Alumni
BSN Degree in Ontario, California
WCU-Ontario’s comprehensive BSN program integrates classroom learning, hands-on practice, and one-on-one support for the purpose of helping students succeed.
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
West Coast University Ontario has been voted as a FAVORITE in Career College/Trade School for the San Gabriel Valley Readers Choice Awards!
West Coast University Ontario has been voted as FAVORITE in four categories:
- Career College: Nursing School
- Online School
- 4YR College/University
- Graduate/MBA School
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program Highlights
Technologically advanced simulation center for hands-on, independent training with manikins that are responsive in a range of practice scenarios
Professional development services and dedicated clinical advisors to assist with local, preference-aligned placements
No-cost tutoring, extensive study resources, and bootcamps for rigorous NCLEX-RN test preparation
Campus facilities designed for both individual and collaborative study
Why Is a BSN Degree at WCU-Ontario Right for You?
Embarking on a career as a registered nurse is the meaningful beginning to a profound life’s work. Nurses are currently the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).1 From physicians’ offices to hospital wards to home care, you bring care in all its forms to the bedside.
West Coast University Ontario is at the forefront of nursing education, preparing aspiring nurses for meaningful careers in a diverse range of specialty areas. At WCU-Ontario, you’ll engage with a faculty that includes industry leaders in practice and research. Our technologically advanced facilities offer lifelike simulations with high-fidelity manikins that mimic real patient behaviors, as well as interactive and augmented reality (AR) learning.
The Student Experience*
Overview: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Program Details
BSN Program Time to Completion
Designed for students who are eager to enter the workforce and can commit to full-time study, our BSN program at WCU-Ontario allows you to graduate with your degree in just over three years. On this timeline, you can learn the skills needed to begin your nursing career and practice as quickly as possible.
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 Requirements | WCU Course Requirements | Transferable / Options |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Course | FYS 001 (0): First Year Seminar (only offered at Los Angeles and Ontario prior to Spring II 2024)
FHE 100 (3): Foundations of Higher Education (offered at all Campuses; Los Angeles and Ontario Campuses starting Spring II 2024) |
Non-transferable |
| A. Written Communication (6 Semester Credits) | * ENGL 140 (3): Written Communication I * ENGL 240 (3): Written Communication II |
Equivalent to ENGL 140 Equivalent to ENGL 240 |
| B. Oral and Interpersonal Communications (3 Semester Credits) |
*SPCH 142(3): Oral Communication | Equivalent to SPCH 142 |
| C. Critical Thinking and Ethical Reasoning (3 Semester Credits) |
*PHIL 341(3): Critical Reasoning | Equivalent to PHIL 341 |
| D. Quantitative Literacy (6 Semester Credits) |
MATH 108(3): College Mathematics I MATH 211(3): Statistics |
Equivalent to MATH 108
Equivalent to MATH 211 |
| E. Social and Behavioral Sciences Awareness (6 Semester Credits) |
*PSYC 160(3): Psychology *PSYC 290(3): Life Span Psychology |
Equivalent to PSYC 160 Equivalent to PSYC 290 |
| F. Historical, Cultural, and Aesthetic Recognition (3 Semester Credits) |
* HUM 370 (3): Cultural Pluralism | Equivalent to HUM 370 |
| G. Scientific Reasoning (16 Semester Credits) |
||
| General Education Capstone (3 Semester Credits) |
CAPS 401(3): General Education Capstone (only offered at Los Angeles, Ontario Campuses prior to Spring II 2024) |
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 370 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| PHIL 434 | Medical Ethics and Issues | 3 |
| 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 starting Summer I 2023 and all CA Campuses starting Spring II 2024).
| Core Nursing Courses | ||
| NURS 100 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 101L | Fundamentals of Nursing Skills Lab | 2 |
| NURS 110 | Introduction to Professional Nursing | 2 |
| NURS 120 | Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 121L-A | Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 121L-B | Introduction to Medical Surgical Nursing Practicum – On-Campus | 1 |
| NURS 180 | Pharmacology | 3 |
| NURS 190 | Physical Assessment | 2 |
| NURS 201 | Medical Surgical Nursing-Promoting Wellness | 3 |
| NURS 211L | Medical Surgical Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 222 | Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Promoting Wellness in the Mentally Ill | 3 |
| NURS 223L | Mental Health/Psychiatric Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 225 | Nutrition in Health and Disease | 3 |
| NURS 306 | Expanding Family and Community (OB) | 2 |
| NURS 307 | Developing Family and Community (PEDS) | 2 |
| NURS 316L-A | Expanding and Developing Family and Community Practicum (OB) | 1.5 |
| NURS 317L-A | Developing Family and Community Practicum (PEDS) | 1.5 |
| NURS 340 | Public Health Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 342L | Public Health Nursing Practicum | 2 |
| NURS 350 | Research in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 420 | Principles of Leadership and Management | 3 |
| NURS 431 | Disaster Management | 2 |
| NURS 440 | Issues and Trends in Nursing | 3 |
| NURS 480 | Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum | 3 |
| NURS 481L | Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing: Promoting Wellness Practicum | 3 |
| NURS 493* | Integration of Nursing Concepts | 3 |
| NURS 497 | Nursing Capstone | 1 |
| NURS 498L | Integration of Nursing Practices | 3 |
| 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 Credits | 46.0 | |
| General Education within the Area of Study | 6.0 | |
| Core Nursing Courses | 68.0 | |
| Total Program Semester Credits | 120.0 | |
Tuition & Financial Aid
How Much Does the Ontario 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 Ontario 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 Scienced in Nursing program costs in Ontario 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
Admission Requirements
BSN and LVN-BSN Admissions Requirements – CA (Effective Spring I, 2022)
- Submit a completed WCU application for admissions
- Participate in an admissions interview arranged by a university admissions advisor
- 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.)
- Complete an enrollment agreement (must be signed by a parent or guardian if the applicant is under 18 years of age)
- Meet program-specific entrance requirements:
- Submit all postsecondary transcripts:
- 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.
- 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.
- Applicants to the LVN-BSN program must provide proof of current unobstructed licensure as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN).
- Must achieve an acceptable composite score based on entrance examination and cumulative GPA requirements defined as follows:
- Applicants with a composite point value of 8 or above (combination of entrance exam and CGPA) will be admitted to the program.
- Any applicant with an entrance examination score or cumulative GPA requirement below the requirement noted on our catalog page will be denied admissions.
- Submit all postsecondary transcripts:
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.
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
WCU-Ontario offers an education that keeps pace with technology. As a student, you’ll enjoy access to technology-forward simulation labs where you’ll participate in hands-on learning with manikins developed to respond and behave just like live patients, from biological responses like blood pressure variation to behavioral reactions like tears of pain.
You’ll participate in a range of scenarios from routine exams to patient crashes so you’ll be well-equipped when the time comes to respond to a patient in real life.
Our simulations are programmed for a range of experience scenarios, including;
- Pediatrics
- Maternity/OB
- Medical and surgical units
- Mental health
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Clinical Placements
A Dedicated Team Supporting BSN Students
As part of your BSN program, you will be required to complete a certain number of clinical hours at a practice site so you can gain hands-on practice for your future nursing career. The WCU Clinical Placements team is dedicated to helping our students place locally, and in a practicum that matches their interests and licensure goals. This team not only assists with placement but helps streamline approvals and track compliance to safeguard the integrity of your placement.
NCLEX Support
Helping BSN Students Prepare for the NCLEX
To become licensed as a registered nurse, you will need to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). This exam tests the skills and knowledge you learned in your BSN program and clears you for practice.
The WCU-Ontario BSN program includes critical preparation to take and pass the NCLEX-RN. Support includes study guides, no-cost tutors, bootcamps, and NCLEX-RN advisors, so you’ll have all the materials and guidance you need to walk into the test prepared.
Career Services
Providing Hands-On Support
As a WCU-Ontario student, and later a graduate, you have access to our Career Services team for professional development and assistance with your job search.2 Receive help with career planning, interview preparation and locating open positions.
Common work settings for registered nurses included:
- Hospitals (state, local, and private)
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Government
- Educational services (state, local, and private)3
In your career as an RN, you may choose to work within a specialization such as cardiovascular, addiction treatment, neonatal care, critical care, genetics, nephrology, or public health.3 Career services can provide guidance in how to focus your job search and career planning.
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
- Use patient care technology and information systems when providing nursing care in a variety of settings
FAQs
How long does it take to complete the BSN program at WCU-Ontario?
At WCU-Ontario, you can earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 39 months (a little over three years).
Can you obtain a BSN if you already have a bachelor's degree?
Yes. Our BSN program at WCU is intended for any individual who wants to become a registered nurse regardless of any other undergraduate degrees they already have.
What kind of master’s degree can you get with a BSN?
At WCU, we have nursing, healthcare, and business graduate programs available for BSN graduates who are interested in continuing their education. One of our more popular options for BSN graduates is our Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, through which students can choose a nursing specialization. (We have both advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) tracks and non-APRN specialty tracks available). We also have an RN to MSN program for students who will begin their program after obtaining their RN licensure (no bachelor’s degree required).
Additional programs include our Master of Public Health, Master of Health Administration, and our Master of Business Administration programs.
What is the difference between an RN and a BSN?
An RN designation is a state-issued license that allows someone to work as a registered nurse. On the other hand, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a degree from an accredited institution that can help someone prepare for licensure and a career as a registered nurse. A BSN prepares you for practice as an RN and to pass the required licensure exam (NCLEX-RN), but you do not have to hold a BSN degree to pursue RN licensure.
Many aspiring nurses choose to pursue a BSN degree to give them a greater advantage in their future career. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 77.4% of employers are expressing a strong preference for BSN program graduates.4
Is financial aid available?
Eligible BSN candidates may apply for available financial aid and scholarships. You can find information and instructions for scholarships available at WCU-Ontario, such as the Centennial Merit Scholarship on the Undergraduate On-Ground Scholarships and Grants page of our online catalog. You’re also welcome to consult with our WCU-Ontario team of financial aid advisors, who can help you find ways to finance your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. More information is available 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!
1 American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Fact Sheet, Updated Sept. 2022
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
4 American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Employment of New Nurse Graduates and Employer Preferences for Baccalaureate-Prepared Nurses,” October 2021
*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.
Additional Resources:
2a Military Training or Experience
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