Can a nursing student transfer schools?

myhoagie02 · Mar 5, 2016

Yes, you can transfer schools, but just know that not all your credits may transfer and you end up repeating courses.

Seattlemamalama · Mar 5, 2016

To be a little more specific, you can transfer schools while doing prerequisites. And like the previous poster said, not all classes might transfer and it could happen that you would need to repeat certain courses. But this isn't as bad as it seems if you plan out your classes well.

However, when you are actually accepted to a BSN program your chances of being able to switch around programs are slim to none. Most nursing programs (as far as I am aware) will not take people with nursing classes from other programs.

Hoosier_RN, MSN · Mar 5, 2016

To be a little more specific, you can transfer schools while doing prerequisites. And like the previous poster said, not all classes might transfer and it could happen that you would need to repeat certain courses. But this isn't as bad as it seems if you plan out your classes well.
However, when you are actually accepted to a BSN program your chances of being able to switch around programs are slim to none. Most nursing programs (as far as I am aware) will not take people with nursing classes from other programs.

Also, you may not be able to 'jump in' where you left off at last school, due to seat availability and program requirements. You may have to go back to square 1. Just an FYI

WanderingWilder, ASN · Mar 5, 2016

You may want to consider getting an associate in nursing first as that would only lock you into a school for two years and then you could take rn to bsn online to give you more flexibility.

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2016

You may want to consider getting an associate in nursing first as that would only lock you into a school for two years and then you could take rn to bsn online to give you more flexibility.

This is your best solution. Get your ADN and RN. Then you will have the flexibility you need to go further with your education, as online RN to BSN programs are plentiful. But you will need to stay put while you get the nursing classes in your ADN finished. This is a sacrifice you may have to make in terms of being separated from your fiance or husband. My Dad was military, and long separations were simply part of the deal.

danedsel · Apr 1, 2016

I fought this battle and succeeded, but it was going to another local community college in the area.

Here's the thing:

A previous post suggested just going for your ADN, which is 2 years (5 semesters), to shorten your tenure. That might be good advice.

I tried to transfer back to my home state after first or second semester. The problem with the local community college was not that they were unwilling or didn't accept transfer students, it's that they didn't really have a protocol for it. I remember one of the administrators encouraging me to push the idea so they could come up with some policy at the next committee meeting applicable to all the affiliate colleges in different locales. This may be a problem at a lot of schools: lack of a transfer policy.

Another administrator mentioned GPA's, entrance testing, and "...having to prove myself." It sounded like they didn't make it easy, as the competition was probably pretty fierce just to gain acceptance starting first semester!

I was able to find another local community college in the area I was living in that would accept transfers. There was entrance testing, a dose cal test, and a skills check off.

The best advice I got here on allnurses was to just bite the bullet and stay with the school or try and find another local college that would accept transfers. The problem is a lot of colleges have different pre-reqs, state to state, causing you to have to take additional classes. What's more, is that most colleges won't take you if you've been out of the program for 1 year or longer.

My advice: Take the pre-reqs to get in, which'll transfer just about anywhere, and do the ADN (2 year) program and commit to it, regardless of your husband's situation. This is ONLY if you REALLY want nursing, as I assume you and your husband don't want to be separated. I doubt, however, that if you were a year into it (half way) and your hubby did get transferred, you'd risk losing your place and not at least try and find a way to make it work. This is after you see just how difficult nursing school is...