The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) track prepares students to develop nursing competencies while building upon a liberal arts education that expands their world view of the global community. The curriculum is sequential and integrates theory from the biological and social sciences to develop clinical reasoning and communication skill in graduates who will be expected to serve as leaders in the changing healthcare environment. Content is presented in a simple to complex format and is organized using seven strands to help conceptualize the professional nursing role, including nursing process, research, therapeutic care, teaching/learning, communications, and role development, and incorporates theory and practice to meet the “Essentials for Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice” (AACN, 2008).
Each Essential is presented throughout the curriculum in the classroom and operationalized in clinical settings. Incorporation of the nursing process allows the nursing student to differentiate the independent, dependent, and interdependent functions of nursing.
The General Education courses provide the foundation for the nursing major and continued learning in all educational programs. The addition of both clinical and non-clinical nursing courses in each program prepares graduates for practice at differing levels of experience and responsibility from entry to the nursing profession through the baccalaureate level.
The nursing curriculum provides the opportunity for the student to acquire the professional nursing knowledge and skills necessary to assist patients to an optimal level of health. This is accomplished through an integration of theoretical nursing knowledge with essential clinical skills. Students are provided the opportunity to practice in a changing health care environment in acute and long-term care facilities, as well as in community settings.
Upon graduation from West Coast University, students will have met the following Program Learning Outcomes:
Admission Requirements
For updated Admissions Requirements for the BSN and LVN-BSN programs, please see the BSN and LVN-BSN Admission Requirements addendum.
Applicants for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) program must:
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Pass the required admission test: HESI with a minimum score of 80% overall (scores 79.5% and higher will be rounded up to 80%); OR
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Demonstrate passage of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS V) with a minimum overall level of proficient: Overall Score = 58.7%, OR
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Provide proof of a minimum composite SAT score of 1000 on the older version or 1500 on the current version of the SAT with Essay; OR
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Provide proof of a minimum composite ACT score of 20.
BSN Entrance Examination Requirements
BSN applicants will have a maximum of two attempts, a week apart, to successfully pass the admissions exam. If an applicant does not pass the admissions exam after two attempts, he or she must wait a period of 6 months to retest and must provide proof of remediation. WCU only collects Verbal and Quantitative scores for SAT and ACT. HESI exam scores must be within 3 years of enrollment date. TEAS V exam scores must be within 1 year of enrollment date.
BSN Transfer Credit Evaluation
BSN applicants requesting transfer credit evaluation must provide official transcripts to the registrar no later than the first day of the first semester in which the student commences their education at West Coast University. General education, pre-requisites, and core nursing coursework taken from a national or regionally accredited institution will be considered and evaluated for transfer credit. All general education, pre-requisite, and core nursing coursework must have been taken at an appropriately accredited institution. For nursing credits to be considered for transfer credit under any circumstances there can be only one year between the end of the last nursing course taken at a previous institution and the beginning of the first course at West Coast University. The student must be listed in good standing with the prior institution. Science courses must be taken within the last five years to be accepted for transfer credit. Course syllabi for courses previously taken at another nursing program should be submitted for review to the campus dean for nursing. The maximum allowable transfer credits applied to the BSN program shall not exceed 52 credits of general education. For additional information on receiving nursing credit for previously completed nursing courses, see the Challenge Credit policy. Authority for all final transfer credit decisions is given to the Program Dean/Chair.
Applicants for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, LVN to BSN program must:
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Provide proof of current unobstructed licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in California; and
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Meet all admission requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) program as noted above.
LVN to BSN Licensure Requirements
LVN to BSN Applicants who possess a current unobstructed LVN license may be admitted into the West Coast University LVN to BSN program without requiring transcripts if they meet all other specific program admission requirements which would include military trained LVN’s who were able to obtain their LVN license using their military training as the academic qualifier and those who have graduated from a school that has since closed and transcripts are no longer available.
