Associate or Bachelor's
RT to RN Options - BSN or ASN
Orlando, Florida
Associate or Bachelor's
RT to RN Options - BSN or ASN
Orlando, Florida
Bridge from Respiratory Therapist to nursing faster
Accreditation | ACEN accredited ASN bridge option,1 CCNE accredited BSN bridge option,2 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
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Degree options | Associate and bachelor’s degree options |
Transfer credit | Up to 52-90 approved credits |
Format | On-campus classes in Orlando, FL + online; evening scheduling option available for Bridge to ASN |
QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
RT to ASN/BSN Degree Options - Orlando, FL
The RT to RN pathway includes associate and bachelor's degree in nursing program options which prepare you for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). Each Orlando campus program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in the nursing process, health assessment, managing care, evidence-based practice, and much more.
Career-focused curriculum
Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.
Flexible schedule
We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.
Experienced faculty
Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.
Lifelong support
We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.
Rolling admissions
No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.
Classes Start January 6th
Learn More Today
Courses & curriculum details
Program | Monthsi | Credits |
---|---|---|
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) - Bridge Option | 20 | 72 |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Bridge Option | 28 | 120 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program
ASN Bridge Option curriculum
Required Courses in Nursing
33.00 semester credit hours are required.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this associate degree program must complete a minimum of 26.00 semester credit hours. 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications EN 104 English Composition I EN 111 Information Literacy 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities HU 140 Cultural Diversity 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics MA 109 College Algebra 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Behavioral Science PS 105 Developmental Psychology 11.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science SC 154 Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses SC 166 Microbiology SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses Courses transferred from other accredited colleges may also be used to meet these requirements. Science courses being transferred from other accredited colleges must meet the nursing program science requirements.
Special General Education Grading Requirements
The following general education courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (70%) or better for a student to continue in the nursing program. MA 109 College Algebra PS 105 Developmental Psychology SC 166 Microbiology The following science courses must be completed with a grade of "B" (80%) or better. Only two attempts are permitted for each course and a student who fails to successfully complete in the maximum attempts is subject to dismissal from the nursing program. SC 154 Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses A student who is dropped from the nursing program for failing to achieve the minimum grade specified in the courses listed above, but who otherwise meets the academic standards of the University may transfer to another Herzing degree program and/or may appeal to reapply to the ASN nursing program in a future semester. Resuming students should refer to the section on re-entering for additional requirements.
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course Course or Category Lecture Lab Clinical Total Contact Hours Credits Block Credit Transfer 195.00 0.00 0.00 195.00 13.00 NSG 124 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 126 15.00 30.00 45.00 90.00 3.00 NSG 221 45.00 0.00 45.00 90.00 4.00 NSG 222 60.00 0.00 90.00 150.00 6.00 NSG 223 60.00 0.00 90.00 150.00 6.00 NSG 233 45.00 30.00 45.00 120.00 5.00 NSG 291 15.00 0.00 90.00 105.00 3.00 NSG 298 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 SC 154 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 SC 254 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 SC 166 30.00 30.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 Communication 90.00 0.00 0.00 90.00 6.00 Humanities 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 Mathematics 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 Social or Behavioral Science 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 Totals 870.00 150.00 405.00 1425.00 72.00
BSN Bridge Option curriculum
Required Courses in Nursing
All courses, 66.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Dual Credit Option for Taking Graduate Level Courses
Dual Credit Options are not available for New Orleans students. See Academic Information for full requirements under title Earning Graduate Credits as an Undergraduate Student. Undergraduate Course Graduate Course Equivalency NSG 321 Advanced Leadership and Management NU 730 Systems-Based Practice (Transferrable to MSN & DNP Programs) NSG 324 Evidence Based Practice in Nursing NU 602 Epidemiology, Research, and Theory (Transferrable to BSN to DNP Program Only) NSG 421 Nursing Informatics NU 725 Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice (Transferrable to MSN & DNP Programs) NSG 423 Policy, Trends, & Ethics in Nursing HA 610 Health Policy and Management (Transferrable to MSN Program, except for MSNWHNP)
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in the BSN program must complete a minimum of 52.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. A minimum of 9.00 semester credit hours must be upper level (300- to 400-level courses). The Herzing University General Education offerings are listed below. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for additional information on general education requirement. 12.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications EN 104 English Composition I EN 111 Information Literacy EN 116 Speech EN 304 English Composition II 16.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science SC 154 Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses SC 150 Principles of Nutrition SC 166 Microbiology SC 186 Chemistry 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities HU 140 Cultural Diversity HU 240 Introduction to Humanities HU 340 Humanities and Contemporary Popular Culture 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics MA 109 College Algebra MA 320 Statistics 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science PS 101 Psychology PS 105 Developmental Psychology SS 350 Social Issues and Technology Note: Transfer students may transfer courses that are within 1.00 semester credit hour of the courses listed above to meet these discipline requirements. Any resulting deficiency in the total of 52.00 semester credit hours required in general education may be made up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines. Science courses being transferred in from other institutions must meet the nursing program science requirements.
