Westcoast University or Community Colleges?

hi! im a current student in wcu, adn program. i'm in term 8 and i can't wait to be done in 8 weeks :-) obviously, my personal choice is to attend a private school where i could start immediately. it definitely costs more than a community college, it as an investment. it's just like buying a luxury car. however, with education you lay the foundation for your future. it can bring stability to your finances as well.

when i started, most of my co-workers were saying that it's too much for an adn program. they'd rather wait and go to the community colleges. i'm almost done, and the same co-workers are still waiting to get into the rn program. some of them actually just started term 1 as i write here. procrastination just delayed them from reaching their goal. as my dad would tell me,"don't wait for things to happen. make it happen."

also, my husband's cousins completed their pre-requisites about two years ago. they're good students but they still haven't been lucky enough to be drawn in the admissions lottery.while waiting, they opted to attend the vn program. they already finished their vn program and still they're waiting. now, they're considering to attend wcu after they pass their boards.

wcu currently has the bsn program with no lvn required. i hope my post helps you out. just to share,i'm a full-time mom,student, and wife. i still worked full-time, it is only mid-term 7 and the entire term 8 where one would really need to cut off time from work. when you really want something and you work towards it, your dreams will be attainable.goodluck and i hope my post helps you out.

very true if you do the numbers you’re in the field making rn pay such as the cdcr $7,285mo vs. $3200mo as an lvn years before your done doing prereqs and waiting on the wait list for the regular community college program. the bsn is like 116k which i think is not worth it and if anyone is interested they just got approval to teach the lvn-rn program at their ontario, ca campus which i am considering at the moment.

$22,000 will barely get you a BSN at a state school let alone private. Private schools run $20,000-$30,000 as the student pays for all costs of the course plus profit for the school.

Is that per semester/year/ or the entire program?

Is that per semester/year/ or the entire program?

Which figure. Private schools usually run $20,000-30,000 per year.

State schools in CA CSU is $5000 year and UC is about $10-12 thousand but its been awhile since I looked into their fees so it may have changed

Hi! Im a current student in WCU, ADN program. I'm in Term 8 and I can't wait to be done in 8 weeks :-) Obviously, my personal choice is to attend a private school where I could start immediately. It definitely costs more than a community college, it as an investment. It's just like buying a luxury car. However, with education you lay the foundation for your future. It can bring stability to your finances as well.

When I started, most of my co-workers were saying that it's too much for an ADN program. They'd rather wait and go to the community colleges. I'm almost done, and the same co-workers are still waiting to get into the RN program. Some of them actually just started term 1 as I write here. Procrastination just delayed them from reaching their goal. As my dad would tell me,"Don't wait for things to happen. Make it happen."

Also, my husband's cousins completed their pre-requisites about two years ago. They're good students but they still haven't been lucky enough to be drawn in the admissions lottery.While waiting, they opted to attend the VN program. They already finished their VN program and still they're waiting. Now, they're considering to attend WCU after they pass their boards.

WCU currently has the BSN program with no LVN required. I hope my post helps you out. Just to share,I'm a full-time mom,student, and wife. I still worked full-time, it is only mid-term 7 and the entire term 8 where one would really need to cut off time from work. When you really want something and you work towards it, your dreams will be attainable.Goodluck and I hope my post helps you out.

Curious, how thorough has the practical aspect of your program been? How much time have you spent in clinicals and what exactly have you done? Thoroughly assess your pts, bathe them, pass meds, give injections, make beds, assist with ADLs, tube feed, change dressings, go with your patients to their lab appts on-site to see for yourself what goes on, etc. I'm just trying to compare your program--yes, I know it's an RN one--to the current LVN one I'm attending that's in the San Gabriel Valley area of Southern California and costs less that $5K.

Our instructors are interesting (most are great at teaching, a few N.I. ;D), but all know their stuff. Most are very hands-on with their students and keep us on our toes. They're demanding but approachable. They strive to prepare us for real-world experiences serving patients just around the corner. This includes dealing with the politics often found in hospital settings.

Passing rate in our 12-month program is 90%, but I'm told by former students now working in our acute facility clinical site that my program has an excellent reputation for producing true "practical" nurses unlike some other programs, both private and public, in our area. In fact, a program nearby with a 100% NCLEX-PN passing rate has students trying to come over to ours because the theory & practical aspect of their LVN training is sorely lacking. High teacher turnover is what I'm also hearing. Speaking about high passing rate, what benefit is there if a student passes the NCLEX the first time, but can't function competently on a hospital floor? I'm told that's what is happening in other programs like the one mentioned. I'll leave out specific names of the programs as I'm not out to offend others

Anyway, I don't say all this stuff about the program I'm attending to brag. Certainly not, but for the money, I think I'm receiving a rare bargain! And with our economy looking poorly, it's one less loan payment I have to worry about.

Oh, to be fair, I suppose what we lack in the program is nice comfortable furniture, individual working computers, pleasant classroom settings, and Starbucks every morning (JK), but we do have AC for those 100 degree days! lol

I wish you well, and appreciate you letting me know the details of your practical RN training. I'm trying to compare, so I can wisely invest in an RN program after LVN if I so choose to go on.(Not sure if hubby and the kids are up for more "MOM MIA.")

