Next Steps for Admitted ABSN Students

All new nursing students must pay an initial $300 tuition deposit followed by a $1,000 tuition deposit to secure their enrollment in this selective degree. These payments are nonrefundable and will be applied directly to your first-semester tuition.

View additional details and instructions regarding payment >

For students enrolling for August 2024, begin checking your BW email shortly after submitting your deposits. You'll receive important onboarding information including orientation, required forms, ACEMAPP, and other items from the department of nursing.

The BW network gives you access to BW email, Canvas and online resources you'll use as a nursing student and member of the BW community.

In order to gain access to your BW network credentials and set your password, please log into your BW admitted student portal. Instructions on accessing this portal were provided in the email with the following subject line: An update to your Baldwin Wallace University application. Please note that you will need the mobile number you detailed in your application to take next steps in setting up your BW account.

If you experience any technical difficulties when setting up your BW network account, please contact our BW IT Support at (440) 826-7000 or helpdesk@bw.edu.

Prior to the start date, you must complete any outstanding prerequisite requirements indicated in your admission letter. If you are unsure of your remaining prerequisite requirements, please contact the office of admission at graduate@bw.edu or (440) 826-8012.

All prerequisite requirements must be completed no later than July 31, 2025.

Students must maintain a 3.0 prerequisite GPA in order to move forward with this program. Please contact the office of admission regarding the minimum grade(s) you must earn in your outstanding prerequisite course(s) to maintain this GPA. Additionally, all prerequisites must be completed through a regionally accredited college or university within the United States. To determine if the coursework you are planning to take will meet prerequisite requirements, please contact the office of admission directly prior to enrolling in the course.

Once you have successfully completed all prerequisites, the BW nursing program will formally approve your enrollment in the ABSN.

Please note: Before the start of the ABSN, all students will be asked to submit final, official transcripts with degree postings and final prerequisite grades posted. Students must have all final, official transcripts submitted to the admission office by August 16, 2025, before nursing orientation. Transcripts can be sent directly from the previous institution to the BW admission office at admit@bw.edu or by mail to:

Office of Admission
Baldwin Wallace University
275 Eastland Road
Berea, OH 44017

Program Costs and Financial Assistance

The ABSN program has a comprehensive cost, which includes tuition, books, two uniform sets, lab coat, stethoscope, consumable laboratory supplies, HESI Exit Exam (first test) testing fee, malpractice insurance, and parking fee. Learn more about ABSN program costs and financial assistance.

FAFSA

Incoming ABSN students are strongly encouraged to file the FAFSA to determine federal direct student loan eligibility. Be sure to submit the 2025-26 FAFSA using BW's Federal ID code: 003014.

Please note: Question #47 for the FAFSA will read: "At the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program?" Since the ABSN is a post-baccalaureate program, please answer "No" to this question.

Additional Options for Funding

Visit the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) page for information on additional education loan and scholarship opportunities for nursing students.

Students enrolling in August 2025 should begin the process of completing their background checks once they have accepted admission and paid their $300 initial deposit.

You are required to complete a comprehensive background check including finger printing, as part of the initial enrollment process. The search will take about 4-8 weeks to complete and must be completed well in advance of the start of classes. Students are required to have a clear background check to be permitted to begin the ABSN and practice in the clinical setting. Students whose background checks reveal a criminal history or arrest record of any sort that cannot be successfully adjudicated will not be allowed to begin the ABSN. This is a requirement of all affiliating hospitals and clinics.

Please note: Although students with an expunged record may be eligible for enrollment and clinical placement in BW's program, an expunged or sealed record may impact a student's eligibility to qualify for a professional license following completion of the program. Eligibility for a professional license varies by state and may be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the professional licensing board.

Ohio Residents

Download Background Check Instructions

Baldwin Wallace University contracts with Corporate Screening Services, Inc. (a First Advantage Company) for background checks, located at 7271 Engle Rd., Suite 200, Middleburg Heights, OH 44140 (in the Plaza 3 Building). For questions, please call (440) 816-0500.

Corporate Screening Services, Inc.
7271 Engle Road. Suite 200
Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
(800) 229-8606 opt. 4
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
By Appointment Only

Upon completion of the background check, the BW nursing program will work to receive confirmation from Corporate Screening Services that a satisfactory background check was completed. There are two portions to the background check, an online background check and an in-person fingerprinting portion. Fingerprinting results may take 4-8 weeks to be received. Please note students are responsible for covering this fee.

