West Coast University Opinion?

brbowen9 · Jul 6, 2011

Hi there! I also was looking into WCU and was skeptical about all of the negative opinions I had heard. As I went to apply for a part time job at Mission Hospital (to work through school as I attend a community college), I mentioned that I originally looking into WCU but had decided against it. Both the HR Manager and Nurse Manager HIGHLY recommended against going to WCU. They both agreed that the had not hired a grad from this program and had yet to see a graduate of WCU that they felt completely comfortable in their education. They also said that all of the clinical sites are not at hospitals, they are at assisted living facilities.

The Nurse Manager emphasized that your foundation is key. Whether its your associates in nursing and your pursue a bachelors, your foundation is what you build off of. Who wants a foundation that is rushed through?

Also, I had to take a BLS class last week and there was a WCU student there. I asked how she was liking the program and what not. She said that you have a class for only 8 weeks so you just learn what is on the test basically. She said that you run through everything with the professor's mindset as this is on the test, this isn't, etc.

Personally, I want to learn everything I can so that I can be a better health care professional. I don't want to just learn what's on a test.

nomsa · Jul 6, 2011

I am attending it, WCU students here in Anaheim are doing their clinicals at hospitals for example West Anaheim Medical Center, St Josephs. There they are together with people from community colleges around such as Cypress College. My neighbor too works at this hospital and she graduated from WCU. The only thing is this school is expensive period. All accelerated programs are like that because it's a two year program, so the classes are very fast.

BlkQueen8 · Jul 8, 2011

I hear really negative things about it and ruled it out very early in my school search.

DarkBluePhoenix · Jul 10, 2011

It's not the school I have a problem with. It's the cost and lack.of versatility

It's too much for the lack of jobs out there. Don't go $100k into debt unless they are handing you a job

And

Nothing transfers if ypu. want to get a masters later

livelifeloveRN · Oct 3, 2011

It seriously bothers me when people comment on a school they have never even been to. I know this thread is old, but for people who are searching around archives for threads on WCU, I want to actually give an accurate post. Yes, it is expensive. It is accelerated program, but most state universities have accelerated programs as well (Cal State Long Beach) so there is no need to say we are looked down upon. Clinical sites are at hospitals not LTC (CHOC at Orange). Any more questions?

Nadi1515 · Nov 2, 2011

It seriously bothers me when people comment on a school they have never even been to. I know this thread is old, but for people who are searching around archives for threads on WCU, I want to actually give an accurate post. Yes, it is expensive. It is accelerated program, but most state universities have accelerated programs as well (Cal State Long Beach) so there is no need to say we are looked down upon. Clinical sites are at hospitals not LTC (CHOC at Orange). Any more questions?

Thank you Moorejulie! I have had such a great experience with WCU (Ontario), that it is really sad when people bad mouth this institution without even setting foot in it. It is accelerated, however they only shortened each class by one week compared to the quarter systems at other universities. Most of the acceleration comes from the fact that you take classes continuously, with no long breaks.

Nadi1515 · Nov 23, 2011

Update on West Coast University: we just got WASC accredited!

DarkBluePhoenix · Nov 23, 2011

Ok well if you all ok with going into about 100k debt with no job guaranteed (yes, if you haven't noticed there are no jobs!) Then go for it.

Nadi1515 · Nov 24, 2011

Ok well if you all ok with going into about 100k debt with no job guaranteed (yes, if you haven't noticed there are no jobs!) Then go for it.

I wasn't aware that anyone went in to college with a job lined up ahead of time.... It is about setting yourself up for success later. Just because something doesn't work for you, doesn't mean it isn't a good option for someone else. And yes, I am definitely going for it! Best of luck to you in which even option you pursue.

matthewandrew, NP · Jan 30, 2013

Getting into an RN school, especially a BSN program should be competitive. It sucks how responsible prenursing students who don't want to take a hundred thousand dollar loan is not preferred over someone who wants a nursing degree at the cost of a medical doctorate (plus more.)

Tonks57 · Feb 7, 2013

Hi! I go to WCU and I like it. It is really hard. You are NOT buying your degree. I almost wish they made it easier considering how much we are paying-- I completely understand why it is so difficult, as we have peoples lives in our hands and we need to be competent nurses. It is crazy, though. People fail each term if they are not serious. They work us until we are basically crying. And our clinicals are at hospitals, NOT assisted living. The hospitals for the OC campus are at West anaheim medical center, Pacific hospital, Hoag, CHOC, UCI, Placentia Linda and several others. So we do get good experiences. Do not listen to the negativity that others say. It took me 3 years to decide to go to WCU. I decided and I graduate next year. It sounds so good to say that! Good luck! :)