Best West Coast BSN Programs?

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2014

The only thing I can say with certainty from the schools you've listed is that Azusa Pacific has mandatory chapel and Pacific Lutheran does not. Based on what people I know that have attended these schools have told me, you will definitely know you are attending a Christian university at Azusa Pacific, whereas religion is not really emphasized at PLU. However, also look into Seattle University. I've heard that it has a better local reputation than the other schools you mentioned in the Seattle area.

Are you interested in living and working in the Pacific Northwest when you graduate? The school you choose to attend will make a big impact on the networking opportunities for employment you have after graduation. Despite APU being a known "good school" in the area, the market for new grad RNs in Southern California is saturated, and their grads are having a hard time finding work just like any other. It is important to make the most of your clinical rotations by becoming known by the staff (in a good way) at your clinical sites.

Smwright19 · Sep 28, 2014

Hi! Thanks for your response!

Yes, I am Christian, so going to chapel at APU shouldn't be that difficult for me. However, I do want to move to the Pacific Northwest as soon as I can. I have family in Olympia and Longview, and I would love to live in Olympia, Seattle, or Portland, OR.

Would you say it is any easier for a new grad to find work up there compared to SoCal? And how important is the "name brand" factor? Thank you again.

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2014

I think it is easier, but not easy. It is still after all a major metropolitan area. The only areas clamoring for new grads are rural. I think the difference in "name brand" factor isn't big among the schools you're looking into since they are all still in the same ball park. I assume they have relatively similar NCLEX pass rates as well, but you can find this information easily with a quick search. What you should look into most importantly is what clinical sites do these schools go to and how often do these hospitals hire from these schools. Pick the program that does extensive clinicals at the hospitals you'd like to work and make sure to make yourself known to the staff while you're a student. From previous posts you said you were interested in ER, one friend actually just graduated this past week and was offered a position in the ER where she precepted when she passes her NCLEX because she made such a good impression on the staff.

Smwright19 · Sep 28, 2014

Okay, thank you. All NCLEX pass rates are relatively high as that was one of my factors in choosing them. I haven't done much research as far as clinicals/ clinical sites.

A related question I would then ask is, how much clinical experience is recommended? George Fox, for example, has 800-1000 hours spent in clinicals. (It doesn't specify where these take place; I believe I'd have to call them to ask).

And that's great to hear about your friend!

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2014

As long as the school is approved by the state you will be getting sufficient clinical hours because they need to include a certain number of clinical hours to get approval. Don't worry yourself too much about number of clinical hours. Instead, try to find out more about the quality of the clinical rotations. I wish I had looked into this more when I was applying to bridge programs. Although the school I attended went to the hospitals I wanted, I did not know they did not do rotations into ICU or ER at those hospitals. It would have benefitted me more to have an opportunity to precept in something other than Med-Surg since I was already working in Med-Surg as an LVN.

RunBabyRN · Sep 29, 2014

May I ask why you're set on a private university, as opposed to a CSU? Sonoma State, for example, has an NCLEX passing rate of 97%, and many other CSUs are similar. Private universities generally don't fare quite as well.

Where do you want to work? Doing clinicals where you plan to work is ideal, as you can make connections, and managers like to hire people they've seen in clinicals (generally).

SubSippi · Sep 29, 2014

Can you call the schools and ask what their 6 month job placement rate is? Make sure you specify in the nursing field if you ask, because I've heard some places will count any employment at all, even at mcdonalds, in those numbers.

I never did this, but it may also be helpful to call nurse recruiters at the facilities you're interested in, tell them you're trying to decide on a nursing school, and then ask if there's a school in the area they'd recommend based on the success of its graduates. It may not work, but if I did you'd probably get some valuable information.

Smwright19 · Sep 29, 2014

May I ask why you're set on a private university, as opposed to a CSU? Sonoma State, for example, has an NCLEX passing rate of 97%, and many other CSUs are similar. Private universities generally don't fare quite as well.
Where do you want to work? Doing clinicals where you plan to work is ideal, as you can make connections, and managers like to hire people they've seen in clinicals (generally).

I would really love to live in the Pacific Northwest (specifically, Portland), and private schools have the same tuition for out of state students, so it would make sense if I go out of state. Location is one of the deciding factors for me, and while it may seem like a superficial reason to go or not go to a school, I believe that it can contribute to my overall enjoyment and success at a university. I will apply to CSULA and LB, but only as backups. My reach schools, which I haven't mentioned before, are UCLA and UCI, both of which are in California.

I've been told that many colleges are what you make of them, and as a fairly highly motivated student, I feel like I could thrive in a private school better.

Additionally, many of the private schools I'm considering have substantial financial aid packages, especially for a decent student coming from a relatively low-income household. This makes them all the more appealing to me.

And, I could be wrong about this, but many of the nursing programs at CSUs have waitlists of up to two years or more. Private schools generally do not. I think. If I'm right about this, then this will definitely help me complete my program and start working as soon as possible.

Smwright19 · Sep 29, 2014

Can you call the schools and ask what their 6 month job placement rate is? Make sure you specify in the nursing field if you ask, because I've heard some places will count any employment at all, even at mcdonalds, in those numbers.
I never did this, but it may also be helpful to call nurse recruiters at the facilities you're interested in, tell them you're trying to decide on a nursing school, and then ask if there's a school in the area they'd recommend based on the success of its graduates. It may not work, but if I did you'd probably get some valuable information.

Thanks for the advice! I hadn't considered doing that, since I'm only a high school senior and I don't even know what college I'm going to yet. But it makes sense to start early, especially with the current outlook for new grads. Hahaha I'm not even an undergrad yet and I'm still worried! But I will try to work backwards and call nurse recruiters to get their opinions.

Get2theChoppa · Sep 30, 2014

And, I could be wrong about this, but many of the nursing programs at CSUs have waitlists of up to two years or more. Private schools generally do not. I think. If I'm right about this, then this will definitely help me complete my program and start working as soon as possible.

I don't think that is the case with all CSUs. CSULA and CSULB accept students every year. They only have waitlists in terms of people getting into the program if someone who did get in declines. Once they start the program, a new cycle begins. The applicant pool starts up again fresh; no one is immediately accepted from last year's waitlist. It is irrelevant.

zzbxdo · Sep 30, 2014

I would really love to live in the Pacific Northwest (specifically, Portland), and private schools have the same tuition for out of state students, so it would make sense if I go out of state. Location is one of the deciding factors for me, and while it may seem like a superficial reason to go or not go to a school, I believe that it can contribute to my overall enjoyment and success at a university. I will apply to CSULA and LB, but only as backups. My reach schools, which I haven't mentioned before, are UCLA and UCI, both of which are in California.
I've been told that many colleges are what you make of them, and as a fairly highly motivated student, I feel like I could thrive in a private school better.
Additionally, many of the private schools I'm considering have substantial financial aid packages, especially for a decent student coming from a relatively low-income household. This makes them all the more appealing to me.
And, I could be wrong about this, but many of the nursing programs at CSUs have waitlists of up to two years or more. Private schools generally do not. I think. If I'm right about this, then this will definitely help me complete my program and start working as soon as possible.

CSUs are merit based with each application, there is no wait list. Unless you consider failing to get accepted for 2 years then I suppose you can call it whatever you wish.