Non-Ohio Residents

Download Background Check Instructions

Baldwin Wallace University will require students to use CastleBranch for the background check and fingerprinting. Please contact the nursing department at (440) 826-8079 for more information if needed. Please note that students are responsible for covering this fee.

Students should establish an appointment with their healthcare provider for immunizations and health screenings as soon as admission is accepted. It is strongly encouraged that you have your appointment with your physician scheduled by June 1, 2025. If you are unable to schedule an appointment by this time, please contact (440) 826-8079.

Through our clinical affiliation agreement, ABSN students are subject to clinical policies of the health care facilities that provide clinical experiences. Immunization and health screening requirements and policies for ABSN students are mandatory and non-negotiable.

The position of the Department of Nursing is that all nursing students should receive the COVID-19 vaccine. We are bound by clinical affiliation agreements. Clinical affiliates have the right to add/change requirements at any time. Currently our clinical affiliates have established COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Failure to receive the vaccine may result in an inability to complete the ABSN.

You must have personal health documentation on file in the BW nursing program office with proof of the following:

• Appropriate immunizations, or official documentation / validation of titers establishing immunity, for measles (rubeola), German measles (rubella), mumps, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, chicken pox (varicella), hepatitis B, and COVID-19. You will be required to receive boosters for any titer that does not show sufficient immunity.
• Annual influenza vaccination administered before influenza session (on or before October 15). This vaccination will be at the student's expense. You must provide written validation to the BW nursing program that the vaccination has been received to be permitted to continue in the clinical area beyond the first fall semester. Students will not be allowed exemptions from taking the annual influenza vaccination.
• Health status that qualifies the person to work directly with patients (Refer to "Required Functional Abilities for Nursing Students")
• Tuberculin (Tb) Testing: The two-step Mantoux Tb skin test is required to be completed by the student's healthcare provider as part of the BW health form. This is an annual requirement. You will need to repeat this requirement prior to expiration with documentation provided to the BW nursing program. Students who have a medical history of a false positive, allergy to the Mantoux test, BCG vaccination or are a converter are required to undergo Tb QuantiFERON testing (interferon-gamma release assay [IGRA]) for Tb infection through their provider, annually.

You can obtain any of the above immunizations from a family physician or nurse practitioner. Immunizations may also be available from county health agencies, pharmacies and health clinics.

Clinical Experience

As a guest of the healthcare facilities that provide clinical experiences, you are subject to the policies of the agency, which include meeting the above standards for immunizations, and the ability to work directly with patients (refer to "Required Functional Abilities for Nursing Students" contained in the BW health form). Because clinical experience is an essential element of the ABSN, the inability to work in direct patient care, without restrictions will result in the student not continuing. Additional questions or concerns should be directed to the department of nursing (440) 846-8079.

Drug screenings must be scheduled through the department of nursing. Please call (440) 826-8079 to schedule your appointment.

Substance abuse is incompatible with the practice of nursing. The Baldwin Wallace nursing program recognizes its responsibility to maintain a drug-free educational environment and to ensure that students provide safe, high-quality nursing services while engaged in official school educational activities. In keeping with this goal, the faculty support the policies set forth by the University relative to the use of drugs and alcohol.

All newly accepted students will be subject to substance abuse testing as part of the pre-enrollment health requirements. Substance abuse drug testing will be performed at no charge to the student and will involve an observed collection procedure. Any student testing positive for illegal substances will not be permitted to enter the ABSN. If student drug or alcohol usage is detected in the classroom, clinical or other campus settings, the student will be referred for appropriate follow-up according to the BW policies outlined in the BW student handbook.

As guests in the healthcare facilities at which the BW nursing program affiliates, students will be subject to the policies of the agency, which may include random urine testing. If student drug or alcohol usage is detected in the clinical setting, the student will be tested at the clinical agency in accordance with agency policies. Detection of drug or alcohol usage while in the clinical setting will result in immediate dismissal from the ABSN.

Please note: All students returning to the ABSN after an absence will be subject to substance abuse testing.

CPR basic life support (BLS) certification must be completed and on file with the BW nursing program prior to orientation. Students who do not fulfill this requirement will not be permitted into the clinical setting, and this will impact progression toward the ABSN. All hospital affiliations for the BW accelerated BSN require nursing students to be certified in CPR. Bring your CPR card to the nursing office when you come in to pick up materials or, at the latest, bring it to orientation. You must also send BLS certificates or cards to the department of nursing.

