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Bachelor's Degree

Online BSN Program
for Non-Nurses

Program Length

36 Mo.

Format

Online

Credits

120

Transfer Credits

Up to 90
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NEXT START January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

An accredited online BSN program for non-nurses

AccreditationCCNE accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Program length3 years or less when attending full-time and depending on transfer credit; you can transfer up to 90 approved credits
Prior experienceDesigned for students without RN experience
FormatAll core didactic (lecture) courses are delivered online, including real-time and on-demand courses you can take when it’s convenient for you
Hands-on prepHands-on learning includes on-site clinicals and three intensives requiring attendance at a designated Herzing or partner site
EligibilityAvailable for enrollment in select states2
QuickPathsDiscover a quicker path to advance your career with Herzing University: options include earning dual credit towards an MSN, or an alternative online MSN Direct Entry program for non-nurses with a bachelor’s degree in another field

Learn More Today!

Classes start: January 6th

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Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best online bachelor's programs in 2024

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Online

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is a 120-credit undergraduate pre-licensure program which prepares you for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). The online degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in family nursing, medical-surgical nursing, nursing informatics, health assessment, and much more.

Online BSN intensive students in gray scrubs smiling
  • 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.

  • Virtual services

    Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.

  • 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.

Curriculum

Online BSN program classes & curriculum details

Every nursing course in our curriculum is designed to help you build a strong body of knowledge and skills to help pass the NCLEX-RN and get off to a fast, successful start in the field of nursing as an entry-level RN.

Students looking for a 2-year degree option may also consider our online associate in nursing degree program which is now available in select U.S. states.

All didactic (lecture) nursing courses in the program are delivered online through the Herzing University Canvas Learning Management System platform. Upon completing the program, you’ll be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN to earn licensure in your state.2

ProgramMonths iCredits
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)36120

Average number of months for students to complete program

Online & In person

What's Online, and What's In-person?

Online

All didactic (lecture) courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete them online on your own schedule.

You have flexibility throughout the program to complete general education at your own pace.

Practicum instructor and peer collaboration requirements will be done via distance learning and offer flexible scheduling for the synchronous, or real-time, course elements.

In-person

Practical, hands-on training remains crucial and required preparation for earning a BSN and becoming a registered nurse. Our curriculum includes:

  • 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 three 2-4 day intensives throughout the program. These sessions serve as crucial skill and knowledge checkpoints to ensure you’re on the right track. Intensives will take place at our Nashville campus—or a facility associated with a unique clinical partnership.

Tution & Cost 

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the online BSN program is $755 per credit.

You can potentially earn even greater savings by transferring credit from prior college coursework, applying for financial aid, or potential partnership opportunities through your employer.

Our goal is your career advancement. That’s why we are always working to improve our curriculum and processes to make our program as affordable as possible while preparing you best for success in your work.

  • Scholarships & Financial Aid

    You may be eligible for multiple scholarships and grants—including our Nurses Circle of Achievement scholarship, which offers up to 10% tuition reduction.

    Find scholarships and grants  

  • Military/Veteran Discounts

    Veterans, Active Duty U.S. Servicemembers, and spouses may qualify for a 10% tuition discount or tuition reduction to $250 per credit.

    VA/Military benefits  

Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Requirements for enrollment in the Herzing University online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program include both a GPA requirement and minimum benchmark scores on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS):

Direct Entry BSN enrollment requirements

  • Prior education

    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Minimum GPA

    2.5

  • Minimum TEAS score

    66

Students with 24 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the high school GPA will be used.

I don’t meet the enrollment requirements. Do I have any other options?

Yes! You still have multiple educational pathways to becoming an RN even if you don’t qualify for the Online BSN program today:

Online Pre-nursing

You may qualify for our online Associate in General Studies – Pre-Nursing program.

You can begin taking college-level nursing courses now, raise your GPA, and potentially enter into our online BSN program in the future.

On-campus BSN

If you are a resident of Illinois, Tennessee, or Wisconsin, you may be eligible for our on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.

Campus availability: Brookfield (near Milwaukee), Kenosha, and Madison, and Nashville.

On-campus ASN

You may also choose an associate degree pathway. Alabama, Florida, and Ohio residents may qualify for our Associate of Science or Applied Science in Nursing (ASN/AASN) program.

Campus availability: Akron, Birmingham, NashvilleOrlando, and Tampa.

Classes Start: January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.

Pathways

Alternative online BSN pathways with Herzing University

Our pre-licensure online BSN program is designed for students without any experience in nursing. However, we offer additional online options for those who are already in nursing or currently work in additional select healthcare professions.

Registered Nurse Discussing Diagnosis with Mother and Daughter

Go from RN to BSN

Current diploma/ADN nurses can earn a BSN faster in our online RN to BSN program, which can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Nursing School Students in Scrubs Celebrating

Go from LPN to BSN

Advance your nursing career to the next level. Utilize your current experience as a Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) and you can earn a BSN online in less than 3 years.

Group of Nursing Students in Scrubs Smiling

Bridge to a BSN

Paramedics, respiratory therapists, cardiovascular technologists, and military medics can also potentially earn a BSN faster in our online BSN Bridge option.

Careers

Find your calling as a registered nurse

Nursing Students Image
Image

You can explore many different career opportunities as a BSN-prepared RN.

While earning a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) can expand your duties to advanced practice across many specialties, you can also pursue different specialty roles with a BSN, including pediatrics, neonatal/NICU, oncology, neuroscience, Operating Room (OR)/surgical, and much more.

