[pmy7741]

I'm a first year nursing student in ADN program. My second semester began just few days ago. Due to personal matters, I need to move either AZ or NV after summer semester.
Is there anyone who transfered as a nursing student?

I hate to be behind and to be on waiting lists. Please, advise me.
Many thanks in advance.

[allthingsbright]

It is very difficult to transfer mid program--I was unable to do it when moving to a new state because a. I had different pre-reqs than those the new schools required, b. my nursing classes weren't the same credit wise or content wise and c. there just weren't any spots in any of the schools I applied to. I looked at 7 different schools and no one could fit me in.

Please check with the schools in the areas you may move to and get everything in WRITING!!! Find out what pre-reqs you will need and how they handle transfers before you move.

I moved back to my original state where I began my program--otherwise I would have had to wait two years after finishing new pre-reqs, start all over and it would have taken me AT LEAST 4 years. It was a horrible experience!!! Can you finish and move later???

[MBA2BRN]

I agree with the above poster, you need to contact schools of interest first! In addition to the troubles you may encounter mentioned above, there is another issue to consider. From what I have gathered after reading many posts, not all nursing schools are alike!

For example, some nursing schools cover Psych the first semester while others cover it the third semester! Med Surge may be covered the second semester while some other schools break it up between two semesters! Not to mention some schools do not begin clinicals until second semester or the end of first semester compared to those that begin clinicals during the first few weeks of first semester.

Therefore, being a second year student at your school may not mean SQUAT at other schools since you may not have covered the material and/or may not have as many clinical hours as is expected of a second year student. If any of this is the case, you will end up having to start all over!

If you have to start over that is a complete waste of your time and money. Especially since some schools will not accept your pre-requisites for various reasons. I highly suggest you stay where you are at if you cannot make a smooth transition into another nursing school.

However, if you have no choice but to move, then consider becoming a LPN (if it is allowed) before you move. As a LPN your worse case scenario may involve a few pre-reqs and possibly a course that bridges you into a regular RN program in another state. This might be an extra semester or an extra year, but at least you may not have to begin from scratch. Good luck.

[AZmom]

Is there any way to get your LPN with the program you're currently in? Here, many of our community colleges have an optional "out" after second semester RN program which will qualify you to take the NCLEX for LPN.

If you can get your LPN, the Maricopa Community Colleges (Arizona) have an LPN-RN bridge program. I don't believe there's any waiting list for them either, though you do need to qualify (have certain prereqs met).

[pmy7741]

Thank you for the replies. I'm now really worried about moving a new state. Actually, my husband applied pharmacy school in several different states. It really depends on the result. We don't have any family here in NC. So, wherever he goes, I don't want to be alone by myself. (it sounds like a baby. but, there's also financial reasons.) I hope he got in the university in NC. So, we stay in NC, and I can continue to study in my nursing school.

I didn't know there's 'out' option during RN program. My college doesn't offer LPN program. Then, I guess I may not have the 'out' option. I need to make sure with a advisor. I've heard that a student qualifies to register CNA 1 after finishing first semester and to register CNA 2 after finishing second semester.

I've realized that there's so many difference between my college and others. Fortunately, I've started my clinic from the first of the week in first semester. I think I shouldn't be worried about shortage of clinical hour. But, always make sure in WRITING.

If I get more info about transfer in mid-program, I'll post it.
Thanks again.

[Daytonite]

What people are talking about with the LPN option is that if you have to leave your school in NC after two semesters, some states will allow you to take the NCLEX-PN (the LPN exam) through a process known as equivalency education. This means that some states will, after reviewing a transcript and often a letter from the dean of your nursing school, make a decision as to whether you learned enough during your time at the RN school in NC to qualify you to be able to know enough to be able to qualify to take the LPN exam in their state. This kind of licensing only works on a state to state basis--usually. But, it will get you working at a higher wage than a CNA and also get you into an LPN to RN bridge of classes when you do get back into a nursing school. You would have to look at the LPN licensing requirements in Arizona and Nevada to see if this is possible and how to go about doing this.

There was a young lady who joined my ADN program some years ago in our third semester. She came from a three year hospital based training program in another state where she had finished two years. To do this she had to (1) apply for and be admitted to the college and (2) apply for admission to the nursing program, be admitted and then her transcript had to be evaluated and a decision made as to where she would be mainstreamed into the program. I don't think it's necessarily a problem transferring into these nursing programs if you were a student in good standing since many programs lose a good number of students after the early quarters and semesters, so there should be openings. The major problem for the schools is comparing your course curriculum and course content against their own and deciding where your nursing education up to that point fits in to their own curriculum.

Something else you could consider is, if you don't have children or pets, to move in with another nursing student and share living expenses for the remainder of your nursing classes until you finish your RN in NC. It will only be for a few months. You could easily pick up part time work as a CNA or a nurse tech to help with expenses. I saw many of my friends who were asian couples doing this all the time. They felt that the ends justified the means. Many of them are now career professionals bringing home big time $$$, so their few months of being away from each other paid off in the long run as expected. Your husband can also find pharmacy roommates. Your husband is going to be tied up studying pharmacy. All my relatives are pharmacists. Their coursework is incredibly difficult and time consuming.

Whatever you end up doing, I wish you well.