Finished my MSN this morning - ask me anything!

Nursing Students Western Governors

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I completed the final oral defense for my MSN through this morning. I also have my BSN from WGU.

Completed RN-to-BSN in one, six month term, and the MSN in 11 months and five days (not that I'm counting!)

Two degrees for under $10K out of pocket, including books. (I received a total of $2K in scholarships)

So----- I'm going to put myself out there and if you would like info about either program from a recent grad -hit me up!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

Hi there. I just finished the MSN program so I will try to answer your questions. Keep in mind that I did the MSN in Leadership, so I do not know if the Education track is different.

The capstone is typically done as your final class. It is not something that you work on throughout your program, but at the end. It actually comprises two classes - in the first class you submit your proposal, and only once it's approved are you supposed to actually conduct your project and then write about it.

The project is not meant to be new research. You are supposed to identify a quality improvement project at your place of work, come up with an intervention based on the currently available literature, introduce the intervention, and then measure the outcome.

There is really no statistics involved, but you do have to be FAMILIAR with quantitative/qualitative research and have an understanding of evidence strength and hierarchy. But you shouldn't worry, because every class you complete before this leads you up to and prepares you for this final project.

Oral defense consists of a powerpoint presentation (which is pretty much your thesis/capstone paper in powerpoint form, condensed to salient points) that you present via webcam on your computer. So it's recording you presenting the powerpoint, and it presents the powerpoint slides at the same time (split screen). You then upload the video and it's graded. It's no longer done in real-time via Skype with an actual group of people.

Yes, if you work hard, you should be able to complete the whole program in under a year. Many people here have (I am NOT one of them).

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Thinking about attending for MSN Ed. Is it too good to be true? I'd like to hear from anyone who has exp with their programs.

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Specializes in ER.

Did the msn require any clinical hours?

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I have looked at 's website for information on getting the BSN while working on the MSN, but I haven't found anything. I would like to begin one of the RN-MSN programs and get my BSN along the way. Is this still possible? Any tips logistically on how to do it (not on the coursework but on how to request it from WGU)? Thank you.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.
I have looked at WGU's website for information on getting the BSN while working on the MSN, but I haven't found anything. I would like to begin one of the RN-MSN programs and get my BSN along the way. Is this still possible? Any tips logistically on how to do it (not on the coursework but on how to request it from WGU)? Thank you.

Yes, you get your BSN on the way. Your mentor will put in the application when you have met requirements - this is definitely still true as I see it almost every day on the facebook page.

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Thank you. Which Facebook page is most helpful/relevant for nursing? Is there a WGU FB page specifically for nursing? I found more than one FB page related to WGU.

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How many credits did you need to get your RN to BSN?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
How many credits did you need to get your RN to BSN?

Not sure to whom this is directed. Most people need 35-50 credits, it seems.

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So after getting MSN from , what kind of career change would you have? Are you eligible to become administrator with the clinical experience?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
So after getting MSN from WGU, what kind of career change would you have? Are you eligible to become administrator with the clinical experience?

Sure. As a nurse with an MSN in Leadership and relevant entry level supervisory experience, I am eligible for unit/department nurse manager positions, and then once I've done that for a couple years, I want to move into a director-level position. I don't hold out hope for a CNO position without a PhD, though.

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Marycarney,

I'm not sure how to send you a message, as this is my first post. I would like to pick your brain a bit about the MSN program if you don't mind!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Marycarney,

I'm not sure how to send you a message, as this is my first post. I would like to pick your brain a bit about the MSN program if you don't mind!

There are several of us here who have completed the MSN program. Feel free to post your questions in the forum and we will try to answer them.

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