Associate Degree

LPN to RN-ASN Bridge Program
Birmingham, Alabama

CLASSES START
Sep 4th

20 Mo.

Program Length

Credits

On-campus

Format

Hands-on

Training

Waived Enrollment Fee

Apply Now Request Information

Associate Degree

LPN to RN-ASN Bridge Program
Birmingham, Alabama

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

Associate of Science in Nursing - LPN to RN Bridge - Birmingham

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.

Experienced faculty

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

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 Start September 4th

Learn More Today

Curriculum

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	Monthsⁱ	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.

NA 212 - Advanced Pharmacology 2.00

This course focuses on the effects of drug therapy on human body systems. The body systems include the central nervous system, autonomic nervous system, and the cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. Also included are anti-infective, anti-inflammatory, immune and biological modifiers and chemotherapeutic, hematological, dermatologic, ophthalmic, and optic agents. This course will cover laboratory practice of medication administration. It integrates the knowledge of physiology, chemistry, nursing fundamentals, calculations, and interpretation of medication orders as well as the knowledge and ability to administer medications and their pharmacokinetics safely.

NA 220 - Medical Surgical Nursing I for RNs 4.00

This course expands on the scope of adult medical-surgical nursing by focusing on adult clients with increasingly complex self-care deficits and subsequent increase in nursing agency. The student will use critical thinking processes to guide care-planning decisions for the adult client. This course includes the nurse's role in assisting the client with self-management of acute and chronic illness. Emphasis will be placed on working as an effective member of the healthcare team, and beginning leadership skills will be presented.

NA 225 - Medical Surgical Nursing I for RNs Clinical 1.00

The student will use critical thinking processes to guide care-planning decisions for the adult client. The student will plan, implement, and evaluate medical-surgical nursing interventions for appropriateness in preparation for the client's discharge. This clinical course includes the nurse's role in assisting the client with self-management of acute and chronic illness. Students assist with planning and managing care for groups of clients.

NA 230 - Nutrition 3.00

This course offers a nursing perspective on the role of nutrition in health promotion, primary prevention, and clinical disease states. Emphasis will be on classroom and clinical application of critical thinking and caring therapeutic nursing interventions in acute, chronic, and community healthcare settings. Concepts and issues examined include nutrition throughout the life span, nutrition as related to specific disease processes, community nutrition, and USDA dietary guidelines.

NA 235 - Obstetrics/Pediatric Nursing 4.00

This course focuses on the role of the nurse on meeting the physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and developmental needs of the child and childbearing family. Course content includes human growth and development, pediatric care, and prenatal, perinatal, postnatal, and newborn care. Nutrition, pharmacology, culture, ethics, patient education, communication, critical thinking, and application of the nursing process are integrated throughout the course.

NA 240 - Obstetrics/Pediatric Nursing Clinical 1.00

The student will observe, assess, and participate in the care of the maternal, newborn, and child client. This course focuses on the role of the nurse on meeting the physiological, psychosocial, cultural, and developmental needs of the childbearing family and pediatric client in a variety of settings. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to provide and manage care for maternal, newborn, and pediatric clients.

NA 250 - Medical Surgical Nursing II for RNs 3.00

This course is a continuation of Medical Surgical Nursing I for RNs. The scope of adult medical-surgical nursing is broadened to include care of adult clients in complex and critical care areas. Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to identify adult client's complex self-care deficits and plan and provide appropriate nursing agency to adult clients in complex and critical care areas. Emphasis will be placed on clinical decision making for patient-centered collaborative care along with emergency and disaster preparedness.

NA 260 - Mental Health for the RN 3.00

This course focuses on the continued application of the nursing process, critical thinking, and caring therapeutic interventions in acute, chronic, and community-based psychiatric-mental health settings. Basic mental health concepts and issues examined include cultural beliefs and ethnic diversity of the client and nurse as well as legal and ethical issues; therapeutic nurse-client relationship; self-awareness; neurobiopsychosocial theories; therapies and factors affecting health and wellness of clients with common psychiatric mental health needs; and disorders across the life span, i.e., anxiety, mood, thought, cognitive, personality, and eating disorders. Emphasis is placed on client advocacy and collaboration with members of the mental healthcare team.

