Guide to Transferring Nursing Schools
Are you moving unexpectedly or unhappy with your nursing program? Maybe you need to make a school change for financial reasons. In these cases, transferring nursing schools might be the right choice. But what is the transfer process like, and how can you prepare? Here’s what to know as you investigate a transfer and the process of changing programs.
About 13% of college students transfer to new schools in a single semester. But transferring when you’ve been admitted and already begun a nursing program is a little different — and less common. There are several reasons why nursing students might want to transfer programs, including:
- Relocation: Life circumstances change. Family might get sick or move, significant others might go through job changes, or students may need to relocate due to personal commitments.
- Program fit: Students may find that their current program doesn’t align with their learning style or career goals. Maybe the culture doesn’t feel right. These are valid reasons for wanting to make a school change.
- Accreditation and reputation: What if you enter a program and realize it’s not what you thought it would be? Transferring to a school with a better reputation or more rigorous academics might be the right choice.
- Finances: Financial situations can change, and students may realize they need to move to a school with lower tuition or more scholarship options.
Understanding the Transfer Process
Can nursing school credits be transferred? It depends. Credit transferability depends on several factors, including:
- Accreditation: Credits from accredited programs are more likely to be accepted by other accredited programs. If your current school isn’t accredited, you may have difficulty transferring credits to an accredited institution.
- Course equivalency and program alignment: Nursing schools are structured differently from one another — for example, some have two subsequent anatomy and physiology courses while others might have one. You might find it easier to transfer between schools with similar structures.
- Prerequisite requirements: Different programs have different class requirements for entering nursing courses. You might find that you have to go back and complete non-nursing prereq courses before you can qualify for a transfer.
- Grade requirements: Some schools may only accept credits for courses in which you earned a certain grade or higher.
- Time limits: Credits from courses taken several years ago may not be accepted, depending on the school’s policies.
How to Transfer Nursing Schools: 4 Steps
Step 1: Research Schools
First, do an internet search to create a short list of potential nursing schools. Look through their websites for information about the schools that accept nursing transfers. Not every school does, so it might be a good idea to check out online forums about programs in your area. Call an admissions counselor to inquire about the transfer process and see if you qualify.
While you’re researching your options, be wary of schools that may accept your course credits but are not approved by your state board of nursing. Transferring to an unaccredited or unapproved institution might mean you won’t qualify to take the NCLEX after graduation. It may also mean you have trouble if you want to pursue graduate school in the future.
Step 2: Understand Transferability and Make a Plan
Once you’ve got your shortlist of potential schools, it’s time to dig into the nitty-gritty of credit transferability. Start by gathering your transcripts and any other relevant documentation. You’ll use this information to understand which of your hard-earned credits can make the leap to your new school.
It’s a good idea to be in close communication with the admissions office as you make your new plan. Ask them about their credit evaluation process and what factors they consider when accepting transfer credits. Don’t be shy about asking detailed questions, and ask about any grade requirements or time limits.
Once you have a handle on which credits will transfer and which won’t, you can start mapping out a plan. You might need to repeat certain courses or take new ones if they are required at your new school. This might affect your graduation timeline, so it’s wise to create an estimate of how much transferring will shift your total tuition and costs.
Being proactive and organized is key. Be sure that you have a solid plan in place before leaving your current school if you want to continue with your nursing education.
Step 3: Plan And Submit Your Application
Now, it’s time to apply to your new school. Your academic advisor should be able to walk you through this process, because it may be different depending on where you’re going.
Some programs require admission to the main school before you can apply to the nursing program, while some have the opposite system. For example, if you’re looking for nursing schools in California that accept transfers, you’ll need to get into the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Nursing, and then be recommended for admission to the main university.
Read through the application requirements for your new school, and get your documents and paperwork ready in advance of the application deadline. This way you’ll have time if there’s something you’ve missed, or you need to update any documents. Typically, nursing school applications require the following:
- Official transcripts from your previous academic institutions
- Results from any placement exams such as the HESI, the TEAS, or others
- Letters of recommendation from clinical instructors, professors, or preceptors
- Personal essays
- An application fee
FAQs About Transferring Nursing Schools
Why is transferring schools harder for nursing students?
While transferring nursing schools isn’t impossible, it can be difficult. This is because of how programs are structured. There are a few reasons for this:
- Admissions criteria: Different nursing schools put emphasis on different things during their admissions process. They typically have different GPA requirements, prerequisites, and placement exams.
- NCLEX pass rates: Nursing schools have an incentive to be stringent about their admissions and transfer requirements because they want to keep their licensure exam pass rates high. This affects each school’s reputation and applications.
- Program structure: Nursing programs are typically structured with a specific sequence of courses and clinical experiences. Courses are designed to be taken in lock-step, building on your education from semester to semester. Transferring means interrupting this process.
Will transferring affect my timeline for graduation?
It depends on your credit transferability, but it’s certainly possible that transferring will delay your graduation date. If you contact an admissions counselor as soon as you know you need to transfer, you can give yourself the best chance of keeping your current school timeline.
How do I find nursing schools that accept transfers?
It can be hard to find information about transferring nursing schools on program sites because the process is very individualized depending on where you’re coming from and how late you are in your program. Your best bet may be to call around to schools in your area and ask to speak to an admissions professional.
What are my options if my course credits don’t transfer?
Learning that your credits won’t transfer can be frustrating. Below are some options if you find yourself in this situation.
- Appeal the decision: If you believe your credits should be accepted, contact your admissions or registrar’s office to inquire about their appeals process. Be prepared to provide detailed syllabi, course descriptions, and any other documentation that supports your case.
- Retake courses: While it’s not ideal, retaking courses at your new schools may be necessary to meet their requirements. This can also be an opportunity to improve your GPA and build a stronger application.
- Explore alternatives: If transferring to your desired program proves too challenging, research other nursing schools or programs.
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