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How will I know if my courses will be accepted?oUse the Transcript Self-Review form at the end of this document.oGenerally, if your course was taught at an accredited university or college, has the same or more creditload, and has a title very similar to the WCU equivalent course it will transfer.oYou must check the Transfer Credit Center on the WCU website to determine if your courses will beaccepted from another school. If your course is not on the site, you may appeal the courserequirement with the Registrar at WCU.I never took a BIO100 course, do I need to go back and take that?oYes, Introduction to Biology (BIO 100 or its equivalent) is required.You may take either an introductory biology course or a CLEP exam in Introductory Biology to get credit.What are the age limits on prerequisite courses on course I have already taken?ooPrerequisites more than 10 years old will be reviewed on an individual basis.Science courses Intro to Biology, Microbiology, and Introduction to Chemistry must be completed nomore than 5 years from the start of the program.oAnatomy and Physiology must be completed less than 3 years from the start of the cohort. Thismeans that the second A&P course for Cohort 16 cannot be older than the spring of 2017. We require thisdue to our finding that newer A&P credit correlates with success in NSG 310 (Human Responses toDisease).I am having difficulty finding a chemistry course that is equivalent to CHE/CRL107. What should I do?ooCHE/CRL 107 at WCU is 5 credits. We will accept a 4-credit introductory chemistry course from anotheruniversity if it included a laboratory component described on the transcript.A strong biochemistry component is preferred when choosing a chemistry course.Do nursing courses from other universities transfer?oNo, nursing courses do not transfer.I would like to test out of some courses. Can I CLEP any pre-requisites?oYes, if you feel you have the background, but not the college course credit, for Basic Biology, IntroductoryPsychology, Introductory Sociology, and/or Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan you cantake the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam.oYou must score at least a 50.oFor further information, see http://www.wcupa.edu/registrar/testCredit.aspxMy science course did not have a lab. Will you accept it?oNo, you will still need the lab. Chemistry including a lab must total 4 credits. Anatomy and Physiologymust total 8 credits including a lab. Microbiology must total 4 credits including a lab.Do you still have rolling admissions?oNo. Starting with this cohort we will accept all applications during the window of June 1 to August 15. Onlythe selected applicants will then be invited for an interview.6Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

I have a misdemeanor/felony in my background. Will that be a problem?oAll students must submit to criminal background and drug screening checks before attending off-campusclinical courses. Many clinical agencies we use will not allow students with certain criminal backgroundsinto their agency. In such situations you could no longer remain a student. Additionally, some crimes mayprohibit you from getting a nursing license. See the BSN Student Handbook for more details.My degree is from outside the USA. How to I apply?oThe process is the same for USA graduates but you will need to have your transcripts reviewed first at yourexpense.oGo to http://www.wcupa.edu/ admissions/sch adm/international.aspx and follow the directions forInternational Admission Transfer Applicants.oNative English speaker or scores at least a 80 on TOEFL exam or as specified on theInternational Student Admissions page athttp://www.wcupa.edu/ admissions/sch adm/internationaladmissions.aspIf your bachelor’s degree is from a non-USA university you will need to pay for a transcript review asdescribed on the International Student Admissions page.What is the TEAS exam?oTEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) is a multiple-choice assessment of basic academic knowledge inreading, mathematics, science, English and language usage. The time limit is 209 minutes. Thecomputerized exam contains 170 four-option multiple-choice questions and must be taken in a proctoredenvironment. Calculators may NOT be used for the test. Test results are available 48 hours aftercompletion of the test.oSee ol/TEAS.aspx for test information. Look at thebottom of the page for the Register for the TEAS button. Select TEAS for Nursing and select a testing site.WCU does NOT offer the exam on our campus.oThe minimum score for application eligibility is 75. However, the average accepted student has had TotalScore averaging 85 in recent cohorts.oTEAS scores must be taken within 2 years of applying to the programoRequest that ATI send your score to the West Chester University Admissions Department. This will usuallybe an extra charge unless you take the exam at a PSI Testing Center. Admissions must have a copy ofyour TEAS report in order for you to apply to WCU.oAttach a copy of your TEAS score and breakdown with your Transcript Self-ReviewoWe DO NOT substitute, require, or accept SAT, ACT, or GRE scores in lieu the TEAS.oYou should repeat the exam if you score less than 75. We only consider your latest score.Where can I take the TEAS exam?oThe TEAS is NOT administered at WCU.oMany community colleges offer the exam. You can also to ATITesting.com and to one of their regionaltesting centers. Some local locations offering the TEAS include Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Penn StateBerks and Lehigh campuses, Delaware County Community College, and Berks County Community College.oIf you cannot find a local college then register for the test at a PSI Testing Center through the ATI web site.7Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