Thanks for your time~

hi everyone,

hi everyone,

in regards to west coast university's bsn progra, it is a 3 year program. classes are every 2 and a half monthes. im only 19 and i took prereqs at a local community college. it takes about 1 and a half year to finish the prereqs, another year to wait to get into the program, and two more years to get ur registered nurse certificate. Not only that but in order to get ur Associate's degree u need to have an 60 units completed at the community college requiring that u also complete their general eds. so that estimates roughly about 5-6 years to get ur ADN. in west coast, its a 3 year program which includes ur prerequisites/gen eds and ur nursing courses. classes are every 2 and a half monthes and there is no summer vacation. if u have taken the majority of their gen ed at a local cc then ur whole tuition for the program would come about 80,000. the cost does not go by units it goes by every semester. so it is 9,500 for every semester x 8 semesters would equal 76,000 dollars and $4,250 clinical charges x 8 equal 34,000. EEK sounds alot right?! i guess itll be okay if you . u can always take up loans. u start paying it off after you graduate and u have 10-15 years to pay it off. an average bsn makes 70,000 a year so im pretty sure you can do it! =)

p.s. west coast university's Hesi test is easy! you'll do fine! math section, know how to add, subtract, multiply, divide fractions, know conversions grams to pounds, liters to milliliters, etc.., know how to convert military time, know roman numerals, and know ratios. grammar and reading comp is all common sense so ull do fine. BUT beware of vocabs... they throw in vocabs that u dont' even use in the real world ex: efface, ominous, insidious, etc.. oh and they also ask medical terminologies like whats another word for urinating... haha its voiding btw, had to look that one up.

You went to Concorde for their LVN Program how was it? if you don't mind me asking. I am thinking of going there or to American Career College for their LVN Program I just have to wait to finish at University of Phoenix so I can apply for FAFSA there. Any information or advice you can give would be greatly appreciated, thanks.:bowingpur:bow:

Hi Missy,

I live in Lancaster and commute to SFV right now. I am trying to get into the rn program but if I am wait listed I plan on going to one of the ROP programs in the valley for LVN, have you thought of that? Are you taking CNA at AV College? I know they have the classes.

Which campus are you looking at? I've heard that ACC is a little more teach yourself kind of program. I went to the Garden Grove campus. The leadership there is a little over the top. But if you can get passed all that, its a decent program. They have one of the highest NCLEX pass rates around, and they do a really good job preparing you for boards. Let me know if you decide to do it, I'll give you lots of pointers :)

Thank you so much I would appreciate any pointers you have to offer, thanks again:) I am so sorry it took me so long to respond I have been really busy finishing up withmy AA degree I graduate December 15, 2008!!!

Hi! Im a current student in WCU, ADN program. I'm in Term 8 and I can't wait to be done in 8 weeks :-) Obviously, my personal choice is to attend a private school where I could start immediately. It definitely costs more than a community college, it as an investment. It's just like buying a luxury car. However, with education you lay the foundation for your future. It can bring stability to your finances as well.

When I started, most of my co-workers were saying that it's too much for an ADN program. They'd rather wait and go to the community colleges. I'm almost done, and the same co-workers are still waiting to get into the RN program. Some of them actually just started term 1 as I write here. Procrastination just delayed them from reaching their goal. As my dad would tell me,"Don't wait for things to happen. Make it happen."

Also, my husband's cousins completed their pre-requisites about two years ago. They're good students but they still haven't been lucky enough to be drawn in the admissions lottery.While waiting, they opted to attend the VN program. They already finished their VN program and still they're waiting. Now, they're considering to attend WCU after they pass their boards.

WCU currently has the BSN program with no LVN required. I hope my post helps you out. Just to share,I'm a full-time mom,student, and wife. I still worked full-time, it is only mid-term 7 and the entire term 8 where one would really need to cut off time from work. When you really want something and you work towards it, your dreams will be attainable.Goodluck and I hope my post helps you out.

OMG!!! You put it perfectly, your dad is right on the money, thanks so much for posting that. It's exactly the kick in the behind I need to make it happen instead of waiting for it too happen already!!!

Hi Missy,

I live in Lancaster and commute to SFV right now. I am trying to get into the rn program but if I am wait listed I plan on going to one of the ROP programs in the valley for LVN, have you thought of that? Are you taking CNA at AV College? I know they have the classes.

Yes AV college is offering the CNA Porgram this January in intersession but I am wait listed UGH!!!!!!:lol_hitti:hdvwl:I am also on the LVN wait at AV college but I am thinking of attending AVROP MA porgram or a CNA program out in Lancaster or Palmdale. It's frustrating but I am deternined to get there:wshgrt:I wish you luck and let me know how your LVN Program goes ok if you don't mind.

Yes AV college is offering the CNA Porgram this January in intersession but I am wait listed UGH!!!!!!:lol_hitti:hdvwl:I am also on the LVN wait at AV college but I am thinking of attending AVROP MA porgram or a CNA program out in Lancaster or Palmdale. It's frustrating but I am deternined to get there:wshgrt:I wish you luck and let me know how your LVN Program goes ok if you don't mind.

I will keep you posted, maybe we can do the classes together and offer some support. You may want to try College of the Canyons as well for the CNA

I will keep you posted, maybe we can do the classes together and offer some support. You may want to try College of the Canyons as well for the CNA

That would be great I could use all of the support I can get:nuke: Thanks I will look into that. If you want to take some classe together you can email at my hotmail account if you want to it's [email protected] and we can decide were to go and what classes to take if you want ok, ttyl