Associate Degree

Associate in Nursing (RN Prep)
Birmingham, AL

CLASSES START
Jan 6th

24 Mo.

Program Length

Credits

On-campus

Format

2.5 GPA

Required

Waived Enrollment Fee

Apply Now Request Information

Associate Degree

Associate in Nursing (RN Prep)
Birmingham, AL

With Herzing your career in nursing IS possible

Accreditation	ACEN accredited,¹ Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Transfer credit	Up to 54 approved credits
Format	Online general education classes + core on-campus courses
QuickPaths	Faster LPN to RN Bridge option for current licensed practical nurses; degree pathways to continue your education (Online BSN, MSN)

Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) - Birmingham

The Associate of Science in Nursing degree is a 2-year (or less) 72-credit program which prepares you to register/apply to the Board of Nursing for clearance. If approved, the graduates can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN.

The Birmingham ASN program provides students with fundamental knowledge and skills in health assessment, medical terminology, evidence-based practice, 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.

Learn More Today!

Classes start: January 6th

It's never too late

You can join fellow students like Victoria and a group of passionate and caring faculty dedicated to your career success. We know you are possible.

Curriculum

Birmingham ASN program classes & curriculum details

Required coursework for the program includes nursing support courses in healthcare and science, hands-on clinical and laboratory training, general education classes (yes, gen eds are important!), and personal and professional development courses.

Can I take any courses online? Yes, you may complete general education courses online. However, your required nursing classes must be completed on campus, as there is crucial hands-on instructional training necessary to help you become a registered nurse.

Program	Monthsⁱ	Credits
Associate of Science in Nursing	24	72

i. Average number of months for students to complete program

Required Courses in Nursing

All courses, 42.00 semester credit hours, are required.

NSG 121 - Health Assessment 3.00

This course focuses on the concept of health assessment as the foundational step of the nursing process. Knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of comprehensive and focused health assessments will be presented. Interviewing, observation, inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation skills will be examined. Normal findings, variations from normal, cultural differences and appropriate equipment use will be considered.

NSG 122 - Nursing Fundamental Concepts 5.00

This course provides students with opportunities to learn and develop basic competencies necessary to facilitate the optimal well-being of the patient within the healthcare setting in a safe, legal, and ethical manner. Focus is placed on the nursing process, health promotion, disease prevention, professional communication and interdisciplinary collaboration within the context of meeting basic patient needs in a healthcare environment. Throughout the course, students demonstrate competence of fundamental principles of nursing practice which are validated through clinical skill performance assessments.

NSG 123 - Medical-Surgical Nursing I 6.00

This course is designed to further develop and apply concepts related to the nursing process of acute and chronically ill patients. Teamwork and collaboration are introduced to enhance safe and quality nursing care in a variety of clinical settings. Classroom and clinical experiences integrate the concepts of caring, collaboration, communication, cultural sensitivity, community and clinical judgment to facilitate the wellbeing of individuals and prepare the student as a provider of care. In the clinical setting, students will care for patients with select medical and/or surgical problems in various settings, state knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics, apply the nursing process, utilize information technology, interact with other health care professionals, and practice clinical decision making and critical inquiry while caring for culturally diverse, ill adults.

NSG 124 - Pharmacology 3.00

This course introduces the student to the role of pharmacotherapeutic agents in the treatment of illness and in the promotion of wellness in patients throughout the lifespan. These concepts provide the basis for the study of drug actions, indications, side effects, nursing implications, and patient education.

NSG 221 - Mental Health Nursing 4.00

This course focuses on the role of the nurse in caring for patients with alterations in mental health. Focus is placed on the nursing process framework with emphasis on assessment, therapeutic communication, neurobiological and psychosocial theories, pharmacology, and current practices related to the care of the mentally ill. Interventions focus on aspects of care to include professional communication, patient and family teaching, review of community resources, and practical application in various clinical settings.

NSG 222 - Family Nursing 6.00

This course introduces the student to family-centered care and the health needs of the childbearing family. Students review concepts, skills, and techniques needed to care for culturally diverse maternal, infant, and pediatric patients and their families. The nursing process is utilized to emphasize the concepts of family-centered care, collaboration, communication, cultural competence, and community. The clinical experiences focus on concepts and skills required to provide safe and evidence-based care in a variety of clinical settings.

