Can you become a nurse with a GED, or is nursing school one of those places where a diploma still quietly matters more? It's a fair worry, since healthcare fields often carry a reputation for strict academic standards. The real answer shifts depending on which nursing path you're aiming for, since LPN, ADN, and BSN programs don't all treat a GED the same way. Here's how it actually breaks down.
Can you become a nurse with a GED?
In most cases, absolutely. Nursing draws talent from all kinds of educational backgrounds, and a GED holds up just fine for the majority of entry points into the field, particularly LPN and ADN programs. Where things tighten up is at the top of the ladder, since BSN programs tend to ask for more academic groundwork before they'll consider an application.
What types of nurses can you become with a GED?
A GED doesn't lock you into one single role. It's actually the starting credential for an entire career ladder within healthcare, depending on how far you want to climb.
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Not technically a nurse, but often the first stepping stone. CNAs help patients with daily needs like bathing, eating, and mobility, and the training itself usually takes just a few months. A GED is more than enough to get started here.
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or LVN
LPNs handle more hands-on medical tasks, checking vital signs, administering basic care, and assisting with treatment plans. Programs typically run about a year, and a GED satisfies the entry requirement at nearly every school offering this track.
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs take on more responsibility, planning patient care, administering medication, and running diagnostic tests. Getting here requires either an ADN or a BSN, both of which accept GED holders, though the path to a BSN comes with more prerequisite coursework along the way.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN)
This is the ceiling of the nursing ladder, covering roles like Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Anesthetists. Reaching this level means becoming an RN first, then completing a master's degree or higher. A GED can absolutely be the first domino here, it just means a longer runway before you arrive.
The further up this ladder you go, the more your GED fades into the background, replaced by nursing coursework, clinical hours, and advanced degrees as the real gatekeepers.
What are the nursing school requirements for GED holders?
Beyond your GED itself, a handful of academic and health-related requirements apply before you're cleared to enroll.
Prerequisite coursework
Most programs, especially BSN tracks, expect you to complete science courses before or during your application. Common ones include:
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Anatomy and physiology
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Microbiology
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General or organic chemistry
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Statistics or college-level math
If it's been years since you last touched what math is on the GED, brushing up before tackling nursing-level statistics can save you from a rough first semester.
GPA expectations
Programs typically set a minimum GPA once you've completed any required coursework, usually around 2.5 to 2.75 for ADN programs and 3.0 or higher for BSN programs. This applies to your college coursework specifically, not your original GED scores.
Health and background clearances
Since clinical training puts you in direct contact with patients, schools require proof you meet certain health and safety standards before starting:
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Up-to-date immunizations, often including Hepatitis B, MMR, and Tdap
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A recent physical exam
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CPR certification
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A clean background check and drug screening
Supporting documents
Rounding out your application typically means submitting transcripts, a personal statement, and sometimes letters of recommendation, on top of whatever entrance exam results the program requires.
These standards apply to every applicant walking through the door, not just those coming in with a GED instead of a diploma.
GED score requirement for nursing school
The passing score of 145 per subject that gets you your GED is generally all that's needed on paper. Some competitive programs favor applicants who scored 165 or higher, known as "College Ready," since it can mean skipping remedial classes or placement testing. But your GED score is rarely the deciding factor once you're actually applying. What nursing programs weigh far more heavily includes:
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Entrance exam results, typically the TEAS or HESI A2, often with a minimum score somewhere between 60% and 80% depending on the school
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Grades in prerequisite coursework, especially science-heavy classes like anatomy, physiology, and microbiology
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A cumulative GPA, typically starting around 2.5 to 2.75 depending on the program, once you've completed any required college credits
A strong GED score range gives you a solid starting point, but it's your performance afterward, on the entrance exam and in prerequisite coursework, that actually shapes whether you get in.
Which nursing path is best after getting a GED?
Your best next step depends on how quickly you want to start working versus how far you want to climb long-term.
Choose LPN/LVN if…
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You want to start working in patient care within about a year
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You'd rather ease into nursing before committing to a longer degree
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Getting hands-on clinical experience early matters more to you than a higher starting salary
Looking into a GED study guide now can help you walk into an LPN program with a stronger academic foundation from day one.
Choose an ADN if…
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You want to become an RN without spending four years in school
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A community college route fits your budget and schedule better than a university
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You're open to completing an RN-to-BSN bridge program later if your goals shift
Since ADN programs are commonly offered at local community colleges, checking colleges that accept a GED can help you find one near you.
Choose a BSN if…
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You're aiming for leadership, specialized nursing roles, or graduate study down the road
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You're comfortable completing more prerequisite coursework upfront
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Hospitals in your area show a strong preference for BSN-prepared nurses
Whichever path you land on, none of them are permanent decisions, since bridge programs exist for almost every direction you might want to shift later.
FAQs
1. Can you be an RN with just a GED?
Yes, a GED alone is enough to start either the ADN or BSN path toward becoming an RN. What actually determines your success from there is your performance in prerequisite coursework, your entrance exam score, and eventually passing the NCLEX-RN, not the credential you started with.
2. Is a GED enough for nursing school?
For most programs, yes. LPN and ADN programs generally treat a GED the same as a diploma for admission purposes. BSN programs ask for more prerequisite coursework regardless of which credential you hold, so the extra requirements come from the degree level, not from having a GED specifically.
Final thoughts
So, can you become a nurse with a GED? In nearly every case, yes, whether you're starting as an LPN or working toward becoming an RN through an ADN or BSN. The credential itself rarely holds anyone back once prerequisite coursework and entrance exams enter the picture. If your GED is still a work in progress, running through a GED practice test is a solid way to build the foundation the rest of this path depends on.