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Whether you have always dreamed of becoming a nurse or you are taking a leap to change careers, Edgewood College is ready to support your goals. If you already have your bachelor’s degree, our Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated Nursing Program will fast-track your education to complete your accelerated BSN in just one year.
This intensive, hands-on, second-degree nursing program equips students to become capable and self-sufficient nurses. Your education will be founded on theory and applied in an array of experiential learning settings. While in the program, students can expect to spend 60-80 hours per week on coursework and classroom assignments, lending to the expedited completion time of one year, as opposed to the typical 2-2.5 years. With one of the best clinical student to faculty ratios in the nation, at 7:1, and clinical experiences at highly respected regional hospitals, the learning experience at Edgewood College is exceptional.
Bringing in a blend of students, the tight-knit team formed by the small cohort and helpful clinical instructors fosters greater emotional and practical support. At the end of the one-year accelerated BSN program, you will be prepared with the ability to practice holistic nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings. Fulfill your desire to begin a rewarding career in the nation’s largest healthcare profession.
The accelerated nursing cohort begins every August and January.
Our accelerated nursing program is an intensive and comprehensive program comprised of 53 nursing credit hours and 900 clinical hours. The program supports two cohorts each year, comprised of 21 individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership,
and a passion for the nursing profession.
Our program consists of seven sessions within one year:
Edgewood College is known for its exceptional clinical structure and experience.
Student to faculty ratio is one of the lowest in the nation at 7:1.
At Edgewood College, it is our priority to produce well-rounded, capable, and experienced nurses in the short timeframe of one year for the Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated program. NCLEX passage rate for first-time test takers graduating from Edgewood College’s nursing program remains above 95% for three consecutive years, compared to the national average of 82.5%.
Nurses play a significant role in promoting health across the life span at the individual, group, and societal level. The knowledge and skills necessary to assess psychosocial and physical health status and facilitate the development of therapeutic and collaborating relationships are explored. Beginning exploration of the fundamentals of professional nursing practice, information management, and evidence-based practice are introduced.
Clinical and laboratory application of basic concepts discussed in RNRS 210. Emphasis is on assessment and health promotion. Interventions include comfort and safety, interviewing, basic concepts related to teaching/learning, and development of nurse/client relationships. Fundamentals of professionalism and the development of professional values are introduced.
Presents the knowledge of psychomotor skills, unique to professional nursing practice, used to meet the therapeutic, physiologic, comfort, and safety needs of adult clients in a variety of settings. Beginning scholarship for evidence-based practice is addressed in the context of quality and safety measures. Skills are practiced and evaluated in the laboratory environment prior to application in the clinical setting.
Course for nursing students. Basic concepts and principles of disease processes.
Nursing content addressing the management of psychosocial and physiological care of hospitalized adults is discussed within a framework of acute illness. Integration of behavioral science, pathophysiology, and pharmacology into nursing care is emphasized.
Clinical course focused on nursing care of adult clients in an acute care setting. The course is designed to further develop the necessary skills for baccalaureate generalist nursing practice including an introduction to patient safety, quality improvement, and information management. Continued development and application of professional practice standards are addressed.
Nurses play a significant role in assisting individuals and families in the pharmacological management of health and illness. This course includes a study of the major drug classes addressing the principles of evidence-based practice, which is necessary for understanding drug effects across the lifespan. Issues related to safety, cost, compliance, and therapeutic outcomes are emphasized.
The complex interaction of acute and chronic health conditions experienced by older adults is addressed within the context of health promotion, health maintenance, and health restoration. Provision of holistic care is examined using principles of interdisciplinary team management.
Nursing content addressing the management of psycho, social, spiritual, and physiological care of adults and families is discussed within a framework of chronic illness management. Integration of behavioral science, pathophysiology, and pharmacology into nursing care is emphasized along with concepts related to wellness and health promotion while living a life with chronic illness.
Managing nursing care with individuals and families experiencing complex, long-term health problems. Development of interprofessional team skills, collaborative planning, and leadership skills are emphasized.
Introduction to methods of inquiry including interpretive and empirical approaches. Basic statistical measurements are studied in relation to understanding nursing research. Topics include critiquing nursing research, exploring application of research to practice, and identifying researchable problems and appropriate methodologies.
Nursing care with families experiencing transition such as pregnancy and parenting. Issues related to environmental contexts, political awareness, health care systems, family dynamics, children and adolescents, and women’s health are examined.
Nursing care with families, young children, adolescents, and women in a variety of settings. The major focus is on health promotion and health maintenance.
Introductory course leading to the preparation of professional nurses to assume leadership roles in a variety of health care settings. Content areas include Principles of Leadership, Quality Improvement and Safety, Health Policy and Advocacy, and Organizational Systems Leadership.
Theory course addressing nursing care of adults in high acuity settings experiencing multisystem illnesses. Integration and application of biological sciences is emphasized to advance baccalaureate generalist nursing knowledge.
Nursing concepts are integrated with those of public health science to promote the health of aggregates in the community. The role of nursing in affecting health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments is examined.
