Nursing Schools in the Seattle Area Winter 2014

MrsStudentNurse · Jul 30, 2013

Good question. I'm wondering too!

WNTfanM9 · Jul 30, 2013

Hi I'm new here and just joined.

I have applied to TCC (waiting to hear back about fall, 3rd time applying) and Highline CC. I just heard from Highline today that I wasn't chosen during the lottery.

I'm thinking about starting applications for Seattle Central CC, South Seattle CC, and Bellevue College.

I'm getting frustrated because of the Lottery systems! I need to find one close enough by that is selective!

icelind, RN · Jul 30, 2013

I know that Washington IT and Shoreline are both on the points system but I'm not sure about Everett. There are a few of them that start Winter and Spring (some possibly Summer too?) but I personally missed out on the Fall applications.

Elizabeth Renee · Aug 4, 2013

I'm getting frustrated because of the Lottery systems! I need to find one close enough by that is selective!

I don't know where you live here in WA, but I've applied to both TCC and Highline as well as Pierce. Pierce (the Puyallup campus) is very selective and their application process is tedious. This year they wanted a functional resume, research paper (this years topic was on the function of the kidneys!), two letters of recommendation (one professional and one personal), three essay questions, and if you were selected to participate in the final phase (which is an interview), you had that to deal with that as well. Phew! When I was applying to these schools, I was still in my last quarter at TCC finishing up pre-reqs (A&P II being one of them!) and graduating with an AAS, so it took me a few weeks to get everything perfect and in line for their school! However, their application period has passed and they only do it once a year. :/ But also, I have heard that Pierce doesn't have the greatest reputation in the area either...BUT, it's an option if you don't get in somewhere this year.

I had a good friend get into Olympic College in Bremerton. She says you basically have to have a 4.0 GPA (which she had) to get in because they have a point system based on grades - the higher the grade, the higher the points you're awarded. She says their program is particularly difficult compared to the others in the area and they don't have the greatest retention rates because of that, which is quite intimidating (she says by a certain point they have several fail out before completing the program - and these were 4.0 students!). But, again, that's another selective option. :)

I am not sure about the Seattle colleges. I did not apply to them because I am not interested in a morning commute in Seattle traffic for 2 years!

kristiesin · Nov 24, 2013

I am not sure if anyone is still reading this thread, but I will share what I found out about Seattle Central, and some of the other schools in the area.

Everett Community College is based solely on the TEAS. The trend has been that you would need over an 80 to secure a spot in the Fall and Winter Quarters, not sure about spring. They only look at grades if there is a tie. You need a 2.5 in the pre-reqs to be eligible to apply.

Lake Washington is a points based system with grades, TEAS, previous education, work experience and letters of recommendation taken into account. Same basic pre-reqs, although they do not count your intro to Chem grade in the GPA calculation. One thing to keep in mind about LWT is that last I checked, they do not have National Certification.. for me.. that is an issue, so they have not been on my list, however, I will be attending an information session in couple weeks to see if that has changed, or is changing soon.

Shoreline is points based as well. I am not considering this school for reasons that are subjective (friends have gone there and did not have a good experience, and my grades while very good, are not 4.0 in every class and I don't have the 200 hours of volunteer time to be competitive in points.)

Seattle Central is a first come, first accepted, with a caveat. They have specific requirements that have to be met to submit an application. What I know is that they accept the first 56 people that successfully apply in the order that they are received. You must have a 2.5 or better in each pre-req, a 75 or greater on the TEAS test, and an active CNA in the state of WA. If you have a completed application you can submit it on the day and time which they will announce sometime mid January. I don't know much about this program, but their pass rate is 94% NCLEX and they do have National Certification. They also have a matriculation agreement with UW Bothell, and they have just been approved to begin their own BSN program on campus. They also just signed a lease on a building which will be ready sometime in 2015 with a brand new nursing floor.

Each school has it's own requirements and own process. It is frustrating and confusing to say the least.

Currently I would have to commute an hour and a half each way to Seattle in traffic. My husband however, works in Seattle and we are planning to move closer in to the city this next year. I did all of my pre-reqs at EVCC and I did like the school.

I agree with what a great deal of people say though about programs in general. I think you have to look at all of the available options and decide which works best for you. It is a very difficult program at any school and nursing school we all know takes up two years of your life, not to mention the classes you had to take just to get to apply.

For me, it has been quite a journey and I have learned a great deal along the way. I have come to the conclusion that there are many factors that can support or hinder your success. Really look at the program, the schedule, the clinical experiences, and the commute. Will you have to work? Will you spend a great deal of time driving? Do you have a good support system? What other responsibilities do you have? Take all that information and look at the program and how it will work with your life.

The flip side? Do you just want to get through a program? Does it not matter? Then you may have more options.

It is quite a journey. Hope this information helped!

icelind, RN · Dec 26, 2013

I am not sure if anyone is still reading this thread, but I will share what I found out about Seattle Central, and some of the other schools in the area.
Lake Washington is a points based system with grades, TEAS, previous education, work experience and letters of recommendation taken into account. Same basic pre-reqs, although they do not count your intro to Chem grade in the GPA calculation. One thing to keep in mind about LWT is that last I checked, they do not have National Certification.. for me.. that is an issue, so they have not been on my list, however, I will be attending an information session in couple weeks to see if that has changed, or is changing soon

Hey Kristiesin, I was wondering if you found out anything after attending the information session...I have attended one already but didn't ask about the accreditation. Based on a number of different factors, LWIT is currently the only school I plan on applying to this Spring (Shoreline due to the competitiveness: similar grades as you mentioned, Tacoma CC has discontinued their Spring program, and I failed to attend a nursing information session for Everett CC in due time...) and I hope to not have to wait until the fall to begin school.

