Accelerated Second Degree BSN (Acc)
Nurses with bachelor's degrees are in high demand, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession is expected to grow 6% by 2031. Nationally, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs offered as a second degree are growing in response to this demand. Registered Nurses, particularly those with a BSN, experience strong earning potential. If you already hold a bachelor's or higher degree in another field and wish to pursue nursing as a second career, Concordia's Accelerated BSN program can get you on your path quickly.
Program Highlights
Students progress through the program as part of a cohort. Classes are offered in a blended delivery (both online and face-to-face), using a concept-based curriculum. Web-based resources and a strong foundation in simulation promote active, hands-on, engaged learning.
Clinical, lab and simulation experiences are held in the skills and high-fidelity simulation labs on campus, and in acute, transitional, and community-based settings on weekdays and weekends (times and days vary). A transition-to-practice clinical at program’s end prepares graduates to confidently enter professional nursing practice. This is a rigorous program, and students are encouraged to work as few hours as possible during the 15-month course of study.
This 63-credit accelerated BSN program includes 6 theology credits to fulfill the Concordia University transfer core requirements. (Graduates of CUW or CUAA may have already satisfied their theology credit requirements.) Students can meet the remainder of the transfer core requirements through credit transfer or prerequisite coursework from other accredited institutions. Put your knowledge and accomplishments to work for you as you work toward your goal of becoming a skilled professional RN!
Accreditation
Concordia University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Concordia University Wisconsin is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply liberal arts education and scientific background information into practice.
- Apply organizational and leadership principles in practice to improve quality and patient safety.
- Apply current evidence into professional nursing practice.
- Use informatics and healthcare technologies to inform decision-making regarding quality patient care and safety.
- Demonstrate knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments.
- Communicate and collaborate in an interprofessional healthcare environment to deliver safe, high quality patient care.
- Apply knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention to improve individual and population health.
- Demonstrate professionalism and professional values within the context of a Christian perspective.
- Engage in the professional roles of the nurse as care provider, care manager/coordinator, lifelong learner and member of the profession.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 6 | |
| Major Courses | 57 | |
| Courses Transferred In | 57 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses (must be taken at Concordia) | ||
| REL 3150 | Christian Care-Giving for Health Professionals | 3 |
| REL 1590 | Heritage of Faith | 3 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Major Courses (must be taken at Concordia) | ||
| NURS 2310 | Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 2320 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 2330 | Health Assessment Across the Lifespan | 4 |
| NURS 2340 | Fundamentals of Professional Nursing | 5 |
| NURS 3310 | Evidence-Based Nursing and Change Management | 2 |
| NURS 3320 | Patient-Centered Care: Chronic Care Theory | 4 |
| NURS 3322 | Patient-Centered Care: Chronic Care Clinical | 3 |
| NURS 3330 | Health Systems: Policy, Regulation, and Quality Issues for Professional Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 3340 | Patient-Centered Care: Acute Conditions Theory | 4 |
| NURS 3342 | Patient-Centered Care: Acute Conditions Clinical | 3 |
| NURS 3350 | Population-Focused Care Theory | 3 |
| NURS 3352 | Population-Focused Care Clinical | 2 |
| NURS 4310 | Family-Centered Care Theory | 3 |
| NURS 4312 | Family-Centered Care Clinical | 2 |
| NURS 4320 | Patient-Centered Care: Complex Conditions and Transitional Care Theory | 4 |
| NURS 4330 | Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Theory | 2 |
| NURS 4399 | Transition to Professional Nursing Practice | 6 |
| NURS 4340 | Professional Nursing Preparation and Licensure | 1 |
| Total Hours | 57 | |
Entrance Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university
- Overall GPA of 2.75 or higher
- B or higher in the following courses: Anatomy and Physiology 1; Anatomy and Physiology 2; Chemistry; Microbiology with lab
- Grade of C or higher in college algebra (or waiver with a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus exam or CLEP credits for college algebra)
- For ESL students, a language test score of 75 or higher on TOEFL or 6.5 or higher on IELTS
- Two letters of professional recommendation
- State Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course completion
- Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare professionals. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
- To attend clinicals students must adhere to all requirements set forth by CUW Healthcare Partners, including the COVID-19 vaccination.
Application Process
- Students must online through NursingCas. The application deadline for this program is November 1 for the following spring cohort.
- Submit current CV or resume that includes educational and professional experience.
- Send official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.
- Submit personal essay (see essay specifications).
- Once accepted in the program, student will undergo a background check, including Department of Justice DHFS criminal background and caregiver checks. Additional information will be provided.
Financial Aid
Tuition for the program covers books and online resources. Students will need to purchase uniforms, a stethoscope, and other clinical supplies for their personal use. All students are eligible to be reviewed for financial aid; to do so, students will need to complete the FAFSA at: www.fafsa.gov. Concordia’s school code is: 003842. Questions? Contact Concordia’s Financial Aid Office: FINAID@CUW.EDU | 262-243-4569
For More Information
Please contact Admissions Counselor Nicholas DeLeon at 262-243-1803 or nicholas.deleon@cuw.edu or go to CUW.EDU/NURSING
| Semester 1 | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| NURS 2310 | Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan 8-week Session I | 4 |
| REL 3150 | Christian Care-Giving for Health Professionals 8-week Session I | 3 |
| NURS 2320 | Pharmacology 8-week Session II | 3 |
| NURS 2330 | Health Assessment Across the Lifespan 8-week Session II | 4 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| NURS 2340 | Fundamentals of Professional Nursing 8-week Session I | 5 |
| NURS 3310 | Evidence-Based Nursing and Change Management 8-week Session I | 2 |
| NURS 3320 | Patient-Centered Care: Chronic Care Theory 8-week Session II | 4 |
| NURS 3322 | Patient-Centered Care: Chronic Care Clinical 8-week Session II | 3 |
| NURS 3330 | Health Systems: Policy, Regulation, and Quality Issues for Professional Nursing 8-week Session II | 2 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| NURS 3340 | Patient-Centered Care: Acute Conditions Theory 8-week Session I | 4 |
| NURS 3342 | Patient-Centered Care: Acute Conditions Clinical 8-week Session I | 3 |
| NURS 3350 | Population-Focused Care Theory 16-week Semester | 3 |
| NURS 3352 | Population-Focused Care Clinical 16-week Semester | 2 |
| NURS 4310 | Family-Centered Care Theory 8-week Session II | 3 |
| NURS 4312 | Family-Centered Care Clinical 8-week Session II | 2 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| REL 1590 | Heritage of Faith 8-week Session I | 3 |
| NURS 4320 | Patient-Centered Care: Complex Conditions and Transitional Care Theory 8-week Session I | 4 |
| NURS 4330 | Transition to Professional Nursing Practice Theory 16-week Semester | 2 |
| NURS 4399 | Transition to Professional Nursing Practice 16-week Semester | 6 |
| NURS 4340 | Professional Nursing Preparation and Licensure 16-week Semester | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 63 | |
Course options and schedule are subject to change.