Can you become a nurse with a health science degree?

Depending on how long it has been since you earned your bachelor's degree, some programs may require you to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) before being accepted into the accelerated program. This test is used to determine your readiness for a healthcare-related college program.

The test is similar to most other standardized tests you have probably taken. It consists of 170 multiple-choice questions, and you have 209 minutes to answer. The bulk of the TEAS test is tied to the foundational education you received in high school and what you were expected to learn in your secondary education.

Specific areas of the test are:

• Reading: 53 questions in 64 minutes. Areas of assessment include key ideas and details, craft and structure, and integration of knowledge and ideas

• Mathematics: 36 questions in 54 minutes. Areas of assessment include numbers, algebra, and data interpretation and measurement

• Science: 53 questions in 63 minutes. Areas of assessment include human anatomy and physiology, life and physical sciences, and scientific reasoning

• English: 28 questions in 28 minutes. Areas of assessment include conventions of standard English, knowledge of the language, and vocabulary acquisition.

Upon completion of an accelerated nursing program, you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to become a licensed registered nurse. The examination tests your knowledge and skills necessary to practice competently and safely as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse. The exam is computer-based and utilizes adaptive testing technology, which means the test adjusts to your skill level.

The NCLEX-RN exam generally has between 75 and 145 questions, and you are given up to 5 hours to complete it. The test covers four primary areas:

• Safety and Infection Control

• Psychosocial Integrity

• Health Promotion and Maintenance

• Physiological Integrity

Upon passing the NCLEX-RN, you will officially become a Registered Nurse (RN). From there, you may choose to specialize in a specific area of nursing, such as pediatrics, geriatrics, oncology, or critical care. Each specialization may require additional certification or training.

Therefore, while a degree in health science does not directly qualify you to become a nurse, it can serve as a helpful foundation. With additional education through an accelerated BSN program and passing the necessary licensure examinations, transitioning from a health science background to nursing is entirely possible.