Application FAQsHow do I submit my application?The following gets submitted to the NursingDepartment: June 1st to August 15The following gets submitted to WCU Admissions bySept 1st1.Transcript Self-Review1.Completed online application.2.Copy of your TEAS score and breakdown2.Official transcripts from all schools attended.Send to:Carolyn Meehan PhD RNATTN: Advance to BSN Cohort930 East Lincoln Highway: Suite 100Exton, PA 19341-28483.Copy of your official TEAS score.4. Application fee.EMAIL transcripts and TEAS to:[email protected] mail directly to:ADMISSIONS at WCUPAMessikomer Hall100 W. Rosedale Ave.West Chester, PA 19383I went to West Chester University; do I still need to send transcripts to Admissions?oNo. Current or previous WCU students do not need to send WCU transcripts. We have access to themalready.oYou will still need to submit transcripts of any higher education courses you completed at any other 2 or 4year institution.Do you need recommendation letters, SAT scores, or high school records?oDO NOT send high school transcripts, GRE, SAT, or ACT scores. These are not used in admission decisions.oDO NOT send letters of recommendation or references. These are not used in admission decisions.How do I improve my chances of admission?oHave most prerequisites completed, particularly the science courses. It is OK to apply if you still have onescience course to complete in the spring.oHave good grades in your first degree and prerequisites courses. If you have poor prerequisite grades youshould retake the courses before applying.oGet experience with nurses and understand what nursing is. Volunteer at a hospital or get a caregiving job.Learn about what is meant by the science of nursing.8Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

Post-Application/Interview FAQsWill I be interviewed?oOnly applicants who have submitted all transcripts, TEAS score, and a Transcript Self-Review before August15 will be considered for interviews.oIf you are invited to a group interview you will be sent a link to schedule it. Interviews will be held onvarious weekdays in September. Group interviews will have up to 5 candidates at a time.oApplications with missing self-reviews, transcripts, TEAS scores, or are below minimum GPA requirementswill not be invited to the interview stage.What happens at the interview?oYou will be able to tour the facility and see our simulation labs and classrooms.oDuring the group interview we will ask you why you choosing nursing as a career and why you want tocome to WCU.oYou will have time to ask questions you may have about the program.oDr. Meehan may ask questions about your progress in completing prerequisites, and you will have theopportunity to ask questions privately.When will admission decisions be made?oAfter interviews begin we will begin to offer admission to outstanding applicants soon after interviewsbegin. All applicants who are selected for admission will be notified via e-mail no later than November30.What happens after I am admitted?oAdmitted students will later receive a formal letter from Admissions and will be required to submit adeposit within 30 days of receiving the letter to hold their spot.oAdmitted students will be offered an opportunity to take NSG 310 Human Responses to Disease in thespring semester prior to beginning the summer session.oYou will receive a letter explaining the next steps in enrolling, and a Student Agreement form that affirmsyour acceptance of admission and agreement to follow the required curriculum.oIn the beginning of May you will have an all-day Orientation to the program before classes begin.If I am not admitted after the interview is there any chance of being admitted later?oYes. Sometimes admitted students choose to not attend WCU after accepting admission. In those cases wewill contact prior applicants who meet our admission criteria and offer admission if you are still interested.9Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

