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Contact UsHigh School Direct-Entry Nursing Pathway Provides Certainty in a Competitive Landscape
MSU Denver Nursing students join Denver Fire and Emergency Services (Paramedics Division) taking part in a disaster simulation reflection. Photo: Josh Geurink
Metropolitan State University of Denver’s High School Direct Entry Nursing Option was designed to address a simple but significant challenge: how to give motivated high-school students greater clarity, confidence, and control over their future in one of the nation’s most in‑demand professions.
“Nursing programs are very competitive, and the traditional model asks students to commit financially and emotionally before they ever know the outcome – this was created to give students that certainty much earlier,” said Brandon Kinsey, Ed.D., who oversees admissions and advising for the Nursing program.
MSU Denver nursing students Marisa Schreiner, L, listens to lung sounds with a fellow student, Jimena Malta on Aug. 12, 2024, at the Simulation and Skills Laboratory. Photo by Alyson McClaran
Enter… Direct-Entry
In fall 2026, the Department of Nursing prepares to welcome its first cohort of high-school students guaranteed entry into MSU Denver’s Traditional Nursing Option (TNO) undergraduate degree program.
This pathway allows individuals to apply during their senior year for a reserved seat. Students who are accepted know before they graduate high school that they have a guaranteed spot waiting for them, provided they meet established academic benchmarks along the way.
As Kinsey stressed, Direct Entry is not a new degree or a separate nursing program. It is simply a different, more transparent entry point into the same accredited BSN pathway.
“It feeds directly into our TNO program. Same degree, same outcomes – just a clearer route to get there,” he added.
Students who are not accepted through Direct Entry can still pursue nursing through MSU Denver’s traditional application pathway; those in the program who later decide it’s not the right fit also retain strong options to continue toward nursing through other routes.
“The goal isn’t to have one definitive pathway, but rather help meet students where they are,” Kinsey noted. “It’s about creating multiple, student‑centered routes into the same outcome.”
For students and families, the appeal is immediate: Nursing is a high‑demand, high‑impact career, but the uncertainty of admission can make the journey stressful. And early‑admission nursing pathways remain relatively uncommon in Colorado, particularly at public universities focused on access and affordability.
“That guarantee is the difference for MSU Denver students,” Kinsey said. “If you get accepted and you put in the work, your outcome is secure. That’s not how most nursing programs work.”
Beyond peace of mind, Direct Entry also provides academic stability. Students complete their prerequisite coursework at MSU Denver, knowing those credits are aligned with program requirements and fully transferable into the nursing curriculum.
“There’s real value in knowing that every class you’re taking counts toward the goal you’re working toward,” Kinsey added.
Nursing Skill Lab Coordinator, Kelli Valdivieso, (Left) and MSU Denver’s Director of Interprofessional Simulation and Skills Hub, Mary Tucker, (Right) evaluate MSU Denver nursing student performance
Early Results and Looking Ahead
Launching as a pilot this academic year primarily with grassroots and word-of-mouth promotion, the Direct Entry pathway has shown promising early interest. More than 20 students applied, and offers were extended for a first cohort beginning this fall.
Perhaps more telling has been the response from counselors and families.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with high school counselors and parents, and they immediately understand the value,” Kinsey said. “This is something that resonates deeply once people see it.”
Interest has also extended beyond Colorado, particularly from states where nursing admissions are highly competitive or lottery‑based. As awareness grows through organic outreach and national listings, that momentum is expected to continue – along with exploration of other ways to continue filling the workforce pipeline.
Exterior rendering of the Day Health Institute Tower from 10th and Champa Streets. Image courtesy Wember
The launch of Direct Entry also aligns with broader growth within the Nursing program. With the forthcoming Day Health Institute Tower opening in 2027, MSU Denver has received approval to expand fall enrollment capacity in coming years, allowing more students to move into the profession while maintaining program quality and accreditation standards.
Providing value continues to be the most compelling aspects of Nursing at MSU Denver. With Nursing now eligible for the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) – a benefit that historically did not apply to MSU Denver’s nursing program – students can access meaningful tuition savings that were not previously available.
Combined with Direct Entry, this change allows students to secure both financial clarity and academic certainty, reinforcing MSU Denver’s position as one of the most accessible and affordable University nursing options on the Front Range.
And for students starting to explore nursing, especially those who know early that this is the career for them, the message is simple.
“We’re building this carefully, learning from each step, and making sure the experience matches the promise,” Kinsey said. “Direct Entry gives students a clear, guaranteed path to nursing if they’re willing to do the work.”
Click here to learn more about the High School Direct Entry program or contact [email protected]