Accelerated BSN Program in Madison, WI

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.

ABSN Program structure

Our program consists of seven sessions within one year: 

1. Two Spring Sessions (8 weeks each)
2. May Session (4 weeks)
3. Summer Session (8 weeks
4. Two Fall Sessions (8 weeks each)

Clinical Experience 

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.

1. Students are taught by clinical faculty rather than preceptors.
2. Students will gain experience in nursing at up to eight different clinical sites
3. State-of-the-art simulation labs provide students with interactive practice.
   
4. Clinical hours are approximately 90% onsite at well-respected settings and 10% in the simulation lab.  

Nursing student success

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%.

ANRS 210 FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL NURSING 4 cr

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. 

ANRS 211 CARING: NURSING ASSESSMENT & INTERVENTION 3 cr

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.

ANRS 315 CARING: ADULT HEALTH NURSING LAB 1 cr

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.

ABIO 410 PATHOLOGY 3 cr

Course for nursing students. Basic concepts and principles of disease processes.

ANRS 310 PROFESSIONAL NURSING: ADULT HEALTH 4 cr

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.

ANRS 311 CARING: ADULT HEALTH NURSING 4 cr

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.

ANRS 312 PHARMACOLOGY 3 cr

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.

ANRS 342 PROFESSIONAL NURSING: OLDER ADULT 2cr

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. 

ANRS 340 PROFESSIONAL NURSING: LONG TERM ISSUES 4 cr

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.

ANRS 341 COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE-LONG TERM 4 cr

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.

ANRS 390 RESEARCH IN PROFESSIONAL NURSING 3 cr

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.

ANRS 410 PROFESSIONAL NURSING: FAMILIES IN TRANSITION 4 cr

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.

ANRS 411 CARING: FAMILIES IN TRANSITION 4 cr

Nursing care with families, young children, adolescents, and women in a variety of settings. The major focus is on health promotion and health maintenance.

ANRS 612 THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF ROLE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE NURSE LEADER 3 cr

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.

ANRS 440 ADULT HEALTH: ADVANCED CONCEPTS IN ACUTE CARE 2 cr

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.

ANRS 460 PROFESSIONAL NURSING: HEALTH OF COMMUNITIES 4 cr

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.

ANRS 461 NURSING CARE WITH AGGREGATES 4 cr

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.

Tuition

The one-year BSN Program cost includes:

1. Tuition (50 credits of nursing courses and a 3 cr. pharmacology course)
2. Complete book bundles
3. Parking
4. ATI Testing (most comprehensive package for NCLEX prep)
5. Lab fees
6. Clinical fees
7. Student-segregated fees

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.

Financial Aid

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.

1. Subsidized – the federal government pays the interest while the student is in school at least halftime. You may receive a maximum of $5500 per academic year.
2. Unsubsidized – interest begins to accumulate as soon as the loan is disbursed.

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.

Eligibility

• Completed a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and a minimum 2.75 in all required math and science courses.

*Prior to the program start date, you must complete the following courses and certifications.

Course Prerequisites

1. College-level Statistics*
2. General/Introductory Psychology
3. Life Span Developmental Psychology
4. 4 credits of college-level, lab-based Chemistry*
5. Anatomy and Physiology with lab I*
6. Anatomy and Physiology with lab II*
7. 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.

Certification and Licenses

All certifications and licenses must be completed by August 1^st for fall start or January 1^st for spring start.          

1. Certified Nurse Assistant
   Students must take a required training/course and obtain state licensure or have previously held licensure.
   Students may obtain a license from any state for eligibility.  

2. CPR Certification
   CPR Certification must be Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers.

3. Basic First Aid Certification

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

Candidate Selection

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.

Admission Cycle Snapshots

• Snapshot of 12-Month Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2010 Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12-Month Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2011 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12-Month Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2012 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12-Month Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2013 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12-Month Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2014 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12-Month Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2015 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12-Month Post-Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2016 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12 Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2017 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12 Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2018 Admission Cycle)
•  Snapshot of 12-Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2019 Admission Cycle)
•  Snapshot of 12-Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2020 Admission Cycle)
•  Snapshot of 12-Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (2021 Admission Cycle)
• Snapshot of 12-Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Fall 2022 Admission Cycle)
•  Snapshot of 12-Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Spring 2022 Admission Cycle)
•  Snapshot of 12-Month Post Baccalaureate Nursing Program (Spring 2023 Admission Cycle)

To apply, create an account and submit an application through NursingCAS at https://nursingcas.org.  

