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Yes, You Can Earn a Nursing Degree Online
Earning a nursing degree online at the associate, bachelor's, or master's level is possible with Herzing University. Here's how an online prelicensure program works.
How it Works
How online nursing school works
One important thing to understand about an online nursing program is that “online” refers specifically to the didactic, lecture-style coursework. It does not mean fully, 100% online with zero in-person elements.
Our online programs include hands-on training and education to ensure you have practical experience putting your academic knowledge to practice. This is crucial to ensure you’re prepared for your first job as an RN, and ready to succeed right from the start. Here’s how our online nursing programs for those new to nursing are structured:
Online courses
All didactic (lecture) courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete them online on your own schedule. Faculty delivers live class sections; attendance is encouraged, but they are recorded for students to review on their own time.
You have flexibility throughout the program to complete general education at your own pace.
Clinicals
There are eight clinical courses, seven of which include precepted clinical hours. You’ll complete the precepted hours in or near your geographic area. We have a dedicated team to help you find clinical placement.
Intensives
You’ll be required to attend two 2-4 day intensives, currently occurring at our campus in Nashville, Tennessee.
These sessions include lab, skills validations, and simulations, and are crucial to bridge the gap between virtual learning and real-world application, as well as a great way to connect with fellow online students.
How long it takes to earn a nursing degree online
Completing an online nursing degree with Herzing University can take 12-36 months depending on the education you’ve already earned and the degree pathway of your choosing.
Going from RN to BSN represents the shortest timeline (as few as 12 months), while a prelicensure BSN program typically represents the longest timeline (as few as 36 months).
This is a general range for students attending full-time. We work closely with you throughout any program you choose to strike a balance between speed and retention.
Employer Recognition
Do employers recognize online nursing degrees as credible and legitimate?
Yes, but it ultimately depends on the institution that is issuing the degree, as well as the employer’s preferences and experience.
As the popularity of online degrees continues to rapidly trend upward, so has mainstream acceptance of online degree programs.
A 2022 study from the Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration concludes the perception of online nursing classes is commonly influenced by the recruiter, meaning those who have taken online classes are more likely to recognize the benefits than those who haven’t. Research done by Nurse Education Today in 2023 concludes online learning is “not significantly different” from in-person or blended learning, indicating online courses are as effective as in-person coursework.
Employers consider several important factors for nursing applicants with online degrees:
- The school and degree program’s accreditation. Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and programmatically accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).†
- If you have earned nursing licensure. Our programs are designed to help you pass any necessary exams and become licensed before getting your first job.
- The school’s reputation and history of producing excellent employees. Consider our many happy graduates and 60+ years of producing more than 50,000 alumni.
Types of Programs
Types of online nursing degree programs
The Herzing University School of Nursing offers a variety of educational pathways across several degree levels. We’ve designed our programs to create unique tracks for both non-nurses and current RNs of all educational backgrounds to begin pursuing the nursing degree of their choosing.
For non-nurses
Those new to nursing may be eligible to enroll in several different types of online nursing programs designed for non-nurses:
Prelicensure ASN and BSN
These online 2-year and 3-year programs are designed for students with no nursing experience and minimal prior college experience. Our bachelor’s degree programs are accelerated by design, meaning you can potentially complete a BSN program in as little as 3 years vs. the traditional 4-year standard.
ASN/BSN Bridge Options
We offer shorter online bridge options for select healthcare professionals: practical nurses, military medics, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and cardiovascular technologists.
Master of Science in Nursing – Direct Entry
This online program is designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another field. You can skip earning another undergraduate degree and begin working towards becoming a master’s-prepared RN.
For practicing RNs
If you are currently an RN considering advancing your education, you have several online degree pathways to a bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degree:
RN to BSN
Current associate degree RNs can earn their BSN in as few as 12 months given you can complete the program without traditional clinicals.
RN to MSN
Both associate and bachelor’s degree RNs may apply to an MSN program in the specialty of their choosing.
BSN to DNP
Bachelor’s degree RNs may qualify for a BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in a specialty of their choosing.
Keep in mind our online programs are available in select U.S. states, and eligible states vary by program. You can click through to verify if we offer the program in your state of residence, or you can contact our admissions team and we can help you determine what programs are available in your state.
I tell all my friends to go to Herzing. I had such great support from the school, but especially from the advisors. Anyone you reach out to is always willing to help.
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Accreditation & Recognition
Our accredited & recognized online school
We strive to earn rank as one of the top private, nonprofit universities in the United States. Just as you work every day to become the best version of yourself, so do we as a university.
We are proud to have attained institutional and programmatic accreditation in addition to industry recognition for our accomplishments helping students earn a nursing degree online and find career success.
†The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing at Herzing University - Madison are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about earning a nursing degree online. Contact admissions and we can help you with any other questions you may have.
What can you do with a nursing degree?
Nursing degrees are designed to help you pass the NCLEX-RN exam and work as a RN. Earn enough experience as an RN and you can take your nursing career in many different directions with graduate-level education in the future, including becoming a nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nurse administrator, public health nurse and much more.
However, committing to nursing now does not exclude you from pursuing other career possibilities besides nursing in the future. Your experience developed as a nurse will have value in many different potential fields, especially in health sciences and related healthcare disciplines.
Can you be a registered nurse without a bachelor’s degree?
Yes, you can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam after completing an associate degree program.
Or, if you have already earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and want to get a jumpstart on career advancement, you may qualify for an online MSN Direct Entry program. If you qualify, you can potentially bypass both the associate and bachelor’s degree levels on the way to becoming an RN.
Can you go from LPN to RN online?
Yes, our online ASN and BSN programs include bridge options for current licensed practical nurses, which you can complete faster than a normal prelicensure program. Eligibility and degree levels vary by state.
What is the fastest way to earn a nursing degree online?
The quickest path to an undergraduate nursing degree for non-nurses is our online prelicensure Associate of Science in Nursing program. This can be completed in as few as 24 months.
Current RNs with an associate degree or diploma may complete an RN to BSN program in as few as 12 months.
Are online nursing programs accredited?
Accreditation varies by school and by program.
Our university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and has also earned programmatic accreditation for several of our online nursing programs.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Herzing University Madison are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
Can I take nursing prerequisites online?
All coursework in our online ASN and BSN programs can be completed online.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement to enroll in an ASN or BSN program today, you may be eligible for our Associate of Science in General Studies – Pre Nursing program. This program represents an opportunity for students to complete select nursing prerequisites, improve their GPA and enter into an ASN or BSN program in the future.
How much does it cost to get a nursing degree online?
Cost per credit varies by program. You can use the Tuition Wizard to find the online nursing program you’re interested in and estimate the cost of the program.
Can I continue working while enrolled in an online nursing program?
We work hard to support adult students who want to continue working while enrolled in our online nursing programs. Maintaining full-time employment can be very challenging, but many of our students are able to successfully work part-time over the course of the program.
Some elements of the program have set dates and times which may be more restrictive, namely clinicals and intensives. However, online didactic courses and exams offer greater flexibility to complete at a time that’s right for you.
You have many university resources to assist in time management, ensuring you are able to maintain a healthy work-school-life balance.
Find your online path in nursing
We've expanded our online nursing offerings across multiple degree levels to give you the most flexibility in determining the educational pathway that's right for you.
Earning a nursing degree with online education is possible with Herzing University. We exist to help you to achieve a rewarding career in the field of nursing.
Discover all of our online program options in nursing
* 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.