Finish WGU’s BS Nursing (Pre-Licensure) Faster and Smarter

Why WGU’s BS Nursing (Pre-Licensure) is Perfect for Degree Hacking

WGU’s hybrid BSN (Pre-licensure) blends online courses with in-person labs and local clinical rotations, all structured in six-month terms. By preparing early, you’ll be able to focus fully on clinical training once you start the program.

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Below are focused reasons this program can be accelerated with the right plan:

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Three Structural Wins for Speed & Savings

• Six‑month, competency‑based terms, letting faster you advance once you demonstrate mastery
• Pre‑admission transfer of 10 required prerequisites, plus potential credit for biochemistry, pharmacology, and applied healthcare statistics
• Cohort clinical model in defined locations, keeping timelines predictable once admitted

Career & Clinical Readiness, Without Wasted Credits

• Curriculum aligned to National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX‑RN) with simulation labs and supervised clinicals that build real‑world confidence
• Program is CCNE-accredited and includes state-by-state licensure disclosures for clarity on eligibility
• Pathways into in‑demand RN roles across hospitals, clinics, long‑term care, and community health

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years (And How to Do It in 6–12 Months)

Why Most People Take 3–4 Years:

Many aspiring nurses, even the highly motivated, end up taking three to four years to reach graduation. The biggest slowdowns often occur before they ever start WGU’s clinical work.

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Here's Aa quick look at the common pitfalls:

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• They underuse transfer‑first options: Skipping alternative college credit sources for prerequisites means paying more and waiting longer for admission.
• They don’t batch prerequisites: Taking one class at a time instead of stacking multiple low‑cost courses delays eligibility for the next WGU start.
• They apply before being ready: Applying without all 10 required prereqs can push them into a later cohort and extend the overall timeline.
• They misunderstand in‑program transfers: Once admitted, nursing core must be done at WGU, so missing pre‑admission transfers removes the chance to save later.

Here's what degree hackers do that others don't:

• Max out pre‑admission credits: Knock out all 10 prerequisites plus eligible extras (biochemistry, pharmacology, applied healthcare statistics) with ACE/NCCRS options where allowed.
• Stack and schedule aggressively: Plan a 6–12 week sprint of online courses and targeted CLEP/DSST exams to meet WGU’s prerequisite list fast.
• Lock the cohort date early: Finish prereqs, then apply for the earliest location‑cohort you can attend, keeping only the clinical terms for WGU.
• Result: 2.5-3 years, for ~$44,775 to ~$53,730 total tuition fee

With smart planning, your BSN can be faster and more affordable. In WGU’s BS Nursing (Pre-licensure) program, completing transferable credits early helps you save money and stay focused on hands-on clinical learning.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack WGU’s BS in Nursing (Pre-Licensure)

These tips reflect what has worked for successful WGU prelicensure applicants in recent cohorts. The goal is to move as many eligible credits as possible to low-cost sources before admission, keeping your WGU terms focused on clinical experience and easy to plan.

WGU BS Nursing (Prelicensure) Pre-Enrollment Hacks:

• ‍Front-loadgeneral education requirements – Use affordable course providers like Study.com (starting around $95/month with the College Starter plan) to complete transferable credits before you apply.
• ‍Test out of general subjects – Bring in CLEP ($97/exam) or DSST ($100/exam) credits to satisfy eligible general education areas accepted by WGU.
• Create your personalized transfer map – Develop a custom plan that sequences alternative credits and exams, showing cost, pacing, and backup options before you enroll using DegreeHacked.org.
• Request early transcript evaluations – Submit all transcripts and exam results to WGU in advance so the university can confirm prerequisite completion and additional transfer opportunities.

WGU BS Nursing (Prelicensure) Degree Hacking Plan

BS Nursing (Prelicensure) Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn’t

For WGU’s prelicensure BSN, the smart move is to transfer required coursework before you enter the program. WGU requires 10 specific prerequisites for consideration and may also accept Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Applied Healthcare Statistics for degree credit. Once admitted, nursing core courses, labs, and clinical experiences are completed at WGU with partner sites.

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Below is a quick 120 competency unit (CU) map to orient your planning:

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• Prerequisite coursework before admission: 10 courses (transferable) ‍
• ~60 CUs: Pre-nursing courses (mix of transferable and WGU only) ‍
• ~60 CUs: Nursing courses (mostly WGU only)

BS Nursing (Pre-Licensure) Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

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Why Degree Hacking Works for BS Nursing (Pre-Licensure) Students:

• Bigger savings up front: Push lower‑cost providers for prerequisites and allowable extras so WGU tuition covers only high‑impact clinical terms
• ‍Clock‑speed advantage: Six‑month terms keep momentum once admitted, while your pre‑work shortens time to your first clinical term
• ‍Career‑focused sequencing: You arrive at WGU ready to focus on NCLEX‑aligned labs and rotations, not gen‑eds

Ready for Your Complete Plan?

This is what's included in your plan:

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✓ A mapped 120‑credit view with WGU‑approved prerequisite/elective options

✓ Study.com course IDs and other online course providers, plus CLEP/DSST exam codes

✓ Transparent cost and timeline scenarios to your target cohort

✓ Backup providers if an equivalency changes

Applying to WGU for the BS Nursing (Pre-Licensure)

When to Apply: Best Timing for Enrollment

Apply after you finish all 10 prerequisites and any eligible extras so you can target the earliest available cohort in your location. Prelicensure start dates are cohort‑based and not monthly, so complete prerequisites first, then align your application to the next start.

WGU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Apply online and submit official transcripts and test scores
• Meet minimum science‑GPA and Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) requirements, then confirm cohort availability in your area
• Transfer evaluation confirms you’ve met the 10 prerequisites and any additional course transfers

WGU Tuition and Other Aid Information

• Per Six-Month Term tuition: $8,955 (includes resource fees) + additional fees
• Financial aid available for eligible students; speak with WGU about scholarship options and state‑specific requirements
• Finish in fewer terms and cut down on your tuition fee significantly via online course options and more

WGU BS Nursing (Pre-Licensure) Career ROI

• Median annual RN salary: ~$93,600
• Degree payback time: 7–8 months of median RN earnings (not including day-to-day costs)
• Typical roles: Registered Nurse in hospitals, clinics, long‑term care, community health, and specialty units
• Strong demand: steady national need for RNs with consistent openings and advancement potential