Can old prereqs be used to bridge program?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 7, 2014

If you can find a bridge program that will accept 'older' prerequisite courses that you took and passed long ago, then yes, some schools will take them and grant transfer credit.

However, many bridge programs have rigid rules in which they will not accept certain prerequisite courses that were taken more than five years ago.

olivia60 · May 7, 2014

Yes, I have. I was an LVN for about 8 years, but had to give it up due to not being able to find evening care for my 3 children. I did not realize that they had the bridge programs open anymore. The CC I am attending requires the course to be within I believe a 5 year period, so most of my college nursing was not counted because I could not go back to college until I was as old as I am now and that is pretty old. If they don't have them anymore, perhaps they should bring them back.

LPN709 · May 7, 2014

Like the previous posters, my school has the 5 year requirement as well. However, if you have been actively practicing in the health care field, you can try to "waive" the 5 year rule. But I'm sure it's seen on an individual basis. Good luck!

olivia60 · May 8, 2014

This issue of schools refusing prerequisites is becoming a big topic in the student loan debt. It seems that they are going to start determining just why the student loan debt is so high and checking on these schools that are making students take classes over and over and over again before they even start their real required classes. I know this is true because I am one of those student. I have taken at least 32 credits that are not even going to count for me. They will count them against me though. Just figure out how much more in tuition these colleges get just from nursing students alone. It is something to follow up on.

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · May 11, 2014

It depends on the school where the course is transferring from and where it will transfer too. Different things such as the school's policy about accepting science/math credits that are over a certain year limit and what type of accreditation the original school had. Then comes the issue of whether the A&P class was a high enough level and had enough credit hours in the class.

My school would not accept any science or math credits over 5 years old. It would transfer in and help your GPA, but you would have to repeat those classes before you started the program. If the original school did not have the proper accreditation, then the credits would not transfer. However for my BSN, the school is accepting my math credits that I took in 2007 and 2008 when I was attending a university for high school.

As for schools allowing LPNs who have worked for a year or so to have old science classes accepted, that would have to be an individual school policy. Our LPNs used to take the same anatomy and physiology the traditional RN students had to take although I think they revised the LPN program to accept the lower anatomy and physiology class last year.

msJoJo · May 13, 2014

Thanks for the input guys! I am wondering if it is different for online programs though. I want to avoid the online schools but it seems as if that will be my only choice. :down: HOWEVER, thanks for the information!