Special General Education Grading Requirements for Nursing Support Courses
The following science courses must be completed with a grade of "B" (80%) or better. Only two attempts are permitted for each course and a student who fails to successfully complete in the maximum attempts is subject to dismissal from the nursing program. SC 154 Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses Semester Credit Hours: 4.00 SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses Semester Credit Hours: 4.00 The following general education courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (70%) or better for a student to continue in the nursing program. *BSN students enrolled in the Atlanta Campus require a "B" (80%) or better in SC 166 Microbiology and SC 186 Chemistry. PS 105 Developmental Psychology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 SC 150 Principles of Nutrition Semester Credit Hours: 2.00 SC 166 Microbiology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 SC 186 Chemistry Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 MA 109 College Algebra Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 MA 320 Statistics Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 A student who is dropped from the nursing program for failing to achieve the minimum grade specified in the courses listed above, but who otherwise meets the academic standards of the University may transfer to another Herzing degree program and/or may appeal to reapply to the BSN nursing program in a future semester.
Personal and Professional Development Courses
All courses, 2.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Resuming students should refer to the section on re-entering for additional requirements.
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course Course or Category Lecture Lab Clinical Total Contact Hours Credits NSG 120 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 121 30.00 30.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 NSG 122 45.00 30.00 45.00 120.00 5.00 NSG 123 45.00 0.00 135.00 180.00 6.00 NSG 124 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 221 45.00 0.00 45.00 90.00 4.00 NSG 222 60.00 0.00 90.00 150.00 6.00 NSG 223 60.00 0.00 90.00 150.00 6.00 NSG 321 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 323 60.00 0.00 45.00 105.00 5.00 NSG 324 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 421 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 233 45.00 30.00 45.00 120.00 5.00 NSG 423 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 425 30.00 0.00 135.00 165.00 5.00 NSG 426 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 101 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 111 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 116 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 304 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 SC 150 30.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 2.00 SC 166 30.00 30.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 SC 186 30.00 30.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 SC 154 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 SC 254 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 MA 109 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 MA 320 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 HU 140 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 HU 240 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 HU 340 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 PS 101 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 PS 105 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 SS 350 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 PD 121 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 PD 202 15.00 0.00 0.00 15.00 1.00 Totals 1485.00 210.00 630.00 2325.00 120.00
Enrollment requirements
To be considered for admission into the program, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED or GED) and meet the following criteria based on your cumulative GPA:
Cumulative GPAi | Science Requirement | TEASii |
3.50–4.00 | None | None |
3.00–3.49 | 3.00 GPA in college scienceiii | None |
2.50 and higher | None | Composite TEAS of 58 |
i. Students with 18 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the high school GPA will be used. ii. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) from the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI). iii. Based on your cumulative GPA in these college science courses: Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Biology, Chemistry, and Microbiology. Two of these courses must be used to calculate science GPA. Any of these courses completed must be included in the calculation, and no others. If you do not meet this requirement, you must score a composite score of 58 or higher on the TEAS. A grade of "B" or better must be earned for transfer credit to be awarded for Anatomy & Physiology, regardless of whether it was included in the calculation. |
Now Through Dec 31st
You can become possible
It’s never too late to better yourself, get educated, and advance your career to new heights. Kiara and Loretta have made it a family tradition.
