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Associate or Bachelor's

RT to RN Options
Nursing Programs - Tampa, FL

Calendar

CLASSES START
May 6th

20-28 Mo.

Program Length

72-120

Credits

On-campus

Format

ASN, BSN

Degree Options

Associate or Bachelor's

RT to RN Options
Nursing Programs - Tampa, FL

Go from RT to RN with Herzing University

AccreditationACEN accredited ASN bridge option,1 CCNE accredited BSN bridge option,2 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer creditUp to 52-90 approved credits
FormatOn-campus classes at our Tampa, Florida location + online
QuickPathsTransfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University

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

Tampa Campus

Visit us
3632 Queen Palm Drive
Tampa, FL 33619
BSN Bridge Option - Respiratory Therapists (RT) - Tampa

RT to ASN/BSN Degree Options - Tampa, FL

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 (RN). Each Tampa campus 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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Experienced faculty

Get face-to-face instruction from experienced and credentialed faculty with real-world success in the field.

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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

Bridge program classes & curriculum details

The bridge programs in Tampa uses online & on-campus classes, lab simulations and clinical practice to help respiratory therapists learn the critical nursing skills needed to thrive as a registered nurse.

Upon graduating you will be eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), meet the Florida Board of Nursing requirements and earn your RN license.

ProgramMonthsiCredits
Associate of Science in Nursing - Bridge to ASN - Tampa2072
Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Bridge to BSN - Tampa28120
i. Average number of months for students to complete program

Bridge to ASN - Associate of Science in Nursing

Required Courses in Nursing

All courses, 31.00 semester credit hours, are required.

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.

Bridge to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

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.

Requirements

Enrollment requirements

To be considered for admission into the program, you must hold a high school diploma or equivalent (Diploma, HSED or GED) and meet the following criteria based on your cumulative GPA:

Cumulative GPAiScience RequirementTEASii
3.50–4.00NoneNone
3.00–3.493.00 GPA in college scienceiiiNone
2.50 and higherNoneComposite TEAS of 58

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.

ii. The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) from the Assessment Technology Institute (ATI).

iii. Based on your cumulative GPA in these college science courses: Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Biology, Chemistry, and Microbiology. Two of these courses must be used to calculate science GPA. Any of these courses completed must be included in the calculation, and no others. If you do not meet this requirement, you must score a composite score of 58 or higher on the TEAS. A grade of "B" or better must be earned for transfer credit to be awarded for Anatomy & Physiology, regardless of whether it was included in the calculation.

Waived Enrollment Fee

Now Through March 31st

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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 raise for the average respiratory therapist in the US ($70,240 per year, $33.77 per hour).

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

Careers

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 #8 Best Healthcare Job for 2023 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.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

Respiratory therapists focus on a patient’s breathing and specialize in respiratory/pulmonary procedures, while RNs provide a broader range of care with greater emphasis on holistic care of the whole person.

RTs can have a more clearly defined set of hands-on tasks they regularly perform, specializing in respiratory diagnosis, testing, and treatment.

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

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.

Disclosures

Accreditation

Accreditation & Disclosures

1. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Herzing University Orlando is 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.

2. Associate of Science in Nursing: The Associate of Science in Nursing program and the Associate of Science in Nursing-Bridge to ASN program at the Tampa location has an accredited status with the Florida Board of Nursing (4042 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-3252, 850-245-4125, www.floridasnursing.gov). Consequently, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-RN) licensing exam upon successful completion of the program. Passing this exam allows graduates to apply to the State Board of Nursing for licensure as a registered nurse.

The Associate of Science in Nursing program at Herzing University located in Orlando, Florida is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000. The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate of Science in Nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm. Herzing University Tampa is included within the scope of this accreditation as an off-campus instructional site.

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

ASN Program Student Handbook

To review the end-of-program student learning outcomes, please click the Handbook above or see the Program Outline in Herzing University Undergraduate catalog at https://www.herzing.edu/catalogs.

* 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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Herzing University Tampa Campus

Come visit our campus in Tampa for a personalized look at our school and get a feel for our learning environment.

Herzing University - Tampa

3632 Queen Palm Dr.
Tampa, Florida 33619
(813) 285-5281

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