Congratulations to Cohort 1 for their 100% NCLEX-RN license exam pass rate!
Advance 2 BSN FAQ:
CLICK HERE to download the complete FAQ as a PDF file.
Advance 2 BSN was developed to be responsive to the present and projected nursing shortage. It is designed to enable the student with a previous baccalaureate degree to earn a baccalaureate degree in nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX (National Council on Licensure Examination) upon successful program completion. This is an intensive program which builds upon the student's previous education.
What are the prerequisite requirements before admission?
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university
2. Applicants must have completed the following courses or equivalents at either West Chester University or another accredited college/university before beginning the nursing program. Pre-requisites must be completed prior to making application.
Prerequisite Courses (taken at, or equivalent to, WCU courses):
BIO 100: Basic Biological Science [3 credits]
*BIO 259: Anatomy & Physiology I [4 credits]
*BIO 269: Anatomy & Physiology II [4 credits]
CHE/CRL 107: General Chemistry for Allied Health Sciences [4 or 5 credits of a fundamentals course with a lab]
SOC 200: Introduction to Sociology [3 credits]
PSY 100 Introduction to Psychology [3 credits]
MAT 121 Statistics [3 credits]
BIO 204 Microbiology (didactic and lab) [4 credits]
PSY210 or HEA 206 Human Development (focuses on development thru the lifespan) [3 credits]
* = Must have been completed within the past 5 years
Click here for Self-Service Check for Course Equivalencies. Use this link to see if courses taken at another college are considered equivalent to WCU courses (downloaded file requires a spreadsheet application). If so, you can apply to have the credits transferred to WCU. We do not review transcripts prior to application!
If your college/university is not listed or if there is no equivalent course listed, please refer to the WCU course catalog for a description of the prerequisite course. Using the description and our requirements above, you can determine if this course may be acceptable. A final determination will be made upon application.
How do I apply?
DO NOT APPLY ONLINE!
Once all of the above are completed e-mail Linda Morrow at lmorrow@wcupa.edu providing your name, address and phone number and request an application.
What do I include with my application ?
When you receive the application, complete it according to the directions and enclose official transcripts from all previously attended institutions (including a personal statement).
Mail this packet to the Nursing Department (on the label). Do not send any of these materials to the admissions office.
If you are an international student and have transcripts through WES, request that these be sent directly to the department of nursing at the address on your package label.
If you are a graduate of WCU, please note this in a cover letter. There is no need to provide official transcripts for this degree. If, however, you transferred credits into WCU from another institution, you must provide official transcripts from this institution.
Can I speak or meet with someone before application to go over my transcripts?
Due to the large volume of inquiries and applications, we are unable to meet with prospective students or pre-approve courses before making application.
What is the admission process?
Once we receive the application, we will review it and contact you as to whether it is denied (and the reason) or if we wish to schedule an interview.
What happens if I’m contacted for an interview?
If you receive a letter stating that we wish to interview, please respond to Linda Morrow choosing one of the available times ASAP. During the interview we will review your application and the proposed schedule for the program. An interview is not a guarantee of acceptance into the program.
When does the program start?
Programs begin either in January or in May and include five (5) consecutive semesters of intensive course and clinical work. A mandatory orientation day is also required.
January – Spring, Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer
May – Summer, Fall, Spring, Summer, Fall
Can I work during this program?
Due to the concentrated nature of this program, it is the expectation that the student will devote considerable time to their studies; therefore we do not recommend full time work and would suggest no more than 20 hours per week for most students. For others, 20 hours may be too much also.
What is the difference between the Advance 2 BSN program and the Traditional undergraduate program?
The nursing courses are the same, but are offered in a different format and do not include summer sessions.
When are classes held?
Classes vary according to the semester but in general:
During summer session, you have classes four days per week, clinical times vary between day and evening.
During the fall and spring semesters, clinical hours are on the weekends and may also include day or evening rotations.
During the fall and spring semesters, classroom hours are either on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday evenings for 5-6 hours. We try to keep the same night for each cohort throughout the semesters.
What is the course sequence ?
Depending on the semester courses may meet during the day or evening, and may include weekends. During an interview you would review the exact schedule for the cohort for which you are applying.
Semester 1:
NSG 212 Nursing Theories & Concepts 3 credits
NSL 212 Nursing Theories & Concepts Lab 3 credits
NSG 310 Human Response to Disease 3 credits
Semester 2:
NSG 311 Adaptation I 5 credits
*NSL 311 Adaptation I Lab 5 credits
*NSL Lab component includes Maternity & Gerontology (Residential Communities)
Semester 3:
NSG 312 Adaptation II 6 credits
*NSL 312 Adaptation II 5 credits
*NSL Lab component includes Pediatrics, Developmental Delay & Gerontology (Assisted Living Communities)
Semester 4:
NSG 411 Advanced Adaptational Problems I 6 credits
*NSL 411 Advanced Adaptation Problems I Lab 5 credits
*Lab component includes Medical/Surgical & Community Health
Semester 5:
NSG 412 Advanced Adaptation Problems II 6 credits
*NSL 412 Advanced Adaptation Problems II Lab 5 credits
*Lab component includes Medical/Surgical & Mental Health
Additional Information:
- Two (2) Nursing electives must be taken prior to Graduation
- Nutrition must be taken prior to NSG/NSL 312
- All courses/labs must be successfully completed each semester before moving to the next course.
Students must keep the entire lab day free. Clinical hours vary and may extend into or be scheduled during the evening hours.
What if I have more questions?
You can contact Dr. Cheryl Monturo at cmonturo@wcupa.edu for more information. Please send all questions via e-mail.
Please note that due to high demand we are unable to schedule visits with applicants to review transcripts or discuss the accelerated tract.
