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CVT to BSN/ASN
Program Options - Nashville, TN

Advance your career from Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT) to Registered Nurse (RN). Bridge to an ASN or BSN degree with Herzing University in Nashville.

Program Length

20-28 Mo.

Credits

72-120

Format

On-campus

Degree Options

ASN, BSN
calendar

NEXT START September 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

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Bridge from CVT to RN with Herzing University in Nashville

AccreditationAccredited by the Higher Learning Commission
CurriculumDesigned for current licensed Cardiovascular Technologists (CVT) to bridge to an ASN/BSN faster than a traditional program
Transfer creditUp to 52-90 approved credits
FormatIn-person classes at our Nashville, Tennessee campus + online gen eds
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University

Learn More Today!

Classes start: September 3rd

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A second home near you

Join a vibrant class of students and faculty eager to help you find your way to a new career path.

Herzing University Nashville Campus

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100 Centerview Dr
Nashville, TN 37214

Nursing Bridge Options for CVTs – Nashville, TN

The cardiovascular tech to RN educational pathway includes associate and bachelor's degree in nursing program options which prepare you for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). Each Nashville campus program provides students with the fundamental knowledge and skills to help you leverage your abilities as a CVT into a career in nursing.

Herzing nursing students

  • 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.

You may qualify for our online option

We now offer an online BSN Bridge option for CVTs featuring asynchronous didactic (lecture) courses, meaning you can complete all gen ed and core nursing courses online on your own schedule.i

The online bridge option includes practical, hands-on training including clinicals and intensives, which you must attend at a designated Herzing or partner site.

This can be a great choice if you are seeking maximum flexibility in completing your didactic coursework throughout the program.

Explore the online option

i. The online and on-campus programs have unique enrollment requirements. View our online CVT to BSN Bridge Option admission requirements.

Curriculum

Course & Curriculum Details

The courses you take and how long it takes on average to complete the program depends on the pathway you choose:

ProgramMonths iCredit
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) - Bridge Option2072
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Bridge Option28120

i. Average number of months for students to complete program

ASN Bridge Option curriculum

Required Courses in Nursing

All courses, 31.00 semester credit hours, are required.

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.

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.

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.

This comprehensive course expands on previously 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.

This course expands on previous nursing knowledge and skills to provide care to diverse patients/clients in various clinical settings. The student will demonstrate synthesis of the program objectives in the clinical setting as well as readiness for beginning work as a nurse generalist. The clinical component is situated in either a precepted or advanced practicum setting.

This course expands on previous nursing knowledge providing an opportunity for synthesis of essential nursing concepts as well as preparation for NCLEX-RN success. The student will demonstrate a synthesis of the program objectives and prior learning with faculty-assisted guided review, practice, and remediation.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in the ASN program must complete a minimum of 26.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. The Herzing University General Education offerings are listed below. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for additional information on general education requirement. 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications EN 104 English Composition I Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 EN 111 Information Literacy Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 11.00 Semester Credit Hours in in Science   SC 154 Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses Semester Credit Hours: 4.00 SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses Semester Credit Hours: 4.00 SC 166 Microbiology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities HU 140 Cultural Diversity Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics MA 109 College Algebra Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science PS 105 Developmental Psychology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 *  Transfer students may transfer courses that are within 1.00 semester credit hour of the courses listed above to meet these discipline requirements. Any resulting deficiency in the total of 26.00 semester credit hours required in general education may be made up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines. Science courses being transferred in from other institutions must meet the nursing program science requirements.

Special General Education Grading Requirements

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 166 Microbiology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 PS 105 Developmental Psychology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 MA 109 College Algebra Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 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 Semester Credit Hours: 4.00 SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses Semester Credit Hours: 4.00 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 ASN/AASN nursing program in a future semester.

BSN Bridge Option curriculum

Required Courses in Nursing

55.00 semester credit hours, are required.

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.

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.

