Many students start their journey in health science, only to later discover that becoming a nurse opens even more doors in patient care, education, and leadership. If you’re a nurse with a health science background — or you’re considering a health science degree as your path into nursing — this guide walks you through how the fields connect and why this combination creates a strong foundation for your future. You’ll learn how to become a nurse, how an undergraduate degree in health science fits into common nursing pathways, and what steps help you move confidently toward licensure and long-term success.
What is the connection between a nurse and health science?
The link between a nurse and health science is stronger than many people realize. Health science explores human biology, public health, physiology, and wellness, which aligns closely with what nurses navigate daily. Anyone who completes a sciences degree already understands medical terminology, basic anatomy, and the structure of healthcare systems. That background gives future nurses a solid foundation before they begin a formal nursing program or pursue a full nursing degree.
This overlap is the reason so many students start in health science and later shift to nursing. You gain broad insight into disease, prevention, and community health, and then refine those skills in hands-on practice. Whether you plan to work directly with patients, explore informatics, or continue into advanced practice, both fields support each other. Someone who studies health science often enters nursing school with more confidence because key concepts feel familiar from earlier coursework.
In many schools, advisers encourage students unsure about long-term plans to begin with a health science degree. It keeps the door open to several career paths, including clinical roles, administrative work, or becoming a nurse. When you combine health science and nursing, you create a versatile skill set that serves you throughout your healthcare journey.
Can you become a nurse with a health science degree?
The short answer is yes — you can become a nurse even if your first major was health science. In fact, many schools treat a bachelor’s degree in health science as a strong starting point for entering an accelerated nursing program, an accelerated BSN, or a post-baccalaureate nursing program. Because you already completed an undergraduate degree, you may need fewer general education courses, shortening your time to graduation.
A nurse with a health science background brings valuable knowledge to clinical environments. You may already understand community health trends, physiology, and basic research methods. That makes it easier to move through nursing curriculum requirements and adjust to nursing education concepts. For students who already have a health science bachelor’s, the route to becoming an rn is often clearer because many prerequisites overlap.
Programs like WGU and other universities regularly attract students from health science who want to become a registered nurse or eventually become an RN through second-degree pathways. Your prior degree won’t replace required clinical hours, but it will lighten the academic load and help you adapt quickly.
How does a health science major support nursing education?
A health science major typically includes health science coursework such as anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, community health, and research basics — all of which directly support nursing learning. This background helps you prepare for advanced training and reduces the shock many students feel when they move into a full nursing degree program.
These courses teach you how the human body functions, how diseases spread, and how public health systems operate. That knowledge creates a natural fit for students entering nursing school, where you will apply the same concepts in real-world settings. Some schools even accredit health science programs specifically to align with nursing requirements, making it easier for students to switch paths later.
Because nursing relies heavily on evidence-based practice, students who begin in health science often excel when completing their nursing coursework. They already have exposure to research, critical thinking, and scientific writing — skills that strengthen their performance as rns throughout their careers.
What levels of nursing can you pursue with a sciences degree?
Students coming from a sciences degree can pursue several levels of nursing depending on their timeline and goals. Some choose practical nursing, completing a shorter certificate program that allows them to work as a nurse more quickly. Others aim for an ADN (associate degree in nursing), often available through a community college, which can lead to entry-level practice as a registered nurse.
If you want a broader clinical scope, leadership opportunities, or preparation for an advanced practice path later, a BSN is the most common choice. Because you already hold an associate or bachelor’s degree in another field, an accelerated program or accelerated nursing program may allow you to finish faster. Many schools also offer rn to bsn options for those who begin at the ADN level.
Later, you may continue into an MSN, MSN program, or even a bsn to msn route if you want to explore nursing leadership, education, or specialized practice. A bachelor of science in nursing or bsn degree simply gives you more flexibility over time.
How long does it take to become an RN if you already have a health science background?
When people ask, “How long does it take?” the answer varies depending on the path. If you already hold a bachelor’s degree, including a bachelor’s degree in health science, an accelerated BSN can take 12–18 months. This timeline suits students who want to get into nursing quickly and have already completed most prereqs and prerequisite courses.
If you start with an ADN, expect about two years, followed by time to take the NCLEX and complete any remaining degree requirements. For students coming from a degree in health science, many nursing school requirements align with earlier coursework, which shortens total time needed to become an RN.
Even though the route varies, all programs must include clinical hours, essential science courses, and supervised practice. These elements help you prepare for licensure and meet the standards outlined in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regardless of your timeline, every student must take and pass the national exam before practicing.
What does it take to become a nurse and qualify to apply for nursing programs?
