Program Overview
One 12-month nursing degree, your choice of format — complete it fully in person in Madison, or online with minimal travel (theory from home, local clinicals, and just three short lab immersions in Wisconsin) — backed by a 99.1% NCLEX pass rate, a 1:1 clinical preceptor model, and a guaranteed path into Edgewood’s MSN.
Edgewood College (now Edgewood University) offers a 12-month Post-Baccalaureate Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) for individuals who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, through its Henry Predolin School of Nursing. The program comes in two formats:
- a full-time, in-person track based in Madison, Wisconsin
- or a parallel online track that:
- delivers theory coursework remotely,
- arranges local clinical placements,
- requires only three on-campus lab immersions in Madison
A Catholic college in the Dominican tradition, Edgewood pairs a 7:1 student-to-clinical-faculty ratio with 1:1 clinical preceptor experiences and partnerships with 80+ community agencies across southcentral Wisconsin and northern Illinois (including UW Health and VA hospitals).
Edgewood reports a 99.1% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2023, and graduates who finish with a 3.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admission into Edgewood’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing program at Edgewood University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The program is also approved by the State of Wisconsin Board of Nursing. Both the in-person and online ABSN tracks are CCNE-accredited, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Admissions & Prerequisites
Admission requires a non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA. Applications are submitted through NursingCAS, and applicants complete a background check, drug screening, and health compliance requirements before starting clinicals. Application deadlines are February 1 and June 1.
Prerequisite courses (completed with a grade of “C” or better, within eight years of admission):
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Chemistry
- Psychology
- Statistics or College Algebra
American Heart Association (AHA) CPR/BLS for Healthcare Providers certification is required by the start of the program (not required for admission). The online track admits U.S. students able to complete local clinicals in approved states; international students apply to the on-campus track.
Curriculum
The ABSN curriculum consists of 58 credits of professional nursing courses, clinicals, and simulation experiences, covering adult health, pharmacology, pediatric and perinatal nursing, mental health, leadership, informatics, and population health.
NURS 300 – NR SCI: Adult Health Care I
This course explores the nursing care of adults with acute and chronic conditions in complex settings. Students integrate pathophysiology, pharmacology, and concepts from biological and behavioral sciences to develop a holistic care approach.
NURS 305 – NR SCI: Prof Nursing in a Diverse World
Students examine nursing care across cultures and populations, focusing on client-centered care, health promotion, and social justice. The course encourages self-reflection and wellness practices while grounding professional nursing in Dominican values.
NURS 306 – Therapeutic Principles: Physical Assessment
This course introduces students to physical assessment techniques within a nursing framework. Emphasis is placed on clinical judgment, communication, safety, and patient education in simulated environments.
NURS 307A – Therapeutic Principles for Nursing Practice – Lecture
Students learn evidence-based nursing skills and assessment techniques in a classroom setting. Topics include clinical communication, patient safety, and the principles of caregiver teaching.
NURS 307B – Therapeutic Principles for Nursing Practice – Lab
In this lab course, students practice physical assessments and psychomotor nursing skills in preparation for real clinical environments. Key areas include safe skill execution, communication, and patient teaching.
NURS 308 – Therapeutic Practice: Adult Health I
Students develop clinical competencies for managing chronic and acute adult conditions in acute care. Focus areas include restorative care and chronic disease management.
NURS 309 – Clinical Integration: Care Foundations
This course applies theoretical knowledge, communication strategies, and psychomotor skills in a simulated clinical setting. Students integrate wellness and disease management concepts in their practice.
NURS 320 – NR SCI: Pharmacology & Therapeutics
Students study major drug classes, mechanisms of action, and adverse effects to ensure safe medication management. The nurse’s role in pharmacologic interventions and patient education is emphasized.
NURS 350 – NR SCI: Adult Health Care II
Building on previous coursework, this course deepens understanding of adult chronic and acute conditions. Students integrate wellness, health promotion, pathophysiology, and pharmacology into care planning.
