Online Nursing Programs that Don’t Require Entrance Exams: TEAS- and HESI-Free Admissions
If standardized testing is standing between you and nursing school, you’re not alone. Many programs have moved away from entrance exam requirements, placing greater emphasis on GPA, prerequisite coursework, and professional recommendations instead.
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Why Some Programs Don’t Require the TEAS or HESI
The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and Health Education Systems Incorporated Admission Assessment (HESI A2) are comprehensive exams that measure your readiness for nursing school by assessing your understanding of math, science, reading, and other subjects.
Prelicensure, or first-time nursing students, are more likely to need these exams than those who already have a degree. For example, online RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs typically have exam-free admissions because applicants must have an associate degree, which implies they’re already academically prepared.
Other programs don’t require testing at all — instead evaluating your GPA, course grades, and professional recommendations, among others.
School Spotlights: 7 Online Nursing Programs with No TEAS or HESI Requirement
While exam-free admissions are definitely a plus, make sure your program choice is based on more than entrance exam requirements. Prioritize programs that are accredited and align with your academic/professional goals, as well as personal needs.
To get started, check out these nursing programs with no entrance exams.
Purdue University Global
Purdue Global is an online university ideal for students who enjoy a healthy mix of online and face-to-face learning. During the Associate of Science in Nursing track—an accredited program designed for first-time college students—you’ll take courses online but complete on-site clinicals.
You’ll also attend in-person labs and simulations in Iowa or Maine. No entrance exams required to apply. The school’s pass rate for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) was 97.65% in 2024.
Featured Program: Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) Program at Purdue Global
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate
- Official transcripts
- Proof of immunizations
- Criminal background check
- Appropriate technology, such as internet, hardware, and software
Concordia University Texas
Have at least 60 college credits under your belt? Ready to fast-track your way to a BSN? Concordia University Texas can prepare you for RN licensure in Texas and other Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) states in about 16 months. No TEAS or HESI required for admission.
This accredited program boasts a 2024 NCLEX pass rate of 97.18% and features a blend of online coursework, hands on lab and simulations, and on-site clinicals in Austin or Dallas.
Featured Program: Accelerated BSN Program at Concordia University Texas
Admissions Requirements:
- At least a 3.0 GPA in natural-science-related prerequisite courses
- Minimum of 60 credits from an accredited institution
- Completion of general education courses
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Rasmussen University
Rasmussen University offers several nursing degree tracks, including an 18-month Accelerated BSN Second Degree program—ideal for students with a college degree.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree or higher in another field and earned at least a 2.5 GPA, you’ll be eligible for an entrance exam waiver.
In this accredited program, enjoy a mix of online classes, on-campus labs and simulations in Florida, and on-site clinical rotations. Choose from multiple start dates a year.
Featured Program: Accelerated BSN Second Degree Program at Rasmussen University
Admissions Requirements:
- CPR certification
- At least a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution
- Proof of health examination and immunizations
- Criminal background check
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Already have some nursing experience? Ready to take it a step further and become an RN? Minnesota West Community and Technical College has an accredited program that might interest you.
The Associate of Science in Nursing degree program prepares licensed practical nurses (LPNs) for the NCLEX-RN in just five semesters. No entrance exams required.
Attend classes online or at one of the school’s three Minnesota campuses. Clinicals must be completed at healthcare facilities in Southwest Minnesota.
Featured Program: Associate of Science in Nursing Degree Program at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Admissions Requirements:
- Meeting with an advisor
- Active LPN license
- Cumulative prerequisite GPA of 3.0; includes anatomy, physiology, psychology, and English
Aultman College
Through its undergraduate nursing programs, Aultman College accommodates students with no college background as well as those who have college degrees.
If you have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) and an RN license in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky, or Texas, Aultman’s RN to BSN program—referred to as BSN Degree Completion Program—could work for you.
The accredited program is 100% online and can be completed in just five semesters. No entrance exams required.
Featured Program: BSN Degree Completion Program at Aultman College
Admissions Requirements:
- Official transcripts
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited program
- Active, unencumbered RN license in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, Kentucky or Texas
Western Governors University
Western Governors University offers several BSN and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, ensuring you find the path that best aligns with your goals and needs.
One such path is its online RN to BSN program, designed for nurses with an ADN. With flexible online classes and just the right amount of in-person clinical training, you can finish in as little as one year. No TEAS or HESI required to apply.
Featured Program: Online RN to BSN Program at Western Governors University
Admissions Requirements:
- Criminal background check
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing from an accredited institution
- Active, unencumbered RN license in state of residence or employment
University of Rochester
Current and prospective nurses can choose from University of Rochester’s generous program offerings including BSN, MSN, and DNP. Advanced specialty certifications also available.
Are you an ADN-prepared nurse searching for a technologically advanced program of short duration? Look no further.
University of Rochester’s 16-month online RN to BS program runs 100% of its coursework through optimized mobile technology, including all learning materials and activities needed to finish. No entrance exams required for admission.
Featured Program: Online RN to BS Program at University of Rochester
Admissions Requirements:
- Associate degree or diploma in nursing
- Current RN licensure from New York State
- Official transcripts from all schools attended
- Current resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Letter of recommendation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply to nursing programs that don’t require entrance exams if I’ve already taken the TEAS or HESI?
Yes. Having already taken the TEAS or HESI won’t count against you when applying to a program that doesn’t require it. The same is true in reverse: completing a prerequisite that a particular program doesn’t require won’t hurt your application either.
Just keep in mind that programs without an entrance exam requirement may not factor your scores into their evaluation, even if you choose to submit them.
Do no-entrance-exam programs have lower NCLEX pass rates?
Not necessarily. NCLEX pass rates are heavily dependent on how well a school prepares its students for success. Standardized exit exams, required by some schools, might be a better indicator of NCLEX success.
If you find a no-entrance-exam program you like, whether it’s on-campus or online, find out where the school is located or based, then search that state’s board of nursing website to find the program’s NCLEX pass rates.
If a program doesn’t require the TEAS or HESI, what do they use to evaluate applicants instead?
Nursing programs use a number of metrics to evaluate applicants, including overall GPA, grades in science courses or prerequisites, goal statements or essays, and interviews. Some programs even look closely at your transcripts, calculating the number of courses in which you received a C-grade or lower.
Professional recommendation letters also help programs evaluate if you are academically, professionally, and/or personally ready for nursing school. This is why some programs may ask you to gather letters from a variety of individuals, including teachers, employers, or community leaders.
Can I still get into a graduate nursing program (MSN or DNP) if I attended an undergraduate program that didn’t require an entrance exam?
Yes. MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs – including traditional programs and bridge nursing programs – simply require you to have a nursing degree from an accredited institution and hold a nursing license. The admission criteria of the program from which you received your nursing degree are not considered when evaluating your eligibility for grad school.
Many RN students graduate from no-entrance-exam programs and pass the NCLEX, making them eligible for state licensure and enrollment in MSN or DNP programs if desired.
Will employers view my education differently if I didn’t have to take the TEAS or HESI?
It’s highly unlikely an employer would view your education differently if you weren’t required to take the TEAS or HESI. Employers place a higher importance on whether your program was accredited. And many accredited programs are actually moving away from entrance exams.
Nursing program accreditation is a highly esteemed recognition awarded to programs that meet educational and professional standards of excellence – something employers greatly appreciate.
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