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“During my first clinical rotation as a nursing student, I walked through those doors and I thought to myself: ‘Wow, this is what I’m supposed to do,’” said West Coast University (WCU) graduate Tatiana Costa.
After starting at WCU, Costa was sure that nursing was the career path she wanted to pursue. But, like many students, she did not immediately come to this realization. It wasn’t until after earning a bachelor’s degree in audio engineering and entertainment and years of working at a chiropractic office that Costa was inspired to step into her calling of becoming a nurse.
“I never thought I could be a nurse. I just didn’t think I was smart enough. It wasn’t until my grandmother passed away that I told myself: ‘No, that’s it, I have to work in medicine,’” explained Costa. “It took me eight years from that moment to get here but when I found West Coast University, I made it a point to make nursing school happen.”
The meaningful impact nurses have on the lives of patients is what drives many students like Costa and fellow WCU graduate Curtisha DeMarco to start nursing school. It’s also a reason why nursing ranks as the sixth most respected occupation in the world, according to the Varkey Foundation.
“My dad had colon cancer and so I spent a lot of time in the hospital with him, and a lot of the interactions I had were with the nurses,” shared DeMarco. “That’s what made me want to go back to school to become a nurse.”
Other students are attracted to the nursing field’s high demand, job security, competitive pay, and diversity of specialties. Nursing students have the freedom to concentrate on a particular area based on their interests, which was a strong determining factor for WCU graduate Brianna Diaz when she switched from medical school to nursing school.
“I like that in nursing you can easily transition into different specialties, unlike in medical school where you usually have to pick one specialty and stick to it,” said Diaz. “Nurses are the leaders who connect everyone, which gives you a sense of accomplishment in what you’re doing.”
Regardless of the driving factors that inspire students to pursue nursing, the field’s many attractive benefits have caused U.S. nursing school enrollments to surge in 2020 (AACN). For WCU, that means putting its student-centric approach into high gear and ensuring all students, including those who are switching careers, have an opportunity to succeed in nursing school.
To accomplish this, WCU offers multiple starts throughout the year, with classes beginning every 10 weeks. Evening and weekend classes are available to prevent a student’s work schedule from getting in the way of students like Costa, DeMarco, and Diaz from achieving their dreams.
“I chose WCU because of the flexibility in the times offered, ” shares Diaz, a full-time employee, mother, and student. “I needed it to be conducive to my work, family time, and life. WCU accommodates that.”
At WCU, aspiring nurses can manage their other responsibilities while making the switch into nursing. Nursing programs can be completed at an accelerated pace, with associate degrees in as little as 20 months and bachelor’s degrees in 39 months.
“They’re very accommodating and flexible at West Coast University,” said DeMarco. “If you feel like you don’t have the time for it, you do. West Coast will help you make the time for it and that’s what I really appreciate about the school.”
WCU’s commitment to a student-centric approach extends far beyond its flexible and inclusive nursing programs. The university’s faculty and staff are supportive and invested in each student’s success.
“One thing I do have to say is that I had some of the most amazing professors,” said Costa. “If I didn’t know something they would break it down. If I needed additional help outside of class, they would set up a meeting. They’re extremely available to help.”
WCU Instructor Yanet Velazquez Marichal, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC adds, “I’ll call my students when we have not had a meeting in a while or I see their grade is not doing
well and I tell them ‘let’s talk’. The phone conversations make it more personal and relaxed.”
With the support of WCU professors, flexible programs, and most importantly, a drive to make a difference in the lives of patients, aspiring nurses can achieve their dreams regardless of circumstance.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re 40, 50, 60 or where you are in life, you can go back to school for anything and everything,” said DeMarco. “For me, the fact that the program was accelerated made it a lot easier for me to decide to go back.”
On the other side of that decision to attend nursing school is a lifetime of a fulfilling career.
“Knowing that there are people out there grateful to you for helping you on the worst day of their life really makes the job worthwhile,” said Diaz.
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West Coast University is accredited by WASC Senior College of University Commission (WSCUC), a regional accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). 1001 Marina Village Parkway, Suite 402 Alameda, CA 94501, (510) 748- 9001 / https://www.wscuc.org
The Nursing Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Programs at all campuses are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). 655 K Street, Suite 750, Washington DC 20001, (202) 877-6791, https://www.aacnnursing.org
