So lol I'm going to put my life in a nutshell, I'm 20 yrs old and I live in NY, and I'm considering on going to WCU to obtain my BSN, I have most of my science and general ed pre-reqs completed. I decided to go this route cuz I just wanted to get this over with, and I most definetly like the idea of getting my bachelors in 2yrs time versus getting my associates degree at my local community college in the same amout of time. Anyways I have read about the costs and stuff but I have just some basic questions for anyone that just enrolled, currently enrolled or an alumni of WCU.
1. How time consuming are the classes?
2. Are the clinicals hard?
3. Was the HESI entrance exam easy and what did it consist of?
4. What are the costs?
5.Are they helpfull at finacial aid?
6.Would a person be able to work full time while attending?
That's all I can think of as of now, so whatever help you can give me will be greately appreciated.
Sincerely,
Chikita =)
Good, better, best, never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best!
Do you guys know how hard the BSN program is? I'm going next week for information to the LA campus. Also I have 3 kids at home. How are the classes set up can you still work during the program? Please help!
In case anyone is curious....I was a NOV 2009 start student for the West Coast University at the North Hollywood Campus. I researched this school for a month before enrolling and beginning classes. After 4 weeks of attending, I have ultimately decided the $126,340K program is not for me. In the enrollment contract, it clearly states:
NOTICE CONCERNING TRANSFERABILITY OF UNITS AND DEGREE EARNED AT OUR SCHOOL: Units you earn inour Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in most cases will probably not be transferable to any other college or university. For example, if you entered our school as a freshman, you will still be a freshman if you enter another college or university at some time in the future even though you earned units here at our school. In addition,if you earn a degree, diploma, or certificate in our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, in most cases it will probably not serve as a basis for obtaining a higher level degree at another college of university. Applicant's Initials____
I have seen that other students on this board say that have called other schools and confirmed that their education would be accepted at those schools. However, for me, the enrollment contract was enough for me to quit. I am an adult learner with the time and money for the school and program but decided that "throwing money at the problem" of finishing my BSN as fast as possible was a terrible decision.
If anyone has any questions about the school or BSN program, feel free to post them or PM me. I will now owe the school a prorated amount of the $15,000 it cost for this term of tuition at the school and I'd like to spare anyone else that expensive lesson.
Because I am also an adult (42 in a few weeks) I decided that this was the best route for me to go - I may not be able to obtain a master degree but will be able to work as an RN. I personally spoke with several different hospitals in Southern Orange County and they all said they hire WCU nurses.
I believe the nurses that will graduate from my class at WCU are highly capable intelligent people and will probably be hired very quickly. All of my fellow students were friendly, helpful, caring and very focused people.
Regarding "working as an RN", I completely agree with you that is the ultimate goal. I want nothing more than to just work, be respected and done with school. You never know how your plans change and limiting myself from possible higher education didn't sit well with me.
If you decide WCU is right for you, just know how strict the program is. (I read the catalog and nursing handbook cover to cover a few times each.) Currently the terms are 10 weeks long and it's 2 terms to a semester. There is talk to make the terms 9 weeks which seems like a godsend because of the week of breathing time but keep in mind it takes TIME to learn the material. Just because a class CAN be finished in 9 or 10 weeks doesn't mean they should be. We were blowing through the anatomy course book at lightning speed but still a chaper or two behind the syllabus. There was even a quiz we didn't finish all of the questions because the instructor hadn't lectured that chapter yet.
There are a few pre-nursing classes that can be taken online and it costs an additional $150 technology fee to be transferred from the "on-ground" class. You cannot switch classes around from term to term. The BSN terms are set from day 1 and you know exactly when you will take what class, which I liked.
You will need time to study. Lots of time. 2 LVNs quit their jobs in the first 2 weeks after starting class because of how much study time and class time was required. Other LVN who were obviously still working were trying to catch up last minute on homework and were visibly fatigued. (This was not an issue for me as I wasn't working)
My last comment on the debt is that I recommend you look for jobs now as if you were a new RN. Get a realistic idea from the job market, not from friends, or "I heard that" of how much money you will be earning. Calculate how much you will need to live and then add the student or private loans/debt into your expenses and make sure you can live with that. It take a while to get into traditional college programs, it's frustrating and you feel like you'll never finish but those students do AND they didn't spend $127.
To answer what I'm going to do - I jumped into the program straight from getting out of the military. *I* may have jumped into the program TOO soon. I'm now an EMT and getting my phlebotomy certification. I intend to work from the ground up on this career. It would have been nice to have done the college degree and be able to take that degree and go straight into being an RN but I really like the hands on approach and building on what I've mastered. I realized that I can't make up for "lost" time by going the accelerated route. I sincerely hope it works for you and that you do well in the school!
I have been in the program since April 09 - so I am already in...
I do agree with you with the limiting yourself - I understand what you mean.
One thing to note is that no matter what school you go to - there is not a promise you can move forward to another school for graduate work. My stepson is getting his BFA - and if he leaves the program (at a New York State School) he would have to start over again. It happens in many situations - and it might be why WCU has that wording.
If you decide WCU is right for you, just know how strict the program is. (I read the catalog and nursing handbook cover to cover a few times each.) Currently the terms are 10 weeks long and it's 2 terms to a semester. There is talk to make the terms 9 weeks which seems like a godsend because of the week of breathing time but keep in mind it takes TIME to learn the material. Just because a class CAN be finished in 9 or 10 weeks doesn't mean they should be. We were blowing through the anatomy course book at lightning speed but still a chaper or two behind the syllabus. There was even a quiz we didn't finish all of the questions because the instructor hadn't lectured that chapter yet.
****
Orange County Campus is currently on the 9 week schedule.
Thank you for the very informative information that you have provided regarding the school. I am still juggling the idea of attending this school because it seems like the 'ideal' route and is 'quick' and 'easy' to not only obtain a bachelors degree, but also earning your rn license at the same cost.
The only thing that scares me is the 120k tuition commitment that I will most likely be bound to and tied down paying for the rest of my life. Considering that I have already have a bachelors, do you think that WCU may honor the GE classes that I have already taken so that tuiton may be lower? Im just confused
Thank you for the very informative information that you have provided regarding the school. I am still juggling the idea of attending this school because it seems like the 'ideal' route and is 'quick' and 'easy' to not only obtain a bachelors degree, but also earning your rn license at the same cost.
The only thing that scares me is the 120k tuition commitment that I will most likely be bound to and tied down paying for the rest of my life. Considering that I have already have a bachelors, do you think that WCU may honor the GE classes that I have already taken so that tuiton may be lower? Im just confused
It depends on how old your credits are. Yes, your tuition would be lower with GE classes taken care of. They need to be a C or better and taken in the last 5 years. They also will look closely at the courses and make sure they match up. You can test out of anything if your classes are over 5 years old.
calstudent1967
107 Posts
the test is not very hard. I was very nervous about it as I had been out of school for 20 plus years but passed fine.