Has anyone done the WGU online RN to BSN program?

Nursing Students Western Governors

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Has anyone taken any classes from , the RN to BSN program? It looks like a great program, but the classes are not your typical pay per class style. They go by a 6 month period, you pay a fee for that period and can take or test out of as many classes as you would like.

I also like the fact that when I told them I could not start until the fall of 2010 they kept my name and information on file and update me once a month, but are not pushing. I filled out a form for info on another college 2 days ago and they haven't stopped calling, calling, calling since. I do not like the pressure tactics. Thank you.:uhoh3:

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Frequent reader, but just signed up so I could ask a few questions...

I am seriously considering going the RN - BSN route through WGU. I have researched for months and really like the idea of doing the program at my own pace. However, I do have a few questions if someone that has gone through the program would be so kind as to answer them.

1) I believe I should have most, if not all, of my prerequisite classes completed so am in hopes I can jump right in to the actual nursing content. Do those classes require proctored exams or webcams? I'm a bit confused if that is for prerequisite classes only or for all classes throughout the program.

2) Still on exams... what are the exams for the nursing classes like? Timed? Multiple choice and/or multiple response? Open book? How many are there for each class on average? And also, I read somewhere that if you don't pass an exam you pay a fee to retake it... any truth to this?

3) Writing papers... I have done enough paper writing to not be too intimidated by this part of the program, but would like to have a rough guess on what the average length of the papers are. Are we talking 5 page papers or 50 page papers?

Thank you ever so much for any insight!

I'll bite.

Classes either require objective assessments (proctored exams) or performance assessments (papers, powerpoint presentations, that type of thing). Some of the prereq classes are objective, some are performance; same with the nursing classes.

Objective assessments are closed book, either via webcam or at a testing facility. I don't believe they are timed. Generally multiple choice. Generally, for the courses that require an objective assessment, there is just one. For courses that require a performance assessment, there is anywhere from 1 to 5 assessments, depending on the class. For objective assessments, I think they allow you to take it twice before they charge you to retake it.

Papers can range from 3 to 20 pages. The vast majority of them range from 5-8 pages. You basically just write until you're done and you've answered all the points in the rubric. It gives a "suggested" length for each paper, but you're not penalized for being less than the suggested length, as long as you address every point in the rubric.

Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

The objective assessments are timed, but the time is enough - I've never heard of anyone running out of time on them. I think they are 1.5 to two hours, but don't quote me on that. I finished in about 1/2 hour each time.

And yes, you can take the tests twice and you would need to pay $60ish for a third and fourth try.

I think the longest paper I wrote was around 15 pages.

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Greatly appreciate your responses! I'm one that deals with test anxiety (I'd far rather run a code in the ER than take another nursing exam) and couldn't find much info about the exams out there.... so thank you again.

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I have my first phone appointment coming up Monday. I hope to enroll in the RN to MSN program and get my BSN if they have that option still available. This type of program will work well for me. I am currently employed but will be moving from my current state, FL, to NH soon. I will not be working from the move until I get a job in NH. I'm wondering if they will have an issue with that. I'm not expecting to be unemployed for long. I'm not picky and will work anywhere at first. Is the work requirement only to be accepted or must you be continually employed during enrollment?

I specifically asked about this during the enrollment process, and was told that you only need to be employed at the time you enroll.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Objective assessments are closed book, either via webcam or at a testing facility. I don't believe they are timed. Generally multiple choice.
I have been enrolled in the RN-to-BSN program since May 2014 and all of my objective assessments (OAs) have been timed. My Care of the Adult OA came with a time limit of 180 minutes, and my Health Assessment OA had a 150 minute time limit.

Of course I never needed all of the time allotted, but all of my OAs have been timed.

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

Thanks Featherz and Commuter for the clarification. It's been over a year since I've had to do an OA, and I've only had to do 3 or 4 total in my BSN program and MSN program combined, that I was hazy on the details.

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I have read a number of complaints online regarding 's RN to BSN program. I know that every program will have students with complaints but I just don't want to be sorry about choosing their program over others such as GCU. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.
I have read a number of complaints online regarding WGU's RN to BSN program. I know that every program will have students with complaints but I just don't want to be sorry about choosing their program over others such as GCU. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

We need more data - what sorts of complaints?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have read a number of complaints online regarding WGU's RN to BSN program. I know that every program will have students with complaints but I just don't want to be sorry about choosing their program over others such as GCU. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
I do not see the point in paying $18,000 to $20,000 in tuition for a BSN degree from online programs such as the ones offered by GCU or Chamberlain, and I certainly do not see the point in spending $30,000+ to earn the degree from UofP, Kaplan or Walden.

Every online program is going to generate some complaints. The cold reality is that many people enroll in online degree programs when their personal learning styles are not conducive to successful completion of distance learning. Some people are just not self-motivated. Others simply need regular guidance, verbal feedback, coaching and pats on the back to get the job done, and you are not going to get these things in an online degree program.

Also, be mindful that people are less likely to speak up when things are going well, but they'll air the dirty laundry and tell the world about any negative experiences they might have had. It is human nature to fixate on the negative aspects of life while taking the positive things for granted.

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Specializes in Post Partum Mother/Baby, OR.

The website says pass/fail = B or better

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Specializes in Post Partum Mother/Baby, OR.

Complaints?

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On different college review sites I have seen numerous complaints regarding financial aid mistakes made by the school, teachers lack of concern for the students, and mostly the group projects and how some students are left to do the majority of the project. These complaints seem to be repeated by the students on the sites. I guess I am just trying to be cautious before I make this big commitment.

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