Financial Aid & Cost FAQsWhat does the Advance 2 BSN Program cost?oThe fees and tuition are same as all other bachelor degrees at WCU. See the Bursar’s page at:http://www.wcupa.edu/ information/afa/fiscal/bursar/tuition.aspoIn-state tuition and fees for the five semester of the program are currently around 24,000. Out-of-statetuition and fees will be around 48,000. Tuition and fee increases have been common annually, so preparefor increases.oHousing and meal costs are additional. On-campus housing is generally not available for students in thisprogram.oDuring the first weeks of the program you will spend at least 4000 on books, equipment, uniforms, andthe ATI study program. The ATI program provides study guides, online testing for practice, NCLEX-RNlicensure exam practice and an in-person NCLEX-RN prep class. You will need to spend around 2000 thefirst summer session on these items.oA smartphone or handheld computer is recommended for electronic reference titles and healthcareapplications.oA laptop with Windows 10 or Mac OS is required [it does not need to be verypowerful]. An inexpensive monochrome laser printer is also very helpful and isrecommended.Do I pay upfront for the entire program, or billed each semester?oEach semester is billed separately and is due at the start of each semester.oBe aware that some student loans only pay for students beginning in the fall semester. Our program startsin May so you may be responsible to find another funding source for the first semester.Would I be considered a full-time student?oYes, students are considered full-time in the program. During the summer session you only need 6 creditsto be considered full time.Do I pay in-state or out-of-state tuition?o Generally, you need to be living in Pennsylvania for 12 consecutive months prior to admission to beconsidered an in-state student. See residency details at the Registrars page:http://www.wcupa.edu/registrar/res reg.aspIs there financial aid/scholarships available?oWCU does not offer scholarships in the form of discounted tuition. There are outside scholarships that mayreduce your costs. Go to the Financial Aid department on Main Campus to search for available money.oAid is often dependent on things such as your previous student loan amounts and other parameters, so itmay not be available. Also, check with a tax advisor on the deductibility of your education expenses.oStudents may arrange for payment plans with the Financial Aid office.oThe Nursing Department does not provide financial aid counseling or scholarship information.oGo to the Bursar’s web page for links to financial aid options:http://www.wcupa.edu/ information/afa/fiscal/bursar/default.asp10Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

Curriculum Progression FAQsIs the Advance 2 BSN program the same as the traditional undergraduate program?oThe courses are the same but taught only with other Advance 2 BSN students. The core courses also runthrough the summers in an accelerated format, unlike the traditional program.What classes are required?o1 Human Response to Disease course (NSG 310)o12 Core Nursing courses:NSG 212, NSL 212, NSG 367, NSG 311, NSL 311, NSG 312, NSL 312, NSG 313, NSG 411, NSL 411, NSG412, NSL 412 (see course description section for more detail)oNursing elective(s) (for a total of 3 credits)When and where are classes held?oClassroom courses NSG 311, NSG 312, and NSG 411 are held weekdays on campus during the fall andspring semesters. They are 2 or 4 hour blocks on weekdays.oClassroom courses NSG212 and NSG412 are held weekdays during the day in the summer for 9 weeks.NSL 212 and 412 clinical courses are also held during weekdays during the summer. Classes run fromMonday to Thursday.oClinical courses NSL 311, NSL 312, NSL 411, and NSL 412 are held in area hospitals, clinics, andcommunity health settings.oClinical courses NSL 212 and NSL 412 are held in summer two days a week on weekdays. NSL 311, 312,and 411 are held on the weekends during the fall and spring semesters, averaging 11 hours per week.oSome rotations may differ slightly with longer clinical hours on some days and other days off. Shifts varybetween days, evenings, and nights. You must keep your calendar open from Friday to Sunday eveningin the fall and spring semesters.oClassroom classes NSG367 Pharmacology (3 credits) and NSG313 Nursing Research (3 credits) are at theExton or Main West Chester campus and are scheduled as daytime classes weekdays in the first fall andspring semesters.oNSG 310 Human Responses to Disease is held in the spring and summer during the afternoon. NSG 310may be taken before beginning the first summer courses of NSG/NSL 212.How long is a semester?oFall and Spring semesters are 15 weeks in length (14 weeks of classes plus one week of final exams).oSummer semesters include SS1 and SS2 as one 9-week semester for the NSG courses. There is a one-weekbreak at July 4th. Non-nursing courses run 5-weeks in SS1 or SS2.oSummer post-session (or sometimes called Summer III) and Winter Session (the first weeks of January) are2-3 weeks in length, and may be shorter for some courses. We do not teach any core courses during thesesemesters, but you may use these sessions for nursing elective courses that may be available.oWe follow the University Academic Calendar for classes, holidays, and breaks. We also follow Universityclosings for weather or other emergencies. For the latest 2-year calendar to WCU.edu and search forAcademic Calendar.11Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