Any further information would be helpful!

WNTfanM9 · Dec 26, 2013

I am not sure if anyone is still reading this thread, but I will share what I found out about Seattle Central, and some of the other schools in the area.
Everett Community College is based solely on the TEAS. The trend has been that you would need over an 80 to secure a spot in the Fall and Winter Quarters, not sure about spring. They only look at grades if there is a tie. You need a 2.5 in the pre-reqs to be eligible to apply.
Lake Washington is a points based system with grades, TEAS, previous education, work experience and letters of recommendation taken into account. Same basic pre-reqs, although they do not count your intro to Chem grade in the GPA calculation. One thing to keep in mind about LWT is that last I checked, they do not have National Certification.. for me.. that is an issue, so they have not been on my list, however, I will be attending an information session in couple weeks to see if that has changed, or is changing soon.
Shoreline is points based as well. I am not considering this school for reasons that are subjective (friends have gone there and did not have a good experience, and my grades while very good, are not 4.0 in every class and I don't have the 200 hours of volunteer time to be competitive in points.)
Seattle Central is a first come, first accepted, with a caveat. They have specific requirements that have to be met to submit an application. What I know is that they accept the first 56 people that successfully apply in the order that they are received. You must have a 2.5 or better in each pre-req, a 75 or greater on the TEAS test, and an active CNA in the state of WA. If you have a completed application you can submit it on the day and time which they will announce sometime mid January. I don't know much about this program, but their pass rate is 94% NCLEX and they do have National Certification. They also have a matriculation agreement with UW Bothell, and they have just been approved to begin their own BSN program on campus. They also just signed a lease on a building which will be ready sometime in 2015 with a brand new nursing floor.
Each school has it's own requirements and own process. It is frustrating and confusing to say the least.
Currently I would have to commute an hour and a half each way to Seattle in traffic. My husband however, works in Seattle and we are planning to move closer in to the city this next year. I did all of my pre-reqs at EVCC and I did like the school.
I agree with what a great deal of people say though about programs in general. I think you have to look at all of the available options and decide which works best for you. It is a very difficult program at any school and nursing school we all know takes up two years of your life, not to mention the classes you had to take just to get to apply.
For me, it has been quite a journey and I have learned a great deal along the way. I have come to the conclusion that there are many factors that can support or hinder your success. Really look at the program, the schedule, the clinical experiences, and the commute. Will you have to work? Will you spend a great deal of time driving? Do you have a good support system? What other responsibilities do you have? Take all that information and look at the program and how it will work with your life.
The flip side? Do you just want to get through a program? Does it not matter? Then you may have more options.
It is quite a journey. Hope this information helped!

Thanks for the info! I did get into Highline for Winter 2014 admission (2 more weeks!) But I will pass the info on to my friends who are still trying to get in !

kristiesin · Jan 18, 2014

Hey everyone.. sorry I have been a little busy and not focuesed on this for a little bit.

Icelind.. as far as I know.. LWT still does not have that certification. It is something I really struggled with, but for me and for my plans.. that certification is just more important than starting in the Spring. I met with the program coordinator at SCCC this last week.. and I am now sure that is where I want to go. Between the way they seem to teach, and the overall clinical experiences, it is worth it for me to wait until the Fall, and to tough out the commute for a year if I have to. We are planning to move closer to the city this summer, and both my boys are now grown and out of the house.. one in Bellingham and the youngest in the Navy.. acutally he will be graduating boot camp here in a few weeks.

Everett leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth, only because they seem to change the rules a bit, and I have some very good friends in the program, and from their take.. I think I want to just wait and go to the program that I feel fits me the best.

I think everyone has to look at what they want and then just go for it. I wish you the best.. hope you get into whichever program you want.

All of the programs have a little different spin, and a little different flavor. If they all teach you what you need to know to progress and to get to where you want to go.. especially the almightly NCLEX, then choose whichever works for you.

I am curious if anyone is still planning on applying at SCCC for this Fall? I have met with an advisor, gotten everything transferred in, and am just waiting for the portal to be up so I can start uploading my documents and getting all my ducks in a row before the deadline. It is an online process this year.

Anyone else applying for Seattle Central this year?

kristiesin · Jan 18, 2014

Are you still planning on applying for Seattle Central?

icelind, RN · Jan 22, 2014

Well I just sent my application to LWIT today! I have been speaking with a number of people at my work (I work at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) including nurses and NPs regarding that certification. It sounds like many hiring managers (at least in the Seattle area) aren't so picky about the national certification but they do look for students that are going to pursue RN to BSN programs. That is another thing to consider when looking at these programs, I've heard it's much easier to secure a job if you are already enrolled in an RN to BSN program. Just another thing to think about! :yawn:

kristiesin · Jan 25, 2014

Good luck with your application! Is that the only school you are applying to?