Walden University VS Western Governors University

[jamsammom]

I am torn between both schools.

I am interested in an MSN in Nursing Leadership and Management to start this fall. I have been reading the message boards about both schools and see the pros and cons for both.

I like the price of WGU and most people really seem to like the quality of educational experience. I am unsure about the grading system pass/fail and ultimately what that might mean. I don't plan on continuing my education beyond a masters.

I am also unsure about not having an instructor for the classes but a mentor.

I like that Walden gives grades and most graduates also seem to like their experience. I also like that the instructors at Walden have a doctorate degree. I don't like that tuition might go up every fall and my advisor does not answer my questions correctly. I asked to change advisors.

Any advice or shared experience with those programs would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Michelle

[Kathy H]

I started at Grand Canyon University in December 2014. I left during the first week. The work load and expectations for the first calls were too much for my schedule. I was planning on doing school work on the weekends but quickly realized that I would have to post 5 days a week for the discussion board according to my instructor. Plus there were 8 papers and one project for the 8 week class. So every week I would have to write a paper and then write all of the discussion posts and post for 5 days.....according to the instructor it had to be separate days. I decided to go to WGU instead and start on March 1st. I like that there are no message boards on WGU and you can complete the assignments on your own timeline. Thanks for all of the feedback in helping me make my decision.

HI Jamsammon,

I too have been researching a lot on an RN-MSN online program and will start the RN-MSN at WGU May 1.

Recently I was taking a class at another online college for a BS in Healthcare Admin which was my first experience with online classes. It was a similar type of format as you described: weekly papers for 8 weeks, the last one a research paper, required regular posts as a response to the readings due every Wed and then required responses to classmate's posts, discussion board and the paper due by Sunday. Late coursework was penalized by 25% every day late (til it was worth nothing if you were 4 days late!!)This course was a prereq to all other coursework. I knew this was not for me, because essentially nothing could get in your way of completing your work quickly and once behind then upcoming work could easily get behind as well and there goes your GPA.

It was just not for me and was not a good fit for my lifestyle. Like someone said in another post - you will find the right program that works for you. Good Luck at WGU!!

Kathy

[jamsammom]

Thanks Kathy, I wish you good luck too at WGU. I think it will be a good fit for us based on a lot of feedback that I have gotten from current and former students. It really is possible to fit this program into your work and family life. I just may not progress as fast as others but I am ok with finishing in 2 years.

[passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN]

WGU is everything people say it is, granted there will be the naysayers but not every program is for everyone. I love it so far, it really fits the lifestyle of the average working mom: busy. Also the competency based program is very good I am definitely learning because of the way it is structured you prove competence, not that you can post on a discussion board. Good luck in your journey. Good luck to us both.

[stilcantbeliv]

I decided to go to WGU instead and start on March 1st. I like that there are no message boards on WGU and you can complete the assignments on your own timeline. Thanks for all of the feedback in helping me make my decision.

Can you update on how it is going so far...I am looking at doing my RN to MSN too

[jamsammom]

So far I really like WGU and am glad that I made the switch. I really like the pacing guides that give you a suggested guide of readings and content each week to stay on track. The assignments are pretty well spelled out and I enjoy going at my own pace. I also like my mentor and appreciate her input regarding my progress.