NA 261 - Mental Health for the RN Clinical 1.00

This practicum will focus on continuing nursing knowledge and skills as related to mental health nursing. Students will continue to develop these areas in hospital and community settings, guided by instructors knowledgeable in the field of mental health.

NA 281 - Role Transition: LPN to RN 4.00

This course provides an overview of theoretical and clinical concepts needed for the transitional role of the associate degree nurse as a provider and manager of care and a member of the profession. Concepts of effective leadership styles, advanced therapeutic communication, delegation, conflict resolution, time management, nursing ethics, and professional issues, including the recognition of the impact of cultural beliefs and ethnic diversity of the client, are analyzed and compared in this final nursing course. Emphasis is placed on classroom and clinical application of critical thinking and caring therapeutic nursing interventions in acute, chronic, and community-based healthcare settings using advanced technological and psychomotor skills. Utilizing the nursing process and advanced critical thinking, the student implements the role of the beginning associate degree nurse as coordinator of care, including theory and clinical accountability to provide quality care in various environments. This course prepares the graduate for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

NA 282 - NCLEX RN Review 4.00

This course is designed to thoroughly prepare the student for the registered nursing licensure exam. It covers essential nursing content from all core clinical areas, the nursing process, and client needs categories. Students will have the opportunity to develop and improve their test-taking skills through computer simulations and practice tests. Extensive student performance evaluation is provided throughout the course to aid in identifying and strengthening necessary content areas.

NA 295 - RN Clinical Internship 3.00

During the Internship phase of training, the student will function in a registered nurse capacity with a preceptor. The preceptorship will center on observing experienced personnel as well as participating in actual nursing activities under close supervision of other registered nurse professionals.

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.

SC 154 - Anatomy and Physiology I for Nurses 4.00

The first anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide nursing students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts related to the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as, special senses. Biochemistry, cellular biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.

SC 254 - Anatomy and Physiology II for Nurses 4.00

The second anatomy and physiology course in a two-term sequence will provide nursing students with information and practical experience regarding anatomical and physiological concepts as related to the circulatory system, lymphatic system, respiratory system, digestive system, urinary system, and the male and female reproductive systems. Biochemistry, cell biology, and histology are integrated into each body system. Emphasis is on interrelationships among systems and regulation of physiological functions involved in maintaining homeostasis.

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 3.00

This course covers topics of algebra including linear functions, equations, inequalities, systems of equations in two variables, polynomial functions, quadratic equations, and rational and radical equations.

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.

Requirements

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.

Waived Enrollment Fee

Now Through June 30th

Apply Now Request Info

You can become possible

It’s never too late to better yourself, get educated, and advance your career to new heights. Kiara and Loretta have made it a family tradition.

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.

Careers

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 #8 Best Healthcare Job for 2023 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.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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).

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.

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.

With Herzing University you are never alone. It’s our goal to provide all students an affordable, career-driven education. Financial aid options include:

You can find an estimate for tuition and expenses by using the Herzing University tuition wizard.

Apply now!

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.

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.

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.

Online BSN Program for Non-Nursing Majors

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) - Online

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) - Birmingham

Accreditations

Accreditations & 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.

View Herzing University Accreditation and Approvals

Herzing University Birmingham Nursing Student Handbook

* 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.

Visit Us

Come tour our Birmingham campus for a personalized look at our LPN to RN-ASN program to get a feel for the school and our learning environment. We are located just south of downtown off of I-65 on W Valley Avenue.

Birmingham Campus

280 West Valley Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama 35209
(205) 791-5860

View all Birmingham degree programs.

LPN to RN-ASN Bridge Program
Birmingham, Alabama

LPN to RN-ASN Bridge Program
Birmingham, Alabama

Take your nursing career to the next level

A second home near you

Herzing University

Birmingham Campus

Call us

Visit us