How easy it it to.....

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Specializes in LTC & Med-Surg, L&D, Pre-Op Clinic.

I was curious how easy it is to transfer into a nursing program. I haven't started nursing school yet. My husband is in the navy and we move around every 3 years, which makes it almost impossible to start and finish nursing school in one place, especially with waiting lists.

We never where we are moving next, for instance, we are in Honolulu now, but next we could move to any military base in just about 2 years. We only have about a 3-4 month window that gives us a heads up of where we will end up...it could be Japan, it could be Washington, it could be Virginia...we just don't know.

Right now I have one semester until I am done with a pre-nursing associates (including chem 1 & 2, anat-phis 1 & 2, and a pharmacy course), but I really would like to continue in immediately with my education.

Any info about transferring would be appreciated, as well as any words of advice!

Also, if I were to get accepted, should I hide the fact that I will be transfering or be upfront about it?

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It really depends on the school.

If transferring is impossible, couldn't you just finish up with the program and meet up with hubby later? You might have to be separated for a few months, but if it's the only way to get your RN that may be worth it.

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How easy? It's not easy at all. In fact, to be totally honest, don't rely on it as a strategy. Do the pre-reqs and ANY courses that schools generally require. Do some research on this because this is important. Don't miss any prereq's or "nursing department general studies requirements" or that may delay you a semester. Notice the classes that some schools require but others don't (development through the lifespan, medical ethics, even chemistry).

Then, the next time you are transferred, run like h_!! and get into a school so that you can do the 4 to 6 semesters while you are in one place.

Why do I say all this? I was 23 hours from graduation when we were transferred. I'm looking at adult health 2, community, etc. Not a lot. Every school I looked at (all BSN programs) required a minimum number of hours in residence at that school (30 to 34 depending on the school). So it's actually a good thing :angryfire (right) that I have to go back and take "general education" classes. Each school had its own list of these requirements and they varied widely.

Planning to transfer during nursing school is not a plan. If you are ok with breaking up the family until you are done, maybe that would work. I have little kids, so that wasn't for me, so I'm transferring into a new school for Fall semester.

Some things I found out the hard way:

-some nursing schools only offer classes once a year or once every other year.

-some nursing schools do not accept transfer credit of actual nursing school credits at all - only "core" or general education classes

-every nursing school divides the curriculum for the NCLEX differently. I took classes that are not offered at all at some schools and yet the material is in there somewhere.

-keep every syllabus you ever get. Any new school will want to read exactly what you allegedly learned when you took fundamentals and anything else in nursing. If you do try to transfer during nursing school you will need these assembled in a neat fashion. (doing this saved my rear)

-at every school there is a decision maker who can evaluate your situation and tell you straight how long it will take to finish. Finding this person fast is important. I have wasted tons of time in meetings with people who had zero say-so in my situation but acted like they were major power-brokers.

Your nursing education is ultimately your responsibility. If I were in your shoes, I might consider a short diploma program to get my license, then go for an online BSN that you could complete from anywhere.

Best of luck. My classes at my new school begin in August. I'm thrilled at the miracle that is my nursing school transfer and hope NOBODY has to go through this too.

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Sorry that post was so long. Hope it helps.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I too was a military wife during nursing school. Here's my saga:

1. Overseas from 1979 to 1990 (Japan, Spain, Alaska, Korea). In Alaska, I did a few correspondence courses - this was before computer and the internet.

2. Moved to Las Vegas in 1990 - did pre-reqs and got my LPN too in 1992 then,

3. Moved to Indianapolis in 1992 - got my ADN as quick as I could then,

4. Hubby retires in 1995 and we move in 1996 to central IL

5. After 8 years experience as an RN, did my BSN, MSN and post-MSN.

Not easy by any means. Doable but you have to have much patience and be willing to repeat classes if they are too old, not the right amount of hours, etc.

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I tryed transfering to a different state and they did not accept any of my credits, so I ended up taking a CMA program.

Double check with the area you are moving to before you change, policies are different state to state and just because it is allowed doesn't mean you will get accepted into a new program, some don't allow transfer to their school.

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Unless you plan on always saying you started to go to nursing school but could never finish, you had better come up with a concrete plan. Transferring is almost out of the question. Even in times when nursing school seats aren't at a premium, one program does not necessarily "interlock" with another. Nursing schools are not easy about transfer students. The best thing to do is to come up with a central location where you are accepted at a program and plan to stay there until you finish, with or without your children. During this time your husband can "batch" an assignment or two. Otherwise, you just won't be able to finish. Sorry to have to say this, but its the realistic way of looking at it.

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