Herzing University is approved to offer programs in an online learning modality through association with the main campus in Madison, Wisconsin. ​

Program Description

This Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares the licensed practical nurse (LPN), paramedic, military medic, respiratory therapist, or cardiovascular technologist to practice as a nurse generalist member of the healthcare team in a variety of settings. The program focuses on patient-centered care, teamwork, and collaboration, evidence-based practice, safety, quality improvement, and informatics. The program emphasizes the use of innovative technologies and preparation for assuming leadership roles.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of their program, the student should be able to:

1. Prioritize patient-centered care using clinical judgment and the nursing process.

2. Collaborate with patients, families and team members to provide safe and culturally competent care.

3. Integrate evidence-based practice within diverse clinical settings to deliver optimal care.

4. Minimize risk of harm to patients and providers through both systems effectiveness and individual performance.

5. Use informational technology to communicate, mitigate error, support decision making, and manage patient care.

6. Evaluate quality improvement processes to enhance patient outcomes.

7. Integrate professionalism and advanced leadership skills within the interdisciplinary healthcare environment.

8. Analyze national and global policies, legislative concepts, and economics to address population outcomes.

Program Content

A minimum of 120.00 semester credit hours is required for graduation. Students who have completed a program in practical nursing, paramedic, respiratory therapy, or cardiovascular technologist in the state in which the program was completed and who hold a current license from any state will be awarded 24.00 semester credit hours toward this degree.

Third Party Testing

Assessment and remediation are critical components of nursing education. Students in the nursing program may be required to take third-party, standardized, proctored exams in an electronic format throughout the curriculum. Students may be required to go to a third-party testing site to complete exams. These standardized tests are valid and reliable predictors of success on the NCLEX examination and provide valuable feedback concerning student strengths and weaknesses. Student learning outcome data identifies content areas that require remediation, allowing faculty to personalize student support and intervention. Courses that utilize third-party exams will incorporate the points earned on the test as a percentage of the final grade earned for the course as specified in the course syllabus.

BSN Nursing Curriculum Progression Milestone Exams and Policy

The purpose of the nursing progression milestone exams and policy is to ensure preparation of the student for the NCLEX exam. This process validates knowledge acquisition and application through standardized, third-party exams. Students will be required to complete three progression milestone exams at key points in the curriculum as well as an exit exam during the final semester.  Each progression milestone exam is a comprehensive assessment of all content covered in the program up to exam administration. 

Progression Milestone exam#1 is administered after or while completing NSG 125 . 

Progression Milestone exam #2 is administered after or while completing NSG 221 , NSG 222 , and NSG 223 .

Progression Milestone exam #3 is a Pharmacology exam and will be administered during the term prior to NSG 426 . 

If the *benchmark score on the first formal attempt is not attained, a plan for remediation will be developed in collaboration with the faculty/program chair/NCLEX coach and a second attempt will be provided. 

If the benchmark score is not achieved on the second attempt, the student cannot be registered for any subsequent clinical courses. The student will be registered for outstanding general education requirements and a mandatory nursing remediation course. Students who are registered for the nursing remediation course must actively participate in the course, post attendance, and complete course requirements to be eligible for a milestone retake.  Students who fail to actively participate, post attendance, and complete remediation course requirements, or who withdraw, will be dismissed from the program and ineligible to take the final milestone retake. The final milestone retake is administered to eligible students at the conclusion of the 8-week remediation course. It is important to note that this may impact the anticipated graduation date by a minimum of one semester.

In the event a student fails a nursing course but passes the milestone exam, the student will re-take the milestone exam upon successful completion of the failed course. This will demonstrate retention of knowledge and preparation for the NCLEX exam.

If the student is unsuccessful on the final attempt to demonstrate competency, the student will be dismissed from the ASN/AASN or BSN program and will not be eligible to re-enter into either program. A student who is dismissed may appeal to transfer into the Practical Nursing (PN) program or any other non-nursing program offered at Herzing University. Note: the PN program is not offered at all locations. 

Students who are successful on the final retake exam will be rescheduled by Registrar Services.

Students who are unsuccessful on the final retake exam will be dismissed from the nursing program and provided advisement on alternative program pathways. 

RN Exit Exam
The exit exam will cover content from all nursing courses, is reflective of NCLEX readiness and is administered in the final semester. Students will take practice assessments during the NSG426 course, in conjunction with individualized remediation and completion of assignments focused on NCLEX readiness.  This is followed by a final exit exam. 

Students who are unable to reach the *benchmark score on the exit exam will receive an Incomplete (I) grade for their NSG 426 course and will be required to successfully reach this benchmark on the final exit exam by the second week of the subsequent semester to resolve the (I) grade.  

If they are unable to resolve the (I) grade by the second week of the subsequent semester, the grade will convert to an (F) grade and the student will be placed on “Approved Break” for the remainder of the semester, during which time they must remain actively engaged in formal remediation.  This will cause a delay in program completion and graduation.  Students should discuss the implications of being on “Approved Break” with their financial aid advisor. 

*Threshold benchmark scores required to pass the milestone or exit exams are based upon national student performance data and may be changed at any time by the university. 

DOSAGE CALCULATION EXAMS

Dosage calculation exams are required at multiple points throughout the program. A student who is unable to pass any of the exams will not be allowed to progress without completion of remediation and demonstration of competency as evidenced by reaching the required score on a final dosage calculation exam attempt.