What is the normal amount of credits required for a BSN.

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in COHC.

I am interested in getting my RN to BSN, and have recently applied to Linfield nursing school in Portland. They say that it is an accelerated 18 month RN to BSN program. However, you need 125 credits total to graduate from the school. Nobody can do that many credits in 18 months. My question is, do all schools have similar requirements? I am doing research, but you can only get so much info online. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Specializes in ED, CTSurg, IVTeam, Oncology.

A typical baccalaureate degree requirement is 120-128 credits, depending upon your state board of education.

In the case of an RN already licensed (with either an associates degree, or diplomate certificate granted equivalent credit), the first half of the 120 or so credits will likely be waived based on previous course work. So, in essence, you'll likely have to complete the rest (60 or so credits) in the 18 months. I suggest that you bring your transcript to the school and have it reviewed to see where you stand academically.

Most diplomate or associate prepared RNs I have known who completed their BSN that way took about 2 or 3 years.

CSUSM in Cal requires 133 units

You will probably get 60 to 70 credits from your Associate Degree program. Thats what the University told me when I applied.

Specializes in PACU.
a typical baccalaureate degree requirement is 120-128 [semester] credits, depending upon your state board of education.

yep, with minor clarification.

my bsn program offers 30 semester hours worth of 300 level credit for passing the nclex/having an rn license. most others i've looked into have had something similar. pre-reqs and general ed classes required for your adn should count. i had a previous general aa so all i've got to do is 30 sem hrs of bsn classes to finish my bsn. even without that, the amt you likely have left is likely a lot less than 100 semester hrs.

A typical baccalaureate degree requirement is 120-128 credits, depending upon your state board of education.

In the case of an RN already licensed (with either an associates degree, or diplomate certificate granted equivalent credit), the first half of the 120 or so credits will likely be waived based on previous course work. So, in essence, you'll likely have to complete the rest (60 or so credits) in the 18 months. I suggest that you bring your transcript to the school and have it reviewed to see where you stand academically.

Most diplomate or associate prepared RNs I have known who completed their BSN that way took about 2 or 3 years.

Ditto. That's exactly how UNC Chapel Hill does it.

I seem to recall seeing a program that accepted in no more than 70 credits from previous work with a total of 125 needed for completion. This is about the average.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.

My BSN program required 127 credits.

Specializes in COHC.

Thanks to all of you. This really helps out. I kind of figured that most schools had similar requirements. I'll probably stick with this school, dig in, and see how it goes. Happy Holidays to all.

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