Westcoast University or Community Colleges?

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.

Hi there!

Are you attending WCU right now?? If so, what classes did you transfer over?

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

I just emailed you

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~

do you mind revealing what school you go to ?

Hi, im new to this so please bare with me if i am posting this wrong But, has anyone heard about the CMA/RN bridge program? I went to American Career college today and they told me that i could either do the LVN and then do the RN bridge program with WestCOast University or do CMA to RN at west coast. Has anyone heard of this? or has anyone taken that route?????

Hi, im new to this so please bare with me if i am posting this wrong But, has anyone heard about the CMA/RN bridge program? I went to American Career college today and they told me that i could either do the LVN and then do the RN bridge program with WestCOast University or do CMA to RN at west coast. Has anyone heard of this? or has anyone taken that route?????

I think you mean CNA to RN bridge program? Hmm, I don't think there's such a thing. I KNOW there are CNA-LVN programs but CNA to RN? I'm saying this assuming you meant CNA and not CMA. But yes, WCU does offer the LVN-RN program, but a lot of different places offer that as well including community colleges, Cal States, and other private schools. So you might want to look around and see which option is best for you.

You are right Hisgu74, there is no such thing as a CMA to RN bridge program. American Career college had told me that if I were to take there Certified Medical Assistant program i could still do the bridge program with West Coast. I called West Coast this morning and they told me NO, you can only do LVN to RN bridge!! I hope other american career college students have not fallen for this lie!!!! I am so glad i did a little research of my own.

I wouldn't recommend going to that school unless you have the money, money that can back you up(family, financial aid, grants, whatever), and if you seriously have no patience in getting your bsn.

I almost enrolled myself to the BSN program at West Coast in Ontario. I had all pre-reqs except 3 more that i needed to complete for them and they lowered my cost to 100K. Which was still intimidating because i couldnt get any financial aid. The Rep that helped me out was really pushy and told me lies like i was going to be making 75 to 85 bucks an hour once i graduate and when i told her that i wanted to do lvn first, she made it seem like west coast was the only school to have the lvn-rn bridge. Also, 2 of my friends that recently graduated from WCU this year told me to go a different route: LVN(private) then LVN-RNorBSN at Cal State or CC."Save a lot more money this way! but takes a little longer" Soooo If you want to be stuck in debt for the next 5-10years then go to West Coast.

hi honeydew111, I came across to your post and I know its old, but I wanted to know, are you attending West Coast University as of right now?...if so, how do you like it?