Ask A Nurse: Will My Non-Nursing Associate Degree Transfer To A BSN?

Yes, though how long it takes and the exact path depend on the degree you already hold and the coursework behind it.

Traditional four-year BSN programs require general education courses on top of the nursing curriculum, things like English, history, and math. Depending on what you took for your associate degree, some or all of those credits may transfer, which can cut your timeline by a year or two.

Most BSN programs also carry a long prerequisite list you have to clear before you are eligible for nursing courses. Common ones include human anatomy and physiology I and II, human nutrition, psychology, statistics, microbiology, human growth and development, and general chemistry.

If your degree did not cover those, it is usually easier and cheaper to knock out prerequisites on your own before applying. Take them at your own pace, one at a time or a full semester at once.

Most programs are on campus, but online options keep growing. Even online, you complete clinicals in person. Expect rotations in general medical/surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psychiatric care at a minimum, and possibly time in a skilled nursing facility for the basics of bedside care.

First move: contact the programs you are interested in and ask to speak with an advisor. They will tell you exactly which of your credits count and what you still need.