Requirements

CPR Basic Life Support (BLS) certification must be earned through American Heart Association CPR for Healthcare Providers with AED (automated external defibrillator). Please search for American Heart Association approved CPR Basic Life support Classes - CPR and AED for course offerings in your area. Red Cross or other versions of CPR certification are not acceptable.

BLS certification must be AHA, and the training cannot be fully online. Students may select either the BLS Instructor-Led Training that is classroom based (students are with an AHA Instructor for their entire learning experience) or a blended learning delivery method (a combination of eLearning with in-person skills session for CPR & psychomotor skills).

Expiration

CPR certification is good for two years. Your CPR card must be valid throughout your time as an ABSN student; therefore the expiration date on your card must be later than January 2027 or it will not be accepted for ABSN purposes. There is no time allowance for retesting.

Professional Liability Insurance

Baldwin Wallace provides professional liability insurance at a clinical site. This professional liability insurance will be at no cost to you. This policy provides coverage while on site at the clinical setting only. This coverage does not extend beyond the active clinical experience under the auspice of the ABSN.

Personal Medical Insurance

Proof of medical insurance coverage must be provided to the director of the BW nursing program prior to orientation. You must provide your own personal health insurance while a student at Baldwin Wallace. Neither the University nor clinical affiliates cover student health-related incidents. For more information on medical insurance, please refer to healthcare.gov.

Books and Supplies

Textbooks are included in the cost of the ABSN and will be distributed through the BW Bookstore during orientation week. A stethoscope is also provided in your book bundle.

Uniforms

You will need to be fitted for your uniform at:

Affordable Uniforms
24777 Lorain Road
North Olmsted, OH, 44070
(440) 801-1520

Please be sure to place a uniform order in spring to early summer. You will pick up your uniforms at Affordable Uniform during the week of orientation. Fees include two scrub tops, two scrub pants, one lab coat, one warming jacket, two t-shirts. Additional uniforms may be purchased at Affordable Uniforms at the student's expense.

*Students who live out of state must call Affordable Uniform for directions on sizing.

Lab Coat and T-Shirt

You should get measured and fitted for the lab coat at Affordable Uniforms.

Shoes

You are responsible for the purchase of shoes. Shoes must be all white with a soft, non-slip sole. Shoes must have a closed back and be made from a non-absorbent, sharps resistant material. Sandals, clogs, cloth shoes, shoes with holes, etc. are not permitted in the clinical setting.

Parking

BW provides parking for nursing students while they are on the BW campus at no cost. All students, commuter and on-campus residents, are required to register their vehicles and follow University parking regulations.

Students are responsible for any citation fines, which can be paid online through Jacket Payment. Unpaid fines are attached to the student bill after 10 days.

Parking permit: Students will receive an email from the administrative coordinator regarding parking registration instructions prior to orientation.

For parking questions, please call (440) 826-2410 or email parking@bw.edu.

Mobile Jacket Express Card

The mobile Jacket Express card is your official form of identification and an essential part of campus life. Every registered student is required to add their mobile Jacket Express card to their virtual wallet prior to starting classes. Install the GET Mobile app for Apple and Android. 

The mobile Jacket Express card is your key to campus-wide privileges. It provides security and ease of use. It is used to access many campus facilities, including residence halls, the recreation center and library. It can be used for meals, books and numerous other items on campus, and allows admittance to campus events and activities.

Health Services

All students enrolled in at least one class are eligible for services at BW's Health Center (insurance is not required). Basic clinical care is provided with doctors and nurse practitioners available by appointment for additional services. Teleconference appointments are also available.

Counseling Center

Counseling Services are provided at no charge to students for individual, group or urgent/emergency counseling services. A $25 fee is charged for psychiatry services. Walk-in and telehealth counseling appointments are available.

At BW, you will have access to student success resources on campus to provide you with tools to navigate the ABSN.

BW Office of Accessible Education (OAE)

The Office of Accessible Education (OAE) works with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations. Students who have or think they may have a disability (e.g. mental health, attentional, learning, vision, hearing, physical or systemic) are invited to contact the OAE to arrange a confidential discussion at (440) 826-2090 or disability@bw.edu.

BW Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA)

The BW Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA) supports and strengthens the academic experience of BW's diverse community through services and resources designed to empower learners to maximize their educational and professional goals. Students have access to learning resources, tutoring, and reading and writing support. For more information: (440) 826-2425 or casa@bw.edu.