Is West Coast University a good choice for me?

jmdiaz86 · Dec 9, 2008

Hello Everyone,
Thank you in advance for reading my question.
I recently learned about the new program offered at West Coast University for a BSN in Nursing / RN Program. The program goes for about 3yrs 3mo.
I had originally planned before i herd about West Coast Univesity (which is what im doing now) to apply for the RN ASN program at Mount St. Mary College after completing a few pre-req at a community college. The program at St. Mary's runs for about 3 years but it only gets you an Associates after getting the RN License I wanted to work part time so i I would be able to go to a university and get the BSN.
The West Coast program sounds very good but I wanst sure how much does it affect when you get a BS in those non traditional schools. If I go to West Coast I would have to quite my job since they dont have a set schedule? I'm very afraid of that since I've always had a job since 16 and I'm concern of how I would survive during those 3 years
I really like the fact that within 3 years I have a BS and my RN License :)
Once again thank you very much for your help :)

I just called and the BSN program is for 116,000.00!!!!!

cpacia124 · Dec 11, 2008

despite the massive amounts of money it will to get ur bsn at wcu... do you know if the teachers are good and if you want to transfer our of there with your rn to an rn-bsn bridge program are the credits tranferrable?

i was thinking of going to westcoast for rn (maybe) then csuf (fullerton) for the bridge program (rn-bsn)

Medic09, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 11, 2008

Time out for reality check!

Most Associate's programs take two years. Three is maximum.

A normal BSN program, start to finish, at any state university with relatively cheap tuition is 4 years. That's prereqs, and everything. Some, like UNM where I went, cut out the summer breaks in the core Nursing years at the end, so it takes 3 years 4 months. Any state college/university BSN program should prepare you for the RN exam.

Why on earth would you pay big $$$ to no advantage? Take a look at the state universities nearest you. They probably offer a much better bang for your buck.

Jamo88 · May 3, 2009

I wouldn't recommend going to that school unless you have the money, money that can back you up(family, financial aid, grants, whatever), and if you seriously have no patience in getting your bsn.

I almost enrolled myself to the BSN program at West Coast in Ontario. I had all pre-reqs except 3 more that i needed to complete for them and they lowered my cost to 100K. Which was still intimidating because i couldnt get any financial aid. The Rep that helped me out was really pushy and told me lies like i was going to be making 75 to 85 bucks an hour once i graduate and when i told her that i wanted to do lvn first, she made it seem like west coast was the only school to have the lvn-rn bridge. Also, 2 of my friends that recently graduated from WCU told me to go a different route: LVN(private) then LVN-RNorBSN at Cal State or CC."Save a lot more money this way! but takes a little longer" Soooo If you want to be stuck in debt for the next 5-10years then go to West Coast.

AtACrossRoads · Apr 27, 2010

Is the high price tag the only disadvantage? Because if that's the case, I almost feel like it's worth dodging the 2-3 year waiting list/lottery.

Is the school fully credited and transferrable?

AtACrossRoads · Apr 28, 2010

Whoops, I meant to ask if it's accredited.

Just wondering if I can transfer to another school, or pursue higher education at another school after I finish with them should I decide to do so.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Apr 28, 2010

Time out for reality check!
Most Associate's programs take two years. Three is maximum.
A normal BSN program, start to finish, at any state university with relatively cheap tuition is 4 years. That's prereqs, and everything. Some, like UNM where I went, cut out the summer breaks in the core Nursing years at the end, so it takes 3 years 4 months. Any state college/university BSN program should prepare you for the RN exam.
Why on earth would you pay big $$$ to no advantage? Take a look at the state universities nearest you. They probably offer a much better bang for your buck.

Some of your information is inaccurate. Most BSN prgorams will not accept you until you have completed all their prerequisites, which usually take 1 1/2 to 2 years, then the nursing program is 3 years long (when they accept you!) Minimum of 5 years or more realistically 6 years since you are waiting to get in the program.

An ADN program is two years of nursing courses after the prerequisites which typically take 1 1/2 to 2 years. So that is about 4 years on average, not including the wait time of applying and trying to get in.

West Coast University is DEFINITELY NOT worth the time though. You are maybe saving two years. In this current job market in California there is very few jobs. The student loan payments would at minimum cost you 1500/month. I would wait out the local colleges.

I actually was going to go there for their LVN to RN program, which was going to be 45000! But they were so disorganized and I found a much cheaper program.

If you are going to do a trade school, only do an LVN or basic ADN program, there are many relatively cheap RN to BSN programs that would save you a lot of money. Though in this economy, the best choice is definitely waiting out the local colleges. Enrollment will begin to drop as many people hear about the lack of jobs and that nursing isn't the "economy-proof" career everyone thought it was.

Andrew12 · May 4, 2010

Sure. the disadvantage is the price tag, but I personally think it is worth it considering you don't have to wait at the C.C level (which only gets you an AS) and if Finanacial Aid will cover some of the cost, then why not.

I would also want to know if it is fully accredited.

If the units are transferable

And what post primary options I would have after completing the 3yrs. of course.

Can anyone answer these questions. Any post graduate student on the forum from WCU?

Andrew12 · May 4, 2010

Feel kind of funny. Just saw the date on these posts? Oh'well. Any comments?

ddlvnv · Jun 19, 2010

I am also looking for feedback on WCU. Are there any graduates out there who know if you can continue on for your Masters with your WCU education?

sarah10 · Jul 3, 2010

I am also looking into WCU I have my LVN lisence but I did not work as an LVN and forget so much of the field.. I even went on and took my anatomy/phy and micro but its been past the 5 yrs to receive credit. Im thinking of just starting over and doing the BSN . Im over 40, a single mother and need some more "security".

The price tag is huge but I feel in 3 years Ill be set, at least some what. Im pretty sure you can negociate loan payments after you graduate.

I have also seen some good posts this year about the school and feel if you are not a shy student you can get what you put into it.

Still considering but I dont want to be in same spot 3 yr from now. :confused:

Any thoughts from students doing well or AND students over 40 starting over and possibly a little scared or terrified... :eek: would be greatly appreciated