Odds of Getting In
At the risk of sounding like a broken record...the more education you have, the better your odds of getting in are. With a bachelor's degree, you're pretty much a shoo-in. You've also got a much better chance at job advancement and higher pay. Those with associate's degrees still have a really good chance of getting in, though.
The truth is, training, work experience, and certification are even more important than the degree you've got (though, don't get us wrong, you still need some kind of degree). Even though training is basically a full-time job, getting work experience at a reputable health care facility is a must. Without work experience, you won't be allowed to take the certification licensure test, and then you'll never get your dream job.
Yes, it's a tall order. But they don't let just anybody save lives.