West Coast University

ShondaJ · Sep 12, 2014

I would like to say that it doesn't matter whether it is for profit or not. The only difference betweent he two are the For Profit cost more.

I am currently looking at two schools, West Coast University and Western Governors University.

I have notice with West Coast University that they have more of the State of the Art Technology to help nursing students learn in environments that are more real like with their Simulation lab that consist of everything within the hospital and like like mannequins that can be used for everything you would do on a human, Give IV's, Actually finding veins, birthing and delivering the fetus and placentas, surgical procedures can be learned on them, you hear heart sounds, lung sounds, illnesses are more realistic and the instructors are able to voice activate them so that they talk to you. When you are going through the procedures and are evaluated, it is like you are actually treating a patient without risking an actual patient. I have not heard of any of the other hospitals doing the same. It gives you experience prior to your actual time with patients ensuring that you are competent and capable of caring for individuals once you have reached your clinical time. You will work shift rotations at your clinicals to get a feel of how it is to work in a hospital setting for a full shift.

I believe West Coast can be a great asset to my education and I feel I would be more than competent when I graduate and won't have a problem obtaining a career.

I also look at Western Governors which is Not for Profit. They are a school geared more towards working individuals who can not attend the tradition classroom setting. You have to already have all general education and science classes completed before being abe to enroll. They prefer you have a degree and some medical background, CNA, EMT, LVN or something but that is not a requirement. It will make you more competitive when trying to enroll. They offer 2 clinical locations in LA and I believe 2 in Orange County. The advantage if being able to work on core nursing courses online so you can still work and get your degree. The clinicals are one on one with a nurse coach in which the school schedules you for your clinicals according to your nursing coach's shift which could be at anytime the nurse works and you will work with patients along with that nurse. You will not be letter graded for your assessments. you either pass or fail. You are graded based on your competency. You will have a cohort you will go through the program with, you just may not actually be with them. You all will just be on a timeline together. So there is a difference with the 2

Me personally I always think the cheaper the program the less quality of education but I could be wrong. I am willing to spend alittle to get a good education and make sure that I am competent in doing my job because I am choosing a career that I have a passion for and that is taking care of others and helping someone heal.

It is all how you want to do your education. For profit will be alittle more expensive but its good to look at why, With West Coast everything is so State of the Art with Technology I can see why its the price it is. I have seen many people say many graduate from WCU and have great careers after.

Not for profit will be less expensive and may have a great education experience as well. Not for profit depends on the tuition that is paid to run their operations along with grants from different organizations so they may not be as high tech as a for profit school but they may have other ways to offer a great educational experience. So it all depends on what you are comfortable with. Also look at pass rates and visit the schools.

People will always talk negative about for profit and not for profit. So go with whats best for you.

Hospitals will hire you when you have your degree in hand and are ready to work. It does not matter whether its a for profit or not for profit school.

Just my 2cents.

brittaaaaany13 · Sep 12, 2014

Thank you so much for your input. I just see a lot of negativity towards For profit schools and I wanted to hear the other side of it. I wish you the best of luck with whichever school you decide and throughout your nursing program! :)

ShondaJ · Sep 13, 2014

You are welcome. I have noticed that Most of the negativity comes from folks who are not even in a nursing program yet. They are just going off of hear say. All schools have pros and cons and whether a student gets a job quick or not doesn't matter because it is hard All the way around to get a job. That goes for every school you go too. So what school you went to doesn't matter.

It's best to visit the schools yourself and get a feel of what they are about. Your visit will either impress you or make you run far away from them. I say visit and let the school present themselves and see how you feel. They all have their own advantages and downfalls whether Non Profit or For Profit.

Go where you are comfortable.

PapaBearRN, BSN · Sep 13, 2014

I'm currently in a nursing program. If you want to evaluate West Coast's education, take a look at their NCLEX pass rate. The numbers might shock you and leave you wondering why someone would spend that much. My program is about $6,000 and we have a 97% pass rate. West Coast is in the 50s

PapaBearRN, BSN · Sep 13, 2014

WGU is 81% pass rate WCU is in the 70s depending on which location you go to. http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/passrates.shtml

This link is how you can evaluate the school.

ShondaJ · Sep 13, 2014

I saw the WCU 78.45% compared to the WGU 80%.

I don't completely go off their rates because it could be due to a number of reasons. If you skated through and barely passed or if you actually studied and put 200% effort into your education. Some pass rates could come from people waiting before taking the test from not taking it while fresh.

I look at the whole picture, not just pass rates because that could be caused by more than the quality of education. There are more expensive schools that have high pass rates and cheap schools with very low pass rates.

It is all how you feel about the school and how much you put into your education. If you feel comfortable do it.

The NCLEX needs study and study to pass. No matter what school you go too, if you don't study for the NCLEX you won't pass.

PapaBearRN, BSN · Sep 14, 2014

I saw the WCU 78.45% compared to the WGU 80%.
I don't completely go off their rates because it could be due to a number of reasons. If you skated through and barely passed or if you actually studied and put 200% effort into your education. Some pass rates could come from people waiting before taking the test from not taking it while fresh.
I look at the whole picture, not just pass rates because that could be caused by more than the quality of education. There are more expensive schools that have high pass rates and cheap schools with very low pass rates.
It is all how you feel about the school and how much you put into your education. If you feel comfortable do it.
The NCLEX needs study and study to pass. No matter what school you go too, if you don't study for the NCLEX you won't pass.

In my program there is no skating through, those who are barely passing are busting their butts. But our pass rates represent how well our program prepares you for your licensure exam.

ShondaJ · Sep 14, 2014

If you dont mind. Which program are you in? How do you like it?

PapaBearRN, BSN · Sep 14, 2014

I don't want to disclose my specific program. But I'm in an ADN program currently, class president. It's quite tough, I've received straight A's in all my pre reqs, but that's all changed now I work hard for high Bs and low As.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2014

Any school that charges the staggering tuition rate of $132,000 for a generic BSN degree program should be boasting about NCLEX pass rates in the mid 90s or higher.

Spending $132,000 on WCU's nursing program is analogous to purchasing a 22 ounce porterhouse steak at the fancy restaurant, but instead, receiving a McDonald's hamburger Happy Meal for all your money and anticipation.

Very high tuition + NCLEX pass rates in the 70s = questionable educational quality

brittaaaaany13 · Sep 14, 2014

The post was originally for people who go to West Coast and could give me positive input from their experience there. I have heard enough negativity about for profit schools. I just wanted to hear the other side of it. Thanks for everyone who has put positive input on here.