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1. Online Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)

One of the fastest tracks we offer for students without prior experience in nursing is our online Associate of Science in Nursing program. 

Naming conventions may vary at the associate degree level, including ASN, ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing), and AASN (Associate of Applied Science in Nursing). There isn’t usually a significant difference between these types of programs.  

Our online ASN program, which is eligible for residents of select U.S. states, can be completed in as few as 24 months with 100% online didactic coursework. The bridge option provides select healthcare professionals a faster pathway to earning an ASN online: practical nurses, paramedics, military medics, respiratory therapists, and cardiovascular technologists. 

This can be an excellent option for students with no prior degree looking for the shortest path to working as a registered nurse. Our admissions team can help you determine if this is the right pathway for you.

2. Online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A bachelor’s degree curriculum takes longer to complete—as few as 36 months—but offers potential benefits for students with no prior nursing experience when compared to an ASN program.

The online BSN program offers additional undergraduate courses which can help better prepare you to pass the NCLEX-RN(R) exam. The additional coursework and time can help you establish a stronger foundation to prepare for real world success as an RN.

Another benefit of the BSN program is you can potentially earn dual credit towards a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. The BSN program also includes a BSN bridge option for the healthcare professions listed previously.

The online BSN program can be a good choice for students new to nursing who are looking for a more comprehensive undergraduate education. Earning a bachelor’s degree now can position you more strongly to advance your nursing education to the graduate level in the future.

Accelerated study

The Herzing online BSN program can be completed faster than a typical 4-year bachelor’s degree program, but it’s not strictly an “accelerated” program. 

Prospective students who are prepared for a more rigorous curriculum, hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree (any major), and reside near an eligible Herzing campus may be interested in our on-campus Accelerated BSN option (ABSN). You can potentially complete some coursework online, but some students may benefit from on-campus courses to more firmly embed knowledge and skills in such a fast-moving curriculum.

3. Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Direct Entry

Our nursing school offers an alternative second-degree master’s program for students interested in an online program and want to position themselves for higher pay potential and/or further career advancement.

The MSN Direct Entry program is designed for students who have already earned a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. The program can be completed in as few as 24 months, meaning students with no nursing experience can potentially become a master’s-prepared RN in about 2 years.

Completing a master’s degree program now can help you develop more advanced knowledge and skills, as well as help you find a quicker path to higher education in the future. After earning a master’s degree, you can potentially pursue a post master’s certificate in a specialty of your choosing (including several types of nurse practitioners) or continue into a doctorate in nursing program and earn the terminal degree in nursing.

The recipe for the success in this online program includes perseverance, determination, and an eagerness to dive into the deep end of a highly rewarding career path. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to helping you successfully complete the program, pass the NCLEX-RN(R), and reach for greater heights in the field of nursing.

Enrollment requirements

Prerequisites to enroll vary by program. The minimum required GPA is lower for our undergraduate degree options than the MSN Direct Entry program. 

The associate and bachelor’s degree options do not require a prior degree—but you will need a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to apply for the MSN Direct Entry program.

You will also need to achieve a minimum composite score on the most current version of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). 

Each program is available in select U.S. states which varies by degree level; you can click below to find eligible states for the program of your choosing:

• Associate of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Master of Science in Nursing – Direct Entry

Online pre-nursing

If you do not meet the GPA requirement for an online undergraduate program, there is another online option potentially available to you: our online general studies pre-nursing program. Through this program, you can potentially improve your GPA enough to qualify for an online BSN program and continue the pathway to becoming an RN.

As an alternative, you may consider starting your nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN/LVN). Our 12-month on-campus practical nursing diploma program is available at several campus locations.