Question about a BSN program

[toadmcfly]

Hi,

My name is Cell. I had a question about a program that I am currently enrolled in. A college that is called West Coast College, which is a sister school of American Career College, recently started a BSN program that takes approx. 3 years to finish. I have already enrolled for the next term on June. However, I am still able to back out of it. I have looked on the Board of Registered Nurses website to see if they are an accredited program here in California for the BSN and they are. I am so eager to start the actual nursing program and I am a bit worried that it will take years to get in to a program.

My first question is where do I look it up to see if they are accrideted through out the nation?My other question is, does it make a difference to employers and salary wise to get a bachelor's degree at one of these schools? or would the thing that matter is passing the NCLEX? Any advice piece of advice will greatly help.

Thanks in advance!

[Music in My Heart]

There are two national accrediting bodies for nursing education, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) {see the US Dept of Education at http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg8.html).

Checking the sites for both of the these bodies (www.nlnac.org and www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation) shows that West Coast University is not accredited.

The most important thing is that it is approved by the CA Board of Registered Nursing which it is. That means that their graduates are able to sit for the NCLEX.

The lack of accreditation could be problematic in the long run, especially if you want to earn an advanced degree. If employers are looking for baccalaureate degrees then they may want them from an accredited school. Generally, though, employers are mostly concerned with whether or not you're an RN.

[toadmcfly]

Thank you that was very helpful. They are awaiting approval for accreditation of the CCNE.