[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Looking for a nursing school without prerequisites like the TEAS or HESI exam? You’re not alone. Many aspiring nurses feel overwhelmed by standardized testing requirements before they even apply.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This guide highlights 10 accredited nursing programs that do not require these entrance exams, which saves you time, stress, and extra preparation. Learn which schools take a more flexible, holistic approach to admissions and how you can start your nursing journey without standardized test barriers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Are the TEAS and HESI Exams?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and the HESI (Health Education Systems, Inc.) A2 admissions assessments are standardized exams used by nursing and allied health programs to evaluate applicants’ academic readiness. However, they assess different skills in slightly different ways.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The TEAS exam, developed by ATI, tests your knowledge in reading, math, science, and English/language usage. It’s designed to predict your ability to succeed in health science programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The HESI A2 exam, created by Elsevier, covers similar subjects but may also include components like personality type, critical thinking, or learning style, depending on how the school customizes the test.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While both exams help schools assess your academic strengths, the TEAS is more general, while the HESI A2 can be tailored to a specific program’s admissions needs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Holistic Approach to Nursing School Admissions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Instead of relying on standardized tests like the TEAS or HESI A2, some nursing schools use a holistic admissions process. This method evaluates you as a whole person, not just a set of test scores. Schools consider traditional factors like GPA but also emphasize life experience, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and sometimes an interview.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Holistic admissions aim to identify candidates who have not just the academic ability but the personal qualities that are essential to nursing, like communication skills, empathy, and resilience. This admission process excludes standardized tests because they don’t fully capture these traits and can disadvantage applicants who don’t perform well on formal exams.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]10 Nursing Schools That Don’t Require TEAS or HESI Exams[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most nursing schools require applicants to take either the TEAS or HESI exam as part of the admissions process. These standardized tests help schools evaluate academic readiness. However, not every program follows this route, preferring approaches like holistic admissions instead.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Check out this list of 10 nursing schools without prerequisites that include TEAS or HESI scores to find the best fit for you.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]California State University, Fullerton[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.fullerton.edu/programs/elfreshmen/admissionreq.html” target=”_blank”]School of Nursing at Cal State Fullerton[/hen-ui-link] offers a traditional BSN, transfer BSN, accelerated BSN, and an RN-to-BSN option.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Official transcripts, essay, letters of recommendation, faculty interview[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]2-4 years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]Drexel University[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://drexel.edu/cnhp/academics/undergraduate/BSN-Nursing-CO-OP/” target=”_blank”]BSN programs at Philadelphia’s Drexel University[/hen-ui-link], which offer tracks for first-year and transfer students, use a co-op model that includes intensive immersive experiences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Essay; Letters of recommendation[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]2-5 years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]Northern Illinois University[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]At [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.chhs.niu.edu/nursing/programs/bs/admissions.shtml” target=”_blank”]Northern Illinois University’s BSN program[/hen-ui-link], you can apply without submitting TEAS or HESI A2 scores. However, the school uses the HESI as a core performance standard for specific courses during the program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Official transcripts[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]Four years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]Oregon Health & Science University[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earn your BSN at [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ohsu.edu/school-of-nursing/undergraduate-program” target=”_blank”]OHSU School of Nursing[/hen-ui-link], which offers an on-campus traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and online RN-to-BSN programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Minimum 3.0 GPA; Prerequisite coursework; Official transcripts[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]2-3 years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation” target=”_blank”]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]Yes, RN-to-BSN[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]Samuel Merritt University[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A private health sciences university in Oakland, California, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/college-nursing/bachelor-science-nursing” target=”_blank”]Samuel Merritt University[/hen-ui-link] offers a two-year transfer BSN program, which will not require TEAS or HESI A2 scores starting in fall 2023.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA; Two letters of reference; Minimum 60 credits of transfer coursework[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]Two years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursing.unc.edu/programs/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing/prerequisites” target=”_blank”]UNC School of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] offers three BSN tracks: a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, and a military pathway.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Minimum 2.8-3.0 GPA depending on track; Complete 60 credit hours of prerequisite coursework[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]Two years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]University of South Florida[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://health.usf.edu/nursing/undergraduate/programs” target=”_blank”]USF offers several BSN tracks[/hen-ui-link] that do not require TEAS or HESI A2 scores, including a first-year student nursing pathway, second-degree BSN, upper-division BSN transfer, and veteran to BSN program.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Official transcripts; SAT or ACT scores for freshman nursing pathway; Minimum 3.0-3.6 GPA depending on track[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]16 months-4 years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]University of Tennessee Health Science Center[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.uthsc.edu/nursing/bsn-admission-requirements.php” target=”_blank”]University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s BSN[/hen-ui-link] options include an accelerated second-degree BSN or a two-year transfer BSN. These programs don’t require nursing entrance exam scores.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]60 transfer credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree; Minimum 3.0 GPA[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]1-2 years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]West Chester University[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.wcupa.edu/healthSciences/nursing/undergraduate.aspx” target=”_blank”]BSN program at West Chester University[/hen-ui-link] in Pennsylvania admits first-time college students without requiring standardized test scores.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Official transcripts; Optional SAT or ACT scores[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]Four years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray” border=”stroke”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″ class=”mt-8″]Lee University[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://www.leeuniversity.edu/academics/nursing/” target=”_blank”]Lee University[/hen-ui-link] in Cleveland, Tennessee, offers a BSN program that does not require the TEAS or HESI A2 for admission.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Admission Requirements: [/hen-ui-text]Official transcripts; References; 2.75 GPA; ACT or SAT scores[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Program Length: [/hen-ui-text]Four years[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Accreditation: [/hen-ui-text]Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Available Online? [/hen-ui-text]No[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the TEAS exam about?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The TEAS exam assesses your readiness for nursing or allied health programs. It covers reading, math, science, and English/language usage. Schools use it to evaluate basic academic skills needed for success in healthcare education.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What is the HESI exam for?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The HESI exam helps nursing and healthcare programs assess an applicant’s academic and critical-thinking skills to predict a student’s performance in a nursing program. The test includes areas like math, vocabulary, and science but can be customized to include personality or learning style.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are the TEAS and HESI exams difficult?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many test-takers find the science and math sections in both exams to be the most demanding. Both tests assess essential academic skills needed for nursing school and can be challenging, especially if you’re not prepared.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are TEAS scores required for nursing school?”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Most U.S. nursing programs do require TEAS scores, but it’s not universal. Some nursing programs use HESI, ACT/SAT, or holistic reviews instead. Before assuming TEAS is mandatory, check your school’s requirements, as policies vary significantly.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion]