BSN Program in Los Angeles

WCU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Los Angeles gives you the education and hands-on practice you need to pursue a career as a registered nurse.

10 Weeks

10-week terms allow for start dates throughout the year

39 Months

Earn your BSN in as few as 39 months at the Accelerated program pace

120 Credits

Complete 120 credits to earn your BSN degree

  • Voted as a FAVORITE CAREER COLLEGE/TRADE SCHOOL
  • Voted as a FAVORITE CAREER COLLEGE/NURSING SCHOOL

Los Angeles BSN Program Highlights

Real Life Icon

Hands-on practice in technologically advanced simulation labs that use high-fidelity manikins that cry, sweat, and respond like real patients

A Clinical Placements team that helps you find and select a local preceptor and clinical site that aligns with your goals

One-on-one NCLEX support and extensive resources to help you prepare for your registered nurse (RN) licensure exam

Access to a Student Success advisor, no-cost tutoring, a Career Services team that helps you beyond graduation, and more

Why Pursue a BSN Degree at WCU-Los Angeles?

With the Los Angeles healthcare market being vast and varied with more than 10 million people within its limits,1 there is a substantial need for healthcare professionals within this region. If you’re looking to positively impact people’s lives as a registered nurse and you reside in or near the greater L.A. area, you may be interested in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at West Coast University’s Los Angeles campus.

Our BSN program at WCU-Los Angeles combines classroom learning with hands-on practice to help prepare you for fast-paced and often unpredictable world of nursing. In this program, you will learn the foundations of evidence-based patient care, as well as how to care for patients in specific healthcare environments and specialty areas (e.g., medical surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, public health nursing, etc.).

Upon completing the program, you will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Overview: Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Los Angeles

Program Details

Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at WCU-LA comes with the benefit of speed to completion, which is helpful when you’re eager to get started on your future career as a registered nurse.

Accelerated Pace

On-Campus

120 Credits

39 Months

8 Semesters

Curriculum

This curriculum applies to students matriculating or reentering after December 1, 2022.

General Education Requirements

All science courses must have been taken within the last five calendar years, unless the student possesses a degree or advanced degree in the specific field of study for which the student is seeking transfer credit. Additional information regarding transfer credit is located in the university’s catalog under Transfer Credit policy or below.

Category and RequirementsWCU Course Requirements Transferable / Options
Foundational CourseFYS 001 (0): First Year Seminar (Los Angeles, Ontario, Miami {prior to Spring II 2023}, and Orange County {prior to Summer 1 2023} Campuses) FHE 100 (3): Foundations of Higher Education (Texas, Miami {starting Spring II 2023}, and Orange County {starting Summer I 2023} Campuses)Non-transferable
A1- Written Communication (5 Semester Credits and 2 Courses Minimum)ENGL 140 (3): Written Communication I * ENGL 240 (3): Written Communication IIAny equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements.
A2. Oral Communication (2.5 Semester Credits Minimum)SPCH 142 (3): Oral CommunicationAny equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements.
A3. Critical Thinking (2.5 Semester Credits Minimum)*PHIL 341 (3): Critical ReasoningAny equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements.
A4. Quantitative Reasoning (5 Semester Credits and 2 Courses Minimum)MATH 108 (3): College Mathematics I MATH 211 (3): StatisticsAny equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements.
B1– Social and Behavioral Sciences / Cultural Diversity, Tradition (8 Semester Credits and 3 Courses Minimum)PSYC 160 (3): Psychology * PSYC 290 (3): Life Span Psychology * HUM 370 (3): Cultural PluralismEquivalent to PSYC 160 Equivalent to PSYC 290 Any equivalent courses that meet the General Education categorical requirements.
B2. Life and Physical Sciences (12 Semester Credits and 4 Courses Minimum)ANAT 260 (4): Human Anatomy PHYS 261 (4): Human Physiology CHEM 280 (4): Chemistry MICR 290 (4): General MicrobiologyEquivalent to ANAT 260 Equivalent to PHYS 261 Non-transferable at the Orange County Campus starting Summer I 2023 Equivalent to CHEM 280 Equivalent to MICR 290
B3. General Education Capstone (3 Semester Credits)CAPS 401 (3): General Education Capstone (Los Angeles, Ontario, Miami {prior to Spring II 2023}, Orange County {prior to Summer I 2023} Campuses)Non-transferable
A minimum of 46 credits is required for graduation.

