West Coast University Nursing Program Approved By State Nursing Board

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--West Coast University has gained the approval of the California Board of Registered Nursing to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The California Board of Registered Nursing approved the program recently, and the first class of new students will begin their BSN education at the Orange County campus this November. The Los Angeles and Ontario campuses will begin the BSN program in 2009. West Coast University is not new to educating nurses and has graduated students with an Associate degree in nursing, but it is the first university of its kind to gain approval to offer a BSN.

"We are pleased and complimented the Board of Nursing recognized the quality of education we offer and that they approved our program for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. We have worked hard to build a reputation for being a leader in nursing education and now, with this new program, we can offer students the opportunity to earn their nursing degree within a high quality, fast track program," commented Dianne Moore, PhD, RN, CNM, MN, MPH and Executive Dean of Nursing at West Coast University.

The West Coast BSN program follows the same professional RN curriculum offered at other state and private schools yet offers classes at an accelerated pace. The program is unique in that its accelerated, year-round semester system enables new students to enroll every 20 weeks and to include pre-nursing and nursing classes into their class schedule. Students can earn degrees within 160 weeks enabling them to enter the workforce within three years which is much sooner than schools on a traditional schedule. The design of the West Coast University BSN program allows for a larger number of nursing graduates to potentially enter the health care community at a time when the demand for nurses is growing. The program design enables graduates to earn professional, RN-level salaries and benefits sooner than graduates from other schools in the country. West Coast University accepts transfer credits for previous work and access to scholarships and federal funding is available to students who qualify.

"It's no secret that California faces an ongoing nursing shortage. At West Coast University, we are committed to offering a top-notch education and to graduating dedicated, well-trained nurses who will be welcomed into the health care community. We have excellent faculty and facilities, a challenging curriculum, a hands-on approach to helping our students and we are ready to do our part," Moore continued.

In April 2005, West Coast University became the second-ever private, proprietary, post-secondary institution in California to be granted a Registered Nursing program by the Board of Registered Nursing and is now the first of its kind approved to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Originally chartered in 1909 as an ophthalmology school, West Coast University has experienced several incarnations, including becoming one of the early pioneers in offering bachelor degree programs designed to meet the needs of working adults. In May of 1997, the University was reorganized and new leadership emerged – refocused on providing educational opportunities to students interested in serving the health care community.

West Coast University is a leader in nursing and healthcare administration educational programs. It offers a dynamic and experienced faculty and staff and academic curricula designed to challenge students and prepare them to become valuable members of the health care industry – for life.

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