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 2023, 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 access gives you access to BW email, Canvas and online resources you'll use as a nursing student and member of the BW community.

To set up your BW network account, go to myaccount.bw.edu and confirm your identity. You will need your BW student ID number, which you should have received in a previous email with the subject line: Congratulations on choosing Baldwin Wallace!

If you are unsure of your BW student ID number, contact Lauryn Rosinski at (440) 826-2915 or lrosinsk@bw.edu.

Once you answer the identity questions, you will receive your username, create a password, and then your BW email will be displayed.

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 Lauryn Rosinski at (440) 826-2915 or lrosinsk@bw.edu.

All prerequisite requirements must be completed no later than July 31, 2023.

Prerequisite coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of B- or above and at 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 Lauryn Rosinski 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 11, 2023, 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

Costs and Financial Assistance

BW's Office of Financial Aid has developed a guide to outline how the ABSN costs will be distributed. Please refer to this document for additional information. Contact the BW Admission Office at (440) 826-8012 or graduate@bw.edu for assistance on financial options.

FAFSA

Incoming ABSN students are strongly encouraged to file the FAFSA to determine federal direct student loan eligibility. Be sure to submit the 2023-24 FAFSA using BW's Federal ID code: 003014.

Please note: Question #47 for the FAFSA will read: "At the beginning of the 2023-24 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 2023 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.

Ohio Residents

Download Background Check Instructions

Baldwin Wallace University contracts with Corporate Screening Services, Inc. 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 Kathy Devney in the nursing department at (440) 826-8079 or kdevney@bw.edu for more information if needed. Please note that students are responsible for covering this fee.

Download: BW Health Form

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, 2023. If you are unable to schedule an appointment by this time, please contact Kathy Devney at (440) 826-8079 or kdevney@bw.edu.

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 of the affiliating clinical agencies. 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 Kathy Devney in the department of nursing, kdevney@bw.edu or (440) 846-8079.

Drug testing must be completed at BW. The following dates have been reserved for the department of nursing:

• Wednesday, July 19, 2023
• Thursday, July 20, 2023
• Monday, August 14, 2023 - reserved for out-of-state students

Drug screenings must be scheduled through Kathy Devney in the department of nursing. Please email kdevney@bw.edu or 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 Kathy Devney at kdevney@bw.edu.

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 2025 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.

While fall 2023 orientation details are still being confirmed, it is typically held the week before classes start in August. You are asked to reserve the entire week of orientation, August 14-18, 2023 for onboarding. You will receive periodic emails and notifications from Kathy Devney, the department of nursing administrative coordinator, with updates about orientation and more information. If you have any questions, please contact kdevney@bw.edu or (440) 826-8079.

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. T-shirt sizes should be sent to Kathy Devney at kdevney@bw.edu.

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 student parking for nursing students while they are on the BW campus at no cost to the student. All students are required to follow University parking regulations. Visit campus access services for parking regulations and details. Students are responsible for any citation fines, which can be paid online through Jacket Payment. Unpaid fines are attached to the student bill after ten 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.

Jacket Express Card

The Jacket Express Card is your official form of identification and is used to access campus facilities, including the health sciences building and study spaces, rec center and library. It is also used to allow admission to campus events and activities.

Every registered student is assigned a card during orientation. It should be carried at all times and presented upon request to any University official.

Where to obtain your Jacket Express Card: Every registered student is assigned a Jacket Express Card during orientation. You will receive information about how to obtain your Jacket Express Card prior to orientation week. You will receive your Jacket Express Card during nursing orientation unless you are living in graduate housing and need to pick up your card earlier. Cards can be obtained during normal business hours at campus access services, located at the Strosacker Union. A signature and valid photo ID (i.e. driver's license) is required when picking up your Jacket Express Card.

For Jacket Express Card questions, please call (440) 826-2410 or email jacketcard@bw.edu.

Graduate Housing

BW is located just 20 minutes from Cleveland, and nursing students find many affordable housing options within the surrounding communities. ABSN students who wish to live in campus-owned housing may consider a BW graduate student apartment. Please note that there are limited spaces available and if you are interested in living on campus, you should apply as soon as possible.

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.