Herzing University’s Scholarship Pledge to the Boys and Girls Club

Herzing University strives to make education more affordable and accessible for individuals in our communities. Our goal is to create opportunities for educational development and establish pathways to new careers for students. As a result, Herzing University is proudly supporting the Boys & Girls Clubs of America members by offering 40 FULL SCHOLARSHIPS over the course of 4 years to active members of the organization!

Herzing University offers:

11 campuses across 8 states, as well as online programs
Variety of academic programs in areas such as nursing, healthcare, business, technology, behavioral health, and public safety
Undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.

How to Apply

Step 1

Applicants must submit their online application inquiry here

Step 2

Applicants must also submit the following application materials via email to BGCscholarships@herzing.edu :

A copy of high school transcript (preference given to students with higher GPAs).
Two letters of recommendation. At least one recommendation must be from the Club Manager or the Careers and Education Coordinator at the Boys & Girls Club. One recommendation may be from a teacher or employer/manager.
A 500 to 1000 word essay that addresses the following question: How has the Boys & Girls Club impacted your life and career goals?

About the Scholarship

The scholarship is available to members of the Boys & Girls Club who enroll in any program at Herzing University after graduating from high school. The scholarship is intended to be a “Full Ride Scholarship”, which means the cost of all tuition, fees, and books will be covered in full after federal, state, institutional, and other grants or scholarships are applied for and accepted by the student, when eligible. Scholarship applications and admission to the University are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be a high school senior, or recently have earned a high school diploma or GED
Be an active member in good standing with a Boys & Girls Club
Enroll in any diploma or degree program at Herzing University and meet university entrance requirements at the time of enrollment

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients will be selected based on consideration of the applicants’ ability to state how participation in the Boys & Girls Club has impacted their lives and career goals. Other factors considered will be academic performance, involvement in Club and school activities, and review of letters of recommendation. All eligible applicants will be considered for the scholarship, but award of the scholarship is not guaranteed.

Club members that apply for the scholarship and are not selected for the Full-Ride scholarship are eligible to receive a 10% tuition reduction should they choose Herzing as their school of choice.

Did you know…?

Herzing University was founded by a Boys & Girls Club member more than 50 years ago! Our caring learning environment has many students saying they “feel like part of a family".

Have Questions?

Contact us
Kelly Bicy
kbicy@herzing.edu

About Herzing University

Career-focused, Convenient, and Caring - These ideals define a Herzing University education.

At Herzing, you are offered personalization and support to help you earn your degree and advance your career. Our innovative career programs provide flexible learning options and convenient scheduling for busy students with 11 campuses across 8 states, as well as online programs. We have a variety of academic programs to meet your needs wherever you are in life, including undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.

Herzing has built a supportive community of faculty, staff, and fellow learners. Founded in 1965 by Henry and Suzanne Herzing, the family legacy continues with their daughter, Renée Herzing, as Herzing University's president. A private, nonprofit institution, Herzing University is once again recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs” for the tenth consecutive year.

Moving forward, Herzing University will remain focused on providing you with a caring learning environment that fosters long-term career success. Discover for yourself why students choose Herzing University every year.

TESTIMONIALS

Don't let any disadvantage, life circumstance or perception about yourself get in the way. Go for it. Get your degree and achieve those goals. I can tell you that it's something you will never regret. And I can also tell you that Herzing University is there to back you all the way. Hey, if I can do it, anyone can!

Angela Bowland Herzing Student

Apply Now

Whether you’re interested in starting classes or looking for more information, complete the short form below.

Nursing school can be an exciting and rewarding experience, and some prospective students might wonder what it is like those first few days of nursing school. Although everyone’s journey is different, Zandria Brown Sherwood offers some advice and insight into what her nursing journey has been like as a student.

Zandria’s Journey

I am currently in my last year of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Herzing University-Atlanta. I decided to become a nurse at what I considered a very late stage in my academic career. I was pursuing a medical degree when I started shadowing in the hospital and realized being a doctor was not the right path for me. I was enamored with the nurses I encountered, as they were all very knowledgeable and compassionate. I knew right away that I wanted to become a nurse.

I broke the news to my family and explained my new path to them, and received nothing but support. My first step was gaining a little experience, so I decided to enroll in a CNA program and started working directly with patients. Then I started the process of going back to school. Since I am a mom and a wife, I needed a program that offered flexibility so I was thrilled to be accepted into Herzing.

