Transferring nursing programs is possible. Whether it makes sense for your specific situation is a different question — and one that requires honest math about credits, time, money, and what you are leaving behind. The most important thing to understand before you start researching programs: most nursing schools will not accept your nursing course credits. You can typically transfer prerequisites, general education requirements, and liberal arts credits. The nursing sequence — fundamentals, pharmacology, med-surg, OB, peds, psych nursing — you will almost certainly restart from the beginning.
Quick decision guide
| Your situation | Consider transferring? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Program NCLEX pass rate below 80% for 2+ consecutive years | Strong yes | Pass rate predicts your licensure outcome |
| Program lost accreditation or is on probation | Immediate yes | Graduating from unaccredited program means no NCLEX eligibility |
| Relocating to another state | Evaluate carefully | Credits may transfer; nursing sequence typically won't |
| Financial hardship — cheaper program exists | Possibly, if time cost is acceptable | Starting over 1–2 semesters has its own cost |
| Poor clinical placement quality | Worth investigating | Clinical site quality directly affects boards prep and job prospects |
| Academic dismissal | Evaluate program's policies | Some programs accept dismissed students; many won't |
| Personality conflict with instructor | Usually no | Instructors change; programs don't — try internal remedies first |
| General dissatisfaction, no specific issue | No | Grass is not greener; disruption cost is high |
The hard truth about nursing credit transfers
Nursing program credits are among the hardest in higher education to transfer. Here is why:
Every nursing program structures its curriculum differently. One school’s Fundamentals of Nursing may cover skills and theory that another school’s program spreads across two separate courses. One program uses a specific standardized testing vendor (ATI, HESI, Kaplan); another uses a different framework. Clinical rotations are tied to specific facility contracts that do not transfer between institutions.
What this means practically: when you arrive at a new nursing program with transcripts showing N101, N102, N201, and N202 completed, the admissions office at the new school will almost universally say: these credits are from another institution’s nursing program and do not align with our curriculum. You start nursing courses over.
What DOES typically transfer:
- Science prerequisites (A&P I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry) — if earned within the last 5–7 years, at most programs
- General education requirements (English, math, social sciences)
- Elective credits toward your general education requirements
- Statistics (often required; usually transfers cleanly)
What usually does NOT transfer:
- Nursing core courses (fundamentals, pharmacology, pathophysiology at nursing level)
- Clinical rotations and clinical hours
- Nursing skills lab credits
- ATI/HESI remediation credits
- Nursing theory courses
Some programs will occasionally accept transfer of a nursing prerequisite course if it was completed at an accredited institution with a grade of B or higher and within the last five years — but this is evaluated case-by-case and is the exception, not the rule.
Why NCLEX pass rates are the decision metric
Before you decide whether to transfer, look up the NCLEX first-attempt pass rate for your current program and any program you are considering. This is the single most predictive metric for whether a nursing program will get you to licensure.
NCSBN publishes NCLEX first-time pass rate data by program. State boards of nursing also maintain this data and it is public record. Search “[state] board of nursing NCLEX pass rates by program.”
What the data means:
| First-time NCLEX pass rate | What it signals | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 90%+ | Strong program, solid preparation | No reason to transfer for academic reasons |
| 80%–89% | Average to good; national average is ~80–83% | Evaluate other factors before deciding |
| 70%–79% | Below average; concerning but not catastrophic | Investigate why — is it a systemic or cohort issue? |
| Below 70% | Serious programmatic problem | Transfer is worth the cost and disruption |
| On probation / at risk of losing state approval | Existential risk to your credential | Transfer immediately |
Programs with persistently low pass rates are often on state board of nursing watch lists. If a program loses state board approval, students in the pipeline may be unable to sit for NCLEX — this is a low-frequency but catastrophic outcome that is worth taking seriously.
Accreditation: what you must verify before applying to a new program
Two accrediting bodies govern nursing programs:
- ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) — accredits LPN/LVN, ADN, BSN, MSN, and DNP programs
- CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) — accredits BSN and graduate-level programs only
Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Graduation from an ACEN or CCNE accredited program meets state board of nursing requirements for NCLEX eligibility in all 50 states.
Graduating from a program that is not accredited by ACEN or CCNE is a serious problem. Some states will still allow NCLEX eligibility for graduates of state-approved but non-nationally-accredited programs — but many employers, graduate nursing programs, and military/VA nursing positions require ACEN or CCNE accreditation. If your current program lacks this accreditation and the new one has it, that alone can justify the transfer disruption cost.
Also check: is the program approved by your state’s board of nursing? Accreditation and state board approval are separate. A program can be nationally accredited but not yet approved in a new state where it recently expanded. Confirm state board approval before you submit an application.
When to seriously consider transferring
Your program’s NCLEX pass rates are declining
If the most recent three cohorts show a downward trajectory — 85%, then 78%, then 71% — something is systemically wrong with the program. Faculty turnover, curriculum misalignment with current NCLEX-Next Generation format, inadequate remediation, poor clinical placement — any of these can cause declining pass rates. A single bad year is not conclusive. Two or three declining years is a warning sign worth acting on.
Accreditation is at risk
Programs placed on probation by ACEN or CCNE are required to post that status publicly. Check the ACEN and CCNE websites for your current program. If you find a probationary status, call the program’s accrediting body for details. Programs have typically 18–36 months to remediate. If you are 12 months from graduation, the risk may be acceptable. If you are 24 months out, the calculus is different.
You are relocating
Geographic relocation is the most straightforward transfer reason and the one most programs are accustomed to handling. You will still likely restart nursing courses, but the conversation with admissions will be familiar to them. Bring your transcripts, note your prerequisites clearly, and be realistic about losing one to two semesters.
