Take your nursing career to the next level
| Accreditation | ACEN accredited,1 Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission |
|---|---|
| Program length | 20 months |
| Credits to graduate | 72 credits |
| Transfer credit | Up to 54 approved credits |
| Format | Online general education classes + core on-campus courses |
| QuickPaths | Degree pathways to continue your education (BSN, MSN); transfer credit, stackable credentials, and adaptive learning technology build a faster pathway to a higher education with Herzing University |
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LPN to RN Bridge - Birmingham, AL
The LPN to RN Bridge program is a 72-credit undergraduate program which prepares you for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN). The Birmingham campus associate degree program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in medical/surgical nursing, nutrition, obstetrics, mental health nursing, 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.
Virtual services
Access to extensive virtual services, including academic advising, tutoring, support services, technical support and library services.
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.
Classes & curriculum details
The LPN to RN-ASN program combines theoretical instruction with real, hands-on training in a variety of clinical settings to provide a broad, holistic and reality-based understanding of the duties of a professional nurse. How long the program takes to complete depends on your prior transfer credit.
The program incorporates online classwork – you may complete general education requirements online. However, much of the core nursing coursework and laboratory experience must be done on campus in Birmingham.
| Program | Months i | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Associate of Science in Nursing - LPN to RN Bridge | 20 | 72 |
i. Average number of months for students to complete program.
Required Courses in Nursing
All courses, 33.00 semester credit hours, are required.
Required Courses in General Education
Students enrolled in this associate degree must complete a minimum of 21.00 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. * 9.00 Semester Credit Hours in Communications 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) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities (must include 3 semester credit hours of cultural diversity) 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Science (Anatomy and Physiology course will fulfill this requirement) *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 21.00 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. (3.00 of these credits satisfies Science General Education Requirement.)
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.
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.
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.
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course
Distribution of Contact Hours by Course Course or Category Lecture Lab Externship/Internship/Clinical Total Contact Hours Credits NA 212 30.00 0.00 0.00 30.00 2.00 NA 220 60.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 4.00 NA 225 0.00 0.00 45.00 45.00 1.00 NA 230 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NA 235 60.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 4.00 NA 240 0.00 0.00 45.00 45.00 1.00 NA 250 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NA 260 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 NA 261 0.00 0.00 45.00 45.00 1.00 NA 281 60.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 4.00 NA 282 60.00 0.00 0.00 60.00 4.00 NA 295 0.00 0.00 135.00 135.00 3.00 SC 154 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 SC 254 45.00 30.00 0.00 75.00 4.00 SC 166 30.00 30.00 0.00 60.00 3.00 Communications 135.00 0.00 0.00 135.00 9.00 Humanities 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 Mathematics 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 Behavioral Science 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 Science 45.00 0.00 0.00 45.00 3.00 LPN License – Block Transfer Credit 150.00 0.00 0.00 150.00 10.00 Totals 795.00 90.00 270.00 1155.00 72.00
Enrollment requirements
To be considered for admission into the ASN 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 GPAi | Science Requirement | TEASii |
| 3.50–4.00 | None | None |
| 3.00–3.49 | 3.00 GPA in college scienceiii | None |
| 2.50 and higher | None | Composite 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. | ||
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Going from LPN to RN
As a registered nurse you’ll be the backbone of day-to-day operations in many healthcare settings. RNs help to:
- 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.
Approved roles and responsibilities for both LPNs/LVNs and RNs vary by state. But generally speaking, RNs enjoy a significantly broader scope of practice than LPNs. Earn an undergraduate nursing degree and you can discover new levels of career mobility.
Transitioning from LPN to RN represents an expansion of your scope of practice, higher salary potential, and greater career prospects in the future.
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 $94,480 per year ($45.42 per hour). That would represent a significant raise for the average LPN/LVN in the US ($60,790 per year, $29.23 per hour).
You can take a big step forward in your nursing career by becoming an RN.
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
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With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:
- Loan options – Federal & private
- Scholarships & grants
- VA / military benefits
- Other sources of financial aid
You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.
The biggest difference between a diploma in nursing and an associate degree nursing program is that students in an associate degree program take college courses, and students in a diploma program do not. Earning a practical nursing diploma takes less time than an associate degree (our program can be completed in as few as 12 months). Associate degree programs can take around 2 years to complete and prepare students for licensure as a registered nurse.
The advantage of an associate degree program is you can qualify to become an RN and get a head start on further education—your college course credit can potentially transfer into an online RN to BSN or RN to MSN program should you choose to advance your education in the future.
The advantage of a diploma program is you can get starting working in nursing faster as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) and more quickly discover if nursing is the right career for you.
Yes. Demand remains extremely high for all registered nurses, and if you earn an associate degree, pass the NCLEX and meet the board of nursing requirements in your state, you’re one of them.
Nurses with bachelor’s degrees may have an advantage in earning a nursing position at a hospital (especially hospitals seeking Magnet status), but nurses are currently in such high demand many healthcare organizations are eager to hire ASN nurses.
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.
Herzing University wants to empower you to reach your educational goals. We can help you earn an associate’s degree which is the first step to becoming a registered nurse. Give us a call at 800-596-0724 or request for more information to begin your new career.
It’s a question of:
- What your goals are
- 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.
- ASN: Associate of Science in Nursing
- ADN: Associate Degree in Nursing
- AASN: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
For the purposes of being eligible for the NCLEX exam and becoming a registered nurse, there isn’t much of a difference between these types of degrees.
In general, higher education institutions determine the terminology to use based on the nature of their program and what they emphasize as a priority.
As a career-focused organization, Herzing University stresses the importance of real, engaging coursework to prepare you for a job in the field—so we offer an Associates of Science in Nursing (ASN) at our Birmingham, Nashville, Orlando, and Tampa campuses, and our Akron campus offers an Associates of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN).
We also offer an online associate in nursing program for residents of select U.S. states.
Compare ADN vs. BSN and discover the difference between the two undergraduate degree paths for nurses.
While Registered Nurses (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) often work together in collaboration in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, their roles and responsibilities are very different. Learn more about the biggest differences between practical nurses (LPN/LVN) and registered nurses (RN).
The Student Experience at Herzing
I was not disappointed by Herzing! All my instructors were amazing and showed that they genuinely cared and wanted me to succeed.
Jennifer Neither
Nursing Student | Birmingham CampusAs a grad, I earned a position at a local medical center in their orthopedic unit at night. I can’t wait to get started!
Micah Thomas
Nursing Student | Birmingham CampusAccreditations & Disclosures
1. The Associate of Science in Nursing program at Herzing University – Birmingham located in Birmingham, Alabama is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 ǀ 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 Initial Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.
The Associate of Science in Nursing- LPN to RN Bridge program at Herzing University - Birmingham is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing (RSA Plaza, 770 Washington Avenue, Suite 250, Montgomery, Alabama, 36104, 334-293-5200, www.abn.alabama.gov). Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to sit for the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCLEX-PN) licensing exam.
Herzing University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / 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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Discover the educational pathway designed to maximize your career potential. Reach for greater heights with Herzing University.