Are registered nurses in demand?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12% increase in employment for registered nurses from 2018 to 2028, faster than the 5% average across all occupations. Demographic changes resulting in an older population will increase the need for healthcare professionals to educate and care for patients with many different types of conditions, particularly diabetes, dementia and arthritis.

RT to RN Track - BSN/ASN Programs

Bridge from Respiratory Therapist to nursing faster

CCNE-accredited*
Transfer up to 90 approved credits
Program length: 18-32 months
Associate and bachelor’s degree options
Comprehensive preparation for nursing licensure and practice
Earn dual credit towards a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Waived enrollment fee Classes start November 2nd

Program

Start your new career in nursing - faster.

Take full advantage of your professional experience as a registered respiratory therapist (RRT/RT) and you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree faster with Herzing University in Orlando, Florida.

Our bridge program options are built for licensed respiratory therapists looking to branch into a career as a registered nurse (RN).

Earn your nursing degree and jump into your new career in nursing.

Graduate from our either our ASN or BSN bridge program in Orlando, Florida and you will be fully prepared for the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN), meet the Florida board of nursing requirements and become a registered nurse.

Classes Start January 11th

Learn More Today

Degree Options

Choose your bridge to a degree in nursing

Cardiovascular Technician to ASN Degree Program Orlando Florida

RT to ASN

Program length: 18 months
Credits required: 72 credit hours
Degree: Associate of Science in Nursing

Earn your associate degree in nursing and step towards becoming an RN faster.

Cardiovascular Technician to BSN Degree Program Orlando Florida

RT to BSN

Program length: As few as 32 months
Credits required: 120 credit hours
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Work towards a bachelor’s degree in nursing and vault your career to the next level.

Curriculum

Classes & curriculum details

The Herzing University Orlando Bridge to BSN and Bridge to ASN program options are concept-based, covering topics such as ethics and law, research and practice, informatics, global health policy, leadership and management. General education courses may be completed online, while core nursing courses must be completed on campus in Orlando, Florida.

The curriculum also provides pathways for paramedics, licensed practical nurses (LPN) and cardiovascular technicians (CVT) to bridge to their associate or bachelor's degree. Our program prepares you for real-life experience in patient care, utilizing lab simulations and clinical practice.

Program	Credits	Months*
Associate of Science in Nursing - Bridge to ASN - Orlando	72	18
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Bridge to BSN - Orlando	120	32

*Average number of months for students to complete program

ASN Curriculum
BSN Curriculum

Bridge to ASN - Associate of Science in Nursing

Required Courses in Nursing

All courses, 30.00 semester credit hours, are required. ^A dosage calculation exams is required for this course. Students unable to pass the exam will be issued an "F" for the course and will be required to repeat the course in order to satisfy program requirements. Please review the course syllabus for more information.

NF 171 - Transition to RN Practice 6.00

This course is designed to introduce the bridge student to the concepts related to professional nursing care. Emphasis will be placed on the scope of practice of the registered nurse. A nursing process approach is utilized to emphasize evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teaching/learning, professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, managing care, technology, and skills. Nursing skills, medication administration, and health assessment are integrated and applied in the nursing laboratory. Upon successful completion, the student will be able to provide quality nursing care, incorporating the concepts identified in this course.

NF 215 - Nursing V^ 6.00

This course is designed to augment previously learned concepts, introduce care of the family unit, and incorporate concepts related to leadership and professionalism. The nursing process is utilized to emphasize the concepts of family, health promotion, critical thinking, teaching/learning, communication, and advocacy. Upon successful completion, the student will be able to provide safe community and acute nursing care to the family unit.

NF 214 - Nursing IV^ 6.00

This course is designed to broaden concepts related to nursing management of ill clients. The nursing process is used to expand upon previously learned concepts for the provision of safe, patient-centered nursing care to developmentally and culturally diverse populations. This course emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, teaching/learning, professional behaviors, communication, collaboration, and managing care. Upon successful completion, the student will be able to provide safe, holistic nursing care for one or more ill clients in the acute care of community settings.

NF 216 - Nursing VI^ 6.00

This course is designed to integrate previously learned concepts, life span development, and the promotion of critical thinking skills while applying the nursing process. Nursing management focuses on complex nursing care of the child and adult. Upon successful completion, the student will be able to provide safe nursing care to complex clients in the community and acute care setting.

NF 217 - Nursing VII^ 4.00

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 student engages in the application of the nursing process in collaboration with the RN preceptor who guides the clinical experience. Upon successful completion, the student will be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to provide safe, individualized entry-level nursing care.

NF 218 - Nursing VIII 2.00

This course provides the student with the opportunity to assess his/her strengths and areas for improvement in preparation for the NCLEX-RN®. Utilizing critical thinking and the nursing process, integration of all previous concepts will be emphasized through the use of case studies, integrated testing, and directed study.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 15.00 semester credit hours in general education distributed among the following disciplines. Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for Herzing University courses that would satisfy these requirements. * 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communication 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics (see Nursing Program Support Courses below for course requirements) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science (Psychology is required) * 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 15.00 semester credit hours required in general education may be made up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines.