Financial hardship makes a cheaper program viable
Community college ADN programs are consistently less expensive than private university BSN programs. If the financial situation has changed and a nearby ADN program is an option, the math can work — but run the numbers honestly. Two additional semesters of tuition at the cheaper program may offset the savings depending on your living costs.
A related consideration: the RN-to-BSN pathway. If you are in a BSN program that is financially straining you, transferring to an ADN program, graduating, passing NCLEX, and completing an online RN-to-BSN program while working is a viable alternative. It costs more time but less concurrent financial pressure.
The transfer process, step by step
Step 1: Gather your transcripts. Request official transcripts from your current program immediately. Note which courses have associated nursing credit hours vs. general education hours.
Step 2: Research programs that accept transfer students. Not all programs accept transfer nursing students. Some programs only admit students into the first semester of the nursing sequence. Look for programs explicitly noting “transfer-friendly admission” or “advanced standing for transfer students” on their admissions pages.
Step 3: Contact admissions — specifically, not generally. Email or call the nursing admissions coordinator, not general admissions. Ask specifically: which of my nursing courses, if any, do you accept as transfer credit? What prerequisites will I need to repeat? What semester would I enter?
Step 4: Request a credit evaluation. Many programs will do an informal credit evaluation before you formally apply. This is worth requesting. A formal application fee is not worth paying until you understand what you are walking into.
Step 5: Apply as a new student. Most nursing programs require you to apply through the general admissions process as a new applicant. Having a nursing background does not automatically accelerate your application. Competitive GPA requirements (typically 3.0–3.5 for science courses) still apply.
Step 6: Negotiate prerequisite credit transfer. Science prerequisites are your best leverage. A&P I and II, Microbiology, and Statistics taken at an accredited institution with a B or better, within the last five to seven years, should transfer. If a program refuses to transfer clearly equivalent prerequisites, that is a red flag about the program’s flexibility and culture.
Step 7: Plan financially. Assume you will lose at least one semester, possibly two. Calculate tuition, living costs, delayed income, and any financial aid implications. Federal financial aid SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) requirements may be affected if you have previous academic standing issues.
Alternatives to transferring
Before committing to a transfer, consider whether one of these alternatives addresses the underlying problem:
Academic remediation. Many programs have structured remediation for students struggling with course content. If your concern is academic performance, remediation or tutoring within the current program is cheaper and faster than a transfer.
Leave of absence. Most programs offer leaves of absence (LOA) for medical, financial, or personal reasons. An LOA preserves your seat in the program and your financial aid eligibility while you address the issue. It is not visible on transcripts as a transfer.
Petition to the department chair. If the issue is a specific clinical placement, instructor conflict, or program policy, a formal written petition to the nursing department chair is often more effective and less disruptive than a full transfer.
Program change within the same institution. If you are in a BSN program and the same university offers an ADN program, or vice versa, an internal transfer is considerably easier than moving to a different institution. Credits stay within the institution’s ecosystem.
Red flags to watch for in the new program
When evaluating a potential transfer program, investigate:
- NCLEX pass rate trend (not just one year)
- State board of nursing approval status
- ACEN or CCNE accreditation status
- Student-to-faculty ratio in clinical courses
- Clinical site quality and variety (look for Magnet hospitals, level 1 trauma centers)
- Tuition per credit hour vs. total program cost (many programs bundle fees)
- NCLEX remediation resources and ATI/HESI usage
- What percentage of faculty hold MSN or higher credentials
A program with a 95% NCLEX pass rate, CCNE accreditation, and strong clinical placement is worth starting over for. A program with a 72% pass rate and no apparent remediation infrastructure is not.
Related guides: how to become a registered nurse, ADN vs BSN, nursing school cost, nursing school scholarships, accelerated BSN programs, second degree nursing programs.
FAQ
Can you transfer nursing school credits to another program? Prerequisite and general education credits typically transfer if earned at an accredited institution within the last five to seven years. Nursing core course credits — fundamentals, pharmacology, med-surg, clinical rotations — almost never transfer. Most transfer students restart the nursing sequence from the first semester.
How do I find NCLEX pass rates for nursing programs? NCSBN publishes NCLEX pass rate data by program and state. Your state’s board of nursing website also maintains program-specific pass rate data, typically updated annually. Search “[your state] board of nursing NCLEX pass rates” for direct links.
Will transferring nursing programs hurt my GPA or transcripts? Transfer credits that are accepted will appear on your transcript at the receiving institution. Courses not accepted do not appear at the new institution. Your GPA at the new institution starts fresh unless the school calculates a cumulative transfer GPA — ask the admissions office. Courses that were failed at the previous institution should be disclosed; nursing programs typically ask about this directly.
Do nursing programs accept students who were dismissed from another program? Some do, some don’t. Programs that accept dismissed students typically require a minimum time away (one to two semesters), a written explanation of what changed, and strong prerequisite grades. Being dismissed from one nursing program does not permanently bar you from nursing school, but it narrows your options and requires a credible remediation narrative.
How long does it take to transfer nursing programs? The application process takes 1–3 months depending on program cycles. Most programs admit twice yearly (fall and spring). Adding the lost semester(s) from restarting the nursing sequence, expect a 6–18 month setback from your original graduation timeline.
Is it better to finish a bad nursing program or transfer? If your program is accredited, state-approved, and has an NCLEX pass rate above 80%, finishing is usually better. The transfer disruption cost — time, money, lost credits — is real. If the program is on accreditation probation, has pass rates below 75%, or lacks state board approval, the risk of staying outweighs the cost of leaving.