Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Fast Track Your Nursing Career
The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions at Thomas Edison State University (TESU) offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to help fast track your future career as a Registered Nurse (RN). This full-time 15-month comprehensive, accredited program will prepare you for the National Council Licensure Exam for RNs (NCLEX-RN) as well as a career in nursing upon graduation. The Accelerated BSN program offers a hybrid schedule with a mix of online and in-person courses and clinical experiences at several facilities in New Jersey.
Why Study Nursing at TESU?
Thomas Edison State University (TESU) molds confident and competent nurses, affirming the University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program's excellent reputation. You will have access to both virtual and hands-on state-of-the-art simulation laboratory and clinical experiences in Magnet-designated facilities. And since the start of the program, the average first time RN-NCLEX pass rates have been higher than state and national averages.*
* https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/NCLEX-RN.aspx
The TESU Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing is Distinctive
Whether you are looking for a new career in healthcare or leveraging your past experiences to make a meaningful difference, the Accelerated BSN degree from TESU can help fast track your future in nursing. With a unique blend of hybrid courses that are both online and on-campus, this fast-paced and challenging educational experience will prepare you to start your nursing career with confidence, training and experience.
Our rigorous program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The program is designed for highly motivated individuals who have either completed at least 60 college credits or a bachelor’s degree in another area and are passionate about becoming a professional nurse. For those who do not have a bachelor's degree or at least 60 credits of prior coursework, we require completion of prerequisite and general education courses before your BSN application can be reviewed. To learn more, see our Admission Requirements below.
Upon completion of our Accelerated BSN program, you will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. You will also be equipped with the knowledge needed to sit for the NCLEX examination for RN licensure.
If you have your sights set even higher, our master's and doctoral degrees in nursing are the perfect next step.
I arrived at clinicals each day buzzing with excitement for what I was about to learn. My favorite part of nursing is empowering my patients to be involved in their care by educating them and advocating for them. At the end of the day, I feel I’ve made a difference if I have done that."
Kayla Heine, BSN '22
What You'll Learn
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Curriculum
The 60-credit accelerated nursing program is designed for adults who have either:
- Completed at least 60 college credits
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in another area
The program is comprised of:
- 26 credits of online courses
- 34 credits of hybrid courses
For each unit of courses taken in this program, at least one course will feature clinical rotations.
Courses
Courses that you will take in the BSN program include:
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Health Assessment and Health Promotion
- Nursing Care of Infants, Children, and Adolescents
- Nursing Care of Clients with Complex Health Conditions
As part of the curriculum, you will also take three graduate-level courses that you can apply toward a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree or a graduate certificate within the next seven years*.
* Graduate credits earned more than seven years prior 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 and Health Professions.
State Educational Requirements
Each U.S. state has specific requirements for nursing licensure. This is important to know if you plan to seek your RN license outside of New Jersey. To see if our nursing program meets your state's requirements, look for your state in our listing.
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Learning Outcomes
Our curriculum is designed to provide the following learning outcomes upon completion of the BSN degree program:
- Apply nursing and interprofessional knowledge, theory, and evidence to facilitate clinical judgement in providing nursing care for diverse individuals, families, and communities.
- Implement person-centered, nursing care for diverse individuals, families, and communities to promote positive health outcomes.
- Examine collaborative approaches to public and population health for health promotion and disease management for diverse communities.
- Use evidence to guide clinical judgement to improve healthcare for diverse individuals, families, and communities.
- Employ established and emerging interventions to deliver nursing care for diverse individuals, families, and communities that ensures quality and safety.
- Collaborate with interprofessional team members and stakeholders to optimize nursing care and health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
- Use resources appropriately and efficiently to provide safe, quality, and equitable care and facilitate transitions of care for diverse individuals, families, and populations.
- Employ informatics and healthcare technologies in accordance with best practices that demonstrate professional, regulatory, and ethical standards in providing nursing care for diverse individuals, families, and communities.
- Demonstrate a professional nursing identity to effectively care for diverse individuals, families, and communities.
- Participate in personal and professional development activities that foster well-being and contribute to a culture of lifelong learning and leadership.
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Clinical Experiences
The hybrid courses you take in our nursing programs include in-person experiences like clinical rotations, which means you will do much of that coursework on our New Jersey campus. Our Simulation and Skills Lab and our clinical sites are designed to give you the real-world nursing experience found in a hospital or medical office. These experiential learning opportunities prepare you for success in your career.
Simulation and Skills Lab
Our fully functional, high-fidelity Simulation and Skills Lab prepares you to think critically, reinforce theory concepts, and enhance your clinical decision-making skills in a safe environment. We have several different types of simulation rooms, including a maternity and a homecare/community room, that give you a variety of nursing experiences.
During labs and simulations, you will use what you've learned in the classroom to care for realistic and interactive mannequins. These practice experiences are recorded on video, which you'll continue to view to receive feedback and to reflect on your nursing practices. When you're not scheduled to be in the Simulation and Skills lab for class, you can take advantage of the Open Lab to practice your skills and techniques and gain confidence.
