Is there an accelerated nurse practitioner program?

If you’re considering a second career and you want to become a nurse practitioner, you’ve already discovered the first step down the quickest path: Earn your BSN in an accelerated BSN nursing program in as few as 20 months (24 months for most students). Earn your master's degree through our online MSN FNP program in 20 months. Fully commit to starting your second career and Herzing University can help you become eligible to sit for the FNP certification exam in 3 years to become a certified family nurse practitioner in your state.

What are my alternatives to an accelerated nursing program?

If you’re considering a second career as a nurse but concerned about the workload in an accelerated program, there are several other paths you can take: You can first become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). In 1 year you can earn a diploma in Practical Nursing and become an LPN. From there you can determine if you want to become a registered nurse. Get an associate’s degree and become an RN. You can earn your associate degree in nursing and become a registered nurse in 20 months—this is the quickest way to become an RN outside of an accelerated program. A traditional BSN program. Enroll in our 3-year bachelor’s of science in nursing program, earn your degree and become a highly qualified registered nurse. It’s our goal to help you succeed in your second career. We’ll work with you to determine the best fit.

Accelerated BSN Nursing Program (ABSN)

Herzing’s Accelerated BSN nursing program in Orlando

Accreditation	CCNE accredited,¹Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Program length	As few as 20 months; students who need to complete science prerequisites may require 24 months
Credits to graduate	120 credits
Transfer credit	Up to 90 approved credits
Format	Online general education classes + core on-campus classes
Benefits	Experience high-fidelity simulation to enhance learning opportunities; rigorous clinical training experience with our community healthcare partners; learn from credentialed faculty with real-world hospital and patient care experience

Waived enrollment fee Classes start July 11th

Program

Start a new second career as a nurse in Orlando

The Herzing University ABSN accelerated BSN option is designed for students with a non-nursing bachelor’s or master's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college or university. You can transfer credit from your previous degree and accelerate your new career as an RN.).

How long does an accelerated BSN degree take vs. the traditional bachelor degree program?

Depending on the credits you’re able to transfer from your prior degree, you can potentially complete our ABSN program option in 20 months - faster than the standard Herzing Orlando BSN degree program.

Accelerated BSN Option

In as few as 20 months*
(pending transfer credit)

BSN Program

24 - 36 months
(pending transfer credit)

*Students who need to complete science prerequisites may require 24 months to complete the program.

As a graduate, you will be fully prepared for the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX).

Accreditation & Disclosures

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Orlando is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

Classes Start September 7th

Learn More Today

Become who you know you can be.

You’ve felt the itch and you aren’t alone. Many Herzing students and graduates have discovered nursing is the second career they’ve been seeking.

Curriculum

Orlando ABSN Program Classes

Herzing University’s accelerated BSN option is an accredited 120-credit second degree nursing program for students who already have a bachelor’s or master's degree in another area of study.

Program	Monthsⁱ	Credits
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Orlando	20	120

i. As few as 20 months. Students who need to complete science prerequisites may require 24 months to complete the program.

Required Courses in Nursing

57.00 semester credit hours are required.

NSG 120 - Nursing Pathophysiology 3.00

This course focuses on the basic understanding of pathophysiology related to human illness with an emphasis placed on cellular alterations in organ systems as they relate to selected disease states. Opportunities will be presented that provide for the use of critical thinking processes to analyze diverse patient presentations of selected illness for symptomatology, pathophysiology, and health care implications.

NSG 121 - Health Assessment 3.00

This course focuses on the concept of health assessment as the foundational step of the nursing process. Knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of comprehensive and focused health assessments will be presented. Interviewing, observation, inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation skills will be examined. Normal findings, variations from normal, cultural differences and appropriate equipment use will be considered.