Nursing Program Support Courses

11.00 semester credit hours are required.

The following nursing support courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (70%) or better for a student to continue in the nursing program.

SC 166 - Microbiology 3.00

This course provides an introduction to the study of microorganisms. It covers normal microbiota and pathogenic microbes. Select topics include function, metabolism, genetics, growth, and relationships to humans and the environment. Topics related to human infectious diseases include transmission, host defense mechanisms, growth processes, and the spread of infectious agents. This course also includes a practical component.

MA 109 College Algebra

The following nursing support 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 146 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4.00

The first anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts related to the integumentary system, skeletal system, muscular system, nervous system, and special senses. Biochemistry, cellular biology, and histology will be integrated into each system.

SC 246 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4.00

The second anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts as related to the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and the male and female reproductive systems. Biochemistry, cell biology, and histology will be integrated into each body system.

A student who is dropped from the nursing program for failing to achieve the minimum grade specified in the Nursing Program Support Courses, but who otherwise meets the academic standards of the University may transfer to another Herzing degree program and/or may reapply to the BSN nursing program in a future cycle.

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I 1.00

This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that will prepare them for academic and professional success. Topics include but are not limited to Canvas support, student support services, e-books, university policies, resumes, self-reflection, time management, goal setting, and strategies for anxiety reduction.

PD 202 - Professional Development II (Semester Credit Hour Course) 1.00

This course provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their skills and develop a plan to further their career and own financial literacy. Topics include research, job searching, developing career documents, refining interview and communication skills, and creating a personal budget.

Bridge to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Required Courses in Nursing

All courses, 59.00 semester credit hours, are required. ^A dosage calculation exam is required for this course. Students unable to pass the exam will be issued a final grade of "F" and will be required to repeat the course in order to satisfy program requirements. Please review the course syllabus for more information.

NF 171 - Transition to RN Practice 6.00

NF 214 - Nursing IV^ 6.00

NF 215 - Nursing V^ 6.00

NF 216 - Nursing VI^ 6.00

NF 310 - Nursing Pathophysiology 3.00

This course focuses on alterations of selected physiological functions that occur in response to a disease process or compensate for common stressors like inflammation or pain. The content builds upon previous understanding of anatomy, physiology, microbiology, basic chemistry, and the usual manifestations of common diseases. Alterations in pathophysiological functions of cells and the interrelationships of body systems are explored. Physiological theory and treatment are discussed using case situations and discussion questions that exemplify the content.

NF 317 - Nursing VII^ 6.00

This course teaches concepts underlying professional career development in nursing. The role as a nurse manager, an integral part of a healthcare institution hierarch, is explored. Emphasis will be placed on the role of the nurse as a frontline manager, utilizing interprofessional communication skills and collaboration. The goal of these conceptual applications is to achieve excellence in the administration of healthcare organizations and in the provision of healthcare. Concentration on the acquisition of leadership behaviors, values, and the roles of planner, coordinator, provider, and evaluator of care are emphasized. The course focuses on concepts and tools required to provide safe care with evidence-based leadership. Focus of the nurse as educator, including principles and theories of teaching and learning, will be identified. Strategies for nurses to teach in staff development, as well as their role as a preceptor and in academic programs, will be explored. Students are introduced to quality improvement, case management, utilization review, staff development, peer review, and competency evaluation in healthcare.

NF 319 - Nursing IX^ 6.00

This course analyzes public health concepts, trends, theories, and issues for advanced community health nursing practice. Aggregates, stakeholders, high-risk populations, public health functions, domestic and international healthcare delivery systems, and conceptual and scientific frameworks for community/public health nursing practice are incorporated. Guided practice in the development and refinement of specific assessment knowledge, techniques, and skills are explored to assist in recognizing normal and deviated health patterns and at-risk behaviors in multicultural clients and populations across the life span.

NF 320 - Nursing VIII 3.00

This course analyzes the impact of educational, legal, ethical, political, and social issues on health policy and healthcare as well as rising liability insurance costs and perspectives on American healthcare delivery-past, present, and future. The emphasis is on nursing at the microsystem level. Healthcare policies at the local, regional, state, national, and global levels will be discussed, including similarities and differences. Global differences and their relationship to American healthcare practice are explored. Issues of funding methods, resource allocation, access to care, and disparities impacting the healthcare system are addressed from a policy perspective. Emphasis will be placed on evaluation of the effects of practice and healthcare laws and policies related to practice, consumer health, and the profession of nursing associated with the cultural differences, current legislation, political and religious controversy, economic constraints, and technology. Factors will be defined that may influence a proactive response to achieve safety, prevention of errors, and quality patient outcomes.

