Nursing schools with no entrance exam prepare students to become registered nurses. A registered nurse provides hands-on patient care in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, urgent care centers, outpatient clinics, and freestanding emergency departments. Some students already work as registered nurses but need additional education to qualify for promotions or advanced degree programs.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), registered nurses in the United States earn a median annual salary of $86,070. Nurse managers and other nurse leaders can earn more.
Undergraduate tuition averages $27,470 per academic year, but the total cost of attendance depends on whether a student enrolls full-time or part-time. It typically takes four years of full-time study to complete a bachelor’s degree program at a nursing school with no entrance exam.
How to Choose a Nursing School With No Entrance Exam
Choose your area of study
Nursing schools offer standardized course paths to prepare students for the challenges of nursing in the 21st century. However, you may have the opportunity to try out several nursing specialties as part of your clinical practicum. If you’re set on a particular specialty, some programs may be a better fit for your needs than others.
You also need to determine whether you want to enroll in a traditional nursing program or a hybrid program. In a traditional program, all coursework takes place on campus or at assigned clinical sites. Hybrid programs include a mix of online courses and in-person experiences.
Research schools and programs
Many schools now have nursing programs with no entrance exam required, but not every program is right for your needs. If you plan to enroll in a traditional program, look for schools close to your home or workplace to minimize the amount of time you spend commuting. If you’re interested in doing your clinical locations at a specific hospital, search for programs with a solid track record of placing students at your preferred site.
It’s also important to search for accredited schools. An accredited institution meets established standards related to program quality, student retention, and graduation rates. At the end of the initial research process, you should have a list of three to five programs matching your requirements.
Prepare for tests and applications
Since you’re looking for nursing schools with no entrance exam, you don’t have to worry about taking the Graduate Record Examination. However, you still need to submit an application to each school on your list. To find out the application criteria for each school, contact an admissions counselor as soon as possible.
You may need to submit letters of recommendation, college transcripts, and a statement explaining why you want to attend nursing school. Start gathering these materials as soon as possible.
Select your program
If you apply to three or four programs and receive one offer letter, review the terms carefully before accepting. If you receive multiple offer letters, do some additional research to determine which program is the best fit for your needs.
For example, if one school has a hybrid program and the other doesn’t, a hybrid schedule may help you save time and keep your commuting costs in check. It’s also essential to review the cost of attendance for each school. If one program is way out of your budget, eliminate it from your list.
Determine how you’ll pay for your degree
When you accept an offer, you may have to pay a deposit to hold your place in the next class. This gives you some time to determine how you’ll pay for your degree. Depending on your financial circumstances, you may qualify for Pell Grants, subsidized federal loans, or unsubsidized federal loans. To check your eligibility, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Another option is to apply for need-based and merit-based scholarships. In most cases, you don’t have to repay scholarship funds, so it’s important to apply for as many as you can. If you’re employed, find out if your employer offers tuition reimbursement. If none of these options work out, contact the business office at your new school to negotiate a payment plan.
Best 50 Accredited Nursing Schools with No Entrance Exam
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How we rank schools
This list features some of the best accredited nursing schools with no entrance exam at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for postsecondary education.
We evaluated each school’s program on admission, retention, and graduation rates as well as tuition costs, faculty, reputation, and student resources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of accredited nursing schools with no entrance exam to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like U.S. News & World Report, among others, to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
What Can You Expect From a Nursing School With No Entrance Exam?
Nursing schools with no entrance exams offer a mix of traditional courses and clinical experiences, giving students the opportunity to apply nursing theory in a practical setting. A typical undergraduate program includes several general education courses, such as algebra, history, and literature. Nursing students also take anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, and nursing theory courses. It’s also common for nursing schools to require a course in bioethics or healthcare ethics.
It typically takes four years to complete an undergraduate nursing program. However, there are some exceptions. If you completed your general education requirements at another school, you may be able to complete your nursing courses and clinicals in less time. It may take five or six years to complete a nursing program if you enroll as a part-time student.
Nursing programs typically include simulation labs, clinical rotations, and other hands-on activities in addition to standard coursework.
Potential courses you’ll take at nursing schools with no entrance exam
- Nursing Pharmacology. Nurses have to administer medications, so they must understand how prescription and over-the-counter drugs affect the human body. Students learn the basic principles of pharmacology, such as how certain drug classes work and what side effects they cause. Nursing pharmacology also covers how different types of drugs help patients manage their symptoms.
- Pathophysiology. Pathophysiology focuses on the physiological processes associated with injuries and illnesses. Students learn about the most common illnesses in each organ system, including the causes and symptoms of each illness. Pathophysiology also covers the prevalence and significance of common diseases.
- Nursing Care of Vulnerable Populations. Some groups of people are at higher risk of illness and injury than others. Nurses have to know how to care for these groups effectively. This course focuses on delivering patient care in a way that improves outcomes for individuals in high-risk groups.
- Health Assessment. Nurses ask questions, take vital signs, and use other methods to gather data about each patient’s health status. This is known as nursing assessment, an essential part of providing high-quality care. In this course, students learn how to take a patient’s medical history, conduct a physical examination, and document each patient’s needs.
Nursing Schools With No Entrance Exam Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to a nursing school with no entrance exam?
First, contact an admissions representative at each school on your list. Admissions professionals are well-equipped to walk you through the application process. You may need to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and other materials.
Ask professors, colleagues, and supervisors for letters of recommendation as soon as possible. The more time someone has to write a recommendation letter, the less likely they are to write something generic. Be sure to request transcripts early, as you may have to wait several weeks for a college registrar’s office to fulfill your request.
How much does a nursing school with no entrance exam cost?
During the 2021-2021 academic year, undergraduate tuition averaged $15,407, making the average cost of a four-year degree nearly $62,000. Students also need to account for the cost of textbooks, lab fees, software, and general living expenses when calculating the total cost of a nursing degree.
How long does it take to earn a degree at nursing schools with no entrance exam?
A full-time student typically takes four years to complete an undergraduate nursing degree. This assumes that you’ve never taken any college classes. It may take less time if you started out in a different program and have already completed some of your general education requirements.
An online program may take longer to complete due to certain residency requirements. For example, you may have to go to campus for a week before you begin your clinical rotations. You also need to consider the number of credits required. It takes a minimum of 120 credits to earn a bachelor’s degree, but some schools require higher credit loads. The more credits you have to complete, the longer it takes to finish the program.