Nurses are healthcare heroes. In all areas of medicine, nurses are often the first line of defense, offering up care and support to those in need of help. As a critical component of any healthcare team, nurses spend each and every day changing and saving lives. Thomas Edison State University is a powerhouse training up the next generation of nurses, and in recent weeks, they’ve had much to celebrate regarding their state-of-the-art nursing program.
The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions at Thomas Edison State University (TESU) is proud to announce that the New Jersey Board of Nursing has granted reaccreditation for its Accelerated BSN Program for the next 8 years. In its confirmation, the New Jersey Board of Nursing thanked the School for its dedicated service to nursing education and granted reaccreditation through 2031.
When reflecting on this achievement, Dr. Cynthia Baum, provost and senior vice president at TESU, stated “The reaccreditation substantiates the quality, integrity and rigor of our Accelerated BSN Program. It also denotes a vital benchmark for the program and we are proud of the school’s staff for this achievement. We look forward to our continuing role in the advancement of nursing education in the state and supporting the collective health and well-being in our community.”
The Accelerated BSN Program’s recent National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) first-time pass rates are a testament to the TESU’s continued impact in preparing pre-licensure nurses for the exam. According to data in the New Jersey Board of Nursing’s 2022 NCLEX-RN Program Report on fourth-quarter first-time pass rates, the average first-time pass rate for TESU’s Accelerated BSN Program students is a whopping 90%. According to Dr. Lia van Rijswijk, chief nursing administrator of the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions, the average first-time pass rate across all graduating cohorts since the program’s founding in 2010 is 94%.
“Our staff works diligently with our pre-licensure nursing students to prepare them to provide optimal care for patients in a variety of healthcare settings, pass the NCLEX-RN exam and be ready to start a productive and rewarding career in the field of nursing,” noted van Rijswijk. “While earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, they also earn 9 graduate-level nursing credits. As a consequence, many of our BSN graduates use those credits to jumpstart their Master of Science in Nursing studies and advance their careers.”
Per their description, the New Jersey Board of Nursing was founded in 1912 to protect the health, safety and welfare of New Jersey’s residents by ensuring practicing nurses are qualified and competent to carry out the profession. The board licenses registered nurses as well as practical nurses, and regulates the nursing profession in New Jersey. The Board of Nursing certifies advanced practice nurses, sexual assault forensic nurses, and home health aides. In addition to these duties, the Board also accredits nursing schools and approves clinical affiliates.
The W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions added a third yearly cohort to its Accelerated BSN Program in January 2022 to keep up with program demand and to offer pre-licensure nursing students the flexibility of beginning the program in the fall, winter, or spring. Much like many of TESU’s programs, the school puts flexibility and accessibility at the core of its offerings. With its headquarters right here in Trenton, Thomas Edison State University If you’d like to read more regarding this program, details can be found online here: Nursing – TESU.
TESU and their team of talented future nurses have much to be proud of, so please join the Trenton Daily team in extending our sincerest congratulations to the students and educators alike.
