Starting WGU RN to BSN program August 1st

Nursing Students Western Governors

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I'm on track to start 's RN to BSN program August 1st. Just waiting to get all my transcripts in and evaluated. Anyone else starting WGU in August?

Thanks RN*mommy for your awesome response! I am almost finished with the research paper, and will be going back to the Algebra. I didn't know that I could take the preassessment without going through all the modules. I really just thought this whole process would be quicker, you know? I am going to try to knock out one of the nursing courses while I'm working on the Algebra. At the beginning, my mentor basically told me what classes she was signing me up for, so I really didn't have too much input. I figured that she knew best. When she calls this week, I'm going to bring up all the info that I've learned from you and everyone else on here. All of you are great:yelclap:

Keep up the good work, you sound like you're doing fantastic!

I did the nursing class while studying the math because I couldn't do just math. My attention span wasn't there. So I would do math for awhile, then spend an hour or two on the nursing stuff. It worked out really well and I was able to finish both within a day of each other.

I'm sooo jealous you're almost done with the research course! My procrastination is showing and I threw it on the back burner and am working on another nursing course. It is next in cue though and I told myself no more requesting classes until I turn in the final task for research. Lol.

Hi RN*mommy, Nurse_Jaydee,

I very happy that you are doing so well. I just finished speaking with my mentor(weekly call), and mentioned everything that has been discussed here recently. Apparently, each mentor has their own way of doing things, and it's just the luck of the draw in who is assigned to you. Anyhow, I didn't realize that we have until the end of our term, Jan. 31, to finish as many courses as we can. I have been knocking myself out trying to complete the research paper by Sept. 30, because that is the end date stated in my course plan. So, I haven't completed ANY classes or received any units yet. Just been plugging along on this paper, only briefly worked on Algebra, nothing completed. My mentor did not like the idea of taking the Algebra pre-assessment first, even though I told her that others on here have done it. She feel it is better to go through all the modules first. I don't know what I think about that. I may just follow in the footsteps of all you ladies(and gentlemen), and do what you have been doing. In hindsight, I wish that I had started with something else, anything else, just to have completed something. I'm on the revision task, and boy, do I feel like I'm wasting my time! I just want to write the paper and turn it in:cry:

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

Your mentor wanted you to do the research class FIRST? That's...kind of sadistic of her! Most of the time they recommend some of the easy classes first (like NUT or KOT) to get your feet wet. The research class is arguably the most difficult class in the program.

Yes, I would recommend doing the preassessment. How do you know what areas you are strong or weak in unless you do the test? When I had an objective exam (for sociology/anthropology) I did the preassessment before anything, and when I passed that, my mentor said that she didn't recommend spending more than about a week on the class. I saw what areas I was weaker in, and concentrated on those before taking the objective exam.

Klone is right, do what YOU want. The English class is hard! (Thank you for validating my thoughts on that one Klone!) I think as you go through other classes you will see exactly how different the English class is to writing the other tasks. That's why I'm procrastinating and writing other tasks versus doing the work for the English class.

I don't know your feelings on your mentor, but to an observer she seems kind of set in her ways and opinionated on how to go about doing the program. You do have the right to request a new mentor, but I'm not exactly sure how you do that. Look into it if it is something you want to consider.

Don't cry! You found out that you have options in the program early on in the term so you have plenty of time still! You're doing very well and will soon be done with the most difficult class, so it is downhill from here!

Specializes in Telemetry, PCU, Private Duty, Hospice.

Hi Everyone,

Congrats on working your way through the program!! I am looking to start on Nov 1st. Can any of you provide info on how this program really works? Even if you are signed up for 4 courses a session, can you work through 1 course at a time? How is the course laid out? Is there a course syllabus that you follow, course powerpoint or just a textbook? I've taken online courses before but WGU appears to be completely different than anything I've ever heard of. WGU is so highly regarded by current and former graduates that I couldn't help but apply to get in myself. I am really hoping the only pre-reqs I have to take are nutrition and stats, but I will probably have to take a literature course since I haven't taken one previously. I am excited and nervous. Hoping I can do it like the rest of you!

Good luck to all of you :) I have enjoying reading all your posts.

Lynette

Hi Everyone,

Congrats on working your way through the program!! I am looking to start WGU on Nov 1st. Can any of you provide info on how this program really works? Even if you are signed up for 4 courses a session, can you work through 1 course at a time? How is the course laid out? Is there a course syllabus that you follow, course powerpoint or just a textbook? I've taken online courses before but WGU appears to be completely different than anything I've ever heard of. WGU is so highly regarded by current and former graduates that I couldn't help but apply to get in myself. I am really hoping the only pre-reqs I have to take are nutrition and stats, but I will probably have to take a literature course since I haven't taken one previously. I am excited and nervous. Hoping I can do it like the rest of you!