While no two paths are the same, here is some advice I wish someone would have given me on my first day of nursing school:

1. Be open to learning

Entering nursing school was no easy feat for me. I had to start over with some of the prerequisites because the nursing program required different sciences than the ones I had already completed. I had to humbly start my journey, but I knew that it was worth it even though life and other circumstances made completing these programs a little more challenging.

Starting from square one has been hard, but enlightening. I learned a lot from the courses that I took, and realized it’s important not to worry about whether you “should” be further along in the program than you are. Everything you learn is really important, so enjoy it and learn as much as you can!

2. It’s okay to be anxious

Starting a nursing program is a huge step to take, so it is totally normal to be nervous about it. At first, I couldn’t wait to start, but I got more and more nervous each day. On the first day of my program, I was downright anxious. I wondered how I was going to do it, but I still went to class that day.

It is okay to be nervous as long as you don’t let it undermine your confidence. Nursing school is a completely different experience than other types of education, but you can complete the program. Experience the nerves and power through it. You also won’t be the only one that is nervous, so don’t worry about it!

3. Study, study, study

Nursing school requires you to change a lot of your study habits to truly understand the content. Make sure you know and understand your learning style because it will save a lot of trouble in the end. There are free resources on how to do this on the internet and at the library, but be aware that your study style and habits might change throughout nursing school (or even from class to class). My studying habits have changed. For example, I used to be a “read and remember” student, but I had to quickly change my method. Now I “read, write and re-write.” Don’t worry about trying to figure it out all at once but do take studying seriously.

You are also never alone when it comes to studying. I was surprised to find that the instructors took time out of their personal schedules to assist us with materials we just didn’t understand. I found this to be a trend with both online and in-person courses. I was nervous about the exams because I had heard horror stories about NCLEX style questions, but my professors did a great job teaching us how to read the questions and how to rationalize each answer choice. I know they wanted me and the other students to succeed, and they did a lot to help us achieve that goal.

4. Be positive

Go into nursing school with an open mind and a positive attitude. It is overwhelming at times and the course load can be heavy but know that many others have done it and you will get through it as well. You will meet some great people in your cohort, and you will have some excellent instructors to support you along the way. Even when you feel like giving up, you should know that there are a ton of people who are rooting for you. Never be afraid to ask for help. Nursing school isn’t easy and many people are willing to help.

5. Enjoy it

My last and most important tip is to enjoy the journey because it will be over before you know it! Although nursing school has been intense, the past few years have been some of the fastest and best of my life. When I graduate, I plan to work at one of the local hospitals as a NICU or labor and delivery nurse. I love women and infant health, and I plan to continue my education with a master’s degree after a few years at the bedside. We will see exactly what the future holds for me, but I know that I will enjoy the journey!

Once you become a licensed registered nurse (RN), there are many different career paths and specialties you can choose. Some RNs choose to work in traditional healthcare facilities, clinics, schools or other institutions or continue toward an advanced nursing degree. Nurses who work in hospitals could be assigned to units or floors dedicated to cardiology, trauma, labor and delivery, intensive care, neurology, and more. Others – usually more experienced nurses – float between units as needed.

Jordan Sharon, who earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Herzing’s Orlando campus in 2018, explains why she chose to become an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse and what it’s like to work in the unit.

Why did you choose to become an ICU nurse?

One of my first experiences with the ICU happened back when I was still in high school. My brother underwent spinal fusion surgery and landed in the ICU with complications. As he recovered, I noticed the compassion shown by the nurses and the time they spent with him. It really opened my eyes to the valuable and rewarding work that nurses do.

Later on, when I was in nursing school at Herzing’s Kenosha campus, I completed a variety of clinical experiences at a nursing home, a rehabilitation floor, a transplant unit and more. I realized I wanted to work in the ICU during my eight-week practicum at a regional hospital because I enjoyed being challenged every day. The practicum showed me that I would learn something new during every shift in the ICU. I also saw the impact that ICU nurses have by saving lives and providing patient care right there at the bedside.

What does your day-to-day entail?