NSG 122 - Nursing Fundamental Concepts 5.00

This course provides students with opportunities to learn and develop basic competencies necessary to facilitate the optimal well-being of the patient within the healthcare setting in a safe, legal, and ethical manner. Focus is placed on the nursing process, health promotion, disease prevention, professional communication and interdisciplinary collaboration within the context of meeting basic patient needs in a healthcare environment. Throughout the course, students demonstrate competence of fundamental principles of nursing practice which are validated through clinical skill performance assessments.

NSG 123 - Medical-Surgical Nursing I 6.00

This course is designed to further develop and apply concepts related to the nursing process of acute and chronically ill patients. Teamwork and collaboration are introduced to enhance safe and quality nursing care in a variety of clinical settings. Classroom and clinical experiences integrate the concepts of caring, collaboration, communication, cultural sensitivity, community and clinical judgment to facilitate the wellbeing of individuals and prepare the student as a provider of care. In the clinical setting, students will care for patients with select medical and/or surgical problems in various settings, state knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics, apply the nursing process, utilize information technology, interact with other health care professionals, and practice clinical decision making and critical inquiry while caring for culturally diverse, ill adults.

NSG 124 - Pharmacology 3.00

This course introduces the student to the role of pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of illness and in the promotion of wellness in patients throughout the lifespan. These concepts provide the basis for the study of drug actions, indications, side effects, nursing implications, and patient education.

NSG 221 - Mental Health Nursing 4.00

This course focuses on the role of the nurse in caring for patients with alterations in mental health. Focus is placed on the nursing process framework with emphasis on assessment, therapeutic communication, neurobiological and psychosocial theories, pharmacology, and current practices related to the care of the mentally ill. Interventions focus on aspects of care to include professional communication, patient and family teaching, review of community resources, and practical application in various clinical settings.

NSG 222 - Family Nursing 6.00

This course introduces the student to family-centered care and the health needs of the childbearing family. Students review concepts, skills, and techniques needed to care for culturally diverse maternal, infant, and pediatric patients and their families. The nursing process is utilized to emphasize the concepts of family-centered care, collaboration, communication, cultural competence, and community. The clinical experiences focus on concepts and skills required to provide safe and evidence-based care in a variety of clinical settings.

NSG 223 - Medical-Surgical Nursing II 6.00

This course expands on previous nursing knowledge and skills to provide care to patients that have complex health alterations in a variety of clinical settings. Students will explore the concepts of professionalism, collaboration, communication, and cultural competency within the context of illness and their role as provider of care, educator, and patient advocate. In the clinical setting, students will care for selected patients in various settings, applying knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics for patients with medical and/or surgical problems.

NSG 323 - Community and Public Health Nursing

NSG 233 - Medical-Surgical Nursing III 5.00

This comprehensive course expands on preciously acquired knowledge and skills necessary to manage and plan care for complex patients. Focused on nursing care of complex patients, families, and groups in unstable situations with unpredictable outcomes. The course focuses on nursing practice that facilitates the wellbeing of individuals within the context of critical or complex illness and continues in preparing the student as a provider of care. In the clinical setting, students care for selected patients in various settings, integrating knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics for patients with acute or complex medical and/or surgical problems.

NSG 425 - BSN Practicum 5.00

This course provides a clinical practicum for the application of concepts learned throughout the program. Evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teaching/learning, professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, managing care, management/leadership, skills/technology, and professional development are embodied and exhibited. The student engages in the application of the nursing process in collaboration with the RN preceptor who guides the clinical experience.

NSG 426 - Review of Integrated Nursing Concepts 3.00

This course provides the student with the opportunity to evaluate his/her strengths and weaknesses in preparation for the NCLEX-RN® exam. Utilization of the nursing process and integration of all previous concepts will be emphasized through the use of case studies, integrated testing, and directed study.