Are there any courses I need to take before starting?oNSG 310 is encouraged to be taken in the Spring semester before starting the program. Accepted Cohort15 students can enroll in late November for NSG 310 that runs from January to MayoAny remaining prerequisite courses must be completed by May 20. Admitted students will not bepermitted to enter the program if there any unfulfilled prerequisites.What elective courses are offered?oYou need a minimum of three (3) credits of nursing electives in addition to the required nursing courses.oElectives are offered in fall, spring, and interim semesters (Interim are the times between Fall and Spring,and between Spring and Summer semesters)oThe possible elective courses are listed in this Guide, however only a few of these courses are availablefrom semester to semester.oWCU has increasingly been offering international travel courses for the Interim periods. These have costsfor both tuition and travel.oYou are permitted to take more than 3 credits of elective but you may not be in an overload for thatsemester.What is a passing grade?oFor all NSG/NSL courses the grade is a C (minimum of 73%). You will take the NSG and NSL portions ofthe courses together (i.e. NSG311 and NSL311) so you must pass BOTH courses with a minimum of73% in order to progress.What happens if I do not pass a course?o If you do not achieve the minimum grade as outlined above you will not be permitted to progress in theprogram. Due to space limitations you will also need to apply for readmission to the program and beadmitted only if a space is available with the next Cohort.Is anything in this document subject to change?oYes. Policies change regularly so be sure to download the latest A2B Information Guide and UndergraduateStudent Handbook, and check the WCU Undergraduate Handbook. Each course syllabus will be specific tocourse requirements.Please Note: This document is informational and is accurate as of March 2019. The information and policies described here aresubject to change and should not be considered contractual in any way. See the most current Department and Universityhandbooks and catalogs for official information and policies.12Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

West Chester University of PADepartment of NursingAdvance 2 BSN CurriculumSequence of CoursesBegins May 2019 (Cohort 15)CourseNSG 212NSL 212Nursing FundamentalsNSG 3101Human Response toDiseaseNSG 311NSL 311Community & MaternityNursingNSG 367PharmacologyNSG 312NSL 312Pediatric & GeriatricNursingNursing Elective2NSG 313Nursing ResearchNSG 412NSL 412Medical/Surgical & PublicHealthNSG 411NSL 411Medical/Surgical &Psychiatric Nursing12Credits1st Summer201933X3X1ST Fall201945X3XSpring202055XAt least4X3X552nd Summer20202ND Fall2020XX55X NSG 310 may be taken in the Spring semester prior to 1 st Summer Nursing Elective must total a minimum of 4 credits. May be taken any semester or interim semester that is not an overload.Classroom courses are usually taught in Exton weekdays in the afternoons and early evening but is subject to change.Summer classes and clinicals are held Monday-Thursday during the day.Fall & Spring classes are held Monday-Friday. Fall & Spring clinical courses are held at off-campus at clinical agencies onSaturday or Sunday for a 11-12 hour shift, or on both Saturday and Sunday for a 5.5 to 6 hour shift on both days.13Cohort 15 A2B Application Guide: January 2018

Advance-2-BSN Course DescriptionsRequired CoursesAlthough the nursing course descriptions have been separated between theory (NSG) and clinical (NSL)components for clarity, students must take the theory and clinical components concurrently. Failure in a NSGcourse requires repeating of its related NSL course regardless of grade.NSG 212 -- NURSING THEORIES AND CONCEPTS [3 credit hours]In this course the student will examine various nursing theories and concepts; conceptual frameworks; theories from otherdisciplines which apply to nursing; nursing history; nursing education; professionalism in nursing; the nursing process;leadership; ethical, legal, and political and economic aspects of nursing; introduction to research process; and current issues innursing. This course serves as a foundation for subsequent nursing courses in the upper division.NSL 212 -- NURSING THEORIES AND CONCEPTS LAB [3 credit hours](Must be taken with NSG 212). This clinical experience includes interviewing skills, physical and psychosocial assessment, vitalsigns measurement, basic hygienic practices, body mechanics, and infection control. Students are required to take a NursingLab Practical Exam at the end of this course.NSG 310 - - HUMAN RESPONSE TO DISEASE [3 credit hours]Examination of core concepts of alterations of human responses to disease processes at the cellular and systemic level. Thiscourse focuses on illness as it affects major body systems. Students will identify and analyze prototypical clinical situations,which will provide a foundation for their nursing practice. This course will link clinical situations to their underlying mechanismof disorder and provide a sound knowledge for the practice of professional nursing. For Advance 2 BSN students ONLY.NSG 311 – CARE OF THE CHILDBEARING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY-BASED NURSING [4 credit hours]This course emphasizes the childbearing family and individuals in various community settings. Content will focus on preventionof illness and promotion of health by assessment of the health status, appropriate intervention, and evaluation of the healthpromotion plan. Chronic states as

Thank you for your interest in the Advance 2 BSN Accelerated Second Degree Program at West Chester University. This 18-month program is for those who already have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline and want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in order to be eligible to take the