West Coast University DALLAS 2018 NEED INFO

U.S.A. Texas

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Hello! I am considering West Coast University for the BSN program. I am having a difficult time finding anyone in the Fort Worth area that has even heard of this place. I want to know how the hospitals feel about this school. I've heard some places wont even hire from Dallas career colleges. I am a military spouse and have very limited time in one location. I want to be an oncology nurse but am very concerned about credits not transferring out of this school. Also, if the accreditation is from the west coast, will I get a job on the east coast? So many questions, so little time! Haha! Any other military members have any experience here?? Any WCU graduates here that can answer some more questions? :)

Specializes in Ortho.

At the end of the day a BSN from a CCNE institution is a BSN from a CCNE institution. I know a number of WCU grads that work in the peds hospital I work at. I was hired by a WCU grad. A schools name doesn't carry as much weight as your actual RN experience will. You'll still have to get into a hospital residency program after you graduate and will receive more education on how that facility wants you to preform.

As for cost it's not the cheapest and they know that. Baylor, SMU, TWU, and TCU are quite expensive as well. College tuition has gone up tremendously over the past few years everywhere! UTAs tuition has doubled within the past several years. Prices will continue to go up because it's a business and there's more demand for higher education. There was once upon a time when you wouldn't need to rely on any type of FinAid to attend a CC but now that's changed.

I do think it's easier to get into WCU but harder to stay in. Anything below an 80% on a nursing exam is considered failing and requires mandatory remediation. You need a 76% overall in your nursing core classes to pass. The ATI books you'll be given when you start nursing core are essential. Review the ATIs for each course. I have a close friend that survived on just utilizing the ATIs alone and passed NCLEX with 75 questions. Read your books, ask questions, and take advantage of workshops and tutoring sessions.

It's not gonna be a cakewalk. Nursing school is a "different kind of hard." Lol. Just know that there's no utopia nursing school out there just like there's no utopia hospital out there. Just do whatever it takes to get it done.

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Specializes in PCT.
At the end of the day a BSN from a CCNE institution is a BSN from a CCNE institution. I know a number of WCU grads that work in the peds hospital I work at. I was hired by a WCU grad. A schools name doesn't carry as much weight as your actual RN experience will. You'll still have to get into a hospital residency program after you graduate and will receive more education on how that facility wants you to preform.

As for cost it's not the cheapest and they know that. Baylor, SMU, TWU, and TCU are quite expensive as well. College tuition has gone up tremendously over the past few years everywhere! UTAs tuition has doubled within the past several years. Prices will continue to go up because it's a business and there's more demand for higher education. There was once upon a time when you wouldn't need to rely on any type of FinAid to attend a CC but now that's changed.

I do think it's easier to get into WCU but harder to stay in. Anything below an 80% on a nursing exam is considered failing and requires mandatory remediation. You need a 76% overall in your nursing core classes to pass. The ATI books you'll be given when you start nursing core are essential. Review the ATIs for each course. I have a close friend that survived on just utilizing the ATIs alone and passed NCLEX with 75 questions. Read your books, ask questions, and take advantage of workshops and tutoring sessions.

It's not gonna be a cakewalk. Nursing school is a "different kind of hard." Lol. Just know that there's no utopia nursing school out there just like there's no utopia hospital out there. Just do whatever it takes to get it done.

I love this! Pretty much lets others know what to expect. So far, I enjoy being at West Coast and I would encourage anybody else to try and go there as well.

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Does anyone know if anyone is looking for roommates? i will be starting the October cohort.. Thank you!

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Hello CrunchyEvenInMilk,

Im reaching out to you since you are currently a student there...

Is anyone looking for roommates? I will be starting in Oct.

Thanks so much.

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Specializes in PICU.
Hello CrunchyEvenInMilk,

Im reaching out to you since you are currently a student there...

Is anyone looking for roommates? I will be starting in Oct.

Thanks so much.

Hey there! I don't know/haven't heard of anyone who needs a roommate. If I hear anything, I'll definitely reply back here and let you know!

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Thank you so much!!

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Specializes in PCT.

Hey everyone! Quick update- will be heading into nursing core next month. If you are still considering on coming i encourage you to come. I thoroughly enjoy it here and i look forward to my RN journey!!!

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Hi! I start WCU in January do you have any tips for someone starting with WCU? I've gotten my schedule, just waiting to see what days my classes will be. Have you started clinical?

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I have a few questions about the school do they accept the hesi? and also I saw somewhere that their credits don't transfer so what does that mean in terms of once you graduate..does that mean I can only attend their masters program or what the website is very vague and doesn't really answer much..

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Specializes in PICU.

Best advice is to manage your time wisely. Terms go by fast at WCU, so you need to stay on top of the work or else you will struggle. Stay ahead of the game, if at all possible. I'll be honest, the clinical site selections aren't the best, but clinical is what you make it. Jump in and offer to do things, see what you can, and you'll do fine. Also, don't just study to pass that week's quiz. Remember that we are accountable for everything listed the syllabus-not just the power points the professor gives. When you hit nursing core, get out of the mindset that you're studying for that class. We have to take a proctored exam that's worth 12% of our grade, and if you haven't studied what's in ATI, you won't do well. I think it's a great program, and I've got an A average, but it didn't come easy. Work your butt off, learn the material, use your professor as a resource, and you'll be fine.

Best of luck and Welcome to WCU

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Specializes in PICU.
I have a few questions about the school do they accept the hesi? and also I saw somewhere that their credits don't transfer so what does that mean in terms of once you graduate..does that mean I can only attend their masters program or what the website is very vague and doesn't really answer much..

Hey there! When I started at WCU, they took the HESI. I think they only do TEAS now, but I'm not sure. The credits for nursing usually don't transfer, but that can be standard for any program. Schools need their NCLEX scores to be at a certain level to maintain BON approval/ACEN or CCNE accreditation, and a lot aren't willing to bet that you've learned what you're supposed to at another school.

In terms of grad schools, this isn't a problem. But to clarify, once you have your degree, you wouldn't be considered a transfer for a graduate program-you'd be a grad student. There is actually a professor at WCU who geaduated from there in 2014 and is got her Master's at TWU without incident. WCU is nationally and regionally accredited, so graduate programs at other facilities are not usually an issue. At least from what I've seen/heard. Anyone who's heard different feel free to chime in.

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Specializes in Ortho.

The school is what you make of it. The best advice I could give anyone planning to attend WCU Dallas is to have a solid support system outside of the classroom.

If you work, consider making adjustments fast because the class scheduling isn't designed for a working student once you start Nursing Core. It's just not folks. The scheduling is too intense to work a Mon-Fri 9-5 / 3 day 12hr shift schedule. The ones who managed struggled.

ATI Proctor Exams can be a BEAST if you are not prepared. Failing one can knock your grade down by a whole letter.

Don't underestimate the BEAST when it comes to the nursing core classes especially at WCU. At the end, of the day WCU Dallas is only concerned about their NCLEX pass rates. Graduation rates are also important too because it shows how many people were able to complete their program on time.

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