*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.

General Education within the Area of Study

PATH 370Pathophysiology3
PHIL 434Medical Ethics and Issues3
Total Credit Hours:6

Note: If scheduled, the following courses are to be taken at WCU: FYS 001, FHE 100, CAPS 401, and PATH 370 and PHYS 261 (OC Campus only, starting Summer I 2023).

Core Nursing Courses

NURS 100Fundamentals of Nursing3
NURS 101LFundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab2
NURS 110Introduction to Professional Nursing2
NURS 120Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing3
NURS 121L-AIntroduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Practicum2
NURS 121L-BIntroduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Practicum – On-Campus1
NURS 180Pharmacology3
NURS 190Physical Assessment2
NURS 201Medical Surgical Nursing-Promoting Wellness3
NURS 211LMedical Surgical Nursing3
NURS 222Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Promoting Wellness in the Mentally Ill3
NURS 223LMental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum2
NURS 225Nutrition in Health and Disease3
NURS 306Expanding Family and Community (OB)2
NURS 307Developing Family and Community (PEDS)2
NURS 316L-AExpanding and Developing Family and Community Practicum (OB)1.5
NURS 317L-ADeveloping Family and Community Practicum (PEDS)1.5
NURS 340Public Health Nursing3
NURS 342LPublic Health Nursing Practicum2
NURS 350Research in Nursing3
NURS 420Principles of Leadership and Management3
NURS 431Disaster Management2
NURS 440Issues and Trends in Nursing3
NURS 480Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum3
NURS 481LAdvanced Medical Surgical Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum3
NURS 493*Integration of Nursing Concepts3
NURS 497Nursing Capstone1
NURS 498LIntegration of Nursing Practices3
Total Credit Hours:68.0

NURS 100, NURS 101L: pre-licensure students only *NURS 493R – Taken if student is unsuccessful in NURS 493.

Program Credit Distribution

General Education Semester Credits46.0
General Education within the Area of Study6.0
Core Nursing Courses68.0
Total Program Semester Credits120.0
Tuition & Financial Aid

How Much Does the Los Angeles Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Cost?

We know school is a substantial commitment. At WCU, we want to equip you with all the information you need to make the right decision for your future.

Our goal is to give you a clear understanding of Los Angeles Bachelor of Science in Nursing tuition costs so you can be well-informed as you navigate the application and enrollment process. To assist you in your decision, we provide a breakdown below of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program costs in Los Angeles at West Coast University.

We offer several financial aid options — including scholarships, grants, and loan access — to help support you through your studies. For more information about your financial support options, visit our Financial Aid page.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

10 Month Academic Year
with parentsoff campus
Food & Housing$2,980$9,920
Transportation$2,060$2,060
Personal Expenses$6,740$6,740
Total$11,780$18,720

Los Angeles and Ontario Campuses

 

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

(Prior to Fall I 2023)

Bachelor of Science

(Starting Fall I 2023)

Total Program Credits120 120
Program Length (Full-Time) 8 semesters 8 semesters
Full-Time Status (12 to 18 credits)$17,371$17,892
3/4-Time Status (9 to 11 credits)$14,480$14,914
1/2-Time Status (6 to 8 credits)$11,241$11,578
Less than 1/2-Time Status (under 6 credits) (per credit)$1,928 $1,986
Total Tuition Costs (Full-Time)$138,968 $143,136
Registration Fee (refundable)$75$75
STRF Fee1 (non-refundable)$370 $382.50
Estimated Total Book Costs2$4,718$5,207
Estimated Total Book Shipping Cost2$472$521
Estimate for Uniforms Fees2$130 $130
Estimate for Supplies & Licensure Preparation Fees2$1,945$2,345
Technology Fee3 ($100 per semester)$800$800
General Education Resource Fee4$775$775
Estimated Total Program Costs$148,253$153,371.50

 

Orange County Campus

 

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

(Prior to Summer I 2023)

Bachelor of Science

(Summer 1 2023)

Bachelor of Science

(Starting Fall I 2023)

Total Program Credits120120120
Program Length(Full-Time)
8 semesters8 semesters8 semesters
Full-Time Status(12 to 18 credits)$17,371$17,371$17,892
3/4-Time Status(9 to 11 credits)$14,480$14,480$14,914
1/2-Time Status(6 to 8 credits)$11,241$11,241$11,578
Less than 1/2-Time Status(under 6 credits) (per credit)$1,928$1,928$1,986 
Total Tuition Costs(Full-Time)$138,968$138,968$143,136
Registration Fee(refundable)$75$75$75
STRF Fee1(non-refundable)$370$370$382.50
Estimated Total Book Costs2$4,718$4,718$5,207
Estimated Total Book Shipping Cost2$472$472$521
Estimate for Uniforms Fees2$130$130$130
Estimate for Supplies &Licensure Preparation Fees2$1,945$1,945$2,345
Technology Fee3($100 per semester)$800$800$800
General Education Resource Fee4$775$500$500
Estimated Total Program Costs$148,253$147,978$153,096.50

 

1 Effective April 1, 2022, the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) assessment rate will be two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of institutional charges.

The State of California established the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) to relieve or mitigate economic loss suffered by a student in an educational program at a qualifying institution, who is or was a California resident while enrolled, or was enrolled in a residency program, if the student enrolled in the institution, prepaid tuition, and suffered an economic loss. Unless relieved of the obligation to do so, you must pay the state-imposed assessment for the STRF, or it must be paid on your behalf, if you are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition.

You are not eligible for protection from the STRF and you are not required to pay the STRF assessment, if you are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program.

It is important that you keep copies of your enrollment agreement, financial aid documents, receipts, or any other information that documents the amount paid to the school. Questions regarding the STRF may be directed to the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, 1747 N. Market Blvd. Ste 225 Sacramento, CA 95834, (916) 431-6959 or (888) 370-7589.

To be eligible for STRF, you must be a California resident or enrolled in a residency program, prepaid tuition, paid or deemed to have paid the STRF assessment, and suffered an economic loss as a result of any of the following:

  1. The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
  2. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120-day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120-day period before the program was discontinued.
  3. You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
  4. The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
  5. The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
  6. You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
  7. You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.

To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.

A student whose loan is revived by a loan holder or debt collector after a period of noncollection may, at any time, file a written application for recovery from STRF for the debt that would have otherwise been eligible for recovery. If it has been more than four (4) years since the action or event that made the student eligible, the student must have filed a written application for recovery within the original four (4) year period, unless the period has been extended by another act of law.

However, no claim can be paid to any student without a social security number or a taxpayer identification number.

2 The Estimate for Book, Uniform, and Supply fees reflect the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price totals compiled in December 2022 and are subject to change. Supplies become student purchases once issued to student. Students who drop or have been dismissed after supplies have been issued will assume ownership for these items and will not be eligible for refunds. For details on all of the supplies, contact the Bursar Office.

BSN | Supplies issued in NURS 101L Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab.

3 Technology Fee includes student technical support, Office 365, blended and online course delivery/learning management system, mobile app, student portal technology and access, and required electronic course materials/software.

4 The General Education Resource Fee includes costs associated with ATI Smart Prep materials. The General Education Resource Fee will be waived for Active Duty, Active Duty Spouse, Reserve, Reserve Spouse, Veterans, Veteran Spouse, Department of Defense employees, dependents utilizing parent's veteran's education benefits, and Veteran Affairs employees.

Note 1: Students who wish to take Challenge Exams will be subject to a fee of $100 for each Challenge exam. Please see the campus Bursar Office for a full price listing.

Note 2: Course Audits - If a course(s) is being audited.  credits for these courses will be included for the student's schedule status for billing, based on the schedule statuses and amounts shown above.  Pre-licensure Nursing students should refer to the program's Dismissal Policy for information surrounding course auditing.

