10 Nursing Schools That Don’t Require TEAS or HESI Exam
Credit: Ryan Herron / iStock / Getty Images PlusLooking 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.
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.
What Are the TEAS and HESI Exams?
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Holistic Approach to Nursing School Admissions
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.
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.
10 Nursing Schools That Don’t Require TEAS or HESI Exams
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.
Check out this list of 10 nursing schools without prerequisites that include TEAS or HESI scores to find the best fit for you.
California State University, Fullerton
The School of Nursing at Cal State Fullerton offers a traditional BSN, transfer BSN, accelerated BSN, and an RN-to-BSN option.
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts, essay, letters of recommendation, faculty interview
- Program Length: 2-4 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
Drexel University
The BSN programs at Philadelphia’s Drexel University, which offer tracks for first-year and transfer students, use a co-op model that includes intensive immersive experiences.
- Admission Requirements: Essay; Letters of recommendation
- Program Length: 2-5 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
Northern Illinois University
At Northern Illinois University’s BSN program, 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.
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts
- Program Length: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
Oregon Health & Science University
Earn your BSN at OHSU School of Nursing, which offers an on-campus traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and online RN-to-BSN programs.
- Admission Requirements: Minimum 3.0 GPA; Prerequisite coursework; Official transcripts
- Program Length: 2-3 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? Yes, RN-to-BSN
Samuel Merritt University
A private health sciences university in Oakland, California, Samuel Merritt University offers a two-year transfer BSN program, which will not require TEAS or HESI A2 scores starting in fall 2023.
- Admission Requirements: Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA; Two letters of reference; Minimum 60 credits of transfer coursework
- Program Length: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The UNC School of Nursing offers three BSN tracks: a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, and a military pathway.
- Admission Requirements: Minimum 2.8-3.0 GPA depending on track; Complete 60 credit hours of prerequisite coursework
- Program Length: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
University of South Florida
USF offers several BSN tracks 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.
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts; SAT or ACT scores for freshman nursing pathway; Minimum 3.0-3.6 GPA depending on track
- Program Length: 16 months-4 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s BSN options include an accelerated second-degree BSN or a two-year transfer BSN. These programs don’t require nursing entrance exam scores.
- Admission Requirements: 60 transfer credits or a non-nursing bachelor’s degree; Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Program Length: 1-2 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
West Chester University
The BSN program at West Chester University in Pennsylvania admits first-time college students without requiring standardized test scores.
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts; Optional SAT or ACT scores
- Program Length: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
Lee University
Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, offers a BSN program that does not require the TEAS or HESI A2 for admission.
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts; References; 2.75 GPA; ACT or SAT scores
- Program Length: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Related Resources
HESI vs. TEAS Exam: The Differences Explained
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Your Guide to Nursing Entrance Exams
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