To qualify to apply for a nursing program, you typically need a basic science background, a completed degree program or high-school equivalent, and essential prerequisites. If you want to become a nurse, programs review your grades, prior coursework, and readiness for clinical training.
Students who hold a background in health science usually meet many requirements early. Courses such as anatomy and physiology, statistics, psychology, and public health often match what schools require. If anything is missing, you could also take these courses individually through online courses or a local community college.
Programs also consider career direction. If your career goals include leadership or specialized roles, you may eventually continue into an MSN or advanced practice training. The route to becoming a nurse always begins with the essentials — foundational science, hands-on practice, and a commitment to patient care.
What nursing program options exist for students and graduates from health science?
Universities offer several paths for students with a health science degree or health science background. Second-degree nursing program options compress the time needed to earn a degree in nursing by removing repeated general courses. Many also offer online bachelor’s options, hybrid models, or online programs that blend virtual learning with in-person clinical training.
Some schools design special pathways specifically for students who already have a health science background. These programs assume you’ve completed most science requirements and focus on developing clinical judgment and professional skills. Many students enjoy this structure because it respects prior learning while speeding up their transition into nursing.
Others choose programs like WGU or similar universities that build strong student support systems, flexible schedules, and competency-based progression. These formats suit adult learners who want to finish efficiently without compromising educational quality.
What prerequisites do you need to complete before you apply to nursing school?
Common prerequisites include chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, medical terminology, physiology, and statistics. If you majored in health science, many of these courses appear naturally within your degree. This overlap helps you prepare for advanced concepts encountered in your nursing courses and clinical rotations.
Schools verify that these classes meet standards set by accreditation bodies, so they will accredit or review your transcript carefully. If any course is missing, you can complete it separately. Each degree program lists its own degree requirements, but most align closely due to national expectations for nursing education.
Completing prerequisites early helps you feel confident when you begin learning patient assessment, pharmacology, and community health. The stronger your foundation, the smoother your transition into a nursing program becomes.
What exams and licensure steps help you become a registered nurse?
Every student must complete a state-approved program and earn a nursing license before practicing. After finishing your coursework, you must take to become a nurse by passing the NCLEX — the National Council Licensure Examination. Many refer to it simply as “the NCLEX,” but the full process requires that you become licensed through your state board.
To officially become a registered nurse, you must also satisfy any local licensure requirements, background checks, fingerprinting, or additional exams. Once you pass the NCLEX, you are eligible to work as a nurse in your state. Some graduates move directly into hospitals, clinics, or long-term care facilities, while others continue into advanced training such as an MSN or specialized informatics roles.
Whether you choose bedside care, community health, or administration, the licensure process exists to protect patients and ensure every new nurse meets national safety standards.
How does a health science degree prepare you for long-term nursing career growth?
A health science degree strengthens long-term success by exposing you to research, community health, prevention, and healthcare systems. When you enter a nursing career, this background supports critical thinking and adaptability — both essential for rapidly changing medical environments.
As you grow professionally, your earlier education becomes a springboard toward roles in administration, policy development, nursing leadership, informatics, or advanced positions through an MSN program. Many nurses later explore advanced practice training, education roles, or specialized certifications. Because your degree in health science supported your foundation early, you can pivot more easily as your career expands.
Graduates also benefit from job stability. The Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates strong demand for nurses, especially those holding a BSN, MSN, or advanced credentials. Programs like rn to bsn help nurses continue their education without leaving the workforce, keeping your opportunities open while you gain experience.
Expert quote: Tamara Evans, a nursing degree in health science holder.
“Coming from a health science background shaped the way I approached my BSN program,” says Tamara Evans, a nursing degree in health science holder. “You don’t always need to earn an associate first, but understanding how a degree nursing pathway works makes the transition far easier. A good BSN nursing track doesn’t just teach clinical tasks — it prepares you for a career that grows with you.
For some students, a certificate in nursing offers a quick start, but nurses with a BSN usually have wider opportunities and more confidence when it’s time to pass the NCLEX-RN and become a licensed professional. The right curriculum in any BSN program gives you the foundations, the judgment, and the clinical readiness you need to step into practice with purpose.”
Key things to remember
- A health science background gives students a strong start before entering a nursing program.
- You can become a nurse with a health science degree, especially through accelerated or second-degree options.
- Students who already have a health science foundation often complete fewer prerequisites when applying to nursing school.
- Every pathway — ADN, BSN, or accelerated BSN — leads toward becoming a registered nurse once you take and pass the NCLEX.
- A combined background in health science and nursing opens doors to leadership, informatics, advanced practice, and long-term career growth.
