[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ tag=”em”]In our [hen-ui-link href=”/ask-a-nurse/”]Ask a Nurse[/hen-ui-link] series, experienced nurses provide an insider look at the nursing profession by answering your questions about nursing careers, degrees, and resources.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-separator /][hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Question: Can a non-nursing associate degree-holder enroll in a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program? Will any of my credits transfer over?[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Answer:[/hen-ui-text] Absolutely — though how long it will take and the exact pathway you will follow will depend a lot on the degree you’ve already earned and the coursework you’ve taken.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In addition to the nursing coursework, traditional [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/four-year-bsn-degree/” target=”_blank”]four-year BSN programs[/hen-ui-link] require general education courses such as English, history, and math. Depending on the classes that you took for your associate degree, some or all of these credits may transfer to your [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/rn-and-bsn-degree-differences/” target=”_blank”]BSN degree[/hen-ui-link]. As a result, you may need to take fewer credits, which can shorten your graduation timeline by a year or two.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It is important to note that most BSN programs have a lengthy list of [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/degree-requirements/” target=”_blank”]prerequisites that need[/hen-ui-link] to be completed before you can be eligible to take nursing courses. Some prerequisites are listed below:[/hen-ui-text]

• Human anatomy and physiology I and II
• Human nutrition
• Psychology
• Statistics
• Microbiology
• Human growth and development
• General chemistry

[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]If your degree did not include any of this coursework, it may be easier (and more cost-effective) to take your prerequisites at your convenience before applying to a nursing program. You can take your courses at your own pace — whether that’s one at a time or in two semesters.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While many programs are on-campus, more online options are becoming available. However, even if you’re enrolled in an online program, you must complete your clinical experiences at an in-person location. Most programs require clinical experiences in general medical/surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and psychiatric care, at a minimum. You may also need to spend time at a skilled nursing facility to learn the basics of providing nursing care.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The best and first thing you should do is to contact the nursing programs you are interested in applying to and ask to speak with an advisor. They should be able to point you in the right direction.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-card variant=”background-secondary” border=”shadow” rounded=”lg” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]In Summary[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the coursework you took for your associate degree, some of the credits may transfer toward your BSN general education requirements. In some situations, you may want to consider taking the prerequisite science courses prior to applying to nursing school. Contact the nursing program or admissions department of the school(s) you’d like to attend to get more information about their requirements.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card]