RT to RN Options - BSN or ASN
Orlando, Florida

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Akron, Atlanta, Brookfield, Kenosha, Madison, Minneapolis and Orlando are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).