Thinking about getting your BSN but aren’t sure about the costs and time commitment involved? If so, then you may want to look into using transfer credits from a previous degree program to reduce the cost and time required to complete your RN to BSN program.
If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to transferring credits, this step-by-step guide can walk you through the credit transfer process so you can move forward on your educational path with confidence.
What Is Credit Transfer, and Why Does It Matter?
Before diving deeper into the credit transfer process, it’s important to understand what credit transfer in the nursing field entails and what students need to know before they get started.
Definition and Overview
Transfer credit refers to the ability for students to apply credits they earned in an existing degree program to a new nursing program, such as an RN to BSN. In this type of program specifically, nursing students may be able to transfer credits from a previous two-year program (such as an associate degree in nursing) to a four-year BSN.
By taking advantage of transfer benefits, students can reduce the number of credits that need to be taken to complete their BSN programs. This can significantly cut down on costs while also reducing the amount of time needed to earn a BSN degree.
Common Misconceptions About Credit Transfers
Unfortunately, there are many common myths and misconceptions floating around when it comes to transferring nursing credits. One of the most common misconceptions is the notion that figuring out transfer credits is simply too complicated and, thus, not worth the trouble. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only do many colleges readily accept transfer credits, but the process may also be easier than many students realize.
Simply put, if you have any nursing credits under your belt already, there’s no sense in spending your time and hard-earned money to take equivalent courses again.
Steps to Transfer Credits to an RN to BSN Program
Ready to transfer your existing nursing credits to expedite the completion of your BSN? Here are a few steps you can follow to make it happen without adding unnecessary stress or hassle to your already busy life.
Research and Transfer Policies
First, take the time to research the transfer policies that are specific to your desired nursing program. Schools and individual programs can vary greatly in their transfer policies, including the maximum number of transfer credits they accept. Things like accreditation and articulation agreements can also impact these policies, so don’t hesitate to reach out to a program advisor or transfer specialist for help here.
At Nevada State University, for example, we require that all transferable credits have at least a 2.0 GPA.
Get Transcripts Evaluated
The next step of the process is to submit documentation from your previous degree program(s) to have your credits properly screened and evaluated. This way, a transfer specialist will be able to assess the course material of your previous classes to ensure that the coursework meets current program requirements. From there, you’ll have a better idea of which credits may be transferable and which ones are not.
Identify Transfer-Friendly Schools
Not all schools are created equal when it comes to how readily they accept and encourage transfer credits from other programs. With this in mind, it’s important to do your research and look specifically for transfer-friendly schools that proactively help students with their credit transfers as a means of reducing costs. You can pinpoint transfer-friendly schools by looking for options that offer a high number of transferable credits and flexible admission policies.
Maximizing Your Transfer Credits
No matter how many credits you have in a prior degree program, there are some measures you can take to maximize your transfer credits. This includes leveraging general education credits, utilizing common nursing prerequisites, and exploring prior learning assessments to demonstrate your knowledge.
Leverage General Education Courses
General education courses are among the most commonly transferred credits to a BSN program. Typically, these courses are not directly related to nursing but may have been required as part of a prior program’s general education component. Some examples of these courses include English composition, math, and chemistry.
Utilize Nursing Prerequisites
Likewise, nursing-related coursework completed in a previous program may also be eligible for transfer credit. This may include coursework in topics like anatomy, pharmacology, and physiology.
Consider Prior Learning Assessments
Last but not least, don’t forget to look into prior learning assessments (PLAs) that your school may offer. Specifically, PLAs are voluntary exams that give incoming students an opportunity to prove their knowledge of important nursing topics. This knowledge may have been gained from a previous degree program or even hands-on experience in the field.
By taking a PLA and demonstrating your knowledge, you may be able to earn transfer credits even if you didn’t take an equivalent course on the topic. Many schools offer PLAs as a means of helping students use their prior experience to get a head start in a degree program, so be sure to inquire with your program advisor or transfer specialist.
Financial Benefits of Credit Transfers
There are many benefits to transferring credits whenever possible as you prepare to start an RN to BSN program. Transferring credits is always worth your time and effort, from saving money to shortening the time needed to earn your degree.
Reducing Tuition Costs
It’s no secret that completing a nursing degree program can be costly. In fact, according to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost to attend a four-year college in the United States now hovers around $38,270 per year. However, for students who can transfer about two years’ worth of credits to a BSN program, it may be possible to reduce the total cost of a BSN degree by about half. Even if you don’t have two full years’ worth of credits to transfer, every credit hour transferred can make a difference in your savings and keep more money in your pocket.
Shortening Program Duration
Most BSN programs are designed to take around four years to complete for students enrolled on a full-time basis. However, for those who can transfer credits from a previous ADN program, an RN to BSN program can take as little as 12 months to complete.
How is this possible? Because when you already have transfer-ready nursing credits under your belt, this reduces the number of courses you may be required to take as part of your BSN program. This allows you to complete your program faster. At the same time, you may be able to enter higher-paying RN roles sooner.
Tips for a Successful Credit Transfer Experience
Now that you have a better understanding of how the credit transfer process usually works, here are a few tips and best practices to keep in mind as you prepare to transfer your own nursing credits to a new program.
Stay Organized
First, be sure to research, plan ahead, and use the tools and resources available to you throughout the process. A little bit of organization and preparation can go a long way when it comes to achieving your educational goals as efficiently as possible. On a related note, do your best to keep track of all related documents, transcripts, and other communications with previous schools so they are readily available if and when you need them.
Seek Advising Support
Reputable nursing schools offer academic counselors, advisors, and/or transfer specialists to help students throughout the entire credit transfer process. If your school offers this resource, be sure to take advantage of it. These professionals can not only help with transferring credits but also identify other cost-saving opportunities (such as scholarships) to make completing a BSN program more attainable.
Learn More in an RN to BSN Program
Transferring credits from an existing degree program can be a great way to reduce the costs of obtaining your BSN while also cutting down on the amount of time needed to complete your program. As you can see, figuring out how to transfer nursing credits to another school online doesn’t need to be overly complicated. The key is finding reputable nursing programs that accept transfer credits and getting the help you need along the way.
At Nevada State University, we’re proud to offer a dedicated transfer team that can meet with aspiring nursing program students to determine their transfer credit equivalency and assist with the entire process from start to finish. From there, students can transfer their credits without a hassle and begin working towards their BSNs.
Learn more about transfer nursing credits and explore our RN to BSN online program by reaching out today! Ready to take the next step? Get started with your online application.