History in the Making: Westcliff’s College of Nursing Welcomes its First Students
They say the first steps are the ones you never forget, and this past week Westcliff’s College of Nursing watched its BSN and ELM students take theirs at the inaugural New Student Orientation on the Corona, Calif. campus. For the first time, students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Entry-Level Master (ELM) of Science in Nursing programs crossed the threshold into a campus that had, until now, lived only in brochures and tours. As they stepped inside, the halls pulsed with energy and anticipation, marking the true beginning of their nursing careers.
“My mom raised me telling me stories about her nursing career,” said BSN student Emma Piazza. “It was everything I wanted. So when I saw this opportunity, I knew I had to take it.”
What Piazza felt was reflected in the smiles of her classmates, each of them ready to take in the significance of orientation and the day.
The Start of Something Lasting
The College of Nursing’s very first orientation stretched across two days — BSN students filling the halls on August 28, while ELM students followed close behind on September 2. From the moment they checked in, the building buzzed with enthusiasm and smiles. Students proudly slung Westcliff-branded tote bags filled with swag over their shoulders and headed to the cameras for official headshots—a milestone moment that felt as significant as a first driver’s license photo.
The energy quickly shifted to icebreakers and introductions, with get-to-know-you bingo cards sparking laughter and easing nerves. For the ELM cohort, slipping into crisp new scrubs offered a first glimpse of life as the nurses they are preparing to become. Faculty and staff joined in the excitement, sharing in campus tours and expressing their delight at how seamlessly orientation was unfolding.
“It’s all so full circle,” said Veronica Jimenez, associate director of nursing operations. “To see it from the very beginning, in the regulatory phase and then the buildout, I can’t be any happier. I’m just so excited to finally see students here and start our first cohorts.”
The classrooms and labs students toured would soon become the training ground for some of the hardest, most rewarding work of their lives. As a practicing nurse, Dr. Erica Martinez, executive director of nursing, knows this all too well.
“It’ll be hard. We don’t say that lightly,” stated Dr. Martinez. “But you will get through it. Some people who are used to being high performers may struggle at first, and that’s normal. The important thing is knowing you’re not alone. Our staff and faculty are always here to help.”
Encouraged by mentors and supported by an abundance of resources, these new cohorts have what it takes to handle the tough road ahead.
From Classroom to Career
Orientation also gave students a first real taste of what lies ahead in their programs. For some, the journey begins with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a three-year path designed for students starting fresh or transferring credits. They will begin with general education and science courses before moving into hands-on labs, clinical preceptorships, and preparation for the NCLEX exam.
Others are taking a bold leap into a new career through the Entry-Level Master (ELM) of Science in Nursing program, created for college graduates and career changers ready to enter nursing with a graduate-level edge. The program blends simulation-based training, clinical rotations in hospitals and community settings, and advanced coursework in leadership and decision-making.
“Honestly, it’s very close to my house, and I work pretty close here too, so I’m just trying to keep everything local,” said BSN student Jayro Paredes. “But overall I’m feeling great. I’m most excited to finally get into it, start my career, and keep moving toward bigger things.”
That feeling was echoed by students like Gem Acabal, who joined the ELM program after working as a music teacher. “A little nervous about studying, but very, very excited,” she laughs. “I started off actually as a music teacher, but once I started making more friends in the medical field and getting to know things, I was thinking, oh my gosh, this is actually very similar to teaching in the sense that you get to connect with different people.”
Acabal added that orientation helped make it all feel real. “I love being here at a brand-new school. I love all the facilities and the location. ”
Pioneers of the College of Nursing
Whether in BSN or ELM, orientation marked the moment students began picturing themselves not just in classrooms, but in clinics, hospitals, and community health centers — the very places where they will put their training to work.
That vision feels real to ELM student Isaiah Sanchez, who is balancing school and a job. “I work a weekend job where I can only work on the weekends and Westcliff offers me flexibility,” he said.
No matter the reason, these first cohorts carry more than just tote bags and new scrubs — they carry the weight of a milestone moment, stepping into history as the pioneers of Westcliff’s College of Nursing.
For more information on Westcliff’s College of Nursing, please visit: https://techsb.westcliff.edu/nursing.