This course focuses on the transition into the role of a Registered Nurse, emphasizing the scope of practice and integration of professional competencies, clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, communication, collaboration, technology, cultural competence, quality, and safety. It aims to identify and strengthen existing competencies, enhance student knowledge, and prepare individuals to deliver quality nursing care that incorporates both prior proficiency and new concepts introduced in the course. Skills and concepts related to nursing assessment are integrated throughout the curriculum and validated in clinical and lab settings.

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.

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.

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.

This comprehensive course expands on previously 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.

This course uses theoretical frameworks in critical thinking strategies to study the coordinating role of the profession nurse within the healthcare delivery system.  Current theories of leadership and management in relation to nursing practice. 

This course focuses on the role and competencies of the nurse in the community setting, to promote whole-person health.  The principles of professional nursing care are applied to culturally diverse individuals, families, and groups and are integrated throughout the health-illness continuum. In the clinical setting, students care for selected patients in various community-based settings, integrating knowledge of epidemiology and factors that influence population health.

This course explores the research process and its contributions to professional nursing practice. The skills related to reading published research findings and utilizing that evidence as a basis for professional nursing practice are developed.

This course focuses on the use of health information systems, communication devices, computer applications and explores the impact of these technologies on nursing practice.

The course focuses on current national and global trends, policies, and challenges which impact health and healthcare delivery. An overview of ethical and legal issues commonly presented to nurses and other health care providers is discussed with emphasis on the identification and analysis of legal and ethical principles underlying clinical judgment in nursing.

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 clinical component is situated in either a precepted or advanced practicum setting.

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

Dual Credit Options are not available for New Orleans students. See Academic Information for full requirements under title Earning Graduate Credits as an Undergraduate Student. Undergraduate Course Graduate Course Equivalency NSG 321 Advanced Leadership and Management  NU 730 Systems-Based Practice  (Transferrable to MSN & DNP Programs) NSG 324 Evidence Based Practice in Nursing  NU 602 Epidemiology, Research, and Theory   (Transferrable to BSN to DNP Program Only) NSG 421 Nursing Informatics    NU 725 Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice  (Transferrable to MSN & DNP Programs) NSG 423 Policy, Trends, & Ethics in Nursing   HA 610 Health Policy and Management   (Transferrable to MSN Program, except for MSNWHNP)  

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in the BSN program must complete a minimum of 41.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. A minimum of 9.00 semester credit hours must be upper level (300- to 400-level courses). The Herzing University General Education offerings are listed below. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for additional information on general education requirements. 12.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications EN 104 English Composition I EN 111 Information Literacy EN 116 Speech EN 304 English Composition II 14.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science  SC 154 Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses SC 166 Microbiology SC 186 Chemistry 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities HU 140 Cultural Diversity HU 340 Humanities and Contemporary Popular Culture 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics MA 109 College Algebra MA 320 Statistics 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science PS 101 Psychology Note: Transfer students may transfer courses that are within 1.00 semester credit hour of the courses listed above to meet these discipline requirements. Any resulting deficiency in the total of 41.00 semester credit hours required in general education may be made up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines. 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 Semester Credit Hours: 4.00 SC 254 Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses Semester Credit Hours: 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 166 Microbiology Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 MA 109 College Algebra Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 MA 320 Statistics Semester Credit Hours: 3.00 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. Resuming students should refer to the section on re-entering for additional requirements.

Distribution of Contact Hours by Course

Distribution of Contact Hours by Course Course Lecture Hours Lab Hours Clinical Hours Total Contact Hours Credits NSG 120 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 124 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 126 15.00 30.00 45.00 90.00 3.00 NSG 221 45.00 0.00 45.00 90.00 4.00 NSG 222 60.00 0.00 90.00 150.00 6.00 NSG 223 60.00 0.00 90.00 150.00 6.00 NSG 321 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 323 60.00 0.00 45.00 105.00 5.00 NSG 324 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 421 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 233 45.00 30.00   45.00 120.00 5.00 NSG 423 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NSG 425 30.00 0.00  135.00  165.00 5.00 NSG 426 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 101 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 111 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 116 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 EN 304 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 HU 140 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 HU 340 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 MA 109 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 MA 320 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 PS 101 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 SC 154 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 SC 254 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 SC 166 30.00 30.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 SC 186 30.00 30.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 Block Credit for License         24.00 Totals 1185.00 180.00 495.00 1860.00 120.00

