8 Nursing Schools That Don't Require Prerequisites 2025

To become a registered nurse (RN) in the U.S., you need to complete a pre-licensure nursing program — usually an associate or baccalaureate degree. You also need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN) and obtain a nursing license.

Most of the time, nursing programs require you to have completed certain prerequisites before you begin the program. However, it is possible to start nursing school without prerequisites. Keep reading to discover how to get into nursing school without prerequisites.

What Prerequisites Are Required for Nursing School?

The prerequisites required for nursing school can vary. However, most require that you've taken core courses in areas like anatomy and physiology and microbiology, as these are necessary foundations for health science degrees.

Some schools will require that you've also finished all general education requirements before you begin your nursing courses. These requirements often include college composition, some type of math, and multiple liberal arts and science courses.

Are There Nursing Schools That Don't Require Prerequisites?

Some nursing schools do not require you to have prerequisite courses completed before you enter the program. While you will still need to take these courses, they're incorporated into the overall curriculum.

These types of programs are typically called direct entry programs. They're most common with Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degrees, but are sometimes available with Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs as well.

How To Reduce or Eliminate Nursing Prerequisites

Schools require prerequisites for a reason — they provide foundational knowledge that you need for the rest of your nursing education. Still, there are a few ways that you can start a nursing program without having these prerequisites completed.

The first, as mentioned, is a direct-entry program. These programs build prerequisites and general education courses into the overall curriculum.

Another option is to start with a pre-nursing program or to earn a certification, like a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification or an emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. Some schools offer CNA-to-RN or EMT-to-RN pathways, although this still requires you to complete some education before beginning your nursing program.

8 Nursing Programs With Flexible Nursing Prerequisites

Can you go to nursing school without prerequisites? You can if you choose a direct-entry option that includes the prerequisites for nursing in the program. We've highlighted some of these options below.

1. Chattahoochee Valley Community College

Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC) is a public college in Phenix City, AL. It offers a direct-entry Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in nursing.

The 66-credit program includes 27 hours of general education, much of which can be completed online, and 39 hours of core nursing coursework. Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and submit standardized test scores.

• Estimated tuition cost: $129 per credit (in-state); $258 per credit (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: CVCC accepts aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), offers institutional aid, and accepts private aid.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Wayne State University

At Wayne State University, students can start on their BSN in their freshman year. The first year of the degree program covers foundational courses, and nursing courses begin in year two.

Wayne State, a public research university, is located in Detroit, MI. Admission into the direct admit BSN here requires a minimum 3.0 GPA. Some coursework is available online.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,291.92 per year (in-state); $16,094.49 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: Wayne State accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

3. University of North Carolina at Greensboro

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) offers a direct-admission BSN for freshmen with a 3.5 GPA. UNCG is a public research university in Greensboro, NC.

Students take most of the foundation courses during their first year, with online options available for many courses. Core nursing coursework begins during the sophomore year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,661 per year (in-state); $24,012 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNCG offers institutional aid and accepts FAFSA and private student aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC and CCNE

4. University of New Mexico

The direct-entry BSN at the University of New Mexico (UNM) allows students to be a part of the College of Nursing starting from their freshman year. To qualify, applicants must be high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0

UNM, located in Albuquerque, NM, is a public research institution. Some general education and non-nursing courses here are available online.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,949.30 per year (in-state); $18,943.92 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UNM offers institutional aid. It also accepts aid through FAFSA and private programs.
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

5. Indiana University

Indiana University (IU) is a public research institution in Bloomington, IN. It offers a direct-entry BSN program to nursing students at all three IU campuses.

The program includes general education and pre-nursing coursework, with some online options available. Students must have a 3.8 GPA to qualify.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,142 per year (in-state); $42,294 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: IU accepts FAFSA, offers institutional aid, and accepts private financial aid.
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

6. University of Iowa

High school students who want to become registered nurses will find a direct-entry bachelor's degree option at the University of Iowa. This allows them to be paired with a College of Nursing advisor and participate in various nursing experiences right away.

The University of Iowa, a public research institution, is located in Iowa City, IA. To qualify for admission into the direct entry program, students must have a GPA of at least 3.8.

• Estimated tuition cost: $550 per credit (in-state and out-of-state)
• Financial aid: University of Iowa accepts aid through FAFSA and private organizations. It also offers institutional aid.
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

7. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU) offers a direct admission option that allows students to bypass the typical admissions process and start right away. ASU is a public research university in Tempe, AZ.

ASU offers numerous courses online, including some required for the BSN. It also offers a BSN degree with synchronous online nursing courses and an online RN to BSN option.

• Estimated tuition cost: $14,215 per year (in-state); $37,297 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: ASU offers institutional aid and accepts aid through FAFSA and private sources.
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

8. University of Minnesota

Through the University of Minnesota (UMN), students can be admitted directly into the School of Nursing and start their nursing program on day one. During the first year, students begin their nursing courses while also taking general education and foundational health sciences courses.

UMN, a public research university, is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Some courses in this program are available online.

• Estimated tuition cost: $18,626 per year (in-state); $41,512 per year (out-of-state)
• Financial aid: UMN offers institutional aid and accepts private aid and FAFSA. Minnesota residents may qualify for free tuition here under the North Star Promise.
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

How We Rank Schools

To choose the nursing programs listed above, we focused on:

• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited, and all nursing programs are accredited by either the ACEN or CCNE.
• Admissions requirements: The programs we listed allow students to begin their nursing degree without having college experience.
• Program reputation: In addition to being accredited, all programs lead to RN licensure in their state and offer high-quality nursing classes.

FAQs About Nursing Schools Without Prerequisites

Many different pathways lead to a professional nursing career. We've answered some frequently asked questions about nursing schools without prerequisites to help you determine if this kind of RN program is right for you.

How Long Is Nursing School Without Prerequisites?

Nursing program length will vary by the type of program you're taking. An associate degree in nursing usually takes two to three years without prerequisites, while a bachelor's degree typically takes four. However, some schools offer accelerated BSN programs that take less time.

CNA and licensed practical nursing (LPN) programs can vary as well, since these are available as both certificates and associate degrees. CNA and LPN programs without prerequisites can range anywhere from one to three years.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Program To Get Into?

The easiest nursing program to get into can depend on how competitive nursing programs are in your area. Typically, the requirements to get into a nursing program without RN prerequisites are tough; you usually need a high GPA and may need a specific score on an entrance exam like the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).

For many students, the easiest way to get into nursing school if you're aiming to earn an RN license is to complete your prerequisite courses, then apply for or transfer credit into a nursing degree.

Generally speaking, the easiest programs to get into are RN to BSN programs, which are often offered online. However, the online nursing prerequisites for these types of programs already include holding an RN license.

How Much Does Nursing School Cost?

The cost of nursing school is based on several factors, including :

• what type of degree you're earning
• how many credit hours you need
• what school you choose
• whether you're an in-state or out-of-state student
• what financial aid you qualify for

Community colleges typically have the lowest tuition rates, especially for in-state students. At four-year institutions, tuition can range from a few thousand to over $30,000 per year.

How Can I Start Nursing School With No Experience?

If you don't have healthcare experience and haven't taken health science courses, there are a couple of options that will allow you to begin nursing school.

The first is to find a direct-entry nursing program that accepts students without prior college education. There are a few options available to students, but these programs are often competitive with high admissions requirements.

Another is to start taking your general education and prerequisite courses before beginning nursing school. Some schools offer pre-nursing programs that include all nursing prerequisites and prepare you for your RN program.

Discover Online Nursing Degrees

Start your journey toward a career in nursing practice by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.