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Apply today to use your Union College Benefit and receive a 40% tuition reduction on select programs at Herzing University.

At Herzing University, we’ve helped thousands of working adults just like you to take the next step in their education and career, and we can help you too!

Next Start: May 5th

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Best Online Programs

US News, Bachelor’s 2024

Your Partnership Benefits

Edvance is proud to partner with Herzing University to offer the Union College Benefit to union members and their families. Through this partnership, eligible members and their families can save 40% on tuition for all available programs.

This partnership benefit can save you anywhere from $172 to up to $250 per credit, making your higher education aspirations more affordable and attainable.

Herzing graduate smiling after receiving her diploma

What to Expect

Student Experience

Flexibility of online coursework, convenient for adult learners and working professionals
A simple enrollment process with guidance from admissions and financial aid advisors to ensure a seamless experience
Communication and academic support from accessible instructors, academic success coaches, and a primary student services advisor
A dedicated student support system from enrollment through post-graduation, including career development coaching to provide guidance for securing employment
Confidential counseling and mental health wellness support
24/7 technical support
Educational programming continuously recognized by US News & World Report as one of the ‘Best Online Programs’ for over a decade

Next Steps

Submit your contact information and program of interest in the Get Started box on this website
Complete an application on the next page after submitting your information in the Get Started box (or you can choose to complete the application after speaking with an admissions advisor)
You will be contacted by a Herzing admissions advisor to learn more about your program of interest and the enrollment process
Have your previous college transcripts reviewed for transferability (if applicable)
Meet with a Herzing financial aid advisor to apply your Union College Benefit and review funding options available to you
Complete your enrollment process and upon acceptance into the University, you will have your courses scheduled for you
Begin classes!

TESTIMONIALS

All the classes I took were valuable in preparing me for my career, and I was able to get my associate's in a little over a year and a half. With Herzing, I was able to simultaneously be with my kids while continuing my education, and didn’t miss anything!

Christina Hansen Herzing Graduate

Get Started!

To get started, simply fill out the short inquiry form below. Please be sure to use this form so that Herzing University can identify you as a Union College Benefit student and make sure your discount is applied. There is no application fee to get started.

Established in 1965, Herzing University is a regionally accredited, nonprofit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate programs designed to meet the needs of professionals along their career pathways in the areas of business, behavioral health, healthcare, nursing, public safety, and technology.

FAQs

What is the Union College Benefit?

The Union College Benefit is a program offered by Edvance to union members and their families. The benefit provides affordable options at Herzing University, with tuition discounts of 40% for union members and their families.

How much does it cost?

With your Union College Benefit, you'll get a tuition discount of 40% on every credit hour and eligible students can further reduce costs using financial aid and other benefits. Your discounted cost per credit hour will depend on your program of interest. After you apply, you’ll receive more information from your financial aid advisor at Herzing with additional aid options and your estimated education costs.

Who is eligible for the Union College Benefit through Edvance?

Eligible union members include active members in good standing and their family. Family includes spouse or domestic partner, children or dependents, and grandchildren. Edvance will verify your membership with your union.

How do I receive my Union College Benefit and tuition discount?

Simply complete the short inquiry form on this page to ensure you are recognized as a Union College Benefit student through Edvance. Herzing will validate your benefit eligibility with Edvance and prior to enrollment the tuition discount will be applied to your student account.

Related Blog Posts

Read on for advice, resources, tips and tricks to help you along your educational journey. By providing a wide range of thought leadership on a variety of topics, our blog serves as an integral resource for Herzing’s student body.

Seven Factors to Consider When Choosing Your College

How to Succeed Academically and Professionally

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

Advance your career and make a difference!It’s possible with Herzing.

Advance your career and make a difference!It’s possible with Herzing.

Best Online Programs

Your Partnership Benefits

What to Expect

Student Experience

Next Steps

TESTIMONIALS

Get Started!

FAQs

Related Blog Posts

Seven Factors to Consider When Choosing Your College

How to Succeed Academically and Professionally

Advance your career and make a difference!
It’s possible with Herzing.

Advance your career and make a difference!
It’s possible with Herzing.