Pre-Nursing Pathway

GED to Nursing: Your Complete Path

Yes — you can become a nurse with a GED. Here’s exactly how aspiring US nurses use the GED to enter LPN, ADN, and BSN programs, the scores nursing schools actually look for, and how to practice for the test.

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Can you become a nurse with a GED?

Yes. A GED (General Educational Development credential) is accepted as a high-school-equivalency by the vast majority of US nursing programs — including Practical Nursing (PN/LPN) diplomas, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, and many Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. Acceptance depends on the school’s admission policy and your GED section scores, not on whether you have a traditional diploma.

Nursing Programs That Accept a GED

Most US nursing schools accept a GED, but the program type changes how competitive the admission is. Here are the three most common GED-to-nursing pathways:

12–18 months

LPN / Practical Nursing

The fastest path. Most LPN diploma programs at community colleges and vocational schools accept GED. You sit the NCLEX-PN after graduating to earn your license.

2 years

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)

Two-year RN program. GED is accepted at most community-college ADN programs. Graduates sit the NCLEX-RN for full RN licensure.

4 years

BSN (Bachelor of Science)

Four-year university route. Many BSN programs accept GED but tend to be more competitive on overall academic profile, GPA equivalents, and entrance-exam scores like the TEAS or HESI A2.

GED Scores Nursing Schools Look For

Each GED subject is scored 100–200. While the official passing score is 145 per section, most nursing programs raise the bar above the pass line. Typical minimums:

GED Subject	Passing Score	Typical Nursing-School Minimum	Competitive Score
Reasoning Through Language Arts	145	150–160	165+
Mathematical Reasoning	145	150–160	165+
Science	145	150–165	170+
Social Studies	145	145–155	160+

These ranges are typical and vary by program. Always check the specific nursing school’s admission requirements. Math and Science scores carry the most weight for nursing admissions because both relate directly to pharmacology, dosage calculation, and clinical reasoning.

GED vs HiSET vs Traditional Diploma for Nursing

Some states use HiSET as an alternative to GED. Both are accepted by US nursing programs, but here is how they compare for a nursing applicant:

	GED	HiSET	HS Diploma
Accepted by US nursing schools	Yes (nearly all)	Yes (most)	Yes
Subjects tested	4 (Math, RLA, Science, Social Studies)	5 (Math, RLA-Reading, RLA-Writing, Science, Social Studies)	N/A
Computer-based	Yes	Computer or paper	N/A
Average prep time	3–6 months	3–6 months	4 years
Best for nursing applicants	Available nationwide; widely recognized	Strong option in states that offer it	Standard

Your Roadmap: GED → Nursing School → Licensure

Four stages from where you are today to a licensed nursing career.

Pass the GED

Practice with GED Ready first, then take the full GED. Target 150+ on every section.

Take a Nursing Entrance Exam

Most schools require TEAS, HESI A2, or NLN NEX alongside your GED.

Enroll in Nursing School

Pick LPN for the fastest path, or RN (ADN/BSN) for full registered-nurse scope.

Pass the NCLEX

Sit NCLEX-PN (LPN) or NCLEX-RN (RN) to earn your license.

GED Practice on Keslaly — Nursing-Bound Focus

Our GED practice tests give extra weight to the Math and Science sections that nursing programs scrutinize most. Start with GED Ready as your baseline, then move to the full-length GED practice when you’re scoring above 150.

GED Ready

Diagnostic-style practice. Use it first to see where you stand and which sections to drill before the real test.

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GED Full Practice

Full-length practice tests across all four GED subjects, with explanations tuned for aspiring nurses.

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GED for Nursing: Common Questions

Yes. A GED is accepted by the majority of US ADN and BSN nursing programs as a high-school-equivalency. After completing the program, you sit the NCLEX-RN to earn your RN license. BSN programs are more competitive on overall academics, so GED holders often start with an ADN and bridge to a BSN later.

Most do. LPN/Practical Nursing programs and community-college ADN programs accept GED almost universally. Many BSN programs accept GED but emphasize section scores (especially Math and Science) and your nursing entrance exam (TEAS or HESI A2). Always check the specific school’s admission requirements.

No. GED Ready is the official practice test that predicts how you’ll perform on the real GED. It uses the same question style and difficulty but is shorter. Most candidates take GED Ready as a final readiness check before scheduling the actual GED.

Plan on 3 to 4.5 years total. Roughly 3–6 months to prepare for and pass the GED, 0–12 months on prerequisites (A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry) if required, 2 years for an ADN, and a few months to prepare for and pass the NCLEX-RN. Faster via LPN-first (12–18 months) then LPN-to-RN bridge.

The passing score is 145 per section, but most nursing programs prefer 150–165 on every section, with extra weight on Math and Science. Competitive BSN programs often look for 165+. Aim for 150 as the floor and 165 as the target for nursing applications.

Almost always, yes. The GED proves general high-school-level competency. The TEAS, HESI A2, or NLN NEX is the nursing-specific entrance exam that ADN, BSN, and many LPN programs require on top of the GED. They serve different purposes.

Start Your Nursing Journey — GED First

Practice GED Math, Science, RLA, and Social Studies with explanations tuned for aspiring US nurses.

GED Ready Practice Full GED Practice

Already past the GED? Move on to TEAS / HESI A2 →

GED® and GED Ready® are registered trademarks of GED Testing Service LLC. Keslaly is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by GED Testing Service LLC. All practice content on Keslaly is independently produced.

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