When I start my shift each day, I go straight to the charge desk to receive my patient assignments from the charge nurse. I then find the night shift nurse who cared for my patients the night before, and we go through their reports on each patient’s admission date, history, trends and current status. This assessment helps me prioritize and organize my day. Once I’ve given a quick look at the reports, I go check on all of my patients immediately to make sure they’re stable and that their current condition is consistent with the report I received. After that, I visit each patient again and administer their medications.

Once I’m done with the shift change and my initial patient rounds, I’ll typically go back to the nurse’s station and review each of my patient’s medical charts in depth. I try to understand the bigger picture of how the patient is doing, how their labs have been trending and what their specialists have been saying. When the doctors start doing their rounds, I can help answer questions and get any of my questions answered too.

The rest of my shift usually entails continuous rounds with my patients, which includes administering medications again, monitoring their vitals, helping them with bathroom visits, etc. I end by completing my final charting and providing the night shift nurse with the same type of report I received that morning.

How is working in the ICU different than working in other hospital units or floors?

Since I work in the medical ICU at my hospital, I usually care for one to three patients a day depending on their condition. For example, patients who are on continuous dialysis require one-on-one care. I often treat patients who are experiencing cardiac issues, kidney, liver or respiratory failure, among many other life-threatening conditions.

One of the nice things about being an ICU nurse is that you typically have fewer patients each day than you would in another unit, which means you have more time for each person and you get to form deeper connections with them. Also, because I often work three 12-hour shifts on consecutive days, I have an even greater opportunity to connect with my patients, understand what they need and provide the best quality of care possible.

I also find the ICU to be incredibly rewarding because patients in this unit really need our care, whereas sometimes in other units the patients don’t need as much help.

What are some important skills you learned during nursing school that you now use on the job?

The hands-on skills labs at Herzing were invaluable. I learned to do Nasogastric (NG) and Orogastric (OG) intubations, IVs, and how to insert and remove Foley catheters, all of which I do every day in the ICU. The instructors at Herzing also emphasized how to thoroughly complete head-to-toe assessments for patients, which directly translated to what I’m doing now during shift changes. We practiced these many times, which was helpful because every hospital or facility has a specific method for these assessments, but I know exactly what I need to be doing and looking for regardless of where I’m working.

Tell us about one of the most rewarding days you’ve had as an ICU nurse.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is the comfort care we provide to patients, especially those who are nearing the end of their life. While we don’t provide hospice care, I do everything I can to make sure these patients are as comfortable as possible.

Earlier this year, I took care of a very ill elderly patient who wasn’t recovering. A member of her family personally thanked me for caring for her and said “you were truly made for this.” I took it to heart, and the gratitude they expressed reminded me of why I do this job. Even though it’s incredibly challenging, it’s important work that has an impact on not only your patients but also their families.

How do you deal with the high-stress environment and pressure of working in the ICU?

I’m a fortunate person in that I’m able to leave my work at work at the end of the day. I know some nurses struggle with this, but I think it’s important to be able to compartmentalize your work from your personal life. My ability to empathize without getting so consumed that it hinders my judgment or ability to do the job is one of my strengths as a nurse.

I also try to exercise on all of my days off – it really helps relieve stress!

What advice would you give to people who are considering becoming an ICU nurse?

If you want to work in the ICU, you have to be comfortable with death because it’s an inevitable part of the job. It’s also important that you’re able to manage your emotions so you can be strong for your patients and their families.

Second, to be a good ICU nurse you have to develop exceptional time management skills, and you have to be flexible because no two days are ever the same and you never know when you’ll have to drop everything to prioritize a life-threatening or other immediate situation.

SEMESTER 1
NU 500 Theoretical Foundations for Nursing	NU 560 Research Methods and Evidence-based Practice
NU 617 Roles for Nurse Educators
SEMESTER 2
NU 510 Advanced Physical Assessment	NU 636 Advanced Pharmacology
NU 621 Advanced Pathophysiology
SEMESTER 3
HCA 610 Health Policy and Management	NU 525 Technology and Nursing Informatics in Advanced Practice
NU 681 Advanced Nursing Practice Clinical Practicum/Seminar for Nurse Education
SEMESTER 4
NU 600 Teaching/Learning Strategies	NU 635 Curriculum Development and Evaluation
SEMESTER 5
NU 530 Organizational Systems and Behaviors
NU 683 Graduate Onsite Practicum in Education