Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Florida

1.     Submit WCU-approved documentation of high school graduation or equivalencies:

a.     Foreign high school diplomas/credentials or their equivalent must have an official evaluation performed by an approved organization.

2.     Participate in an admissions interview arranged by a University Admissions Advisor

3.     Achieve an acceptable score as outlined below:

a.     HESI: Achieve a composite score of 76 or higher received within three years of the enrollment date.

b.     TEAS: Receive a score of 52 or higher within three years of enrollment date

c.     ACT/SAT:

                                               i.     SAT score of 835 or higher or ACT score of 16 or higher within three (3) years of the enrollment date.

                                             ii.     WCU only collects Verbal and Quantitative scores for SAT and ACT.

d.     Examination Retake Details:

                                               i.      BSN applicants will have a maximum of two attempts, which cannot occur less than one week apart.

                                             ii.     If an applicant does not pass the admissions exam after two attempts, they must wait one month to retest and provide proof of remediation.

4. Complete an enrollment agreement (must be signed by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age)

5. Meet program-specific entrance requirements.

   1. Applicants to the LVN-BSN program must provide proof of current unobstructed licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).

Pre-Licensure Nursing Requirements prior to clinical assignments (ADN, BSN & LPN to BSN):

1. Obtain a criminal background clearance (information on how to obtain this clearance will be provided to students during the enrollment process).  A misdemeanor or felony may interfere with clinical placement and subsequent licensure as a Registered Nurse;

2. Submit documentation of required immunizations;

3. Provide and maintain a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR) for Health Providers;

4. Provide a current Fire Card, where required;

5. Meet the requirements outlined in the “Essentials of RN Job Functions” as documented by a licensed Physician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant;

6. Undergo drug screening.

7. Provide acceptable proof of adequate health insurance coverage;

8. Comply with clinical site specific requirements.

To receive transfer credit for this program, previous General Education course must have achieve a grade of at least a "C", and Core courses require a minimum grade of a "C+".  Approval on transfer credit is based on the program's discretion.  

International MD Transfer Policy

West Coast University accepts a general education block transfer credit from any international institution that granted a Medical Doctor (MD) degree and is recognized by the country’s Ministry of Education or Department of Education. An MD international graduate has to complete:

•  FHE 100

and prove English proficiency by satisfying West Coast University's English Language Verification requirements.

For the transfer of general education credits including English courses to be granted one has to:

• Graduated with an MD degree from an international higher education institution that is recognized by the country’s Ministry of Education or Department of Education.

• Complete an international transcript equivalency credential evaluation from one of the WCU approved professional evaluation agencies. This evaluation should include: the degree comparability, course-by-course evaluation, GPA, grade, and credit conversion.

Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Science Degree - International MD Transfer List

*Science courses must have been completed within five (5) calendar years prior to admission to receive transfer credit.

Note:  The following course must have been taken in the last 5 years: ANAT 260, CHEM 280, MICR 290, and PHYS 261.

Note:  If scheduled, the following courses are to be taken at WCU:  FHE 100, CAPS 401, and PATH 370.

**As of April 2019, this course will be delivered online, asynchronously, through the institution's Learning Management System except where otherwise authorized by the Program Dean/Director.

A minimum of 30 credits must be taken at WCU for the BSN and LPN to BSN programs.  Exceptions may be considered.  

Provide acceptable proof of health insurance coverage when assigned to academic activities requiring health insurance as a prerequisite of participation (on/off campus clinical or practical experiences)

Pre-licensure Nursing Students: Pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ADN, LVN-BSN, LPN-BSN, BSN)  program students will be dismissed if they receive:

1. Four (4) non-passing grades taken at West Coast University in General Education, or two (2) non-passing grades in any Nursing (NURS) courses, or

2. Receive a non-passing grade twice for the same course regardless of whether the course was in General Education or Nursing.  

Additional notes:

• Grades from courses NURS 493, NURS 499, DEP 098, FHE 100, and FYS 001 will not be considered when determining student status for programmatic dismissal.

• Please see the grade scale located in the University Catalog for additional information on passing/non-passing grades. Students in graduate programs should consult with their program director/dean regarding what constitutes passing/non-passing grades in graduate courses. 

• A student who has passed NURS340/342L and fails any or all courses in the subsequent terms will not be dismissed.  The student will be provided one (1) opportunity to repeat the required coursework, and if any additional non-passing grades are earned,  the student will be dismissed from the University.  

A student who fails NURS 493 on the first attempt will be provided no more than two (2) additional opportunities to repeat the course without added cost or being dismissed regardless of the number of previous course failures.  If the student fails or is unsuccessful on their third attempt to repeat the class, the student will be dismissed  from the University.  Students enrolled at a California campus may be approved to sit for the NCLEX as a "non-graduate" if unsuccessful in passing NURS 493.  See Campus Director of Nursing for more information. 

Examination Fees

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.  WCU’s clinical site partners require students to provide proof of immunization against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) to participate in the clinical experience rotation at their site.  In addition, healthcare settings require proof of immunization including against SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) for employment.  If the student is unable to fulfill the clinical site’s requirements, they will not be able to progress towards their degree, and may be withdrawn from the program.

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 about 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 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 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 take NURS 493 the following term.   

Students scoring at least or above 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 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. NURS 493 course including:

   1. Completing alternative capstone assignments

   2. Completing ATI assessments

   3. Retaking the ATI Comprehensive Predictor

   4. Attending the ATI Live Review if Comprehensive Predictor is passed. 

2. Students who have retaken NURS 493 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.  

3. Billing details regarding repeating NURS 493 Integration of Nursing Concepts can be found on the Tuition and Fees Catalog page.