12-Month ABSN Programs in Wisconsin: Accelerated Nursing Online

If you already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree and are looking to pivot to professional nursing, a 12-month accelerated nursing program is one of the fastest ways you can earn your degree.

This article explores the basics of 12-month accelerated nursing programs and highlights Wisconsin schools (including a few from nearby states) that offer accredited, fast-track Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) options.

What Is a 12-Month ABSN Program?

An accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree program is designed for students who have already earned their bachelor's degree in a non-nursing major to become certified registered nurses. Students leverage their previous degree to bypass general education prerequisite courses and move directly into nursing theory classes, lab work, and clinical experiences.

ABSN programs are also called accelerated second-degree BSNs (or BSN-ASDs). Students can earn their degrees in anywhere from 12 to 16 months, making this degree pathway one of the quickest ways to become a nurse.

You may enroll in fast-track nursing programs online or in person. Once completing the degree program, you will sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to receive your registered nurse (RN) licensure.

Are There Any Online ABSN Programs in Wisconsin?

There are online ABSN program options at Wisconsin schools and those in surrounding states. Online ABSN programs are a hybrid of online coursework and in-person experiences. Hands-on skills development is an important educational requirement for nurses and even mainly online programs have in-person components: lab work and clinical experiences.

Top Accelerated BSN Programs in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin schools listed here feature reputable ABSN programs. All schools are accredited in-person or accredited online colleges that accept financial aid.

1. Edgewood College

Edgewood College is a small private college in Madison, WI, that offers a 12-month ABSN hybrid degree program. All nursing theory courses are given online, and students can do their clinical rotations in their home communities. There are three visits required to the college for on-campus lab immersions.

Edgewood College boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio and an impressive NCLEX-RN pass rate, averaging 99% last year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $37,120 per year
• Program length: 12 months
• Financial aid: Edgewood College encourages students to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal and state loans and scholarships. The school also provides institutional scholarships for nursing students.
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Marian University

Located in Fond Du Lac, WI, Marian University is a private school with a hybrid accelerated BSN program. Full-time students earn their degree in 16 months over four semesters. The curriculum consists of online coursework, on-campus simulation labs, and in-person clinical rotations.

In addition to Wisconsin, ABSN students may also enroll in Marion University's other campus sites in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Nashville, Tennessee.

• Estimated tuition cost: $945 per credit
• Program length: 16 months
• Financial aid: Students may apply for scholarships, grants, and loans.
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nursing students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison) can earn their accelerated BSN in 12 months. The program focuses on leadership development, promoting health in diverse communities, and disease prevention across the lifespan.

Coursework for this degree program is mainly on-campus and takes place over four semesters. UW-Madison's School of Nursing arranges for clinical placements at partner healthcare systems across Wisconsin. On average, 96% of program graduates pass the NCLEX-RN on the first try.

• Estimated tuition cost: $45,000 per year
• Program length: 12 months
• Financial aid: Financial aid is available through grants, scholarships, and loans. UW-Madison's School of Nursing has scholarship funds for qualified ABSN applicants.
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

Inaugurated in 2002, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO/UW-Oshkosh) boasts the country's first accredited online accelerated BSN. Nursing theory courses are given 100% online; clinical rotations are scheduled in nursing students' local communities. There is also one two-week on-campus residency where students complete skills lab work and clinical practices.

UWO's College of Nursing offers three program start dates each year: February, May, and October. Nursing students regularly exceed the national average for first-time NCLEX pass rates.

• Estimated tuition cost: $48,224 per year
• Program length: 12 months
• Financial aid: Students should apply for FAFSA to determine their eligibility for federal and state loans and scholarships. UWO offers benefits for qualified veterans, reservists, and their families.
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. Milwaukee School of Engineering

The nursing school at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) offers an accelerated degree track where students can earn their BSN-ASD in 16 months. Students can start the program twice per year — in January and in August/September. Coursework for this program takes place on MSOE's Milwaukee campus.

Clinical experiences take place in mental health facilities, children's hospitals, critical care centers, and other local healthcare settings. Of the recent graduates of MSOE's accelerated program, 100% are either employed as professional nurses, enrolled in graduate school, or serving in the military.

• Estimated tuition cost: $49,930 per year
• Program length: 16 months
• Financial aid: Students may apply for grants, loans, and scholarships to receive financial assistance.
• Accreditation: CCNE

Other Accelerated BSN Programs

These regional schools also offer respected accelerated BSN programs.

6. Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University is based in Elmhurst, Illinois, and offers a hybrid accelerated BSN program that can be completed in 16 months. There are two start times per year, in the fall and in the spring semesters.

Students take all of their theory coursework online; clinical experiences take place in their home communities. Students must complete two on-campus residencies to round out hands-on skill development with lab simulations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $833 per credit
• Program length: 16 months
• Financial aid: Student aid is available via federal and state loans and state and private scholarships.
• Accreditation: CCNE

7. Concordia University-St. Paul

The Concordia University-St. Paul in Minnesota offers a fast-track BSN program in a hybrid format via its e-learning platform, CSP Global. Students can earn their accelerated BSN in 16 months.

The rigorous curriculum consists of online coursework, in-person skills labs, and clinical experiences. Clinical placements can be scheduled at the Concordia University's St. Paul or Portland, OR, location. CSP graduates' first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates consistently rank at 90% and above.

• Estimated tuition cost: $1,050 per credit
• Program length: 16 months
• Financial aid: Federal student aid eligibility is determined by applying for FAFSA. CSP also offers military benefits for veterans and scholarships for nursing students.
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

We use the following criteria when selecting featured schools:

• Accreditation: All the baccalaureate degree programs highlighted here must be accredited by one of two independent nursing education organizations: the CCNE or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
• Program reputation: Programs must have experienced faculty, follow standard nursing curriculums, offer skills labs and clinical placements, and be approved by the appropriate State Board of Nursing.
• Program cost: We feature schools with lower tuition at the top of our list. All the schools featured here offer some form of financial aid to offset education costs.

FAQs About Accelerated Online ABSN Programs

The following answers address frequently asked questions about 1-year accelerated nursing programs.

How Much Does an Online ABSN Program Cost in Wisconsin?

While the exact cost of earning your degree varies depending on your school and program length, Wisconsin ABSN program costs generally range between $37,000 and $49,000.

Schools recognize this is a big investment in both time and money; many have enrollment officers to help prospective students understand the financial aid process.

Learn More: Cheapest Accelerated Nursing Programs

What Are The Requirements For Accelerated BSN Programs?

As with cost, admission requirements depend on individual schools and programs. That being said, generally speaking, prospective students will need: a non-nursing bachelor's degree, official transcripts, and completion of certain prerequisite courses.

Many schools require a certain grade point average (GPA), like a 2.75 or 3.0 cumulative GPA, and additional application items such as letters of recommendation and personal essays.

Can I Become an RN in 12 Months?

If you have your bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field and the time to dedicate yourself to a rigorous curriculum, you can become an RN in 12 months.

To learn more about earning your nursing degree, check out our article Can You Get A BSN Without An RN?.

Find an Online Nursing Degree

If you're ready to enter the nursing profession, connect with the schools featured on Learn.org to find out which is the best fit to help launch your nursing career.