Nursing Students Western Governors
Published Jan 31, 2010
Tentatively accepted to the RN-BSN through WGU's online program. Lalalalala yay for me! Nervous as hell about going back to school....but its gotta be done!
Anyone have any experience with WGU? Negative or positive?
RN2064
63 Posts
I admit I'm a little concerned that it's such a different model from other schools, that that will somehow make the degree less legitimate. Any graduates of the program out there who could shed light on this?
I can tell you the degree is legitimate. The school has CCNE accreditation. I am a new student and I was sent this link from the Enrollment Counselor that contained a list of Colleges and Universities that accept their credits if you were to transfer. There are probably many more schools than what is listed, this is just the list of what she was able to send me.
Amberton University, TX
American Military University WV
Ashford University IA
Baker University MI
Baylor in Waco TX
Boise State University ID
Boston University MA
Bowling Green State University OH
Brigham Young University UT
California InterContinental University CA
Capella University
Colorado Technical University CO
Concord Law School (part of Kaplan University)
Cornell University
Crown College
Devry
Drexel Univesity PA
Georgia State University GA
Grand Canyon University AZ
Heritage University WA
Idaho State University ID
Kansas State University KS
Keller Graduate School of Management IL
Lamar University TX
Lewis & Clark OR
National University CA
North Central University AZ
Northeastern State University OK
Northeastern University MA
Northern Illinois University IL
Norwich
Nova Southeastern
Oklahoma State University OK
Portland State University PO
Southern Utah University UT
St. Norbert College WI
Strayer University FL
The University of Alabama AL
Trevecca Nazarene University TN
University of Alaska Achorage AK
University of North Carolina at Charlotte NC
Union Institute & University
University of Houston TX
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Michigan MI
University of Minnesota
University of New England ME
University of New Mexico NM
University of Northern Colorado
University of Redlands CA
University of St. Louis MO
University of South Alabama AL
University of Southern Mississippi MS
University of the Cumberlands
University of the Pacific - McGeorge School of Law CA
University of Utah UT
University of Virginia VA
University of Washington Tacoma WA
Utah State University UT
Villanova University
Virginia Tech VA
Walden University
Warner Pacific College OR
Weber State University UT
West Virgina University WV
Wharton Business School
Hope that helps.
laRN1
52 Posts
I have sent a generic e-mail to some local brick and mortar schools that I would consider applying to for my MSN and they have all e-mailed me back that they do accept WGU's BSN. They are Azusa Pacific University, Loma Linda University, UCLA and UCSF.
Not every college is going to accept their transfer credits. This is a new and different kind of school and many are fixed on the old mode and learning styles. If the school you are considering does not and will not accept WGU credits, then this school is not for you. But this school offers a legitimate degree and as shown above those colleges accept their transfer credits as well as many others.
xstarsfallingx
30 Posts
Just to clarify, that list of colleges is the same available in their FAQ headed as colleges that have accepted students from WGU. This does not necessarily mean that it was in nursing, or a MSN program. Just because a college is willing to take a business degree applicant does not mean other academic departments would.
I personally am checking in with the local colleges where I would consider obtaining my MSN from just in case. I would hate to go through the program just to find out that it counts for nothing. As of right now, it is not listed on the Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation's website, but none of the online schools are. A friend in CA ( where I got my ADN ) just finished her RN to BSN with WGU and has had no problem with CA recognizing it. I do not think she intends to pursue a Masters at this time.
Could current or past students please clarify this GPA issue? I keep seeing posts asking for clarification, yet no one gives a direct answer. My friend who graduated said she simply got a credit/ no credit for the classes. If this is the case, your own "calculated" gpa based on individual grades on assignments is moot when applying for graduate school. You are still applying at a B-average.
I love online courses and truly wish they were advancing at a faster pace in terms of being accepted by the professional community. They have come a long way, so hopefully in the near future no one will think twice about the difference between an online and brick and mortar student.
klone, MSN, RN
14,798 Posts
Could current or past students please clarify this GPA issue? I keep seeing posts asking for clarification, yet no one gives a direct answer. My friend who graduated said she simply got a credit/ no credit for the classes. If this is the case, your own "calculated" gpa based on individual grades on assignments is moot when applying for graduate school. You are still applying at a B-average..
It's pass/fail. "Pass" is equivalent to a B.
jsulli7
1 Post
Started WGU last September for RN to BSN. 1 paper to go and I will be finished. It was challenging but I am glad that I did it. The best part was that there were no group projects. I was looking for a program that I could work alone at my own pace without mandatory webcasts, etc. and WGU was it, not to mention that you can't beat the cost. Good Luck.
kimberlee713
15 Posts
This was calculated by Loyola when they reviewed my courses from WGU, or you can take your grades, not the final grade, the actual grades themselves, and calculate it.