NURS 355 – NR SCI: Psychosocial Integrity & Wellness
Students explore nursing care for individuals with mental health conditions, focusing on chronic and restorative care. Concepts include behavioral health, wellness, and pharmacological integration.
NURS 358 – Therapeutic Practice: Adult Health II
Students expand their adult care skills through interdisciplinary collaboration and mental health care delivery. Emphasis is placed on relationship-building and continuity of care.
NURS 359 – Clinical Integration: Care & Coordination
This clinical integration course uses simulation to apply knowledge in behavioral health and care coordination. Students focus on critical thinking and safe clinical practice.
NURS 370 – NR SCI: Scholarship & EBP
Students explore research methodologies and ethics in nursing, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice. They critique literature and engage in scholarly inquiry to support clinical decision-making.
NURS 375 – Health Informatics
This course introduces the use of information systems in healthcare delivery. Topics include ethical use of technology and tools that enhance patient outcomes and nursing workflow.
NURS 400 – NR SCI: Pediatric Nursing
Students learn to provide holistic, family-centered care to children and adolescents. Content includes managing pediatric health conditions and supporting family health.
NURS 401 – NR SCI: Perinatal Nursing
This course addresses maternal and newborn health using a family-centered framework. Students focus on care strategies for childbearing women and infants.
NURS 408 – Therapeutic Practice: Family Centered Care
Through clinical experience, students apply nursing processes to care for women, children, and families across the lifespan. Emphasis is on continuity and coordination of care.
NURS 409 – Clinical Integration: Care Across the Lifespan
Students advance their clinical reasoning in simulated environments reflecting diverse patient populations. Focus areas include patient-centered care in multiple care settings.
NURS 430 – NR SCI: Healthcare & Organization Systems
This course covers the structure of the U.S. healthcare system, including key institutions, financing, and policy. Topics include ethical challenges, access, cost, and quality of care.
NURS 435 – NR SCI: Leadership & Management
Students explore leadership and management concepts in nursing, including delegation, advocacy, and quality improvement. The course prepares students to lead and evaluate healthcare teams.
NURS 450 – NR SCI: Adult Health Care III
Students refine skills in restorative nursing for complex acute conditions, focusing on pharmacology, hemodynamics, and nutrition across the lifespan.
NURS 455 – NR SCI: Population Health Management
This course examines public health concepts including epidemiology, environmental health, emergency preparedness, and policy. Students develop holistic interventions for population health.
NURS 458 – Therapeutic Practice: Population Health & Community
Students engage in community-based clinical practice, caring for diverse groups and developing partnerships. Health assessment, promotion, and education are emphasized.
NURS 490 – Transitions in Professional Practice Synthesis
This capstone course prepares students for professional practice and licensure through knowledge synthesis. Personal development topics include resilience and lifelong learning.
NURS 498 – Therapeutic Practice: Role Immersion
Students complete an immersive clinical experience, integrating leadership, evidence-based practice, and professional standards in diverse care settings.
More detail is available in the Edgewood nursing catalog.
Clinical Experience
Students complete 600 hours of clinical training at over 80 partner sites, including UW Health and VA hospitals, supported by a 7:1 student-to-clinical-faculty ratio and 1:1 clinical preceptor experiences.
Simulated learning at the Center for Healthcare Education and Simulation (CHES) — a partnership with local health systems — supports hands-on skill development using high-fidelity mannequins and realistic clinical scenarios.
For the online track, clinical placements are program-coordinated at approved sites (some travel may be required based on availability), with the three Wisconsin lab immersions providing intensive hands-on simulation.
Tuition
Program tuition is approximately $45,000, which Edgewood states covers tuition, clinical and lab fees, ATI testing, and parking. Federal and private loans and Edgewood scholarships may be available to qualifying students (international students are not eligible for federal aid).
Confirm current figures via the official tuition and fees page.
Beyond the BSN
Graduates who complete the ABSN with a 3.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admission into Edgewood’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which offers multiple concentrations. Edgewood also offers a traditional BSN and additional pathways including ADN-MSN and MSN programs.