If a nursing school has more qualified applicants than it can admit at a given point in time, you may be placed on a wait list. When spots do open up, applicants on the wait list will be offered admission first.
A nursing school may prepare licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). There are two types of basic educational programs to prepare a registered nurse (RN): the bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN) and the associate degree in nursing (ADN).
According to Nursing School, a well-regarded BSN program typically has a longer wait list than a community-college program that prepares ADN graduates.
Discover Nursing maintains an online listing of nursing schools without wait lists.
If you are currently on a wait list, stay in touch with the admissions office. Some nursing schools, such as San Diego City College in California, have closed their wait lists. If you don't meet established criteria by a specific date, they will remove you from the wait list.