Go from RT to RN with Herzing University
| Accreditation | CCNE accredited BSN program,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Options | Choose an ASN or BSN degree pathway (RT to ASN only available in Birmingham, Clarksville, Nashville, Orlando, Tampa, and Online) |
| Transfer credit | Transfer up to 54-90 approved credits |
| Format | Online general education classes + core on-campus courses - you may also choose to take an online bridge option with 100% online didactic classwork |
| QuickPaths | Transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
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Satisfaction rate
Our overall student satisfaction rate, according to the 2024 Herzing Graduate Survey.
Overview: RT to ASN/BSN Degree Options
The RT to RN pathway includes associate and bachelor's degree in nursing program options which prepare you for a career as a registered nurse. Each program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in the nursing process, health assessment, managing care, evidence-based practice, and much more.
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.
Experienced faculty
Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.
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.
Pathways
Choose your career pathway with Herzing
Associate degree
RT to ADN/ASN
- Program length: 20 months
- Credits: 72 credits to graduate
- Campus Availability:
Birmingham, Clarksville, Nashville, Online, Orlando, Tampa
Bachelor's degree
RT to BSN
- Program length: 28 months
- Credits: 120 credits to graduate
- Campus Availability:
Atlanta, Brookfield, Clarksville, Kenosha, Madison, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Online, Orlando, Tampa
Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.
Going from RT to RN
Transitioning from respiratory therapist to RN involves broadening your knowledge and skills from a highly specialized field to the broader scope 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 an RT to help become a respiratory/pulmonary nurse in the future.
Job outlook and pay potential
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurse is expected to increase 5% from 2024-2034.*
Registered nurses earn an average salary of $98,430 per year ($47.32 per hour). That would represent a raise for the average respiratory therapist in the US ($79,760 per year, $38.35 per hour).
You can take a big step forward in your nursing career by becoming an RN.
The Student Experience at Herzing
I’ve always had a passion for helping others, so nursing seemed like the right career choice for me.
Natalie Hassan
Nursing | Orlando CampusMy advice to students is to take it one step at a time. Don't get discouraged and set unreasonable expectations for yourself. Life is going to happen, might as well keep moving toward your goals along the way.
April Christine Lam
Nursing | Online CampusMy wife is a nurse and she is my hero that inspired me to become one. Nurses have a chance to make a real difference in someone's life, and I wanted to be a part of that.
John Santurri
Nursing | Orlando CampusI wanted to get into a new career that I would enjoy and that was also rewarding. I've always enjoyed helping others and have been fascinated by the human body, so I knew that nursing was right for me.
Brian Franks
Nursing | Akron CampusI liked how effective and straightforward the nursing program was!
Kim Allen
Nursing | Birmingham CampusAccreditation & Disclosures
1. The baccalaureate degree programs in nursing at Herzing University Atlanta, Brookfield, Clarksville, Kenosha, Madison, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, and Orlando are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org). This accreditation includes the baccalaureate degree program offered at the satellite Herzing University Tampa location. Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin.
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
| Program | 2025 Completion Ratei | 2025 NCLEX-RN/NCLEX-PN Pass Rateii |
|---|---|---|
| Akron Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 26.76% | 84.91% |
| Birmingham Campus: Practical Nursing | 23.57% | 97.96% |
| Birmingham Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 40.63% | 89.87% |
| Brookfield Campus: Practical Nursing | 29.63% | 80.39% |
| Kenosha Campus: Practical Nursing | 23.08% | 92.86% |
| Madison Campus: Practical Nursing | 14.58% | 100% |
| Madison Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 58.70% | 75% |
| Nashville Campus: Practical Nursing | 25.32% | 100% |
| Nashville Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 33.33% | 64.29% |
| Orlando Campus: Practical Nursing | 38.53% | 82.29% |
| Orlando Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 31.82% | 76.47% |
| Tampa Campus: Practical Nursing | 21.70% | 93.75% |
| Tampa Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing | 27.87% | 83.87% |
iIn accordance with ACEN requirements, program completion rate is the calculation of the percentage of students who enter the program of study and complete the program of study in the advertised program length (i.e., on-time). Calculation of the program complete rate begins with a student’s enrollment in the first nursing course and at the time when a student can no longer receive a 100% tuition refund for the first nursing course, regardless of the source of funds used to pay the students’ tuition. The calculation ends with students’ completion of all requirements for conferral of a certificate, diploma, or degree, as appropriate.
iiRates reflect the performance of graduates who took the NCLEX® for the first time between January 1 and December 31. This excludes the Birmingham Campus programs, which report NCLEX® pass rates based on all test attempts for graduates testing between January 1 and December 31, in accordance with Alabama Board of Nursing requirements.
The Clarksville Campus is a satellite location of the Nashville Campus. Therefore, completion and NCLEX® pass rates are aggregated for these two campus locations.
* 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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Waived Enrollment Fee
Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.