward GPA trend is also meaningful — showing you struggled early but have consistently earned A's recently tells a positive story.
If Your TEAS/HESI Score Is Low
Retake the exam after dedicated preparation. Many programs allow multiple retakes (check each school's policy). A score improvement of even 5-10 percentage points can dramatically change your admission ranking. If you scored below 70%, plan 4-6 weeks of intensive prep before retaking.
Strengthen Non-GPA Components
- Healthcare experience: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) work, hospital volunteer experience, medical scribe work, or EMT certification all strengthen applications significantly. Many applicants have none of these — having even 6 months makes you stand out.
- Letters of recommendation: Science professor letters carry the most weight. Choose professors who know your work personally and can speak to your diligence and scientific aptitude.
- Personal statement: Your statement should tell a specific story about why nursing — not a generic "I want to help people" essay. Draw on a specific experience that showed you what nursing is really about.
Getting Help with Prerequisite Courses
The prerequisite courses — especially Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology — are where many pre-nursing students stumble. These courses are graded on a curve at many schools, and even one B can hurt your ranking in competitive programs. Bigman Academic Services offers tutoring for all pre-nursing prerequisite courses, as well as complete course assistance for online versions of these courses. We help pre-nursing students achieve the A's they need to compete for limited spots.
We also offer TEAS and HESI preparation tutoring — one-on-one sessions with nursing school specialists who know exactly what these exams test and how to maximize your score efficiently.