NSG 223 - Medical-Surgical Nursing II 6.00

This course expands on previous nursing knowledge and skills to provide care to patients that have complex health alterations in a variety of clinical settings. Students will explore the concepts of professionalism, collaboration, communication, and cultural competency within the context of illness and their role as provider of care, educator, and patient advocate. In the clinical setting, students will care for selected patients in various settings, applying knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics for patients with medical and/or surgical problems.

NSG 233 - Medical-Surgical Nursing III 5.00

This comprehensive course expands on previously acquired knowledge and skills necessary to manage and plan care for complex patients. Focused on nursing care of complex patients, families, and groups in unstable situations with unpredictable outcomes. The course focuses on nursing practice that facilitates the wellbeing of individuals within the context of critical or complex illness and continues in preparing the student as a provider of care. In the clinical setting, students care for selected patients in various settings, integrating knowledge of pathophysiology and psychosocial dynamics for patients with acute or complex medical and/or surgical problems.

NSG 290 - ASN Practicum 2.00

This course expands on previous nursing knowledge and skills to provide care to diverse patients/clients in various clinical settings. The student will demonstrate synthesis of the program objectives in the clinical setting as well as readiness for beginning work as a nurse generalist. The clinical component is situated in either a precepted or advanced practicum setting.

NSG 299 - Review of Nursing Concepts 2.00

This course expands on previous nursing knowledge providing an opportunity for synthesis of essential nursing concepts as well as preparation for NCLEX-RN success. The student will demonstrate a synthesis of the program objectives and prior learning with faculty-assisted guided review, practice, and remediation.

Required Courses in General Education

Students enrolled in the ASN/AASN 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 EN 111 Information Literacy 11.00 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 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Humanities HU 140 Cultural Diversity 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Mathematics MA 109 College Algebra 3.00 Semester Credit Hours in Social or Behavioral Science PS 105 Developmental Psychology * 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

Personal and Professional Development Courses

All courses, 2.00 semester credit hours, are required.

PD 121 - Professional Development I 1.00

This course is designed to introduce students to methodologies that will prepare them for academic and professional success. Topics include but are not limited to Canvas support, student support services, e-books, university policies, resumes, self-reflection, time management, goal setting, and strategies for anxiety reduction.

PD 202 - Professional Development II 1.00

This course provides an opportunity for students to critically examine their skills and develop a plan to further their career and own financial literacy. Topics include research, job searching, developing career documents, refining interview and communication skills, and creating a personal budget.

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 Dec 31st

Apply Now Request Info

Careers

Earning your associate degree is the first step to becoming an RN

Getting an associate’s degree in nursing (sometimes referred to as ADN or ASN) qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a registered nurse. Registered nurses with associate degrees are in demand from healthcare organizations throughout the U.S.

Registered nurses are the backbone of the day-to-day operations in many different types of healthcare settings. You’ll wear a lot of hats and be expected to handle a wide variety of tasks, including:

Develop and direct treatment plans
Communicate with patients and family members
Perform diagnostic tests
Operate medical equipment
Serve as the key connection between patients and doctors

RN’s may specialize in many different areas, including pediatrics, neonatal/NICU, surgical/OR, geriatrics, OBGYN, ER, trauma and more.

We offer degree pathways to help you reach as high as you want to climb in the field of nursing.

Salary and job outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is expected to rise 6% from 2022-2032, and their average salary is $94,480 per year ($45.42 per hour).*

Now is a great time to begin earning the education you need to find a great job in healthcare, build a foundation for career growth and make an impact in your community.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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-RN) 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

View Program Outcomes

Program	Completion Rate	Pass Rate (NCSBN)*
Akron Campus: Associate of Applied Science in Nursing	43.52%	72.97%
Birmingham Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing	46.96%	91.43%
Birmingham Campus: Practical Nursing	23.91%	100%
Orlando Campus: Associate of Science in Nursing	28.24%	78.51%

Note (1): NCLEX Pass Rate is based on first time exam takers from January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022.
*Official Data is still under review by NCSBN.

Note (2): Program Completion Rate calculation for students who complete the program of study on-time begins with calculating enrollment on the first day of the first nursing course and ends with completion of course required for conferral of the degree. Data presented is in the aggregate for students who started the program in 2020.

* 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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Associate in Nursing (RN Prep)
Birmingham, AL

Associate in Nursing (RN Prep)
Birmingham, AL

With Herzing your career in nursing IS possible

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