University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Program Length & Format

• 12-month accelerated program
• 52 credit hours total
• Nursing theory courses delivered 100% online
• One two-week on-campus residency including lab and a 56-hour clinical
• Clinical rotations completed in or near student’s home community when possible

Admission Requirements

• Admission to University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh and completion of a non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Minimum bachelor’s degree GPA 2.5; applicants with GPA below 2.5 may submit TEAS results meeting or exceeding national BSN program mean scores
• Minimum pre-nursing GPA 3.0 across College of Nursing prerequisites
• All prerequisite courses require minimum grade of C (no C- or CD)
• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification with clinical component required
• Successful criminal background check required for clinical placement
• Residency in an approved state for the duration of theory and clinical components

Entrance Exams

• TEAS: required only if bachelor’s degree GPA is below 2.5; proficiency must meet or exceed national BSN program mean scores
• TOEFL: required for applicants whose prior degree was completed outside the U.S. when instruction was not in English (see International Students for minimum score)

Prerequisites

• Six science prerequisites (lecture and laboratory required): Biological Concepts (Bio 105 or 230), Anatomy (Bio 211), Physiology (Bio 212 or 319), Microbiology (Bio 233 or 309), Chemistry I (Chem 101 or 105), Biochemistry or Chemistry II (Chem 102 or 106); at least 4 of 6 science courses must be completed at time of application; if more than four completed, GPA uses best four grades; two-semester A&P sequence must be completed at same institution
• Other prerequisites: English Composition (ENG 101 or WRT 188/287/288/310), General/Introductory Psychology (Psych 101 or 102), Growth/Development/Health Across Lifespan (Nursing 200, Psych 391 or Ed Found 377), and 6 credits of general education from prior bachelor’s degree
• Additional nursing prerequisites (required with grade C or higher but not included in admission GPA): College-level Math (Math 104 or higher or statistics), Speech/Public Speaking (Comm 111 or equivalent)

Deadlines

• February cohort application available May 1 of prior year
• May cohort application available October 1 of prior year
• October cohort application available February 1 of prior year
• Background check due one week after Accelerated BSN application submission
• Non-refundable $5,000 tuition deposit due within two weeks of acceptance

Application

• Step 1: Apply to UW–Oshkosh as transfer student/second undergraduate degree; send official transcripts to Office of Undergraduate Admissions, P.O. Box 2423, Oshkosh, WI 54903-2423
• Step 2: Complete Accelerated BSN application after NetID activation; upload required documents
• Required documents: CNA/LPN/EMT/MA certification (if EMT or MA include Manager-Supervisor Assessment), resume (maximum 2 pages), four required essays uploaded as one document
• Essay format: one page per essay, double spaced, 1-inch margins, 12 pt Times New Roman; include full name and essay title on each page
• Step 3: Complete criminal background check via specified tracker service within one week of application (cost paid by applicant)
• Step 4: Admissions decisions communicated via UWO email

Selection Process

• Applications reviewed on a first-received, first-considered basis until cohort is filled
• Each cohort admits 30 students
• Selection factors include prerequisite course GPA, CNA experience, geographic area/clinical site availability, review of written statements, and phone interviews for eligible applicants
• Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission

Cost & Financial Aid

• Tuition for the 12-month program: $50,338 (includes course software and NCLEX-RN prep course); same rate for in-state and out-of-state students
• Non-refundable $5,000 tuition deposit required within two weeks of acceptance; deposit required before financial aid can be awarded
• Federal loans available based on need and eligibility; FAFSA grants not available for second-degree students
• Additional expected costs: uniforms, textbooks, standardized tests, criminal background check fees, CPR certification, immunizations/titers, transportation, lodging during residency, stethoscope and clinical supplies

Clinical & Simulation Lab

• Total clinical hours: 728 hours across six rotations
• Clinical rotation hours by course: Adult Health I 56 hours (on-campus residency), Adult Health II 112 hours over five weeks, Obstetric or Mental Health 112 hours over four weeks, Pediatric or Geriatric 112 hours over four weeks, Community Health 168 hours over six weeks, Clinical Synthesis 168 hours over five weeks
• Clinical courses use preceptor model for five rotations; preceptor qualifications and placements coordinated by Accelerated BSN administrators
• Clinical sites preferred within 65 miles of student home community; students may be required to travel and work any shift including nights, weekends, holidays
• Skills lab and clinical credit ratios: Health Assessment Lab 1:1 (14 hours per credit), Skills Lab 3:1 (42 hours per credit), Clinical Courses 4:1 (56 hours per credit)

Credit Transfer

• Transfer credit guidance available for UW System and Wisconsin Technical College courses via university transfer resources
• Out-of-state or private institution course transfer requires comparison of course descriptions; official credit evaluation provided after applying to UW–Oshkosh
• Prerequisite credits do not expire

International Students

• Submit course-by-course credential evaluation reporting grades, credits, and degree assessment via National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE)
• TOEFL iBT minimum score: 71; send scores directly to UW–Oshkosh (institution code 1916) when instruction was not in English

Contacts

• Accelerated BSN Option advisors: Donna Johnson (Undergraduate Nursing Office) and Kim Calmes (Accelerated BSN Option Advisor)
• General program phone: (920) 424-0777; Admissions phone: (920) 424-3164
• Admissions transcript address: Office of Undergraduate Admissions, UW Oshkosh, P.O. Box 2423, Oshkosh, WI 54903-2423
• Program office address: School of Nursing and Health Professions, Clow Social Science Center, Room S210, 800 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, WI 54901
• Oregon capacity inquiry email: [email protected]

The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Nurse Scholars Program is designed for academically gifted students seeking to enroll academically gifted students as clinical majors as a freshman.

The program intends to prepare scholarly and caring nursing leaders incorporating cutting edge technology and high tech clinical laboratories.

The application for the program should be made at the same time as the student’s application to the University.

The traditional track of the program is a five-semester program with a combination of online classes and actual instruction with actual clinical practice at local healthcare facilities every semester.  

The accelerated online BSN track utilizes cutting edge technology to offer students an opportunity to earn a BSN in 12 months.

Admissions Requirements:

• Complete at least 30 credits of college coursework (with Sophomore standing)
• A minimum of 2.75 Grade Point Average for pre-requisite nursing courses
• Passing score on standardized nursing admission test
• Complete Criminal Background Check as required by law for clinical practice
• CNA certificate
• TEAS exam

Applicants successfully accepted into the program will be contacted through email following the deadline date. Applicants will be required to register for admission interview by a member of the nursing faculty.

Each applicant will be evaluated on the basis of the interview process as well as the completed application with supported documents. The college doesn't have waiting list and each semester a total of 72 students get admitted.