How West Coast University Streamlined Student Clinical Readiness with CORE

What if preparing students for clinical readiness wasn’t just a requirement—but a competitive advantage for your nursing program? 

In our latest conversation with Chelsea Van Dine from West Coast University, Alexis Carbone, VP at PeopleGrove+CORE, explored how the WCU team transformed a complex, multi-layered clinical process into a scalable, student-centered experience.  

If your institution is wrestling with onboarding delays, compliance hurdles, or accreditation preparation, this post offers a behind-the-scenes view of a high-performing model worth replicating. Read on for tangible strategies, and practical tools you can apply to your own program. 

A Single Source of Truth for Students 

Chelsea made one thing clear: the clinical experience should never feel fragmented for students. At West Coast University, CORE ELMS is more than a tool; it’s the foundation of the student experience. 

Students begin using CORE as early as week three of their first term. From that point forward, it becomes their central hub for everything clinical. 

Instead of hunting through emails and outdated portals, students land on a personalized homepage with:  

• Custom-branded documents 

• Announcements and welcome messages 

• One-click access to key resources 

Whether they’re preparing for their first placement or submitting final evaluations, the answer is always the same: “Go to CORE.” 

Click here to view the CORE ELMS overview.

Automating Compliance and Onboarding 

When we asked our webinar attendees about their biggest challenge, the answer was a resounding: operational efficiency.  

Chelsea had the same challenge and solved it by leaning into CORE’s automation capabilities. 

Take the messaging center, for example: 

• Custom templates and workflows enable automated reminders. CORE sends personalized emails prompting students to complete clinical readiness requirements.  

• No more chasing students manually. 

Faculty and staff get their time back, allowing them to focus on coaching and student support instead of checklists and follow-ups. 

• Readiness Isn’t Just Checkboxes—It’s Coaching 

One of the most powerful insights from Chelsea? Clinical readiness isn’t just about compliance, it’s about confidence.  With CORE Readiness, WCU delivers both required compliance modules (like HIPAA and bloodborne pathogen training) and custom content tailored to the clinical environment: 

• What to expect in clinical settings  

• How to communicate with preceptors 

• What professionalism looks like in real life 

Every module is tracked, reported, and integrated into ELMS, ensuring a seamless handoff from learning to doing. 

Clinical Placements Without Headaches 

Placement processes can be notoriously complex, especially for post-licensure programs 

Chelsea tackled this challenge by customizing CORE’s Site Prospector tool with: 

• Multiple student submission forms  

• Automated responses 

• Targeted workflows 

• Configurable responses for placement or preceptor requests 

And for hospital onboarding? WCU granted limited coordinator access to hospital partners. That way they only see what’s relevant, reducing friction and unnecessary back-and-forth.  

From Accreditation to Career Differentiation 

A standout moment from the webinar was Chelsea’s strategy for preparing for dual CCNE and CNEA accreditations: 

Using CORE’s access control and reporting tools, she: 

• Created read-only logins for accreditors 

• Configured exactly what hospital partners could view 

• Produced all required documentation in minutes 

The result? A full ten-year accreditation, with zero last-minute scrambling. 

But readiness isn’t just about accreditation, it’s also about helping students stand out in a field where everyone graduates with the same credentials.  

With CORE MyCred, students can build and share their ePortfolio: 

•  Highlight their unique experiences (like assisting in rare procedures) 

•  Document service (like volunteering at vaccine clinics)  

• Own a lifelong record of their professional development 

Let CORE Do the Heavy Lifting 

The biggest takeaway from our conversation? You don’t need to rebuild your processes to improve them.   

With the right platform: 

• Automate what can be automated 

• Centralize every step of the student journey 

• Track the metrics that matter, like accreditation, satisfaction, and placement outcomes 

West Coast University is proof that it’s possible, and CORE is purpose-built to help you do it. 

Ready to See It in Action?

Let’s explore how CORE can support your nursing program. Whether you’re focused on: 

• Streamlining placements 

• Enhancing student readiness 

• Simplifying accreditation prep 

• Creating a student-centric experience 

Our platform and experienced team are here to help you get there. 

Schedule a conversation to see how CORE can help your program. Whether you're focused on readiness, placements, or accreditation, we have purpose-built solutions to meet you where you are.