10 Nursing Schools That Don’t Require TEAS or HESI Exam
Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto- Prospective nursing students often take entrance exams to enter competitive nursing schools.
- Several nursing schools do not require TEAS or HESI A2 scores.
- These nursing schools typically take a holistic approach to admissions.
Many nursing schools require TEAS or HESI A2 exam scores to admit applicants. Preparing for these exams can be stressful. Thankfully, many nursing schools don’t require TEAS or HESI A2 scores.
The Holistic Approach to Nursing School Admissions
Instead of requiring TEAS or HESI A2 exams, some nursing schools take a holistic approach to admissions. That means they look at your grades, particularly on nursing prerequisite subjects like math and science. They may also ask for essays or letters of recommendation to evaluate your application. Some also use interviews to assess applicants.
Some nursing schools may set a minimum GPA for admissions or require SAT or ACT scores. Some programs also require applicants to complete college-level prerequisites before applying.
10 Nursing Schools That Don’t Require TEAS or HESI Exams
Which nursing programs don’t require TEAS or HESI exams? Often, accelerated BSN and second-degree BSN programs do not require these tests because applicants have a track record of college-level coursework. And some four-year BSN programs use other factors, such as SAT or ACT scores, as part of their evaluation.
Check out this list of 10 nursing schools that don’t require 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 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.
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts
- Program Length: 4 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, or 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 spring 2024.
- Admission Requirements: Recommended minimum 3.0 GPA; Two letters of reference; Minimum 60 credits of transfer coursework
- Program Length: 2 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
The School of Nursing at UNC Chapel Hill 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; Completed prerequisite coursework
- Program Length: 2 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
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
The accelerated BSN program at UT Health, which admits applicants with a bachelor’s degree in non-nursing fields, does not require the TEAS exam starting with the May 2023 cohort.
- Admission Requirements: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution; Minimum 3.0 GPA; Online interview
- Program Length: 15 months
- Accreditation:Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
West Chester University
The BSN program at West Chester University admits first-time college students without requiring standardized test scores.
- Admission Requirements: Official transcripts; Optional SAT or ACT scores
- Program Length: 4 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Available Online? No
