Any person who shows to the satisfaction of the department that he or she holds a degree, diploma or certificate from an accredited institution evidencing satisfactory completion of a nursing program approved by said board with the consent of the Commissioner of Public Health shall be eligible for examination for licensure as a registered nurse upon payment of a fee of one hundred eighty dollars, the subjects of which examination shall be determined by said department with the advice and consent of the board. If such applicant passes such examination said department shall issue to such applicant a license to practice nursing in this state.