Note 3: The Total Tuition Cost can be converted to Cost per Credit Hour by using the following calculation:

Total Tuition Cost (Summer I 2023) ($138,968) divided by the Total Program Credits (120) = Cost per Credit Hour ($1,158.07).

Total Tuition Cost (Starting Fall I 2023) ($143,136) divided by the Total Program Credits (120) = Cost Per Credit Hour ($1,192.80).  

Admission Requirements

BSN and LVN-BSN Admissions Requirements – CA (Effective Spring I, 2022)

  1. Submit a completed WCU application for admissions
  2. Participate in an admissions interview arranged by a university admissions advisor
  3. Submit WCU-approved documentation of high school graduation or equivalent (Please Note: Foreign high school diplomas/credentials or their equivalent must have an official evaluation performed by an approved organization.)
  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. Submit all postsecondary transcripts:
      1. Applicants with 18 or more postsecondary credits, from an institution recognized by an accreditation body approved by the U.S. Department of Education, will be evaluated on their cumulative grade point average.
      2. Applicants with fewer than 18 postsecondary credits, from an institution recognized by an accreditation body approved by the U.S. Department of Education, will be evaluated based on their high school cumulative grade point average.
  6. Applicants to the LVN-BSN program must provide proof of current unobstructed licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
  7. Must achieve an acceptable composite score based on entrance examination and cumulative GPA requirements defined as follows:
    1. Applicants with a composite point value of 8 or above (combination of entrance exam and CGPA) will be admitted to the program.
    2. Any applicant with an entrance examination score or cumulative GPA requirement below the requirement noted on our catalog page will be denied admissions.

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 and must be within three (3) years of enrollment date. HESI exam scores must be within three (3) years of enrollment date. TEAS exam scores must be within three (3) years of enrollment date.

For additional information, such as transfer credit evaluation requirements, visit our catalog.

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Academic Calendar

New academic terms begin, on average, every 10 weeks. To get an idea of when each term starts and ends, view our Academic Calendar.

Simulation Centers

Technologically Advanced Sim Labs

Our technologically advanced simulation labs at West Coast University are designed to put nursing students in simulated scenarios that mimic real life. Using realistic hospital-like settings and high-fidelity manikins that can cry, sweat, and respond just like real patients, students get to practice everything from taking vitals to assisting with births and surgeries.

These on-campus simulations give students hands-on practice in all types of care experiences, from routine checkups to emergency visits, so they can enter into real clinical settings with knowledge and confidence.

Our simulation centers provide practice in scenarios across various medical specialty areas and disciplines, including:

  • Medical and surgical units
  • Pediatrics
  • Maternity/OB
  • Mental health
Schedule an Info Session

We invite you to attend one of our informative presentations on our programs.

Clinical Placements

Assistance with Clinical Placements

To help equip you for success in your clinical training experiences, we have a Clinical Placements team that can help you find the right practice site in your local area. We have a large network of hospital and clinical partners, which serves as a valuable resource to any student who needs to choose a preceptor and clinical location.

You will be assigned a coordinator of clinical relations, who will guide you through the process from initial selection to compliance tracking and general advice.

 

NCLEX Support

NCLEX Study Resources

At WCU-Los Angeles, we provide a comprehensive BSN curriculum and various student resources to help ensure you’re ready for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Here’s what we make available to our students:

  • NCLEX advisors offering personalized guidance
  • An online library of educational content
  • Complimentary tutoring
  • NCLEX bootcamps

It’s our goal to help you walk into your exam with complete confidence so you can pass your test and get licensed as an RN right away!

Career Services

Ongoing Professional Development & Support

Support for WCU students doesn’t end at graduation. As a WCU-LA graduate, you will have ongoing access to a wealth of resources from our Career Services team, including one-on-one guidance, professional development workshops, career fairs, connections with industry recruiters, and more.)2 Whether you need help fine-tuning your application materials, conducting mock interviews, or finding job leads that match your interests, we can help.

