Any disadvantages to WGU? Considering the program

Nursing Students Western Governors

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I am a 48 y/o with ADN and am planning to finally start RN to BSN program. I am considering a couple of programs, and have been looking at . The costs and time involved seem almost too good to be true. I hope to do this while working full time, and want to enroll in a program that is a good program, that will allow me to continue to work, and to have some family time too.

I welcome advice and opinions. Thank you!

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

They have a scholarship tab in the school financial aid website. I got $1000 / term from AARP (you only had to be 40 to qualify - and let's just say I was waaaaaay over-'qualified' for it.)

Also, if you live in a state college state (Indiana, Texas, Washington and ??Florida) there are usually scholarship monies there as well.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

I am waaaaay over 40 and I am in Texas. I really need to do this, but with my husbands job facing long term lay off I cannot get into debt right now. Any tips on how to access those state monies marycarney?

I did test and get accepted there a while back, but they were no help on the scholarship stuff and I could not find anything.....

Thanks for letting me know what you were able to find.

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

I loved my experience with while I was getting my BSN. The only drawback is the stupid 3.0 GPA. I wish they would just list it as "pass/fail." I had a 3.97 GPA out of nursing school and definitely didn't like having a 3.0 on my record. Anyway, I am starting my MSN through WGU, and have applied for a local post-grad program come next fall. I verified ahead of time that they accept WGU degrees, but I am a little worried about how my "3.0" GPA will affect my application. I guess we will find out!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

WGU Indiana has been working with DNP programs with the dread '3.5 GPA' rule to accept MSN grads. They have really gone the extra mile in trying to help their grads go further.

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On 8/22/2012 at 8:42 AM, meanmaryjean said:

They have a scholarship tab in the school financial aid website. I got $1000 / term from AARP (you only had to be 40 to qualify - and let's just say I was waaaaaay over-'qualified' for it.)

Also, if you live in a WGU state college state (Indiana, Texas, Washington and ??Florida) there are usually scholarship monies there as well.

@meanmaryjean sorry this is unrelated to scholarships etc… I believe you said you work for ? I’m taking my prerequisites to apply to the prelicensure nursing program at WGU currently.. I live in Indiana and was wondering when the cohorts start each year? In a group on facebook many students are saying it’s only March. My last semester for prerequisites is Spring 2022 so I wouldn’t be able to apply but was hoping there would be an option later in the year? 

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
1 hour ago, courtneyjohnson said:

@meanmaryjean sorry this is unrelated to scholarships etc… I believe you said you work for WGU? I’m taking my prerequisites to apply to the prelicensure nursing program at WGU currently.. I live in Indiana and was wondering when the cohorts start each year? In a group on facebook many students are saying it’s only March. My last semester for prerequisites is Spring 2022 so I wouldn’t be able to apply but was hoping there would be an option later in the year? 

It really depends on where in the state you live. Indy metro area has multiple start dates per year. Elkhart/ Ft. Wayne, Vincennes/ Evansville areas tend to only have on in Feb/ March. 

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@meanmaryjean okay! I think I’ve been misunderstanding start dates. A rep said the term 1 of prelicensure nursing program starts once a month like all other programs but the second term that has clinicals where you have to be basically accepted again is the part that has only 1 or 2 start dates a year? Is that right? 

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

That is incorrect- and if you would be willing to share that person's name (privately of course) I'll make sure they get connected to the correct info. There are dedicated prelicensure (PL) enrollment people because the policies and such are so different from the rest of 'big '. Sometimes when the PL people get overloaded with applicants- one of these others steps in to help out. I suspect that's who you communicated with. 

The preclinical term starts as I mentioned previously. You have to get all of the courses completed as well as compliance (immunizations, background check etc) done in that six-month term in order to qualify for the clinical part of the program. So if you get everything done- you are guaranteed a spot. BUT if you don't you lose the chance basically forever. 

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