Is WGU taken seriously in the healthcare world?

Nursing Students Western Governors

Published

Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

How do all the seasoned RNs view ? I know online schools have a reputation of being diploma mills but this is a non profit school that seems to have a good reputation. I'm interested in their prelicenusre program.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In general, seasoned RNs do not ask or even care where you attended school unless the field involved is academia. The main types of schools that may or may not hurt your career are the investor-owned ones of shady repute (read: ITT Technical Institute, Fortis, Concorde, Dallas Nursing Institute).

If you want to teach at a prestigious university one day, you may wish to attend a land-based college. However, I think your degree will serve you well.

I'm a recent prelicensure grad and nobody in my cohort had any problem finding jobs. They are small cohorts, but I know 4 for sure are employed by hospitals. I haven't stayed in touch with everyone. Two other people I stay in touch with from a different cohort also have hospital jobs. I am currently working in a skilled nursing home (by choice right now, but may apply to hospitals once my kids go back to school in the fall). I had no problems finding a job. Nobody even looked at what school I went to. They saw I had a BSN vs an ASN and they did notice that. There are areas of the country that finding a job in nursing are harder than others so I can't speak for how things are in other regions of the country.

I volunteer at one of the top 50 hospitals in the country and when I shared that I was accepted to the prelicensure program at all the doctors and nurses congratulated me and all commented what an excellent school it is.

I too worried about how it would be viewed by others that all my classes would be taken online. I am beyond grateful I did my research and choose WGU as my experience so far has been fantastic! Seeing as it was recently awarded an NLN Center of Excellence Award it is safe to say that its reputation is well deserved. :rolleyes:

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Based on their new avatar, I think the OP has decided to attend Texas Tech University instead. They posted this inquiry several months ago, after all. Good luck with whatever they decided. :)

Specializes in Cardicac Neuro Telemetry.

Yes, I was actually accepted to Texas Tech's 2nd degree bsn program in Dallas. :)

+ Add a Comment