What is NursingCAS?

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.

Required documents

To complete your application on NursingCAS, you will need to upload several documents.

1. Resume/CV
2. Personal Statement one to two pages in length describing your motivation to pursue nursing

You will also need to request third parties to send in documents.

All previous institutions must send in Official Transcripts to NursingCAS.

Transcripts

Your transcript history is a critical component of your application. To ensure your transcript information is complete and verified you will need to:

1. Enter your full transcript history into the NursingCAS application. If this is not complete, your application will not be eligible for review.
2. Contact all previous institutions to request that official transcripts be mailed to NursingCAS using the appropriate form provided by NursingCAS.

Multiple program interest

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

1. SoN Program Goal:  Integrate the liberal arts into the practice of nursing

AACN Essential II - Basic Organization and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety

1. SoN Program Goal: Apply skills in leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety to provide high quality health care in a systems environment

AACN Essential III - Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice

1. SoN Program Goal: Translate current evidence into the practice of nursing

AACN Essential IV - Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology

1. SoN Program Goal: Demonstrate knowledge and skills in information management and patient care technology

AACN Essential V - Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments

1. SoN Program Goal: Integrate knowledge of healthcare policies, including financial and regulatory influences, on the healthcare system as they relate to quality care

AACN Essential VI - Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes  

1. SoN Program Goal: Perform communication and collaboration skills consistent with professional standards when working in interprofessional settings to improve health services

AACN Essential VII - Clinical Prevention and Population Health

1. SoN Program Goal: Assimilate health promotion and disease prevention strategies at the individual and population level.

AACN Essential VIII - Professionalism and Professional Values

1. SoN Program Goal: Integrate professional standards of moral, ethical and legal conduct in nursing practice.
2. SoN Program Goal: Formulate a personal professional practice model that addresses accountability, continuous professional engagement & lifelong learning.

AACN Essential IX - Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice

1. SoN Program Goal: Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the care of patients, including individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations across the lifespan and across the continuum of healthcare environments. 

Code of Professional Conduct

Student Handbook

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.

Population of Madison

As the 2nd largest city in Wisconsin, only after Milwaukee, Madison hails a population of 269,840 residents.

Location of Madison

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.

Recreation in Madison

1. Over 270 parks
2. 200 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and jogging
   
3. 12 public beaches
4. 15 off-leash dog parks in Greater Madison
5. 11 golf courses

Nursing employment in Madison

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.

Transportation

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.

• Car – Under 20 minutes is the average commute time for Madisonians
• Bus – Madison Metro and long-distance intercity bus service
• Taxi and rideshare services
• Bicycle – Madison BCycle bike-sharing program
• Airplane – Dane County Regional Airport

Housing Resources

On-Campus Housing:

1. Affordable options: average $775/month
2. No deposit or utility payments, free laundry
3. Low/no transportation costs
4. 9 or 12-month contracts
5. Meal plan included
6. Pets allowed in select apartments

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.

1. MPM-Madison Property Management: madisonproperty.com
2.  JSM Properties: jsmproperties.com
3. Start Renting: startrenting.com
4. Apartment Showcase: aptshowcase.com
5. Madison Campus & Downtown Living: cdliving.com
6. Rental Homes Plus: rentalhomesplus.com

For free housing counseling: Tenant Resource Center: tenantresourcecenter.org

Other Resources

• Visitor Information from Destination Madison: visitmadison.com
• Churches: churchfinder.com
• Madison Black Chamber of Commerce: madisonblackchamber.com
• Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce: hmongchamber.org
• Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce: lccwi.org
• Wisconsin LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce: wislgbtchamber.com
• Wisconsin Nurses Association: wisconsinnurses.org

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.