If your goal is to advance your education in healthcare, the new West Coast University-Texas is the right place to start the journey. If you are in the Dallas area and interested in pursuing an education in healthcare—particularly nursing—you are invited to explore the numerous opportunities WCU-Texas offers at the grand opening and beyond. Coinciding with National Nurses Week, (May 6-12) West Coast University-Texas’ grand opening is scheduled for May 17 at its new location at 2323 North Central Expressway in Richardson. The event is open to the public and will take place from 4 to 7 p.m., complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, food, entertainment, speakers, and campus tours.
Institutionally accredited, West Coast University began in California in 1909 and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, largely focused on healthcare programs. “According to the Dallas Regional Economic Development Guide, Dallas-Fort Worth’s population has grown by more than 20% over the last decade*,” says Richild Berrick, Ph.D., MSN/Ed, RN, CNE, campus dean of nursing. “WCU specializes in healthcare degrees, including a bachelor’s in nursing, a master’s physician assistant degree, and a master’s degree in occupational therapy. We are so excited to have our formal grand opening so the community can see this amazing campus, our simulation lab with high-fidelity manikins, and all the innovative equipment we use to prepare our nursing students for clinical practice. Our real-world practice helps to build students’ confidence before they step into a healthcare facility. We are proud of our program and what we offer nursing students.”
With 136,000 square feet of innovative learning space, students can study in modern classrooms, practice in simulation labs equipped with industry-current technology and high-fidelity manikins, and even grab a quick bite at the on-site café before class. The goal at WCU-Texas is to build the skills and confidence graduates rely on in the healthcare field. Technologically advanced simulation centers are an integral part of the university’s nursing curriculum. Simulations, coupled with hands-on clinical training, provide students the platform they need to perfect their skills.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students experience a range of patient care situations, from routine to emergency. During simulation sessions, each student practices the functions of a registered nurse–independently. The simulation labs at West Coast University-Texas use a full range of scenarios at all levels of the core nursing program, which includes medical and surgical units, pediatrics, maternity/OB, and mental health.
Because there are no waitlists, classes are available when students need them. WCU’s student-centric approach means students receive one-on-one support every step of the way, from no-cost tutoring to student success advisors. If a student has the passion to make a difference in their community, WCU-Texas is the place, thanks to effective and innovative ways to make a nursing education accessible.
“Nurses have always been the heart of the health care industry,” Dr. Berrick says. “The importance of nurses’ compassion and expertise in patient care, under what can be extremely adverse conditions, can’t be overestimated. However, there continues to be a nursing shortage throughout the healthcare industry, especially in these times when we have experienced unprecedented patient illness precipitated by the pandemic. Having convenient options for students to develop the skills to provide competent, compassionate care to the community makes the profession accessible to those who, historically, could not attend traditional nursing programs due to family and life responsibilities. Providing various training/education opportunities benefits the nursing profession as well as the community we care for.”
Also unique to WCU-Texas is a collective focus on helping students balance life and school. WCU-Texas understands that students have challenges and life responsibilities, such as employment and caregiving roles that may prevent them from being able to complete certain programs to pursue their goals of becoming a nurse. At WCU-Texas, nursing students flourish academically in an environment of support, compassion, and understanding about what is necessary to effectively prepare a professional nurse. “We utilize industry-current technology and active learning and engagement to meet all learning styles and needs,” Dr. Berrick says. “The perfect match for WCU is the student who has the desire and the determination to become a professional registered nurse.”
The grand opening celebration of West Coast University-Texas will provide a welcoming opportunity for potential students to learn more about the online and campus healthcare programs the university offers and get a look at the inviting, modern environment of the campus, which was designed with a focus on nature, complete with a wall inside featuring more than 2,400 live plants, Texas limestone accents, and skylights that allow for an abundance of natural light. Whether you are a traditional student who just graduated from high school, a full-time employee squeezing in educational hours when you can, a returning college student, or a graduate student looking for a new career in healthcare, WCU-Texas welcomes a diverse student population and works with students from all backgrounds to help them achieve their education and goals. https://westcoastuniversity.edu/get-started
To learn more about the grand opening celebration and WCU-Texas in general, visit https://westcoastuniversity.edu/campuses/dallas.
* Dallas Regional Economic Development Guide 2022. https://dallasinnovates.com/dallas-regional-economic-development-guide-2022/
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.
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment.
The opinion is the individual’s sole opinion and not necessarily representative of that of the school, any instructor, or any other student.
Due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, the University has moved some of the on-ground courses into a distance education modality. However, as soon as the COVID-19 circumstances change, students will be expected to return to campus to complete their program onsite in the regular learning modality as approved by WSCUC and outlined in the university catalog.
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