Potential Job Opportunities

Our Career Services team can help you explore the job opportunities that are available to you. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs often work in environments such as:

  • Hospitals (state, local, and private)
  • Ambulatory healthcare services
  • Nursing and residential care facilities
  • Government
  • Educational services (state, local, and private)3

Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation from West Coast University, students will have met the following program learning outcomes:

  • Support professional nursing practice decisions with concepts and theories from the biological, physical, and social sciences
  • Plan preventive and population-focused interventions with attention to effectiveness, efficiency, cost, and equity
  • Support therapeutic nursing interventions for patients and families in a variety of healthcare and community settings using evidence-based practice
  • Apply nursing process and critical thinking when providing holistic, patient-centered nursing care to diverse populations
  • Design healthcare education for individuals, families, and communities
  • Comply with the professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct in practice
  • Develop an effective communication style to interact with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary health team
  • Model leadership with providing safe, quality nursing care; coordinating the healthcare team; and when tasked with oversight and accountability for care delivery

Featured Faculty

Khadeer Khan, MD, DNP, MSN-Ed, PMHNP, NEA-BC, FNP-BC, CEN, CNE, CHEP

Associate Professor, BSN Program at WCU-Los Angeles

Dr. Khadeer Khan is an associate professor at the West Coast University-Los Angeles campus where he lectures Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students. Dr. Khan teaches courses on topics that include but are not limited to integration of nursing concepts, NCLEX preparation, advanced medical-surgical nursing, and pharmacology nursing.

With a passion for both patient care and teaching, Dr. Khan has extensive clinical and clinical education experience, and he has been instructing nursing students in higher education institutions for over a decade.

Dr. Khan earned his Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from Bangalore Medical College in India as well as various other degrees and certificates in the United States. He has a Doctor of Nurse Practice, two post-master’s certificates (Family Nurse Practitioner and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner), a Master of Science in Nursing with a nurse educator focus, and an Associate Degree in Nursing.

Dr. Khan is a certified nurse educator (CNE) and also holds certifications as a nurse practitioner, registered nurse, and nurse practitioner furnisher. He is board-certified as a family nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and advanced nurse executive by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Dr. Khan is also board-certified as an emergency nurse through the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).

FAQs

How long does it take to complete the BSN program?

The BSN program at WCU-Los Angeles allows you to complete your degree in 39 months, or 8 semesters.

Can you get a BSN if you already have a bachelor's degree?

Yes, any previous bachelor’s degree that you obtained should not interfere with your ability to enroll in our Los Angeles BSN program. This program is designed for individuals who want to become licensed registered nurses.

What master’s degree can you get with a BSN?

The master’s degree you choose following completion of your BSN program depends on your professional goals. BSN graduates who are looking to work in a specialized area of nursing usually choose our Master of Nursing in Science program (or, if you’re already a licensed RN by the time you start your graduate program, our RN to MSN program). We have several specialty tracks available.

If you’re interested in focusing your education on community health, you may want to earn a Master of Public Health degree. We also offer Master of Health Administration and Master of Business Administration programs for students who want to advance into administrative roles.

What is the difference between an RN and a BSN?

An “RN” is a professional title that someone earns after passing the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN). A BSN refers to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which is an academic degree that can help prepare a student for the NCLEX and a career as a registered nurse.

A BSN is not a requirement for licensure; however, it can be monumental in helping prepare aspiring RNs for the fast-paced and demanding job of nursing. It also helps lay the groundwork for future nursing specialization, which is typically achieved through a master’s degree.

 

Is financial aid available?

Financial aid is available to those who are eligible. Students may qualify for financial aid options such as student loans, scholarships, grants, employer reimbursement, federal work-study, and more. Get additional information about institutional scholarships on the Undergraduate On-Ground Scholarships and Grants page of our online catalog. You can also get general financial aid information on our Financial Aid page.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post-graduate APRN certificate program at West Coast University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Have Questions?

Pursuing your degree is a big choice. Fill out our form and one of our admissions advisors will contact you to answer any questions you may have!

1California Health Care Foundation, “Los Angeles: Vast and Varied Health Care Market Inches Toward Consolidation,” January 2021

2 WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.

3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, “Work Environment,” Updated Sept. 8, 2022

*The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.

Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.