When Sienna Isaacson walked across the stage at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh School of Nursing and Health Professions pinning ceremony March 14, she joined 29 classmates in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program preparing to enter the profession.
Her moment carries an added distinction.
Sienna Isaacson, left, talks with Kim Brundidge, co-director of the Accelerated Nursing program at UW-Oshkosh, who taught Isaacson’s Pathophysiology II course in the Accelerated BSN program.
The Dubuque, Iowa native will become the first graduate of the 3+1 pathway that connects the University of Wisconsin–Platteville with UW-Oshkosh’s Accelerated Nursing program.
The pathway allows students to complete three years of science coursework at UW-Platteville before transitioning to UW-Oshkosh’s Accelerated Nursing program, graduating in four years with a biology degree from UW-Platteville and a BSN from UW-Oshkosh.
For program leaders, Isaacson’s graduation marks an important moment for the relatively new pathway.
“Sienna becoming the first graduate of this partnership is an exciting milestone because it demonstrates that this innovative pathway truly works,” said Kim Brundidge, co-director of the accelerated nursing program at UW-Oshkosh. “Seeing our first graduate successfully complete that journey validates the vision behind the partnership and sets the stage for many more students to follow.”
Finding her path to nursing
Isaacson’s journey toward nursing began years before she enrolled in college. She has worked as a certified nursing assistant since high school at a skilled nursing facility in Dubuque, an experience that shaped her understanding of patient care and helped guide her career path.
Sienna Isaacson stands outside Southwest Health in Platteville, where she completed clinical rotations as part of the UW-Oshkosh Accelerated BSN program.
“I feel honored to be able to help patients feel safe and empowered in some of their most vulnerable moments of life,” Isaacson said. “The holistic essence of nursing is what resonates with me.”
Isaacson entered UW-Platteville as a biology major with plans to pursue physician assistant school. During her sophomore year, an academic advisor introduced her to the newly announced 3+1 pathway linking biology studies with UW-Oshkosh’s accelerated nursing program.
The opportunity allowed her to continue studying biology while also pursuing the nursing career she had grown increasingly passionate about through her work in patient care.
An accelerated year of preparation
The Accelerated BSN program at UW-Oshkosh compresses traditional nursing coursework into an intensive year designed for students who already have strong preparation in the sciences.
For Isaacson, the experience moved quickly. “This program flew by,” she said.
Clinical experiences were a defining part of that year. Isaacson completed rotations at Southwest Health in Platteville, where she said the staff consistently supported student learning.
“Every staff member cultivated an atmosphere of belonging for me as a student, facilitated the self-mastery of my nursing skills and encouraged my ability to critically think,” Isaacson said.
Faculty support at UW-Oshkosh also played an important role. Isaacson served on a student leadership team for her cohort, working closely with Sarah O’Connell, co-director of the Accelerated Nursing program.
“She went above and beyond for her students and advocated for the cohort in all shapes and forms,” Isaacson said.
Sienna Isaacson practices IV insertion on a training arm during a clinical skills lab as Kim Brundidge, BSN cohort facilitator, observes.
Faculty say the pathway helps prepare nurses who are ready to serve communities across the state.
“One of the most meaningful aspects of this collaboration is the opportunity to help prepare nurses who are ready to serve rural communities,” O’Connell said. “This pathway provides them with an accessible route to pursue nursing without needing to leave their region to earn their degree.”
Growing demand for innovative pathways
Interest in the 3+1 pathway has continued to grow since its launch in 2022. More than 20 students are currently in the pipeline through the partnership.
Brundidge said the program combines strong science preparation with an efficient route into the nursing profession.
“A dual-degree pathway like this allows students to deepen their scientific knowledge while also preparing for a meaningful career in nursing,” Brundidge said. “Health care is increasingly complex and interdisciplinary, and having both a biology and nursing background positions students extremely well for the future.”
UW-Oshkosh is now expanding the model with a new 3+1 pathway connecting its Biomedical Science program with the Accelerated Nursing Program. The pathway will allow UW-Oshkosh students to complete three years of biomedical science coursework before transitioning into the Accelerated BSN program, creating another streamlined route for students interested in both scientific study and patient care.
Sienna Isaacson, one of 30 graduates of the UW-Oshkosh Accelerated BSN program, is pinned by her mother, Andrea Endter of Dubuque, Iowa, during the UWO School of Nursing and Health Professions pinning ceremony.
Faculty say programs like these help prepare nurses with strong science backgrounds while expanding access to nursing education at a time when health care systems across Wisconsin continue to face workforce shortages.
A meaningful milestone
Saturday’s pinning ceremony celebrates the 30 students graduating from the UW-Oshkosh Accelerated BSN program. Twenty-two students attended the ceremony in person, while several classmates participated virtually from across the country, including students in Colorado, Oregon and Washington. The pinning ceremony symbolizes that a nursing student has completed the educational requirements necessary to take the state licensing exams and then to practice nursing.
Isaacson was pinned by her mother, Andrea Endter of Dubuque, Iowa, a moment she says carries deep personal meaning.
“She is my biggest inspiration in life and the strongest woman I know,” Isaacson said. “I am so proud to be her daughter.”
For Isaacson, completing the program represents both a milestone and the beginning of a new chapter.
She has accepted a nurse residency position beginning in June at UW Health in Madison, where she will work in the neuroscience general care unit.
“I hope to make meaningful impacts on my patients where they feel advocated for and knowledgeable about their care,” Isaacson said. “I will aspire to help my patients feel valued and seen.”
As the first graduate of the pathway, Isaacson hopes her experience will encourage other students to pursue similar opportunities.
“The experiences I have gained from both institutions have helped to shape me into who I am today,” she said. “I could not be more thankful for the opportunities that have risen out of my involvement in this program.”
Learn more:
School of Nursing and Health Professions at UWO
Photos from the March 14, 2026 ACCEL BSN pinning ceremony
Written by Grace Lim
Link to original story: https://www.uwosh.edu/today/130804/first-graduate-of-31-pathway-celebrates-milestone-in-uw-oshkosh-accelerated-nursing-program/