[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]

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[hen-ui-card variant=”background-gray”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Question: I became a nurse in 1978 with an AS degree. I have been working ever since but I am wondering about getting a BS degree. My college coursework is ancient although my GPA was 3.0 at the time. Do I have to take all those courses again? Will online programs use my old college work?[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]First, congratulations on your decision to return to school! Furthering your education increases your career advancement options and salary potential. But you ask: Do nursing school credits expire?[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Technically, the answer to your question is no. College credits do not expire. However, how transferable they are may diminish over time. There are ways to check the specifics of your classes, but here are some general rules to follow:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Core classes:[/hen-ui-text] These are the general education classes that you took as part of your degree. They are evergreen and often easily transfer between schools.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]STEM:[/hen-ui-text] These are science, technology, engineering, and math courses. They have a 10-year shelf life since advancements in the field mean the content is likely outdated after 10 years.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Life experience:[/hen-ui-text] In some cases, your job and life experiences can be relevant. We’ll talk more about how to use this option to leverage your knowledge and experience to graduate faster.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep in mind that these are general rules. Programs have a variety of protocols for accepting past college credits. It will help if you seek out an innovative and accredited nursing program that can reduce the time and expense to complete your bachelor’s degree.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Accredited [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/best-online-rn-to-bsn-programs/”]online RN-to-BSN programs[/hen-ui-link] have a high percentage of working students who hope to transfer credits from their first degree. Accredited in-person nursing programs are also seeking to reduce the nursing shortage by admitting and graduating qualified candidates.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Consider how the program may meet your needs to transfer credits, flexible scheduling to accommodate work, and part-time or accelerated options.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Are My Current Credits Transferable?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It is helpful to know that most general education credits do not expire. However, it is important to understand how to check whether your credits will transfer. The first question to answer is whether your intended program and your first program are nationally or regionally accredited.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is the program accredited?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//what-is-accreditation/”]Nursing school accreditation[/hen-ui-link] is a peer review process that certifies graduates have received an education that qualifies them to practice as registered nurses. Universities are also accredited by national or regional organizations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Regional accreditation is generally the most prestigious. Universities and colleges can be accredited by one of six regional bodies. National accreditation is generally given to career programs, vocational schools, or industry-specific certifications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Regionally accredited schools only accept credits from other regionally accredited institutions. Nationally accredited programs accept transfer credits from regionally and nationally accredited programs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Do you have your transcript?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]College credits can be transferred across state lines. When you’re planning to resume your college education, contact your first program for an unofficial transcript. Schools are required to keep your transcript on file for as long as the program remains open.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Your transcript will list the classes you took and the grades you received. When [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/applying-to-nursing-school/”]applying to your new nursing program[/hen-ui-link], they will likely require an official transcript that is sent directly from the school unopened. You may be able to see your transcript online after paying a nominal fee.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Speak directly with an admissions counselor in the program where you are applying. They can review your transcript and help with how many of your credits are eligible for transfer. If you believe more credits should be eligible, you can appeal , apply to a new program, or consider testing out of credits.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Can you accelerate or test out of the program?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One way to test out of class is to use a [hen-ui-link href=”https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-exams”]College Level Examination Program[/hen-ui-link] (CLEP) test. There are 34 CLEP tests that each cost $90. If you pass, this can lower your tuition and time to complete prerequisite general education classes.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Another [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.sophia.org/”]option is Sophia[/hen-ui-link]. This online platform gives students access to 48 different classes that often transfer to the program of their choice. Each class costs $99 per month. Students can complete the class as quickly or as slowly as they like.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In other words, you can take a class for $99 and complete it in one month or three. If it takes three months, it will cost $297, which is still far less expensive. This lowers your tuition costs and time to complete your program. Students should check with their program to ensure it accepts credits from Sophia.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is a Prior-Learning Assessment?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning your bachelor’s degree can be a financial and time investment. You can potentially earn college credit for your prior workplace learning, life circumstances, and other nonacademic experiences.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]One [hen-ui-link href=”https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31107813/”]2020 study[/hen-ui-link] found nursing students who used prior-learning assessments (PLAs) had a higher graduation rate than students who did not use PLAs. Students found them to be flexible and affordable.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cael.org/news-and-resources/how-to-get-credit-for-prior-learning-in-nursing-programs”]Council for Adult and Experiential Learning[/hen-ui-link] (CAEL), students who received PLA credit saved up to 14 months of study time. CAEL works with postsecondary institutions to improve the adult learning experience.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Adult learners enter the educational system backed by years of experience from life, work, and the military. They often have completed self-study or open educational resources, as well as formal training outside the classroom.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]How Colleges Evaluate Prior Learning[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Colleges can use various methods to [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.cael.org/lp/pla”]validate and recognize[/hen-ui-link] this experience. Some of the methods typically used to evaluate student experiences include work experience, professional training, and standardized examinations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Schools can also use challenge exams or reviews of licenses, certifications, or external training. There are several benefits to the student and the institution. These include saving time, saving money, and helping adult students meet their goals of completing their education quickly and affordably.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Schools find that students are enrolled in more classes and there is a higher graduation rate, which reflects well on the program. There are four options for nursing students who wish to take advantage of PLAs:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Portfolio review[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This can be evaluated by CAEL or the nursing faculty. The portfolio must demonstrate your mastery of the subject area. Schools may have many requirements for the portfolio, which is a formal document that can include your autobiography, resume, goal statements, bibliography, and letters of verification and documentation.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Standardized examination[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This can be offered by several organizations but must be approved by your institution. The College Board’s College Level Examination or [hen-ui-link href=”https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/”]Advanced Placement Examination[/hen-ui-link] may meet the requirements.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Program challenge exam[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Some nursing programs create a challenge [hen-ui-link href=”/resources//nursing-entrance-exams-guide/”]nursing entrance examination[/hen-ui-link] that is a rigorous assessment of your knowledge in the subject area.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Credit[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/About-Learning-Evaluation.aspx”]American Council on Education[/hen-ui-link] or the [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nationalccrs.org/”]National College Credit Recommendation Service[/hen-ui-link] can award credit for military training, years of employment, or volunteer service.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]It is important students work with their admission counselor to determine the credits that may transfer. Even in cases where your coursework is 30 years old, the key is to find a program that works with your experience — not against it.[/hen-ui-text]