Latest
How to Earn Your BSN Degree: 5 Steps to Get Started
Herzing Staff Aug 25, 2026
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a 120-credit undergraduate degree that helps prepare you to become a Registered Nurse (RN). At Herzing University, you can earn your BSN through several pathways: a pre-licensure BSN you can complete in three years, an Accelerated BSN in as few as 20 months if you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field or an online RN to BSN in as little as 12 months if you're already licensed. The five steps below walk you through how to get started, from doing your research to preparing for the NCLEX-RN.
Pursuing a career as a registered nurse (RN) means you'll not only have the opportunity to care for others, but you'll be a part of one of the fastest-growing career fields.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, (BLS), registered nurses earned an annual average wage of $80,010 ($38.47 per hour), and employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034 — about 189,100 openings each year, on average, over the decade.*
This anticipated growth is partly due to aging baby boomers, who require care for a variety of health conditions. As the demand for their healthcare and medical professionals increases, so will the need for qualified nurses. Also, many nurses from that generation are retiring in the coming years.
A BSN is increasingly becoming the educational standard for registered nurses. Whether you're looking to begin or advance your nursing career, enrolling in a BSN program is a great place to start.
Do I Really Need a BSN?
RNs who have a bachelor's degree in nursing, or a BSN, have the opportunity to earn a higher salary than nurses with an associate degree.
Earning a BSN can also provide a competitive advantage in the workforce, as RNs with a BSN tend to have better job prospects than those without one. This is due in part to a 2010 report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), which recommended that 80 percent of the nursing workforce obtain their BSN by 2020. Hospitals with Magnet Status – which requires the 80-percent standard – are more likely to hire nurses with a bachelor’s degree.
Additionally, a BSN allows RNs to advance their careers, offering a stepping-stone into a BSN to MSN program pathway. They could also move into specialized roles ranging from a pediatric nurse to an oncology nurse.
Compare Herzing's BSN pathways
There's more than one way to earn your BSN, and the right pathway depends on where you're starting from. Here's how Herzing's options compare:
| Pathway | Who it's for | Where you learn | Completion time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensure BSN | Students entering nursing for the first time | On campus at select locations | 3 years |
| Online BSN | New students who want lecture classes online | Lecture classes online plus in-person clinicals; select states | 3 years |
| Accelerated BSN | Those who already hold a bachelor's or master's in another field | On campus at select locations | 20 months (24 for most students) |
| RN to BSN | Licensed RNs with a diploma or associate degree | 100% online; select states | 12 months |
| LPN to BSN | Licensed Practical Nurses | On campus or online options | Varies by prior credits |
Program availability and start dates vary by campus and state. Timelines reflect full-time enrollment and can vary by student.
5 Steps to Earning a BSN
If you're ready to pursue your BSN, here are five steps to get you started:
1. Do your research
Find a school that's going to support you throughout your journey to becoming a BSN. If you're transferring from another university or re-enrolling after taking some time off, look for a school that values your prior education and experience and will work with you to maximize your transfer credit. It's also important to consider whether or not the school offers flexible learning options – especially if you plan to work full-time while enrolled.
At Herzing University, nursing students have the opportunity to learn at their own pace. Coursework can be completed online, and there are also night classes available to make it easy to reach your career goals without disrupting your life.
2. Choose your path
There are a few ways you can go about earning your BSN. You can opt for a traditional BSN path, allowing you to earn your degree in three years or less. We now offer a BSN program online in addition to on-campus availability at many of our campus locations.
If you already have an active RN license, however, you may prefer the RN to BSN program. Our online RN to BSN option allows RNs to earn their BSN in one year or less. There's also the accelerated BSN pathway for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Students on the accelerated pathway can earn their BSN in as little as 20 months.
3. Consider a dual-credit option
At Herzing, qualifying students have the option to complete up to four graduate-level (MSN) courses as part of their BSN or RN-BSN program, saving time and money on their education. Students who opt for dual credit will be working toward their nursing careers while also setting themselves up for advancement in the future in the long run.
