Question:

Dear Donna,

I enrolled in a two-year associate’s degree in nursing program at a community college about 10 years ago. I have been trying to return to school since then and believe now is the right time. The school would not accept my credentials because it has been more than 10 years and want me to retake all the courses, including the prerequisites. Are there any nursing schools that will accept my transcripts, given they are more than 10 years old?

Ten-Year-Old Credentials

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Ten-Year-Old Credentials,

Although there may be a school out there that would accept some of your credits (I don’t know of any), most BSN programs do not accept courses that are more than 10 years old — the reason being that so much has changed in that time frame. I know it is annoying, frustrating and disappointing. I would advise you to do what you have to do to further your education at this time. You’re right — the time is right and it is a smart thing to do.

Read “Go back to school and change your life” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/BacktoSchool) and “Master the scholarship game” (www.Nurse.com/Cardillo/ScholarshipGame).

Best wishes,
Donna