Program Overview
Return to the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing
W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates consistently score above state and national averages in NCLEX-RN pass rates. Our competitive tuition, scholarship opportunities, liberal course transfer policies and flexibility are mainstays of the program. More importantly, our reputation for molding confident and competent nurses in an accelerated timeframe helps to launch your professional nursing career sooner. Learn more about our Accelerated BSN Program advantages.
This 15-month Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program is designed for adults who are interested in becoming registered nurses.
It is an intense, full-time program that prepares graduates for the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX) as well as employment in nursing upon graduation.
Program Highlights:
- Hybrid program with online and on-campus courses.
- On-campus courses are held at Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, N.J. (free parking available).
- Clinical experiences are held at several facilities in the local New Jersey area.
- Nine (9) graduate credits in the accelerated program may be applied toward your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).
Two pathways to the Accelerated BSN program:
1. Already possess a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing area of study
-OR-
2. Have earned some or no credits toward a college degree
Admission Criteria
The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing uses a holistic approach to review applications for the Accelerated BSN Program. If an applicant meets the basic requirements, they are invited to interview with the Undergraduate Admissions Committee. Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview. Additionally, an invitation to interview does not guarantee admission into the program. All applicants must have the following:
- Official transcript showing a bachelor's degree non-nursing from a regionally accredited college or university completed prior to acceptance.
- Official transcript showing an earned cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in the previous degree.
- Official transcript showing a grade of C (73 or better) in all science and statistics prerequisite courses. Note: credit for prior nursing courses will not be accepted.
- Official transcript showing completion of general education and nursing prerequisites prior to acceptance.
- The ability to meet all the Essential Requirements of the clinical program.
- A current resume.
- A personal statement that includes why the student wants to be a nurse and why the student should be accepted into the program.
- Contact information for two references academic and professional.
- For students of foreign universities, all transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency. The complete agency list can be found on the Accelerated Program website at www.tesu.edu/nursing/programs/2nd-degree-bsn. An official course-by-course evaluation must be submitted with the application.
- Written and Oral Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL if native language is not English. Scores should be sent directly from ETS Educational Testing Service. Photocopied and faxed documents may not be used.
- The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing has the discretion to require a nursing applicant to take the TOEFL, regardless of native language, if there is concern about the applicant’s ability to communicate in English.
- Access to and proficiency in using a computer, a printer, and the internet.
Program Requirements
The Accelerated BSN Program requires a minimum of 120 credits:
- 60 credits in general education and nursing prerequisites earned prior to acceptance.
- 60 credits in W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing credits.
- The 60-credit nursing requirement includes 35 credits of campus-based courses including clinical experiences and 25 credits of online nursing courses. All nursing courses will be completed through the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. These courses will be taken as a full-time student and cannot be taken out of sequence.
- Because of the rigorous and accelerated nature of the program, outside employment is strongly discouraged.
Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Program Nursing Prerequisite Requirements
- Introduction to Psychology
- Developmental Psychology/Lifespan
- Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab*
- Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab*
- Microbiology with Lab*
- Chemistry*
- Nutrition*
- Ethics
- Introduction to Sociology
- Statistics*
*Grade of C 73 or better is required.
Total Credit Hours: 60
*Three graduate courses, NUR-529: Health Policy; NUR-531: Nursing Informatics Concepts and Issues; and NUR-582: Financial Management in Nursing Practice will be completed by all BSN degree students as part of the professional nursing requirements. These 9 graduate credits may apply to the MSN degree requirements at Thomas Edison State University upon acceptance to that degree program. A grade of B or better is required in these courses for transfer. Graduate credits that were earned more than seven years prior to the student’s enrollment date may not be applied to either the MSN degree or certificate without the permission of the Dean of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing. Accelerated 2nd Degree BSN Program students may apply to the MSN program after successful completion of the BSN program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses NCLEX-RN®.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing BSN degree program, the graduate will be able to:
- Integrate current knowledge, ethical principles, evidence-based findings, and clinical reasoning to direct nursing practice decisions.
- Apply principles of cultural humility and cultural sensitivity to inter-personal relationships and client/population-focused care.
- Participate in inter-professional collaboration to promote optimal client outcomes.
- Explore the effects of health policy on the financing, organization, and delivery of healthcare to individuals and populations.
- Employ a range of information technologies and ethical standards to acquire knowledge, manage data, communicate information, and guide & validate nursing practice.
- Demonstrate leadership skills and professionalism based on an understanding of the multidimensional role of the professional nurse.