Start a new second career as a nurse in Orlando
The Herzing University ABSN 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 16 months.
Accelerated BSN Option
16 Months (pending transfer credit)
BSN Program
24- 36 Months (pending transfer credit)
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).
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Questions? Schedule a call with an advisor
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. If all of your general education and science courses transfer, you can complete the program in as few as 16 months.
Earn credits you can use toward your Herzing MSN
The accelerated BSN curriculum includes courses that will count towards one of our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs. This is a dual credit option that will save you time and money if you choose to pursue the next level of education in nursing.
Requirements
Requirements & prerequisites for the accelerated BSN program option
Prerequisites for prospective students to enroll in Herzing University's second degree accelerated BSN option in Orlando include:
- Earned a bachelor's or master'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 or master's degree
- A college grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher from the college in which the bachelor’s degree was earned
- Achieve at least a composite score of 66 on the most current version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
Your goal of becoming a nurse is still possible if you do not meet the ABSN requirements. Related nursing degree programs include Herzing's traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate in Nursing programs.
Careers
Your second career IS possible.
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.
How much you can make with a BSN in Orlando, Florida
Earning a BSN makes you highly qualified for a position as a registered nurse (RN). Registered nurses in Florida on average make $66,210 per year ($31.83 per hour), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Average annual salaries can vary widely by state.
Learn more about how much you can make with a BSN degree, the job outlook in coming years, and the skills you need to maximize your earning potential.
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.
Tuition
You may find your estimate for the cost of tuition using our tuition wizard (make sure to select “Orlando” in step 1). Keep in mind this is only an estimate and does not account for financial aid.
Herzing University offers a wide variety of financial aid options to ensure you feel as confident as possible about investing in your future:
FAQs
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 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 nursing program in 16 months.
- 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.
You can expect fast-paced learning with no traditional breaks over the course of your 16 months (or more, depending on your transfer credits).
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.
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.
If you’re considering a second career as a nurse but concerned about the workload in a 16-month 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.
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.
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.
1865 SR 436
Winter Park, Florida 32792
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