Western Carolina University ABSN accelerated program?

creed22 · Feb 2, 2011

the program is not what it used to be. seems to be all about taking tuition and putting in front of the class apathetic professors and a 'look the other way' administration. sad really. look elsewhere.

misanonymous88 · Feb 3, 2011

Thank you so much for the information. I kind of sensed the "look the other way" administration during my interview. The interview process was very uncomfortable, and I found that some of the officials had a somewhat condescending tone while asking and answering questions. Before considering a career in nurse anesthesiology, I wanted to become a pharmacist and even during my pharmacy school interviews I was treated with more respect, and felt much more comfortable around the staff.

I got the impression that they looked at applicants with previous degrees in hard sciences with "suspicious eyes". They kept suggesting that I was using nursing as a fall back option because I couldn't cut it for PHD programs. Believe it or not some people don't really know what they want to do with their lives until they go through years of trial and error. I was accepted into pharmacy school and chose not to go, I was not rejected. So that show's how much they don't know! I was genuine in telling they how I felt about nursing, that I loved how nurses were more hands-on with patients, and etc...but I did not appreciate the interviewers belittling my honesty and character.

km60155 · May 13, 2011

The Western ABSN program is great. Very well respected in the area with a 100% NCLEX pass rate in every graduating class. It doesn't get any better than that!

Carolinanurse2010 · Jun 14, 2011

I agree that the program is locally well respected and not only prepares students for NCLEX (with 100% pass rate) but also allows mature, second-career individuals to enter into the nursing profession quickly. The program is rigorous and can be stressful at times, but in the end, it is worth the hard work. And as far as any comments regarding disorganization and apathy from professors, I have yet to meet a nurse who had the perfect nursing school experience. WCU's ABSN has its short-comings, but it put RN behind my name in a short amount of time. The biggest draw-back was the negativity from a couple of classmates--- I found a lot of support from the faculty and the students who were positive and goal-oriented. Your experience will be what you make of it.

Good luck.

TeachersPet · Jul 8, 2011

Go with what creed22 says. The 2010 class had LOTS of issues and I've heard it's only getting worse. The 100% pass rate is great. Mature students good too. But the students I heard talk about it had more bad than good to say. I opted for another institution.

swinglifeaway12 · Jun 16, 2012

I'm planning on applying for Western's ABSN program for Spring 2013 and I'm really nervous about whether I'll get in or not. I have a Bachelor's in Psychology but not really any hands on nursing experience. Anyone else applying or have been through the program with some tips or insight?

TeachersPet · Jul 1, 2012

Previous degree won't matter too much. People have gotten in with non-science degrees and made it through. As long as you can show you have what it takes to make it, and will focus on being the best nurse you can be. However I strongly suggest you talk to someone in the program, or past students in the area. I did, and chose to apply somewhere else.

swinglifeaway12 · Jul 11, 2012

I've talked to people in the traditional BSN program, Not too many from the ABSN. I chose Western because I'm from the area and got my Psychology degree from there. What all did you hear about the program?

Anonymous123 · Jul 26, 2012

I can tell you from personal experience that you should take your money somewhere else. Now that they have lost the VA contract, the clinical experiences suck. It's gotten a reputation locally too (students coming out of the program are not prepared). The classroom teachers are also not the brightest crayons in the box. The NCLEX pass rate is only a reflection of who they let into the program in the first place. I've heard good things about the traditional program, though. If I had it to do all over again, I'd go that route.

swinglifeaway12 · Aug 8, 2012

That's really sad.. I really have my heart set on the program. The traditional route isn't really an option for me since I already have a Bachelor's. I've never heard anyone say that students aren't prepared coming out of the program.. Did you go through the program yourself?

TeachersPet · Sep 3, 2012

I haven't heard that students weren't prepared. But Like a anonymous said, the pass rate and quality of nurses they produce are a reflection of the students they accept who are usually exceptional folks. The VA side of the program was really the best. And there was truly no exaggeration when anonymous said "not the brightest crayons" You should check out other accelerated programs. There are quite a bit out there although you would have to consider other states. Good luck!