West Suburban: Your thoughts?

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What are you recent experiences with West Sub?

Is anyone going through the RN - BSN program? How is it?

Im planning on starting next fall. THANKS!

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I attended West Sub when it was in a combined program with Concordia University. I was the second to last class to graduate while the two schools were together. I graduated in December 2003.

When the two schools were together, the program was fantastic. The class size was small and the professors were great--very tough but unbelievably helpful. I recently viewed their website and only two of the profs are still there from when I attended. Several of the profs went to Rush, UIC and Loyola. A couple went to Elmhurt and St. Xavier. (The profs who went to Rush and UIC were by far the best ones at West Sub, and it doesn't surprise me that they left when the change occurred).

When I was there, the previous classes before me had a 100% NCLEX pass rate and my class also had a 100% pass rate. None of us had problems finding jobs after graduation, and we all felt very comfortable going out into the "real world".

HOWEVER....since West Sub went out on their own, I have heard soooo many negative comments! There was a post a long time ago on the IL forum about West Sub (do a search for it). Many students have complained that it is expensive and the school is very unorganized. I've also heard the profs just don't care. I've also heard the NCLEX pass rates have gone way down!

Based on the comments I have heard, I would steer clear. Given how expensive it is now, I would recommend going to Rush, Loyola or UIC. UIC is cheaper....but Rush and Loyola both have excellent reputations.

Good luck! If you have any specific questions, you can email me at [email protected]

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Yeah i read that too. I was wondering if it has gotten any better over time.

Thanks!

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I called the state of Illinois regarding their NCLEX pass rates. In 2005 it was 84%. Before the split they were in the 90's. At one time (not sure when) they did receive a 75.9% score (75% is the minimum cut off before the state steps in). They came close that year. But they've never been on probation.

I'm looking into it and heard some stuff that I'm worried about too. Is it worth going and spending $30+k or going to a community college and doing an RN-BSN program when I'm done??? :(

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The problem is, you have to wait and see if you can get into a community college. They have soo many applicants and not alot of spaces. My school had 400+ and only 90 spaces for a fresman class. At least 200 were eligible.

I was LUCKY enough to get into my school. And now plan to get my RN BSN from Westsub since i work for one of its hospitals. (they plan on paying for me if i continue to work for them)

You CAN do well if you put in the work to do so. Nursing school is not easy though!

I would definetly apply though to community colleges if I were you. Just to see if you can get in. There are several in the chicagoland area.

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My experience and view with West Suburban is a little different than what you have been told. Yes, I believe there have been a lot of changes at West Suburban. They changed their curriculum two years ago from “acute care” to a “community health” focus (as many of the local colleges have done) and the faculty were upset. Besides, if you have read the paper lately, Rush is going to go through their own changes in the next year. They aren’t going to have a BSN any more. If you go to Rush, you will have to go through a BSN-MSN. Great idea if you want to pay for a masters degree, but I don’t think it is going to bring us anymore money. It looks as though hospitals are hiring plenty of ADN and BSN’s without needing a masters degree. Besides, we will see if those faculty that left West Suburban leave Rush because they will be forced to teach a new curriculum. It is also targeted to be an 18 month program. Getting through sooner isn’t a bad idea, but I’m looking at what nurses have to learn and am wondering how they are going to learn all that stuff in 18 month and still pass the NCLEX. West Suburban may have had their problems, but they are still small, have qualified nursing faculty, and by the time you add all the activity fees, technology fees, infrastructure fees, parking passes and everything else onto other colleges tuition, West Suburban seems to be comparably priced.

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Yes, I saw the scores as well. I bet he students that just got their scores back were some of the first students that went through the new program. Since West Suburban takes enrollments every semester, the next set may struggle as well. Future students need to do what others have done: check the scores over time and see what they do.

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As you review schools and blogs for nursing, keep in mind that there is a 40% attrition rate (national average) for students in BSN programs. This attests to the difficulty of nursing programs. Very few BSN programs ever receive a 100% pass rate or keep it once it is achieved. If you get a school that has a 75% - 85% pass rate, it seems that they’re in the middle of what most schools get. That means if you have 100 students that take the test, 80 pass on the first try. That’s not too bad. If students wind up being part of the 40% that don’t cut the program or pass the test on their first or second try, they would probably be a little negative.

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Specializes in ICU, Peri-Op, Hospital Medicine.

I believe that all schools has their pros and cons. In fact a few Rush students transferred to West Sub. I personally don't know why they made the switch, but supposedly they had issues with the faculty and administration. So even with Rush's reputation students still have complaints.

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Specializes in Ortho, Med surg and L&D.
As you review schools and blogs for nursing, keep in mind that there is a 40% attrition rate (national average) for students in BSN programs. This attests to the difficulty of nursing programs. Very few BSN programs ever receive a 100% pass rate or keep it once it is achieved. If you get a school that has a 75% - 85% pass rate, it seems that they're in the middle of what most schools get. That means if you have 100 students that take the test, 80 pass on the first try. That's not too bad. If students wind up being part of the 40% that don't cut the program or pass the test on their first or second try, they would probably be a little negative.

Hello,

I had no ideae that nationwide there is a 40% attrition rate!

To answer the MSN entry question from another poster, you are right, those of us entering that route will not receive any more base starting pay than an ADN.

In my class there has already been about a 15% attrition rate.

Gennaver-doing clinicals at WSH site and really liking it, but not a student there

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Specializes in MICU.

I'm not sure how many people are still giving this thread a look, but since I just graduated from West Sub and just passed boards as well (first try), I decided to try add something to what has been said so far. Most things posted here so far about West Sub are true, though perhaps lacking a bit in context. One thing that should be known is that the school is NOT currently on probation for poor NCLEX pass rates. This I know for a fact. Yeah, one of the previous classes did not do well. For the class that just graduated in Dec though, (my class) I have heard good results so far.

To help put some context to what has been said about West Sub, I think it is worth noting that West Sub opens their doors to a lot of students for whom doors are closed elsewhere, and that is something I admire about the school. For many, West Sub is a school of second chances wherein you can get a "decent" education and the letters BSN behind your name. West Sub is not a top tier school by any stretch of the imagination, but they are also free of some of the pomposity that I have heard friends who went to other schools talk about. Leaving West Sub, I passed the NCLEX and I started the exact job I wanted on a high acuity unit; one or two years from now when I have real experience, where I went to school will be irrelevant.

If you are an type A personality with a GPA high enough to give you a realistic shot to get into one of the other schools, West Sub is probably not the place for you to go. For those who don't match the above, West Sub is a very realistic option to consider. Just my .02 anyhow.

Good Luck

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