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Bachelor's Degree

Online LPN to BSN
Program Bridge Option (RN Prep)

Calendar

CLASSES START
May 6th

28 Mo.

Program Length

120

Credits

Online

Format

Hands-on

Training

Bachelor's Degree

Online LPN to BSN
Program Bridge Option (RN Prep)

Go from LPN to RN online with Herzing University

AccreditationCCNE accredited, Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Finish fasterDesigned for practicing LPN/LVNs; take advantage of your current licensure and experience and earn a BSN quicker than a traditional pre-licensure program
FormatCore didactic (lecture) courses are delivered 100% online, including real-time and on-demand courses you can take in evenings/nights, weekends, or whenever 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 states1
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University
Herzing Nursing Graduates
US News Best Online Programs Bachelor's 2024 Badge

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

 BSN Bridge Option - Practical Nurses (LPN) - Online
US News Best Online Programs Bachelor's 2024 Badge

BSN Bridge for Practical Nurses - Online

The BSN Bridge option for LPNs is a 120-credit undergraduate program which prepares you for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). The online bachelor's degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in the nursing process, health assessment, managing care, evidence-based practice, and much more.

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Career-focused curriculum

Discover the crucial knowledge and skills required to succeed in your work and build a foundation for continued career growth.

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Flexible schedule

We work hard to help you maintain school-life balance, striving to be as flexible as possible for busy non-traditional students.

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Virtual services

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

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Lifelong support

We support your ongoing career advancement by providing comprehensive, personalized student services with lifelong career coaching.

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Rolling admissions

No application deadlines to worry about. Apply when you’re ready and prepare to get started soon.

Classes Start May 6th

Learn More Today

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Curriculum

Online LPN to BSN bridge option classes & curriculum details

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

ProgramMonthsiCredits
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Bridge Option28120

i. Average number of months for students to complete program

Required Courses in Nursing

All courses, 55.00 semester credit hours, are required.

Dual Credit Option for Taking Graduate Level Courses

Dual Credit Options are available for the Brookfield, Kenosha, Madison and Minneapolis locations for students who qualify. This option is 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 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    

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 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.

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 or core nursing courses 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 at a designated Herzing or partner site. 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.
Tuition & Cost

Tuition & Cost

The cost of tuition for the online LPN to BSN bridge option is $715 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.

Find my estimate

 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

Enrollment requirements and prerequisites

To qualify for the online LPN to BSN bridge option, you must hold a PN diploma. If you have not received licensure, you may be provisionally admitted, in which case you must provide evidence of a current, active, and unrestricted license as a practical nurse by the end of the first 8-week session.

Additional requirements include both a GPA requirement and minimum benchmark scores on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS):

Prior educationHigh school diploma or equivalent, PN diploma
Minimum GPAi2.5
Minimum TEAS score66
i. Students with 24 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Otherwise, the high school GPA will be used.

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 and South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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 Bridge option 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 Bridge program in the future.

On-campus LPN to BSN

If you are a resident of Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee, or Wisconsin, you may be eligible for our on-campus LPN to BSN Bridge Option.

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

On-campus LPN to ASN

You may also choose an associate degree pathway. Alabama, Florida, and Ohio residents may qualify for our LPN to AASN/ASN programs.

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

U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs 2024

Ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the best online bachelor’s degree programs in 2024.

CCNE Accreditation

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.

Herzing University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

View all Herzing University Accreditations and Approvals.

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 college education and find career success.

Waived Enrollment Fee

Now Through March 31st

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.

Job outlook and pay potential

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurse is expected to increase 6% from 2022-2032.*

Registered nurses earn an average salary of $89,010 per year ($42.80 per hour). That would represent a significant raise for the average LPN/LVN in the US ($55,860 per year, $26.86 per hour).

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

Careers

Going from LPN to RN

As a registered nurse you’ll be the backbone of day-to-day operations in many healthcare settings. RNs help to:

  • 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 #8 Best Healthcare Job for 2023 according to U.S. News & World Report.

Approved roles and responsibilities for both LPNs/LVNs and RNs vary by state. But generally speaking, RNs enjoy a significantly broader scope of practice than LPNs. Earn an undergraduate nursing degree and you can discover new levels of career mobility.

Transitioning from LPN to RN represents an expansion of your scope of practice, higher salary potential, and greater career prospects in the future.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The length of the degree program roughly estimates a baseline for how long it would take for you to go from LPN to RN.

Earning a degree does not by itself make you eligible to practice. You’ll need to pass the NCLEX-RN and meet the Board of Nursing requirements in your state. These additional steps don’t take too much extra time after graduation. How long you have to wait after graduation to take the NCLEX depends on state requirements, but you can generally expect to take the exam within 1-2 months.

You can potentially get an education and become an RN faster on the associate degree path. With prior LPN education and experience, you can earn an ASN in as few as 16 months through our program.

The LPN to BSN pathway takes longer (28 months through our program), but there are many benefits to taking the extra time to earn a bachelor’s degree.

While Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) often work together in collaboration in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, their roles and responsibilities are very different. Learn more about the biggest differences between practical nurses (LPN/LVN) and registered nurses (RN).

The advantages of a BSN can 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 2022 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 responses from nursing schools, the survey revealed 69.8% 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.

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.

Our nursing programs are designed to be challenging, but not impossible. Your career as a registered nurse will be demanding, and our goal is to help you succeed and become the best healthcare provider you can be. We won’t do you any favors by making things too easy.

Learn more about how hard nursing school really is from Herzing graduates who have been through it. You will have support from Herzing University faculty, staff and other students every step of the way. Never be afraid to ask for help when you need it!