NF 420 - Nursing X 5.00

This course will focus on healthcare information systems, database management, data quality, workload, quality improvement, resource utilization, and system design. General computer office applications and healthcare-specific technology applications are presented. Technology that supports patient care and the benefits of healthcare technology are emphasized. Students will learn about emerging information sources and communication technology and their impact on healthcare. Emphasis will be placed on trends and issues in clinical technology as well as security and the use of databases. Students collaborate with a faculty mentor to create a portfolio demonstrating the progress made toward individual and program goals and outcomes. The portfolio includes evidence of ability to conduct integral health assessments and to develop and implement service-learning projects. When completed, the portfolio will contain examples of papers, evaluations from faculty and self, and a reflective summary of the learning that occurred. The portfolio is designed to demonstrate evidence of mastery of program and course learning outcomes and serves as an assessment of student learning.

NF 421 - Nursing XI 6.00

This course introduces the methods of clinical and scientific inquiry, with a focus on research methodologies, nursing theory, and the application of an evidence-based practice approach to patient care. Emphasis is placed on the development of the decision-making skills Descriptions required to critically appraise published investigations and to utilize research findings to effect positive change in healthcare through evidence-based practice. Students will utilize various databases and enhance their ability to analyze and synthesize research findings appropriate to clinical practice.

NF 422 - Clinical Practicum^ 4.00

This is a clinical course that provides a practicum for the application of concepts learned throughout the program as the student engages in the full scope of professional nursing practice. The RN preceptor will provide the student with a guided clinical experience. Upon completion, the student should be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to provide safe, individualized entry-level nursing care.

NF 423 - Integration of Nursing Concepts 2.00

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, critical thinking, and integration of all previous concepts will be emphasized through the use of case studies, integrated testing, and directed study.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in this bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 33.00 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). Refer to the General Education section of the catalog for Herzing University courses that would satisfy these requirements. * 12.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in General Education Electives (students must take a 300-level course to fulfill this requirement) 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 6.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics (see Nursing Program Support Courses below for course requirements) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science (see Nursing Program Support Courses below for course requirements) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science (Psychology is required) * 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 33.00 semester credit hours required in general education may be made up with general education electives from any of the listed disciplines.

Required Support Courses for Nursing

11.00 semester credit hour is required.

The following nursing support courses must be completed with a grade of "C" (70%) or better for a student to continue in the nursing program.

SC 166 - Microbiology 3.00

SC 146 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4.00

SC 246 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4.00

Open Elective

1.00 semester credit hour is required.

Personal and Professional Development Courses

2.00 semester credit hours are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I 1.00

PD 202 - Professional Development II (Semester Credit Hour Course) 1.00

Questions? Speak with an advisor today

Requirements

Enrollment requirements

To be considered for admission, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED or GED) and meet any of the below requirements:

Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and meet a minimum composite score of 58 on the most current version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). TEAS score must be from within three years of anticipated date of matriculation
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and a minimum score of 21 on the ACT
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (no entrance test!)

* Students with 12 or more transferable collegiate credits will be assessed on their collegiate cumulative GPA. Candidates with a GED or HSED will be assessed a 2.5 cumulative GPA.

Careers

What can I do with a degree in nursing?

To become a registered nurse you will need to first earn your associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Earning your bachelor’s degree opens up many doors to pursue the nursing specialties of your choice and qualify for a wide array of potential nursing career paths.

Can I earn an associate’s degree an become an RN? Yes! A bachelor’s degree may qualify you better for leadership roles in nursing in the future, but in the state of Florida, you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN and become a registered nurse with an associate’s degree in nursing.

A bachelor’s degree is a stepping stone to earning your Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) and becoming a leader in your field, whether as a family nurse practitioner, nurse educator, nursing administrator or other managerial position in a healthcare institution. Nursing offers you many diverse paths to find the way to the career you’ve always dreamed about.

RT to RN Bridge Program Orlando, Florida

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s a question of:

What your goals are
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.

The difference between RN vs BSN is that RN stands for Registered Nurse and BSN stands for Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. RN is the career; BSN is a degree needed to become an RN. Earning your BSN positions you for more possibilities as a registered nurse both in earning potential and ability to specialize in the field of your choice.

According to 2019 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in Florida earn an average salary of $67,610 per year ($32.50 per hour). Pay will depend on your education, years of experience, nursing specialty and healthcare facility where you work. Read more about the how much a registered nurse can make with a BSN.

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.

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.

Registered nurses on average earn $77,460 per year ($37.24 per hour) nationwide, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics—although estimates will vary based on your state of employment. Find the average BSN nurse salary in your state.

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.

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.

Accelerated BSN Option

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Associate in Nursing

Accreditations

Accreditations & Disclosures

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Orlando is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

Visit Us

Come visit our Orlando campus for a personalized look at our campus to get a feel for the school and our learning environment. We are located on the northeast side of Orlando just off Semoran Boulevard.

Orlando Campus

1865 SR 4360
Winter Park, Florida 32792
(407) 641-5227

View all Orlando degree programs.

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RT to RN Options - BSN or ASN
Orlando, Florida

Bridge from Respiratory Therapist to nursing faster