Changing Careers: Turning Your Nursing Experience into Nursing Credits

Driven by aging baby boomers and an expanded emphasis on preventive treatment, employment for registered nurses (RNs) is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, outpacing the average growth for all occupations. This increasing demand makes nursing a more and more attractive career option.

But in some healthcare settings, there's been a push toward requiring nurses to hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), which could send many working nurses back to school. Some nurses pursuing bachelor's degrees already have associate degrees in nursing or nursing diplomas, and that educational experience could earn them significant nursing credits in a bachelor’s program.

If you hold an associate degree or a diploma, several of the credits you've earned could be transferable to a nursing bachelor’s program—but there are some things you'll need to consider when you look over your transcript. You could already be well on your way to becoming a bachelor's-prepared registered nurse. Read on to learn more.

Is It Too Late to Become a Nurse?

Many working adults may wonder if it’s too late for them to become a nurse. Some may feel unable to advance beyond the role of certified nursing assistant (CNA) or licensed practical nurse (LPN). Others might not have any prior nursing experience or would like to transition from an adjacent healthcare job. It’s never too late to become a nurse with a BSN. As long as they research their options and commit enough time and effort, those aspiring to a long-term nursing career can find and thrive in a position that suits their goals.

Plus, the demand for nurses isn’t decreasing anytime soon. RN employment is growing faster than average, and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) jobs like nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner are projected to grow by a substantial 40% over the next decade.

How to Pursue a Degree in Nursing

What are the best options to pursue a nursing degree? The answer largely depends on your current level of educational experience. If you haven’t earned licensure but hold an associate degree or nursing diploma, you can enroll in a prelicensure program, after which you’ll become a registered nurse and earn a BSN. If you’re already an RN, you might consider an RN-to-BSN program, which can potentially be completed faster, especially online.

You may accelerate your path to a nursing degree by transferring existing credits to your bachelor’s program. Additionally, some online programs—like those at WGU—reward prior nursing experience and let you progress through coursework as quickly as you master the material.

What College Experience Is Transferable to Nursing School?

If you’ve earned an associate degree or nursing diploma, the courses you took provided you with a foundational nursing education. A number of the credits you accrued during this time may be transferred to a BSN program—be sure to consult with a relevant enrollment counselor and ask about their school’s credit transfer policy to determine the amount of transferable credits.

College courses that could yield transferable nursing credits typically include the following:

• English Composition 1
• Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
• Applied Healthcare Statistics

Keep in mind that some schools require a transcript review or course-by-course evaluation as part of the transfer process.

How Can Prospective Students Capitalize on Their Experience at WGU?

WGU’s competency-based learning model allows nursing students to accelerate their pace according to their prior healthcare knowledge. Since the curriculum is built around competency mastery, students can apply that knowledge to advance more quickly through courses and assessments.

Apart from accumulating required clinical hours at partnered healthcare centers, nurses enrolled at WGU can take advantage of its career-forward learning model to graduate faster and potentially save money while doing so.

What Skills Will Help New Students Succeed?

Many nurses are already excellent at time management, problem-solving, and multitasking—these skills are invaluable when beginning a new degree program. But those aren't the only skills that may boost your chances of success.

Nursing school usually requires students to exercise computer and technology skills, especially if the program is fully online. Good study habits and consistent critical thinking also enhance the student experience and help to keep students accountable for their coursework.

Other soft skills like communication, collaboration, and organization are highly beneficial. Nursing students should stay in regular contact with their enrollment counselors, course instructors, and other key individuals.

What Else Should Prospective Students Know?

If you're looking to transfer your prior experience into nursing credits at WGU, it's easy to get started. Be sure to keep the following in mind:

• You must submit your official transcripts by the first day of the month prior to your start date. It takes time to review your information, and you'll need to plan accordingly if you have a specific start date in mind. Your transcripts must come directly from the institution you earned them from, and they must be sent to WGU officially by mail or electronic delivery.
• If applicable, include any relevant AP test scores or college-level exam program scores you have, and note any military credits you might have.

A Head Start on Your Nursing Career

The decision to go back to school could be just what you need for a career change, and it may even propel your nursing career to the next level. Remember—you might be further along than you think.

Whether you’re hoping to become a primary or acute care nurse, home health nurse, nurse anesthetist, or one of any number of other roles, talking with a WGU Enrollment Counselor can help you better understand which credits you can transfer to achieve your goals faster.