FAQ's - General Questions
1. Why should I choose Arizona State University?
See why you should choose ASU.
2. Why should I choose Nursing as my career choice?
See Why Nursing is an excellent career choice.
3. Where do registered nurses work?
Registered Nurses work in a variety of hospital units and community programs. Also see Nursing as a Career Choice.
4. What is the Code of Ethics for Nurses?
Code of Ethics for Nurses defines acceptable behaviors and promotes high standards of practice for nurses.
5. I have my Associates Degree in Nursing. How do I become a Bachelor's prepared nurse?
See the pathways to becoming a nurse.
6. How do I schedule an appointment with an academic advisor?
Continuing nursing students may call (602) 496-0888 to schedule an advising appointment. Prospective students not attending ASU, and ASU students considering changing their major to nursing, must first attend a Student Information Session prior to scheduling an appointment with an academic advisor. After attending a Prospective Student Workshop, and faxing all unofficial college transcripts to (602) 496-0705, students may then call to schedule an advising appointment. During your appointment, we will review the results of your transcript evaluation and assist you in planning your next steps.
7. How do I prepare for my academic advising appointment?
Prior to your advising appointment, please review our Upper Division Nursing Program Workbook to become familiar with our academic program. Please come to your appointment prepared and arrive early enough to find parking. If you are unable to keep your advising appointment, please call the Student Services Office (602) 496-0888 to cancel or reschedule. You MUST attend a Information Session for BSN prior to scheduling an appointment with an academic advisor.
8. Do I need to meet with an advisor before registering for classes?
Yes, academic advising is required for all students who are not yet admitted to the upper division nursing program. Please contact the ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation Student Services Office on the Downtown Phoenix campus at (602) 496-0888 to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.
9. May I get academic advising over the phone?
If it is at all possible, we prefer that you meet in person with an academic advisor. Prospective students who live outside of Arizona who are not able to come to our location may be accommodated with a phone appointment. Prospective or current ASU students living outside of the metropolitan Phoenix area are strongly encouraged to schedule in-person appointments. Students living in Maricopa County are required to schedule in-person appointments.
10. Do you have an Associates Degree in Nursing program?
No. The ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a RN-BSN entry option. Please meet with an academic advisor in our College to discuss your options and career plans. See Maricopa Community Colleges for Nurse Assistant, Practical Nurse and Associate Degree Nurse programs.
11. What is the undergraduate application process?
See the application process flow chart that describes the steps you need to take.
12. What are some of the expectations of the Undergraduate nursing student?
See our list of essential functional abilities for undergraduate nursing students.
13. Are military credits and training transferable?
Military course work linked to an approved community college in the United States may be transferable. You may contact the University Registrar's Office to check on transfer ability and acceptance. Your academic advisor will evaluate your college transcripts to determine course equivalency and applicability. Military training, while considered valuable experience, will not generally transfer as college credit and may not be applicable to the nursing programs at ASU.
14. How do I get started?
See Getting Started/Academic Advising.
15. Can I transfer nursing credits from my community college program to ASU?
It depends upon which courses you have taken. ASU will accept up to 64 credit hours from approved community colleges in the United States (up to 75 hours if you are enrolled in the ASU/MCCD Alliance Program), not all community college courses are transferable to the ASU. In the Maricopa Community College District, for example, HCC courses are not transferable. Schedule an appointment with an academic advisor in our College to determine transferability and applicability of community college coursework. See Course Equivalency Guide.
16. Can I "test out" of credits?
Yes. There are ways in which you may earn credit by Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) or by CLEP. If you have taken AP, IB, and/or CLEP exams, request that your scores be sent directly to Undergraduate Admissions at ASU. See Steps to Attending ASU and Transcripts and Test Scores.
17. What testing and placement information do prospective undergraduate students need to know?
See Transcripts and Test Scores.
18. What do some of the nursing-related terminology and acronyms mean?