Regulation has been deliberated for many years. There is currently only one state which has taken concrete action to make BSNs effectively mandatory for nurses – New York. Their “BSN in 10” bill, passed in January 2017, requires registered nurses holding an associate degree to earn their BSN qualification within 10 years of their initial RN licensure.

Two primary competing factors cloud the issue:

  1. Hospitals are incentivized to hire more BSN-prepared nurses. Organizations seeking Magnet Recognition must require all nurse managers to hold a BSN.
  2. Nurses are in very high demand. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) calls it a shortage in nursing. Raising minimum education requirements may decrease the pool of eligible employable RNs.

Because of the high demand for nurses, sweeping legislation making bachelor’s degrees mandatory across the board seems unlikely. However, make sure to keep an eye on what’s happening in your state!

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.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for registered nurses is $89,010 per year ($42.80 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 6% increase in need for registered nurses from 2022-2032.* RNs are in demand, and earning a BSN can help your resume stand out and give you a better chance of getting the job you really want.

The cost varies based on several factors, including credits you’re able to transfer, campus location, and financial aid for which you are eligible.

You can use our Tuition Wizard to estimate tuition, discover scholarship and grant possibilities, and find out how much transfer credit can lower the cost.

Disclosures

1. 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 and South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, 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.

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By selecting this button you agree to receive updates and alerts from Herzing University. Text HELP to 85109 for help, Text STOP to 85109 to end. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. By opting in, I authorize Herzing University to deliver SMS messages and I understand that I am not required to opt in as a condition of enrollment. By leaving this box unchecked you will not be opted in for SMS messages. Click to read Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Herzing Tuition Wizard

When do you want to start classes?

The program has an automatic transfer of credits, and allows you to transfer up to additional credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credits.

  Transfer Credits

The program allows you to transfer up to credit hours.

  Transfer Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Online Campus
Tuition
Cost per Credit$715.00
Base Tuition$85,800.00
Savings from Transfer Credits (90 x $715.00 )(-$64,350.00)
Estimated Tuition Cost*$21,450.00
Fees
One-time Program Fee$0.00
Per-semester Program Fee$375.00
Per-semester Learner Resource Fee$530.00
Estimated Total Fee*$2,715.00
Total Semesters 1
RequiredNeeded
93
Total Credits
RequiredNeeded
12030
Estimated Cost 2
Base CostYour Cost
$93,945.00$24,165.00
Estimated Savings*
$69,780.00

Available Scholarships & Loan Options

Who Can Apply

Recipients and the amounts of the scholarships vary.

Requirements

Scholarship recipients, amounts, and terms and conditions are determined by Herzing University and its donors and are subject to change. An endowment is an amount of money (fund) that is given to the University with a stipulation that the funds are invested to earn annual interest rather than spent immediately. Students and alumni can learn more through the following channels: email give@herzing.edu, call (262) 735-6189, or visit https://www.herzing.edu/make-donation-herzing-university.

Who Can Apply

Any student in a degree-seeking program that makes on-time, out of pocket payments toward tuition and fee expenses.

Requirements

The amount of the payments made that exceed the amount of excess loan funding received will be used to calculate total award. Eligible students must make on-time payments, according to a predetermined payment plan. Restrictions may vary.

  • Matching percentage is based on student’s EFC at the time of application.
  • Student’s with a Pell eligible EFC will receive a 100% match
  • Students will non-Pell eligible EFC will receive 50% match
  • Students who do no complete the FAFSA will automatically qualify for the 50% match.
Who Can Apply

Available to applicants in any program that demonstrate a financial need, who are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Requirements

Must show financial need and are unable to cover cost of attendance with alternative resources

Who Can Apply

Available to undergraduate students enrolled in an Associates or Bachelor’s degree that are on the Dean’s or President’s list

Requirements

Eligible Applicants must:

  1. Submit an application by the required deadline for applicable semester answering the following questions in paragraph form/essay format, bulleted outline, video submission, or other creative means.
    • What are your proudest achievements during this semester? (Examples: community service, campus involvement, family life, charity work, major improvement to grades, etc.)
    • What obstacles did you have to overcome to achieve your academic success this semester?
  2. Not have received any HU Strive Scholarship in any enrollment. If an applicant is not selected during a semester, they may reapply by submitting a new application in subsequent semesters for as long as they remain on the Dean’s or President’s list

The application must be submitted through Canvas by the end of the A Term immediately following the semester when the Dean’s or President’s list was earned.

Who Can Apply

Available to Herzing graduates who have re-enrolled in a higher-level degree

Requirements

Alumni may qualify as many times as they re-enroll in a higher-level degree

Who Can Apply
  • ASN or BSN: Must have completed the TEAS Assessment Score of 78+ or Kaplan Test Score of 66+.
  • MSN: must have a 3.8+ GPA upon entering the program.
Requirements
  • Applicants in the ASN and BSN, must maintain a 3.0 GPA while enrolled.
  • Applicants in the MSN program must maintain a 3.8 GPA.
Who Can Apply

Employees of a business participating in the Herzing Partnerships Program

Requirements
  • Documentation showing proof of employment is required
  • Recipients must be packaged at direct cost (receiving financial aid for tuition and fees only)

Questions?

Reach out to a member of the Financial Aid team at the Online campus:

Financial Aid Team
(866) 508-0748
fa@herzing.edu

1 

Actual semesters to complete are dependent upon university approved transfer credits and program mapping.

2 

Estimated program length, estimated number of semesters, and estimated program shown above are standard by program for each student based on: a student taking a full-time course load each semester, the student not having any transfer credits (from previous Herzing experiences or from other post-secondary institutions), and successful completion of each course.

Current tuition rates for all programs are effective through the Summer 2024 semester.