LVN to BSN Transfer Credit Evaluation
LVN to BSN applicants requesting transfer credit evaluation must provide official transcripts to the registrar no later than the first day of the first semester in which the student commences their education at West Coast University. General education, pre-requisites, and core nursing coursework taken from a national or regionally accredited institution will be considered and evaluated for transfer credit. All general education, pre-requisite, and core nursing coursework must have been taken at an appropriately accredited institution. For nursing credits to be considered for transfer credit under any circumstances there can be only one year between the end of the last nursing course taken at a previous institution and the beginning of the first course at West Coast University. The student must be listed in good standing with the prior institution. Science courses must be taken within the last five years to be accepted for transfer credit. Course syllabi for courses previously taken at another nursing program should be submitted for review to the campus dean for nursing. The maximum allowable transfer credits applied to the LVN to BSN program shall not exceed 52 credits of general education. For additional information on receiving nursing credit for previously completed nursing courses, see the Challenge Credit policy. Authority for all final transfer credit decisions is given to the Program Dean/Chair.
LVN to RN 30 Unit Option
In addition to the 120 Unit LVN to BSN program, West Coast University offers a 30 unit option for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) as required by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). Students considering taking the 30 unit option will take Physiology, Microbiology, and selected pre-licensure nursing courses. Students who choose the 30 unit option will not receive a certificate or degree from West Coast University and are not considered a graduate of the University. Students interested in the 30 unit option must declare this option prior to enrolling in the WCU LVN to BSN program. Once students have enrolled and have started the WCU LVN to BSN program, the 30 unit option is not available. Financial aid is not available for students choosing the 30 unit option since this is not a pathway leading to a degree.
Students who successfully complete the LVN to RN 30 Unit Option will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination.
More information can be found in the RN Student Handbook on the WCU website. Please contact the campus Nursing department for further details.
Applicants for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, RN to BSN program must:
1. Provide proof of current unobstructed professional licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) from the state of California;
2. Official transcripts from a Board of Nursing licensed Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing program;
a. Official transcripts must be submitted to document program completion. A maximum of 35 semester units will be posted as NURS 198B for transfer of nursing credits. General education requirements must be met for completion of the BSN. There is no science recency requirement for RN-BSN students. If the pre-licensure nursing program did not require one of the science pre-requisites, a substitute course may be considered.
RN to BSN Transfer Credit Evaluation
RN to BSN applicants requesting transfer credit evaluation must provide official transcripts no later than the first day of the first semester in which the student commences their education at West Coast University. General education and pre-requisite coursework taken from a national or regionally accredited institution will be considered and evaluated for transfer credit. All general education, pre-requisite, and core nursing coursework must have been taken at an appropriately licensed and accredited institution. The RN to BSN program will post a block of 35 semester credits for transfer for nursing core courses.
Program Information and Disclosures
Pre-Licensure Nursing Requirements prior to clinical assignments (BSN & LVN to BSN):
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Obtain a criminal background clearance (information on how to obtain this clearance will be provided to students during the enrollment process). Failure to disclose a misdemeanor or felony may interfere with clinical placement and subsequent licensure as a Registered Nurse (applicants with felony convictions are not admissible);
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Provide and maintain a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) for Health Providers;
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Provide a current Fire Card, where required;
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Meet the requirements outlined in the “Essentials of RN Job Functions” as documented by a licensed Physician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant;
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Undergo drug screening.
Nursing Residency Requirements
A minimum of 68 credits must be taken at WCU for the BSN and LVN to BSN programs. There is no residency requirements for the RN to BSN program.
Nursing Program Disclosure
The student satisfactorily completing the pre-licensure BSN or LVN to BSN program is eligible to apply for licensure by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). The California Board of Registered Nursing requires that applicants for a nursing license must provide a United States issued social security number. This requirement will prevent anyone from applying for RN licensure in California and being employed as an RN without a United States issued social security number. Furthermore, prospective students who do not meet this requirement will be unable to sit for the Nursing Board Examination (NCLEX) in California, since the California Board of Registered Nursing will not issue an Authorization to Test (ATT) without a valid social security number.