Clinical Sites
Our nursing clinical sites include a variety of regional University-affiliated acute care facilities and non-acute care organizations. Clinical experiences in these locations are held one or two days each week for up to 12 hours. This is where you will experience much of your real-world nursing practice before obtaining your license.
To be eligible for entry into these facilities, all clinical compliance requirements must be met.
Turn Your Experience Into Credits
As an adult learner, you bring a wealth of experience and training that can’t be found in a classroom. We believe that many of these experiences have given you college-level knowledge that may translate into college credit. If you currently hold a license as a Registered Nurse from a diploma nursing school or are a current practical or vocational nurse, learn how TESU can help put you on the path toward earning your college degree even faster with our flexible ways to earn credit.
Transfer Credits to TESU
Have you earned college credit from high school or another higher education institution? TESU helps make sure your hard work counts. Our generous credit transfer options can help you move your education goals forward, saving valuable time and money. Learn more about transferring credit.
A Renowned Nursing Program
The purpose of the Accelerated BSN program is to provide a high-quality nursing education program that meets the needs of the healthcare community and uphold the standards of the nursing profession.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Accelerated BSN program is competitive.
When you apply to TESU, you need to be accepted into the institution as well as the nursing program. Your admission requirements will depend on whether you already have a bachelor's degree or not.
Other General Requirements and Considerations
- Strong foundational and computer software skills. See the Accelerated BSN Student Handbook for details.
- For students of foreign universities, all transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency. An official course-by-course evaluation must be submitted with your application.
- If the applicant has taken English I and English II at a regionally accredited institution, it is at the discretion of the School of Nursing to require the TOEFL Exam. The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions has the discretion to require an applicant to take the TOEFL Exam regardless of the student’s native language if there is a concern about the student’s ability to communicate in English.
- Clinical compliance requirements must be met at the start of the program in order for students to meet the program’s mandatory clinical experience components. Clinical compliance requirements for students include, but are not limited to, a drug screen, proof of immunity or immunization for all vaccine-preventable diseases, professional liability insurance, and major medical health insurance coverage. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination and completion of a criminal background check are also required. Affiliated agencies and facilities have the right to preclude students who do not have a clear criminal background check. This may result in the inability to complete clinical requirements and the Accelerated BSN Program. No exemptions or exceptions to clinical compliance requirements will be permitted. Upon admission to the Accelerated BSN program the student will receive a clinical compliance handbook and a complete list of clinical compliance requirements.
- Access to reliable transportation for clinical experiences; some clinical sites and experiences may not be accessible by, or cannot be completed with, public transportation.
Tuition & Financial Aid
TESU is dedicated to your success and can help put your goals of earning your college degree within reach with our academic excellence, flexible online structure, multiple start dates and exceptional value. We offer financial aid assistance and scholarship opportunities to help ease your out-of-pocket expenses and make earning your degree accessible.
Estimated Program Costs
The estimated total tuition cost of the Accelerated BSN degree is $41,316 and is subject to change.
In addition to your tuition costs, nursing students should also expect the following costs during their program:
- TESU Application Fee: $50.00
- $500 nonrefundable deposit required within seven (7) days of acceptance into the program to secure your place in the cohort. This will be applied to your first tuition payment.
- Hybrid Course Fee: $500 per hybrid course
- Required Course Materials: $2,000.00
- Uniform and Other Supplies: $300.00
- Clinical Compliance: $400.00
- Major Medical Health Insurance: costs vary by plan
- Professional Liability Insurance: $30.00 (costs vary by plan)
- New Jersey Nursing Student Convention: $90.00-$125.00
- Graduation Audit Fee: $298.00
- New Jersey Board of Nursing Application Fee: $200.00
- NCLEX-RN Application/Exam Fee: $200.00
TESU Accelerated BSN BAYADA Scholars Track
BAYADA Education has partnered with Cooper University Health Care and Thomas Edison State University to introduce a revolutionary hospital-based approach to nursing education.
BAYADA Scholars Track Tuition and Fees
- In-State Tuition (total program): $58,500
- Out-of-State Tuition (total program): $75,000
- Clinical Lab Technology Fee (per clinical course): $510
Take the Next Steps
Applying to TESU is your first big step towards your future career in nursing.
Learn more about what sets TESU apart, request information about our programs and start your application today!
Take Your BSN to New Heights
Obtaining your Bachelor of Science in Nursing doesn't have to be the end of your educational journey
At TESU, we make it easy for you to matriculate into even higher degree programs in your field of study. With your BSN, you can reach new heights by working toward a Master of Science in Nursing and even a Doctor of Nursing Practice. We offer a selection of nursing graduate certificates as well.
Disclosure for Certification and Licensure Programs
View list of all states/jurisdictions to see whether the institution’s curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification.
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