Clinical course addressing the nursing care of culturally diverse families, aggregates, and communities. Nursing skills in health assessment, education, and health promotion are extended to include groups in communities. Developing and maintaining community partnerships is emphasized.
The one-year BSN Program cost includes:
Additional course required for degree conferral: Pathology (cost is $1,500 if taken through Edgewood College). This course may be completed prior to the start of the nursing program.
Students may be eligible for federal and private loans to assist in financing their education.
Federal financial aid:
- Complete a FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- Students may be eligible for a maximum of $12,000 from the Stafford Loan Program.
Edgewood College keeps a record of outside scholarships that students may apply for. For additional questions about financial aid and financing your accelerated nursing degree, contact Edgewood Central at ECentral@edgewood.edu.
*Prior to the program start date, you must complete the following courses and certifications.
- College-level Statistics*
- General/Introductory Psychology
- Life Span Developmental Psychology
- 4 credits of college-level, lab-based Chemistry*
- Anatomy and Physiology with lab I*
- Anatomy and Physiology with lab II*
- Microbiology with lab*
*All Math and Science courses must have been completed within the last eight years or have been taken while earning a degree that was conferred within the last eight years.
All certifications and licenses must be completed by August 1st for fall start or January 1st for spring start.
Online courses with in person skills checkoff are acceptable.
We suggest the Red Cross Basic First Aid Certification.
Fall Start Priority Deadline: January 15th
Spring Start Priority Deadline: August 1st
Edgewood College accepts 21 candidates for each cohort .
Edgewood utilizes a holistic approach to candidate selection. Your transcripts, personal statement, and resume/CV are evaluated for fitness and character. At this point, candidates will be deemed eligible or ineligible.
To apply, create an account and submit an application through NursingCAS at https://nursingcas.org.
NursingCAS short for the Nursing Centralized Application Service, is a site that collects information from your application, verifies it, and disseminates it to each school to which you apply.
To complete your application on NursingCAS, you will need to upload several documents.
You will also need to request third parties to send in documents.
All previous institutions must send in Official Transcripts to NursingCAS.
Your transcript history is a critical component of your application. To ensure your transcript information is complete and verified you will need to:
If you are interested in both our Accelerated Post-Baccalaureate and Traditional BSN programs, you do not need to submit two applications on NursingCAS. If you would like to be considered for both programs, please contact Savanna Meo-Surprise, smeo@edgewood.edu
At the end of the program, graduates will:
AACN Essential I - Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
AACN Essential II - Basic Organization and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety
AACN Essential III - Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice
AACN Essential IV - Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology
AACN Essential V - Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments
AACN Essential VI - Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes
AACN Essential VII - Clinical Prevention and Population Health
AACN Essential VIII - Professionalism and Professional Values
AACN Essential IX - Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
The baccalaureate, master’s degree in nursing, and doctor of nursing practice programs at Edgewood College are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
Since 2019, Madison, Wisconsin, vies for the top rank in lists of the Most Livable Cities and Best College Towns across a variety of publications, including Sports Illustrated. As the state capital and seat of Dane County, Madison combines an intimate college town feel with big-city amenities, boasting top attractions for lovers of architecture, garden aficionados, and art connoisseurs.
As the 2nd largest city in Wisconsin, only after Milwaukee, Madison hails a population of 269,840 residents.
Located 80 miles west of Milwaukee, the city of Madison is nestled among five sparkling lakes: Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. Edgewood College lies on the north shore of Lake Wingra.
Nursing graduates will find a vibrant healthcare employment market in Madison. Newsweek named Madison's University of Wisconsin Hospitals as one of the top hospitals in the world (#22 in 2022). In addition, a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison shows that healthcare salary growth has been recession-proof since 1998, growing at an average annual rate of 7.2%.
For an accelerated nursing program near you, request more information about our one-year ABSN Program.
For non-local students seeking to jump from a BS or BA to a BSN program, relocating to Madison is not just an educational plus; it also provides vast opportunities to explore other midwestern sights. Only 1.5 hours by car to Milwaukee, 1.75 hours to Dubuque, and 2.5 hours to Chicago, getting around the city is easy.
More information on upper-class housing options: https://www.edgewood.edu/student-life/housing
Off-Campus Housing:
Below is a listing of some suggested resources for finding off-campus housing in Wisconsin.
For free housing counseling: Tenant Resource Center: tenantresourcecenter.org
Other Resources
What is a BSN degree?
A BSN is an abbreviation for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This undergraduate program is optimal for people with career goals of becoming a registered nurse (RN).
What is an accelerated BSN?
Accelerated BSN programs are considered the quickest way for students to advance their careers in nursing. Often designed for those who hold undergraduate degrees in other disciplines, accelerated BSNs condense extensive amounts of education in a short time frame, usually less than 18 months.
What are the differences between an RN and a BSN?
A BSN who passes the NCLEX is hired as an RN. An ADN who passes their boards is also hired as an RN. An ADN requires less education, and some places require a BSN such as public health. Magnet status hospitals require 80% of their RN staff to be BSN prepared.
Is it possible to become an RN without a BSN?
Though a BSN is not required to pursue a career as a registered nurse, earning a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing often distinguishes candidates when seeking employment, especially in hospitals.