With enough experience you may consider advancing to roles in nursing education or nursing leadership. Keep in mind degree requirements may vary, including an MSN or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

We offer degree pathways to help you reach as high as you want to climb in the field of nursing.

Salary and job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is expected to rise 6% from 2022-2032, higher than the expected average across all U.S. occupations.*

Now is an excellent time to pursue a degree qualifying you for jobs in a growing field with numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Faq

Frequently Asked Questions

Didn't find the answer to your question? Send us an inquiry and we will be happy to answer all your questions!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for registered nurses is $94,480 per year ($45.42 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.

Increasingly yes, but it ultimately depends on the institution who issued the degree.
As the popularity of online degrees continues to rapidly trend upward in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has mainstream acceptance of online degree programs.
Attitudes toward online degrees were already becoming more positive before the pandemic forced the issue. According to a 2019 study from Northeastern University, 61 percent of HR leaders say online learning is “of equal or greater quality to more traditional methods.” More than half believe that in the future, most advanced degrees will be online.
Regarding nursing applicants who earned online degrees, there are a few important factors employers consider:
  • 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).1
  • If you have earned nursing licensure. Our program is designed to help you pass the NCLEX and become licensed before getting your first job.
  • The school’s reputation and history of producing excellent employees. Consider our many happy graduates and 50+ years producing more than 40,000 alumni.
For all these reasons employers know what it means when they see “Herzing University” on a resume!

It’s a question of:
  1. What your goals are
  2. How quickly you want to reach them
If your goal is to become an 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.

We work to provide as many pathways as possible for you to join the rewarding career field of nursing. If your high school or college GPA is too low to qualify for enrollment, you have a few additional options with Herzing University: No matter which educational pathway you choose, you’ll be building a strong foundation to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future.

BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a baccalaureate undergraduate nursing degree you can earn as a key step to becoming a Registered Nurse (RN), or the next educational pathway for current ADN nurses seeking career advancement.
A BSN is a step up from an associate in nursing (ADN/ASN) and can offer further job opportunities for nurses seeking a particular specialty or are looking ahead to earning a master’s degree in nursing (MSN).

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.

The advantages of earning a BSN vs. ADN or going from RN to BSN may include:
  • Increased autonomy in decision making while on the job
  • Open doors to more specialties in the nursing field
  • Become a more attractive candidate for hospitals seeking Magnet Recognition
  • Build a foundation to grow into education or leadership pathways
  • Positions you better for nursing jobs with higher pay
  • Qualify to enroll in an MSN program
  • Become more familiar and educated with evidence-based practice opportunities
  • Increase knowledge and understanding of RN specialties and skills
  • Transition from “technical” to “professional” RN
  • Gain a deeper knowledge of nursing theory and leadership theory
A 2017 study from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) indicates employers have the level of education at top of mind in the hiring process. Based on results from 586 schools of nursing, the study revealed 49% of hospitals and other healthcare facilities require new hires to hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing, and 86.3% of employers show a strong preference for BSN graduates.
The ultimate benefit is bettering yourself, becoming the best nurse you can be and following the career path of your choosing.

There are a wide variety of different career paths in nursing, and depending on what makes the most sense for you there are several different types of nursing degrees you may consider:
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing. The fastest way to start your nursing career is to earn a diploma in practical nursing and become a Licensed Practical Nurse. This isn’t a “degree” but it’s an alternative starting point if you’re ready to get your feet wet in nursing.
  • Associate degree in nursing. Earn an associate’s degree in nursing and you’ll be eligible to site for the NCLEX and become a Registered Nurse (RN).
  • Bachelor’s in nursing. A bachelor’s degree is becoming the new educational standard for registered nurses, and it will qualify you for a master’s degree program.
  • Master’s in nursing. Many roles up the ladder in nursing will require a master’s degree.
All schools have their own distinct degree programs based on their qualifications and expertise. Herzing University offers many different options to provide the shortest path to your destination no matter where you are right now, including campus bridge programs and online programs to help you reach the next level in your education. View all of our nursing programs.

The Student Experience at Herzing

Herzing made it possible for me to start working toward my BSN right away by giving me credit for experience I had gained as an LPN. Everyone at the campus was helpful and I never felt like I didn't belong there. The staff went out of their way to help me succeed.

Katrina Games
Nursing Student | Brookfield/Milwaukee Campus

I have been an RN for 28 years in Medical Surgical Nursing and Pediatrics and have been teaching for 8 years. I truly enjoy watching the students be able to put the theory together with practice. Fun fact about me: My BSN and MSN are 20 years apart almost to the date.

Lynn Mellenthien, MSN, RN - Milwaukee/Brookfield Campus
Nursing Student | Brookfield/Milwaukee Campus

Growing up, I always had a passion for helping people, especially the elderly and young. Years later, I started pursuing my bachelor’s degree in nursing at Herzing University, and now here I am a nursing graduate!

Aminata Kuyateh
Nursing Student | Atlanta Campus

Now that I have graduated, I can’t wait to get started.

Mitchell Holms
Nursing Student | Brookfield/Milwaukee Campus

While I already had a current career, I was looking to make a change and start down a new path.

Kayci Krucas
Nursing Student | Kenosha Campus

 This program helped me improve my situation and meet some wonderful people. I’m so glad I never gave up on my dreams!

Danielle Tate
Nursing Student | Brookfield/Milwaukee Campus
Disclosures

Accreditation & Disclosures

1. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Madison is 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.

2. Eligible states for enrollment: Alabama, Colorado, Florida (Orlando and Tampa regions only), Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin.

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.

Classes Start: January 6th

Waived Enrollment Fee

Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.