Requirements

Enrollment requirements

To be considered for admission into the ASN or BSN Bridge Option in Nashville, you must:

  • Hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED, or GED)
  • Currently work as a licensed Cardiovascular Technologist (CVT)
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5i
  • Earn a minimum score of 58.7 on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) from the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI)

If you do not meet the GPA or TEAS requirements, you may be eligible for our Associate in General Studies - Pre-Nursing program as an alternative pathway. Please contact admissions for further details.

i. Students with 18 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the high school GPA will be used.

Classes Start: September 3rd

Waived Enrollment Fee

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

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Your nursing career is possible

Join Emily and embark on a complete, holistic, career-focused education preparing you with the skills and knowledge to succeed as a registered nurse.

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Careers

Going from CVT to RN

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Transitioning from cardiovascular technologist to RN means expanding on your medical-based cardiovascular education into the more holistically-focused field of nursing.

As a registered nurse, you’ll be the backbone of day-to-day operations in many healthcare settings. Your duties can include:

  • Develop and direct treatment plans
  • Counsel patients and family members
  • Ensure patient comfort
  • Serve as the key connection between doctors and patients

Registered Nurse ranks as the #18 Best Healthcare Job for 2025 according to U.S. News & World Report.

Can I specialize? While a nursing degree curriculum can introduce a wider spectrum of course topics, RNs can specialize in an area of their choosing with enough education and experience. You may be able to use your experience as a CVT to help become a cardiac nurse in the future.

Job outlook and pay potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurse is expected to increase 6% from 2023-2033.*

Registered nurses earn an average salary of $98,430 per year ($47.32 per hour). That represents a raise for the average cardiovascular technician/technologist in the US ($72,890 per year, $35.04 per hour).

You can take a big step forward in your nursing career by becoming an registered nurse.

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!

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It’s a question of:

  1. What your goals are
  2. How quickly you want to reach them

If your goal is to go from LPN to 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.

There’s nothing easy about being a nurse. Nurses with a thirst for knowledge, compassion, empathy, self-awareness and a constant focus on lifelong learning are truly exceptional.

Learn more about what makes a good nurse, from the quality of the care you provide to the confident smile you wear every day.

We offer online associate, bachelor's, and master's degree pathways for those without nursing experience looking to become an RN. Eligibility varies by state of residence.

Learn more about our online nursing programs designed for non-nurses.

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.

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.

While cardiovascular technicians and technologists assist physicians in diagnosing and training heart disease and heart-related conditions, RNs provide a broader range of care with greater emphasis on holistic care of the whole person.

CVTs can have a more distinct set of hands-on tasks they regularly perform, trained for certain invasive or noninvasive cardiovascular procedures.

RNs must be familiar with a wide scope of knowledge and procedures. While RNs can specialize in cardiology, they can also specialize in many other areas and discover opportunities to advance their practice in the future.

Because nurses with a BSN have earned that next degree level and generally have the edge on the job market, they will on average earn a slightly higher salary than nurses with an ASN. However, there are always exceptions; an ASN with several years of an experience may earn a higher salary than an RN with a BSN who is just starting their career.

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The Student Experience at Herzing

If I had any advice, it would be to go with Herzing! Never think that you can’t learn more, since there’s always room to grow!

Steven Willis

Steven Willis

Nursing | Online Campus
Disclosures

Accreditation & Disclosures

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Nashville is pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). Applying for accreditation does not guarantee that accreditation will be granted.

Effective May 7, 2024, the associate nursing program at Herzing University at the Nashville Campus located in Nashville, Tennessee is a candidate for initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. This candidacy status expires on May 7, 2026.

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 975-5000

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this candidate program on the ACEN website. 

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

* 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.

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Classes Start: September 3rd

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

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