Associates Degree in Nursing

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 achieved 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.  

ADN applicants requesting transfer credit evaluation must provide official transcripts by the Add/Drop deadline on the second Tuesday of the term to be admitted to the university All general education, and prerequisite coursework must have been taken at an accredited post-secondary institution. Science courses must be taken within the last five years to be accepted for transfer credit. The maximum allowable transfer credits applied to the ADN program shall not exceed 27 credits of general education. Authority for all final transfer credit decisions is given to the Program Dean/Chair.

No transfer credit will be awarded for nursing core courses for students entering through the traditional application pathway. However, applicants entering through the LPN-to-ADN pathway may receive nursing core credit based on verification of an active, unencumbered LPN license as well as official transcripts from completed LPN Program.

Transfer credit will not be awarded based on unofficial transcripts, however, students may be scheduled for their first semester of courses based on unofficial transfer credit review. Financial packaging for the first semester will be estimated without transfer credit unless/until official transcripts are received and evaluated. If transfer credit is evaluated after the add/drop date of the first semester, it will be reflected in financial aid offers for the subsequent semester.

Concurrent Enrollment:  Individuals who are concurrently enrolled at another institution at the time of their matriculation to West Coast University, may be allowed to request transfer credit for courses that are in-progress. In this situation, official transcripts must be received by the end of the first term of matriculation in order to receive transfer credit.

ADN Post Secondary Transcripts for Veterans

All applicants who are veterans or seeking transfer credits must submit all official applicable postsecondary transcripts by the Add/Drop deadline on the second Tuesday of the term regardless of applicable transfer credits for timely certification of the veterans request for benefits and receipt of funds. Please see the Veterans Educational Benefits policy in the Financial Policies and Information Section of the Catalog.

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.

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

Note:  The following courses 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 18 credits must be taken at WCU for the ADN program offered in Florida only.  Exceptions may be considered.  

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 the Public Health Nurse Certification application process, visit the California Board of Registered Nursing website at www.rn.ca.gov

NURS 485 Comprehensive Predictor

Each student will take the ATI Comprehensive Predictor Assessment during the last week of the NURS 485 course.  Each student must achieve an ATI predictive probability of passing NCLEX at or above 95%.  Each student will have ONE (1) attempt to meet the benchmark.  

NURS 485 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 95%, will be given a "No Pass" (NP) grade and will need to retake NURS 485 the following term.   

Students scoring at least or above 95% 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 95% probability of NCLEX success on the ATI Comprehensive Predictor will be required to complete the following:  

1. NURS 485 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 485 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 485 Capstone can be found on the Tuition and Fees Catalog page.