4. Make the most of your clinical experience
Clinical experience is an integral part of your nursing education and can give you the opportunity to practice what you've learned in the classroom and apply it to real-life scenarios. Clinicals also allow you to discover what you like and don't like, which can help you determine which nursing positions you might want to apply for when you earn your degree. During your clinical experience, don't be afraid to ask questions or request clarification – this is how you learn.
5. Apply for RN licensure and take the NCLEX-RN exam
All RNs are expected to pass the NCLEX – a nationwide cumulative exam required for nursing licensure. Just like any exam, it requires plenty of study time, and one of the best ways to prep is with an ATI NCLEX Review or Kaplan NCLEX Test Prep. Schools typically offer these resources to help set students up for success.
Where can you earn your BSN
Herzing offers its BSN on campus at several locations and online, so you can weigh local access against the convenience of online study. You can see every campus on the locations page or explore the online BSN, which is available in select states.
Frequently asked questions about earning a BSN
How long does it take to earn a BSN?
It depends on your starting point. At Herzing, you can complete a pre-licensure BSN in three years, an Accelerated BSN in as few as 20 months if you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field or an online RN to BSN in as little as 12 months if you're a licensed nurse. All pathways lead to the same 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Timelines reflect full-time enrollment and can vary by student.
What are the admission requirements for a BSN program?
Admission requirements will vary by pathway and campus. The pre-licensure BSN is designed for students entering nursing for the first time, while the Accelerated BSN requires a completed bachelor's degree from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The RN to BSN and LPN to BSN pathways require an active nursing license. An admissions advisor can walk you through the specific requirements for your situation.
How much does a BSN cost?
Tuition varies by pathway, campus and how many credits you transfer in. Herzing's online RN to BSN, for example, is $450 per credit hour, and transferring eligible credits can lower your total cost. Several scholarships and grants may be available to those who qualify. Herzing awarded over $14M in scholarships and grants to nursing students in 2025. Visit the tuition and financial aid page or talk with an advisor for an estimate for your program.
Can you earn a BSN online?
In part, yes. Herzing offers an online BSN in which you take lecture (didactic) classes online and complete hands-on clinicals in person; the online BSN is available in select states. If you're already a licensed RN, the RN to BSN program is 100% online, with a community health project in place of traditional clinicals. Because nursing is hands-on, pre-licensure pathways always include in-person clinical experience.
Is Herzing's BSN program accredited?
Yes. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Accreditation confirms the program meets recognized nursing education standards and prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
What's the difference between a BSN and an ADN?
An associate degree in nursing (ADN or ASN) and a BSN can both qualify you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and become a Registered Nurse. The BSN is a bachelor's degree that includes additional coursework in areas such as nursing leadership, research, and community health. Many employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses. A BSN is the starting point for graduate nursing study. If you begin with an associate degree, you can later pursue a BSN through our RN to BSN program.
How do clinical hours and transfer credits work?
Both depend on your pathway. Pre-licensure pathways include in-person clinical experience in real healthcare settings, while the online RN to BSN replaces traditional clinicals with a community health project. For transfer credit, Herzing reviews your prior coursework to determine what may apply toward the 120-credit degree, which can shorten your timeline and lower your cost. An admissions advisor can review your transcripts and confirm what counts toward your track.
Is earning a BSN worth it?
For many nurses, a BSN can prepare you for a wider range of roles, meet the preferences of employers pursuing Magnet Recognition and serve as the foundation for advanced practice through an MSN. Registered nurses earned an annual mean wage of $98,430 in May 2024, according to the BLS. Whether a BSN is right for you depends on your goals, and an admissions advisor can help you weigh your options.
Learn More About Our Nursing Programs
* BLS pay estimates calculate the median annual wage for various occupations. Per the BLS the median wage for an occupation is: "The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey." Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024. BLS median wage estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geographic market in which you want to work, and degree level and field, will affect career outcomes, including starting salary and earnings as an experienced employee. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the median salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, particular wage or salary, or other career growth.
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Get the latest news you need to know, from study hacks to interview tips to career advancement. Have it delivered right to your inbox biweekly.