Good luck to all of you :) I have enjoying reading all your posts.

Lynette

Hi Lynette! Congrats on starting soon!

Ok, where to begin...lol. WGU is competency based, which pans out to no syllabus, no books (well, e-books) and no limit on how many classes you want to plow through outside of the required four.

When you select your classes they do sort them into dates. So each class is 6 weeks, but you don't have to work on them in order and you don't have to take all six weeks.

Each class has a course of study that you go through. A big thing is the COS are concept maps, which are actually kinda cool. There are case studies, ebook readings, CEUs, lectures online (biochem), labs (math and nutrition), etc listed in the COS. There are assignments, but you only need to submit them to the course mentor if you want. Then there are the tasks. All nursing classes have performance assessments which are generally papers written on topics already outlined for you. I had 2 objective assessments, math and nutrition. Math had to be a proctored exam, and I chose to do it at a Sylvan Learning Center near my home, the other option is proctoring via webcam in your home and WGU provides the webcam. The nutrition objective did not require proctoring.

The thing I like best about WGU is if you are well-versed in a topic you can begin your tasks quickly and thus finish the course quicker. I've been in the program since August 1st and I've already finished math, biochem, nutrition and Nursing Roles. I'm 2/3 of the way through Contemporary Nursing issues as well. Contemporary Nursing issues has taken me a bit longer since it deals with geriatrics and I work on the opposite end of the spectrum in a NICU.

I think you will like how WGU operates. I'm pacing myself, learning a lot and enjoy the challenges this program has to offer. I was nervous doing online schooling since I've only ever known brick and mortar, but I've found there is nothing to fear. My student mentor is awesome and the course mentors I've worked with are always helpful.

I hope I answered your questions!

Natalie

First of all, welcome Lynette! You have come to the right place to get answers regarding . Everyone here is great, and always happy to offer help. Good luck in your journey:D

To klone and RN*mommy--thanks so much for your input. I also felt that the research paper was difficult, but I was told it would help me write papers for the nursing classes. My mentor had originally told me that I would be starting with one of the nursing courses. She then decided on the research class instead. In hindsight, I wish she had stuck with her first thought and I would have at least one course finished. I value your opinions and will must likely heed your advice. Since I'm not where I want to be in the program, I'm going to start doing things my way. Thanks to all of you once again.

Im an RN AAS, and want to apply to for RN to bsn program.does any nurse in washington dc area know if the program is recognized/accredited in dc.would i have any problems if i choose the school l.i understand there are no clinicals. any comment is welcome thank you!!

Well, month 2 is officially over and all us August 1st beginners are officially 1/3 of the way through the term! How is everyone doing? I'm pretty pleased with my progress and what I'm learning thus far. I've also decided when the term ends I'm switching to the MSN education program. I honestly never thought I would want to continue my education, but I'm happy with my experience and see no reason not to go for the MSN. Hope it goes just as well!

Hope everyone else is having a positive experience as well!

Hi RN*mommy,

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well. I finally finished that god forsaken research paper, and can FINALLY concentrate on getting some classes under my belt. I'm already almost finished with GNT1, and plan to do a few more of the nursing classes, instead of the Algebra. If you have time, could you briefly explain how the switch to the MSN works? It may be good to know. Good luck!!

Hi RN*mommy,

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing well. I finally finished that god forsaken research paper, and can FINALLY concentrate on getting some classes under my belt. I'm already almost finished with GNT1, and plan to do a few more of the nursing classes, instead of the Algebra. If you have time, could you briefly explain how the switch to the MSN works? It may be good to know. Good luck!!

I'm so glad to hear you finished the research class! Good for you!

I talked to my student mentor and basically at the end of the term she is going to submit a program change to the powers that be. There's a bridge program as well where if you finished all your BSN courses at least 4 months prior to the start of the next term you could take 2 MSN courses. It's an accelerated program I think, but that wouldn't be applicable for me. So my understanding is that then the financial aid department will contact me to update my financial aid stuff. It really seemed straight forward to me. My student mentor already has a note to herself reminding her to switch my program at term end, but you can bet I will be reminding her as well. I don't want to have to repay the fees if possible.

Hope that helps!

Thanks for taking the time to go over that. This may be something I'd be interested in, who knows? I guess I should see how the rest of this 1st term plays out. Take care!

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