Dual Credit Option for Taking Graduate Level Courses

Undergraduate students in the Accelerated BSN program will be assigned to take 9 semester credits of graduate courses in lieu of 12 the required undergraduate courses. Students may request to take the corresponding undergraduate course for the following graduate courses. The Dual Credit Option is not available to Orlando or Tampa students. See Academic Information for full requirements under title Dual Credit-Undergraduate Students Taking MSN Program Courses. Undergraduate Course Graduate Course Equivalency NSG 321 Advanced Leadership and Management NU 530 Organizational Systems and Behaviors NSG 324 Evidence Based Practice in Nursing NU 560 Research Methods and Evidence-Based Practice NSG 421 Nursing Informatics NU 525 Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice NSG 423 Policy, Trends, & Ethics in Nursing HA 610 Health Policy and Management

Transfer Credits for General Education and Open Electives

Students enrolling in the Accelerated BSN option will receive block transfer credit for coursework completed in their previous degree. A minimum of 35.00 semester credit hours of general education and open elective credits will be awarded from a previously earned bachelor's degree. Additional transfer credits may be considered for the programmatic support and non-clinical nursing courses on a course-by-course basis.

Additional Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in the BSN Accelerated program must complete a minimum of 19.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. The Herzing University General Education offerings are listed below.

16.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science

SC 154 - Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses 4.00

The first anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide nursing students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts related to the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as, special senses. Biochemistry, cellular biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.

SC 254 - Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses 4.00

The second anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide nursing students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts as related to the circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and the male and female reproductive systems. Biochemistry, cell biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.

SC 150 - Principles of Nutrition 2.00

This course provides students with basic knowledge of human nutrition and related disorders. The course will focus on structure, role, function, and digestion of nutrients.

SC 166 - Microbiology 3.00

This course provides an introduction to the study of microorganisms. It covers normal microbiota and pathogenic microbes. Select topics include function, metabolism, genetics, growth, and relationships to humans and the environment. Topics related to human infectious diseases include transmission, host defense mechanisms, growth processes, and the spread of infectious agents. This course also includes a practical component.

SC 186 - Chemistry 3.00

This course presents the basic concepts of chemistry. Topics to be presented include: matter, atoms, molecules, and atomic structure; chemical bond theory; molecular geometry and properties; writing chemical equations; the conservation of matter in chemical reactions; oxidation and reduction reactions; pH and acid-base chemistry; buffer, and solutions; and equilibrium. Students will also be provided with an overview of organic chemistry and biochemistry. This course includes a practical component.

3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics

MA 320 - Statistics

Note: Transfer students may transfer courses that are within 1.00 semester credit hour of the courses listed above to meet these discipline requirements. 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 4.00

SC 254 - Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses 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.

SC 150 - Principles of Nutrition 2.00

This course provides students with basic knowledge of human nutrition and related disorders. The course will focus on structure, role, function, and digestion of nutrients.

SC 166 - Microbiology 3.00

SC 186 - Chemistry 3.00

MA 320 - Statistics

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.

Requirements

Enrollment requirements

To be considered for admission into the Accelerated BSN program in Orlando, you must:

Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED or GED)
Have earned a bachelor's degree from a postsecondary institution that is accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or from a foreign college or university recognized as equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree

You must also 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 66
i. Cumulative GPA may be calculated from all credits earned, including those in addition to the earned bachelor's degree. 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 66 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.

Careers

Your second career IS possible.

As one of the top accredited nursing schools in Orlando and Central Florida, Herzing University’s degree program equips you with the education you need to take advantage of your prior credits, pursue a new career and become a new you.

Jobs you can get with a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing

A bachelor of science in nursing qualifies you for new opportunities, specialty roles and responsibilities as a registered nurse (RN). You may specialize in patient care in pediatrics, emergency or intensive care as an RN in a hospital, or move on to a nurse manager or nursing director role.

It’s really up to you. Getting your BSN opens many more doors to pursue a career you can mold to your strengths and specialties. As you earn more responsibility you may consider a master’s degree in nursing to become a family nurse practitioner, nurse educator or pursue a role in nursing leadership.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re considering a second career and you want to become a nurse practitioner, degree pathways with Herzing University include:

Option 1:

Earn your BSN in an accelerated BSN nursing program in as few as 20 months (24 months for most students).
Earn your master's degree through our online MSN FNP program in 20 months.

