How to Earn Your RN to BSN at GCU in 1 Year or Less

Why GCU’s Nursing (RN to BSN) Program is Perfect for Degree Hacking

Grand Canyon University’s online nursing program is a great fit for busy adults juggling work, life, and everything in between. If you're looking to earn your BSN without flipping your whole schedule upside down, this is a solid option and perfect for some smart degree hacking along the way. Here’s what makes this program hackable:

Generous Credit Transfer Policy

• Accepts up to 90 credits for transfer from previous coursework

• Satisfy many lower-division nursing requirements with your Registered Nurse (RN) licensure

• More credits transferred in = fewer classes (and tuition!) needed

Streamlined Curriculum Relevant to Working Nurses

• One-course-at-a-time design to help working professionals balance learning and their career

• Advanced lessons on clinical skills and leadership abilities that open doors to promotions

• Classes emphasize evidence-based practice and critical thinking to prepare you for more advanced nursing roles

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Why Most People Take 2+ Years (And How to Do It in 6–12 Months)

Why Most People Take 2+ Years

Most GCU students take about 2+ years and $40K+ to get their BSN degree at GCU or elsewhere because they don’t know that their degree can be “hacked.” Here’s what usually slows them down:

• They don’t leverage the full 90-credit limit: Many RNs transfer only a portion of their eligible credits, leaving dozens of courses still to complete.

• They repeat what they already know: Some students retake general education or nursing fundamentals instead of applying their RN license and previous coursework strategically.  

• They pay full price for every credit: Instead of reducing course load through smart credit use, they pay for classes that could’ve been covered by transfer or prior learning credit.

• They don't maximize the flexible course schedule: Without realizing GCU’s 5-week format allows for faster pacing, they stick to a slow, semester-based format.

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

• Transfer in up to 90 credits: Bring in previous nursing and general education coursework to skip unnecessary classes.

• Focus only on upper-division nursing courses: GCU’s program is designed for RNs so you only complete what’s needed to earn your BSN.

• Move quickly through 5-week courses: With year-round start dates and short course blocks, you can finish multiple classes in just months.

• Result: Graduate in <12 months for ~$10,200 total.

You can knock out the affordable courses first and then count on GCU for the nursing core classes it does best. You’ll still end up with a BSN degree all the same, except you did it faster and is easier on your wallet.

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Strategy Guide: Tips on How to Hack GCU’s Nursing (RN to BSN) Program

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Through insights gathered from GCU RN to BSN graduates, nursing professionals, and degree-hacking communities, we’ve built this accelerated BSN strategy guide.

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Our goal is to help you approach your RN to BSN program with clarity, avoid unnecessary delays, and structure your path to balance speed, cost, and clinical readiness.

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GCU Online Nursing Pre-Enrollment Hacks

• Complete Gen Eds affordably before enrolling - Use platforms like Study.com or take CLEP/DSST exams to knock out general education courses (such as English Comp, College Math, and Communication) for a fraction of GCU’s $340/credit tuition.

• Review your old transcripts and certifications - Took college classes years ago? Have extensive nursing work experience? Have military training or healthcare certifications? GCU may accept more of your past experience than you think—don’t overlook hidden credits.

• Aim for the 90-credit transfer limit - Transferring the full 90 credits covers up to 75% of your degree, making it possible to graduate in 12 months or less instead of dragging it out over 3 years.

• Build a custom credit transfer plan - Use tools like DegreeHacked.org, which provides you with a clear course map, a timeline you can trust, and ongoing mentor guidance to keep you confident and on track.

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GCU Nursing (RN to BSN) Degree Hacking Plan

Nursing Transfer Credits: What Transfers and What Doesn't

Not all of the 120 credits are easily transferable. The key to fast-tracking your GCU Nursing (RN to BSN) degree is understanding which courses you can complete elsewhere at a much lower cost, and which ones are best saved for GCU’s core nursing curriculum.

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Here's how you can break down the 120 credits requirements strategically:

• ~6 - 8 Credits: General Education courses (easily transferable)

• 33 Credits: Major courses (mostly GCU only)

• ~76 – 78 Credits: Open Electives (many transferable options)
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GCU Nursing (RN to BSN) Degree Requirements: Course Transfer Strategy

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Why Degree Hacking Works for GCU Nursing (RN to BSN) Students

• Save Thousands in Cost: By completing general eds, open electives, and even one major course through Study.com (starting at $95/month) instead of GCU ($340 per credit), you can save more than $30,000 on tuition before you even enroll.

• Test out with CLEP/DSST: With just $97 per CLEP exam or $100 per DSST exam, you can finish entire subjects in a day.

• Keep GCU for the nursing core: Focus your time and tuition on GCU’s upper-level nursing courses that develop essential clinical and leadership skills.
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Ready for Your Complete Plan?

The complete degree-hacking roadmap includes the following:

✓ All 39+ course-by-course transfer equivalencies

✓ Study.com course codes or CLEP/DSST exams that match each course

✓ Total cost breakdown and timeline mapping

✓ Other alternatives should your preferred option be unavailable

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Applying to GCU for the Bachelor’s in Nursing (RN to BSN)

When to Apply: A Strategic Time for Enrollment

It’s best to apply to GCU only after you’ve completed your transfer credits so you can focus on the core nursing courses.

GCU Admissions and Transfer Logistics

• Submission of admission requirements + online registration form

• Official transcripts for all credit sources must be sent directly to GCU

• GCU has a rolling admissions policy

• Contact GCU directly for transfer credits evaluation duration as timeline varies depending on a variety of factors.

GCU Tuition and Other Aid Information

• Per credit pricing at $340 + additional fees  

• FAFSA, work experience credits, dual enrollment, military benefits, and GCU scholarships and grants  

• Save on tuition fees, even before enrollment: Knock out GenEds, electives, and other core courses before enrollment and reduce tuition through credits earned

GCU Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Career ROI

• Median Annual Salary: $93,600

• A BSN degree can lead to higher paying nursing positions in hospitals, administration, research, consulting, or teaching

• Degree Payback Time: 2 - 4 months of work

• Plus: Job security with an impactful and rewarding career!

• Typical Roles: Case Manager, Charge Nurse, Nursing Educator, Hospice or Palliative Care Nurse

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