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.
Finishing the BSN is worth the effort. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing reports that most employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that RNs with a BSN tend to have the best job prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my non-nursing associate degree transfer to a BSN?
Often, at least in part. General education credits like English, history, and math frequently transfer, which can shorten your timeline. Nursing-specific coursework will not transfer, since your prior degree was not in nursing.
Which credits are most likely to count?
General education and any science prerequisites that match the BSN program's requirements. Courses like human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, statistics, and psychology may carry over if the content and credit hours line up.
What prerequisites do BSN programs usually require?
Common ones include human anatomy and physiology I and II, human nutrition, psychology, statistics, microbiology, human growth and development, and general chemistry. The exact list varies by program.
Is it cheaper to take prerequisites before applying?
Usually, yes. Knocking out missing prerequisites on your own, one at a time or a semester at a time, is typically easier and less expensive than enrolling first and catching up later.
Do online BSN programs still require in-person clinicals?
Yes. Even fully online programs require hands-on clinical rotations completed in person, typically in medical/surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psychiatric settings.
How do I find out exactly what transfers?
Contact each program's admissions or academic advisor with your transcript. They evaluate your specific credits and tell you what counts and what you still need.
Why finish the BSN at all?
Most employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that RNs with a BSN generally have the strongest job opportunities.