Job outlook and pay potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurse is expected to increase 6% from 2022-2032.*
Registered nurses earn an average salary of $94,480 per year ($45.42 per hour). That would represent a raise for the average respiratory therapist in the US ($75,250 per year, $36.18 per hour).
You can take a big step forward in your nursing career by becoming an RN.
Going from RT to RN
Transitioning from respiratory therapist to RN involves broadening your knowledge and skills from a highly specialized field to the broader scope of nursing.
As a registered nurse, you’ll be the backbone of day-to-day operations in many healthcare settings. Your duties can include:
- Develop and direct treatment plans
- Counsel patients and family members
- Ensure patient comfort
- Serve as the key connection between doctors and patients
Registered Nurse ranks as the #8 Best Healthcare Job for 2023 according to U.S. News & World Report.
Can I specialize? While a nursing degree curriculum can introduce a wider spectrum of course topics, RNs can specialize in an area of their choosing with enough education and experience. You may be able to use your experience as an RT to help become a respiratory/pulmonary nurse in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Respiratory therapists focus on a patient’s breathing and specialize in respiratory/pulmonary procedures, while RNs provide a broader range of care with greater emphasis on holistic care of the whole person.
RTs can have a more clearly defined set of hands-on tasks they regularly perform, specializing in respiratory diagnosis, testing, and treatment.
RNs must be familiar with a wide scope of knowledge and procedures. While RNs can specialize in respiratory/pulmonary care, they can also specialize in many other areas and discover opportunities to advance their practice in the future.
Because nurses with a BSN have earned that next degree level and generally have the edge on the job market, they will on average earn a slightly higher salary than nurses with an ASN. However, there are always exceptions; an ASN with several years of an experience may earn a higher salary than an RN with a BSN who is just starting their career.
There’s nothing easy about being a nurse. Nurses with a thirst for knowledge, compassion, empathy, self-awareness and a constant focus on lifelong learning are truly exceptional.
Learn more about what makes a good nurse, from the quality of the care you provide to the confident smile you wear every day.
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in nursing to become a registered nurse. Earn your associate’s degree in nursing and you can become an RN more quickly and earn your first set of scrubs.
However, if your goal is to continue climbing the ladder to become a nurse practitioner or pursue roles in nursing leadership or administration, you may be best off enrolling in a BSN program so you can reach your goals faster.
No matter what you choose, Herzing is here to empower you to become the best nursing professional you can be.
It’s a question of:
- What your goals are
- How quickly you want to reach them
If your goal is to go from LPN to RN quickly, the best choice may be an associate’s degree program since you may be able to become an RN in less than 2 years.
If your goal is to become an RN and potentially advance further by working towards a master’s degree in nursing (MSN), your best option is a bachelor’s degree in nursing program.
Read about the most basic differences between ADN vs. BSN and discover what's best for you.
There are many different nursing specialties to choose from. Depending on your personality, educational background and preferred working environment you can follow your own personalized path in the nursing profession.
Here are a few popular nursing specialties you may consider:
- Aesthetic or Cosmetic nurse
- Assisted living nurse
- Cardiac/cardiovascular nurse
- Emergency room nurse
- Flight nurse
- Home health nurse
- Labor and Delivery nurse (L&D)
- Med/surgical nurse
- Neonatal/NICU nurse
- Nurse Anesthetist
- Oncology nurse
- Pediatric nurse
- Public health nurse
- Travel nurse
You can take our nursing personality quiz to get a better idea of what you might prefer in your nursing career.
Accreditations
Accreditations & Disclosures
1. Associate of Science in Nursing: The Associate of Science in Nursing program and the Associate of Science in Nursing-Bridge to ASN program at the Orlando location has an accredited status with the Florida Board of Nursing (4042 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-3252, 850-245-4125, www.floridasnursing.gov). Consequently, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) licensing exam upon successful completion of the program. Passing this exam allows graduates to apply to the State Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse.
The associate nursing program at Herzing University at the Orlando Campus located in Winter Park, Florida is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
2. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Orlando is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.