Examination Fees
Students Enrolled Before the August 2013 Term
The University pays the Authorization to Test (ATT) fees for the NCLEX-RN for those students who have met the standards for NCLEX-RN testing readiness as determined solely by the University. Students who do not meet the standards for NCLEX testing readiness or who do not cooperate in a remediation plan to help meet the readiness standards for NCLEX-RN testing, will not have their Authorization to Test (ATT) fees paid. Current WCU students can opt-in to the University's NCLEX Incentive Program, which provides an opportunity to be reimbursed for students who pass the examination on their first attempt. Please see the campus Testing Coordinator for more information.
Students Enrolled in the August 2013 Term and After
Starting in the August 2013 term, new/reentry students will be required to pay for Authorization to Test (ATT) fees and NCLEX-RN fees as part of the NCLEX Incentive Program. This program is designed to provide a financial incentive for students to pass the examination on first attempt. Upon enrollment in NURS 493 Integration of Nursing Concepts, the student account will accrue a one-time charge for examination and licensures fees. The University will forward these funds to Pearson (NCLEX) and the State Board of Nursing. On successfully completing the NCLEX examination on first attempt, the University will refund the testing fees noted above and provide the student with a financial incentive. Please see the campus Testing Coordinator for the NCLEX Incentive Program eligibility criteria.
Immunizations
Based on the CDC Recommended Immunizations for Health-Care Personnel (HCP), all HCPs must submit documentation of immunization to Hepatitis B (series of three doses with anti-HBs serologic testing 1-2 months after dose #3), proof of immunity to Hepatitis B, or a signed declination; Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Varicella (chickenpox); and Tetanus, include Influenza (yearly), Hepatitis A, and Pneumonia. For some individuals, a titer test will be indicated vs. vaccinations. Titer tests showing immunity to listed pathogens are acceptable. Titer tests showing a negative response require appropriate immunizations and follow-up titers must be completed and submitted. Diphtheria and Pertussis (booster every 10 years) are highly recommended immunizations for HCPs. If one or more of the listed immunizations are contraindicated, documentation must be submitted clearly identifying the reason(s). Clinical laboratory reports with the facility stamp and a medical doctor’s signature is required. See the Nursing Student Handbook for additional information.
For more information on immunizations and vaccines, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/.
Public Health Nurse Certification
Graduates of the BSN program at West Coast University, and who have obtained an unobstructed RN license in the State of California, will be eligible to apply for Public Health Nurse Certification with the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). For information the Public Health Nurse Certification application process, visit the California Board of Registered Nursing website at www.rn.ca.gov.
NURS 493 Comprehensive Predictor
Each student will take the ATI Comprehensive Predictor Assessment during the last week of the NURS 493 (formerly NURS 220) course. Each student must achieve an ATI predictive probability of passing NCLEX at or above 92%. Each student will have ONE (1) attempt to meet the benchmark.
NURS 493 (formerly NURS 220) is graded on a Pass/No Pass scale. Only students who meet the benchmark will be given a “Pass” (P) for the course and be allowed to graduate from the program. Students who do not achieve a score of 92%, will be given a “No Pass” (NP) grade and will need to repeat NURS 493 (formerly NURS 220) the following term.
Students scoring at or above a 92% probability of NCLEX success on the ATI
Comprehensive Predictor given in week 9 of the course will:
1. Complete a focused review of the Comprehensive Predictor
2. Attend the full ATI Live Review
3. Work through the ATI Live Review Study plan to prepare for NCLEX.
4. Students graduating at the end of Summer I Term 2014 will be enrolled into the Virtual ATI online NCLEX review for post-graduation support to prepare for NCLEX.
Students scoring below 92% probability of NCLEX success on the ATI Comprehensive Predictor will be required to complete the following:
1. Complete a focused review of the Comprehensive Predictor
2. Attend the full ATI Live Review
3. Work through the ATI Live Review Study plan.
4. Repeat the NURS 493 course including:
a) Completing alternative capstone assignments
b) Completing ATI assessments
c) Retaking the ATI Comprehensive Predictor
d) Attending the ATI Live Review
5. Students who have repeated NURS 493 (formerly NURS 220) and passed the course will be identified as needing additional support and, after attending the Live Review and meeting all University requirements to graduate and test for NCLEX, will be enrolled in the Virtual- ATI online NCLEX review for continued post-graduation review and support to prepare for NCLEX.