I wasn't notified via email about this thread, sorry it took so long to answer!
I'm still confused as to how people are worried about this degree transferring to another school. If a school is telling you they won't accept WGU, then they are the questionable ones, WGU has more accreditation than most of the colleges I researched, even UNC-Charlotte!
danursern
122 Posts
I am currently enrolled in the RN-BSN program and I love it! I have finished 3 courses in one month, yes ONE month. If you are a go-getter and don't require a lot of hand holding, this is the program for you. I have 3 courses left before I graduate. They are CCNE accredited too. I receive weekly phone calls from my mentor just to touch base and see how things are going, plus I have access to course mentors and message boards for any additional questions. Yes, there are a lot of papers to write, a few proctored exams, but it is very doable. Again, love this program and I am so happy I went with WGU. I researched tons of programs too and kept coming back to this one as I love to work at my own pace. The price is great too! Good luck!!
Thank you for your input. Love your attitude! I have enrolled and I am worried about the entry exam it's been 20 years. I plan on getting mine over and done with I hope to take the Masters I'd like to enroll in a NP program here close by.
Thanks
Bobby,The classes aren't any different from brick and mortar but they're intense, you're going to actually learn the content or you won't pass. I was really surprised at how much information they expected me to digest. You're going to write a LOT of papers but they guide you through it and you have a lot of help from your mentor. I'm now in Graduate school at Loyola and it's a cakewalk compared to WGU, but I was prepared and that's what's important. I'm also a better nurse because of WGU. I did this program in 10 months and I can tell those expecting to do it in less, forget it, you won't be able to do it. I almost didn't make it and it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, even though I finished with a 3.8 GPA. I had already been an RN for 18 years and 10 months was brutal for this program, no way will you finish it sooner. My brick and mortar colleagues were taking statistics and couldn't help me with mine, couldn't help me with my biochemistry or my nursing classes. WGU puts together a complete and applicable didactic, not theory and fluff. I can also say that my graduate class mates are still struggling with APA style and paper research a year into the program, I have a 4.0 and have never received less than an A on a paper, thank you WGU!If you're not a nurse already, then expect the full 3-4 years but you can also expect to be the best nurse on the market. As an alumni, I'm always available to those thinking of attending or already attending. I can't say enough good things about WGU and I want to support those who are ready to feel the same.
The classes aren't any different from brick and mortar but they're intense, you're going to actually learn the content or you won't pass. I was really surprised at how much information they expected me to digest. You're going to write a LOT of papers but they guide you through it and you have a lot of help from your mentor. I'm now in Graduate school at Loyola and it's a cakewalk compared to WGU, but I was prepared and that's what's important. I'm also a better nurse because of WGU.
I did this program in 10 months and I can tell those expecting to do it in less, forget it, you won't be able to do it. I almost didn't make it and it was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, even though I finished with a 3.8 GPA. I had already been an RN for 18 years and 10 months was brutal for this program, no way will you finish it sooner. My brick and mortar colleagues were taking statistics and couldn't help me with mine, couldn't help me with my biochemistry or my nursing classes. WGU puts together a complete and applicable didactic, not theory and fluff. I can also say that my graduate class mates are still struggling with APA style and paper research a year into the program, I have a 4.0 and have never received less than an A on a paper, thank you WGU!
If you're not a nurse already, then expect the full 3-4 years but you can also expect to be the best nurse on the market. As an alumni, I'm always available to those thinking of attending or already attending. I can't say enough good things about WGU and I want to support those who are ready to feel the same.
I am use to this type of work I tooked the CPNE and that was 3 months of prep and you had to be 100% on every skill, but I am a better nurse for it. I am looking forward to this; however English is a hard subject for me, my parents spoke broken language dad being the worse and all through school I struggled. To this day I struggle. Give me any other subject I am fine. Ask me to write and I write like I talk bad, but I have learn over the years how to compromise.
fostermomof3
48 Posts
Hi, I just filled out the application last week to WGU and took my entrance assessment. Found out today that I passed all four parts. I am very excited. I do have one question that I can't seem to find an answer to and the admission office is closed until Monday. I have an ADN and the man I spoke to said all I should have to do is the nursing classes. I graduated in 1999 and I saw a few post that said my genral education classes wouldn't count if they were more than 5 years old, but I have not found this anywhere on their website. Also do you have to go to a testing center or have a web cam to take test?
How was the entrance exam? That is, could you stop and go back or was it timed? You can use your credits from your ADN if the school approves them, so I am given to understand.
D
The entrance exam was timed. 2 hours for each part. It took me about 2 hours for all four parts and I called the next day and got my scores. They had 21 questions in maht and 28 in lang. My essay was very simple and straightforward. Some questions were like 1st grade level and some I didn't really understand the question. I hope they get my transcripts this week b/c I am ready to start.