Is it possible to transfer from a CC to a BSN program w/o having an RN?

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 11, 2015

You'll have to ask those particular schools if they accept the credits from the community college you will be attending. But it happens in my area all the time (on the East Coast). People take their first year or two of pre-reqs at a cc ... then go to a university for the actual nursing program.

elkpark · Nov 11, 2015

Llg is right, you'd have to check with a specific school about accepting credits from a specific CC, but, in general, people do what you are describing all the time. There are tons of "pre-licensure" (that's what you're looking for) BSN programs for people who are not RNs; I would guess they are more common than the BSN completion programs for those who are already RNs.

chivon101 · Nov 11, 2015

Hello! I'm almost done applying to several four-year universities because I would like to get my Bachelor's in Nursing, but I want to have a back up plan just in case something happens to my four year plan.
I don't want to have to go to a CC and get my RN then go to an RN-BSN program because I feel like to would take more time.
I wanted to know if I can somehow do my prereqs at a CC then apply to an upper level BSN program. I live in California, and I would like to do my prereqs at my local CC so I can live at home, have a part time job, and save some money for nursing school.
I would like to transfer into Washington State University or University of Washington's School of Nursing, but I don't know if they accept transfer into the BSN program without having my RN already.
Please let me know of some options along the lines of this.
God Bless!

So are you talking about being accepted into a CC RN program then transferring out of the program to a BSN program. Or are talking about just taking prerequisites at CC before applying because those are two different things.

Seattlemamalama · Nov 12, 2015

I'm from Washington state and YES both those colleges do accept transfer students for the last 2 years or the "official nursing program" as I put it. I would actually recommend doing prerequisites at a community college and then transfer to a 4 year university to save money! That's what I did. The only thing you need to look out for is to keep your GPA competitive. UW is also very keen on prior experience... They would rather choose someone with experience and slightly lower GPA (3.8 range) than a 4.0 student who is socially awkward (they actually mention this in their orientation seminar which you can hear a recording of online... Go find it!) this past year I knew a few girls who got in to UW but their GPA's were roughly 3.87-3.89 and they both had experience, one worked in long term care and the other in a major teaching hospital.

keep in mind that these universities typically choose their own students first and then fill remaining spots with transfers which is why you need to maintain a competitive edge.

My suggestion to you is to know the application process to every school you want to go to down to a T. No one will care is you 'overlooked' something that was expected of you in your application. Most schools require you to be detailed oriented and are testing your ability to follow direction (quote from UW orientation). Please don't expect everyone on all nurses to give you all the information that you should be researching on your own. Go to the UW And WSU nursing webpage and become VERY familiar with it.

Seattlemamalama · Nov 12, 2015

I would also recommend Seattle Uni., Seattle Pacfic Uni., and Northwest Uni. (Ranked in order from most to least competitive in my humble opinion). Please note that these are Christian schools so it's up to your personal preference/beliefs if you want to consider them.