Our accelerated BSN program is available in Minneapolis, MN, Orlando, FL, Tampa, FL and 3 locations in Wisconsin (Kenosha, Brookfield and Madison).

Option 2:

Earn an Associate in Nursing (ASN/ADN) in 20 months.
Earn a master's degree through our accelerated online RN to FNP program in 24 months.

Our ASN program is available in Akron, OH, Birmingham, AL, Orlando, FL, and Tampa, FL. You may also elect to earn your BSN on the way by enrolling in our online RN to BSN program. Non-nurses who want to become an NP must first earn an undergraduate nursing degree before applying for an MSN program.

These are average estimates for full-time enrollment and can vary for each student. Fully commit to starting your second career and Herzing University can help you become eligible to sit for the FNP certification exam in 3-4 years to become a certified family nurse practitioner in your state.

According to 2020 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs make an average salary of $80,010 per year ($38.47 per hour)*. Nurses with a bachelor’s degree tend to fall on the upper side of that average due to their advanced education and their qualification to help hospitals earn Magnet Recognition.

The BLS projects a 9% increase in need for registered nurses from 2020-2030*. RNs are in high demand, and earning a BSN can help your resume stand out and give you a better chance of getting the job you really want.

Herzing University has no requirement for how much you can or can’t work during nursing school. Many ABSN program students work part-time while pursuing their ABSN coursework and clinicals. However, we recommend prioritizing your education as much as you can afford. The accelerated BSN program is very demanding and our priority is for you is to be successful.

Yes! If you’re fully committed to a new career in nursing, an accelerated BSN program is the fast track to earning your degree and getting a job with high earning potential as soon as possible.

If you’re considering a second career as a nurse but concerned about the workload in an accelerated program, there are several other paths you can take:

You can first become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). In 1 year you can earn a diploma in Practical Nursing and become an LPN. From there you can determine if you want to become a registered nurse.
Get an associate’s degree and become an RN. You can earn your associate degree in nursing and become a registered nurse in 20 months—this is the quickest way to become an RN outside of an accelerated program.
A traditional BSN program. Enroll in our 3-year bachelor’s of science in nursing program, earn your degree and become a highly qualified registered nurse. You can choose an on-campus program or our online BSN program.

It’s our goal to help you succeed in your second career. We’ll work with you to determine the best fit.

With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:

You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.

Our requirements for the accelerated BSN nursing program option are higher given the rigorous nature of the coursework and how fast it moves.

Herzing University’s goal is to help you find a path to a new career in nursing. If you’re worried a low GPA will keep you from being able to enroll, please get in touch with us and schedule an appointment with an admissions advisor. We may be able to work out a better solution 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:

You can take our nursing personality quiz to get a better idea of what you might prefer in your nursing career.

The difference between RN vs BSN is that RN stands for Registered Nurse and BSN stands for Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. RN is the career; BSN is a degree needed to become an RN. Earning your BSN positions you for more possibilities as a registered nurse both in earning potential and ability to specialize in the field of your choice.

You can expect fast-paced learning with no traditional breaks over the course of the program.

Surviving nursing school takes hard work and commitment. However, starting a new career is never easy—and a demanding profession requires demanding training.

It’s a challenge just like any other bachelor’s degree program – but compressed into a shorter window it can feel much more demanding. Rest assured you’ll have strong support every step of the way from Herzing faculty, staff and your fellow students to ensure you remain on track.

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Visit Us

With a personalized visit, you will have the opportunity to learn more about Herzing's ABSN nursing program to help you determine which pathway to becoming a nurse is right for you.

Herzing University - Orlando

1865 SR 436
Winter Park, FL

Accreditations

Accreditations & Disclosures

1. 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.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2020. 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.

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