Is WGU just another money muncher?

Nursing Students Western Governors

Published

I am (was) due to begin the RN-MSN, edu on 5-1. I have jumped threw all the hoops that is the admissions process. I am so disappointed to find out that the only classes I got credit for with my associates degree are one math, one english, and one literature. My admissions person admitted the 14 prereq classes seems a bit excessive but she has done nothing to check into the problem. My orientation opened a couple of days ago along with the twenty odd classes listed. The admissions advisor is due to call today for her weekly check-in. I am going to tell her that I will not be starting the orientation or the program if I do not get a satisfactory explanation about the huge class load. I cannot help but feel that is trying to force classes that should be satisfied with my degree because of the money factor. I am so unhappy and disappointed at this point. When I read on AN about others who are starting the program with only 5-7 pre-reqs it makes me feel as if WGU is de-valuing my associates degree and its very upsetting. Is anyone else out there having this experience? Or is my Associate of Applied Science in Nursing just not as good as others?

How long was it that you obtained your associates degree?

I hope not. I just applied and had my transcipts sent yesterday. If you don't mind me asking...how long did it take for them to evaluate your transcipts? I've read a few messages on here that it takes them a long time to do this.

Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

You get 50 competency units (cu's)for your ADN-RN right off the bat. But you have to remember, a BSN is 120 cu's. So u still need the classes that would comprise the BSN., approx 70 cu's I have an ADN and a BS in Biology so I had all but a few of the required classes. I will have my BSN in 6 months (hopefully) and the MSN a year later.

I"ve had my degree for less than a year.

I hope not. I just applied and had my transcipts sent yesterday. If you don't mind me asking...how long did it take for them to evaluate your transcipts? I've read a few messages on here that it takes them a long time to do this.

It took about two weeks.

Took me last then two weeks to get everything done. But I was very involved, calling my advisor mybe every 3 days to get an update or call whatever department that I needed to. Hope that helps

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Most of the people (myself included) who have flown through with the 7-8 courses to completion brought in a substantial number of credits beyond the ADN. Yes, the only DEGREE they have is an ADN, but they have other credits from other places.

NO- is not a 'money muncher'. They are an affordable alternative- and if they were just out for your $$ (which, being non-profit would be pretty ludicrous) then WHY would you be able to 'accelerate' - earn as many credits as you can in a term and pay NO ADDITIONAL TUITION? And WHY would they offer almost all texts INCLUDED in the tuition as FREE ebooks?

WGU is the real deal and the high quality degrees I've earned from them have changed my practice and my life. For real.

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

One thing to remember is even though the RN license is the same, an Associate's of Science in Nursing and an Associate's in Applied Science in Nursing are NOT the same degree. Someone with an AAS is going to have fewer "general ed" courses than someone with an AS, and will likely have to take more prerequisite courses.

Hang in there! I am shooting to start my RN-MSN in September and I too have an AAS. Just remember if you have several more classes to take on you can move through it quickly and test out. Just make it happen for yourself!! I am nervous but I am just going to jump in..it is a big commitment but how can you go wrong with a flat rate tuition? It is all up to you! Good luck!

Specializes in critical care.

I have to chime in here and add another thought. I already have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing subject and have been working on my BSN online (not , another program, thinking of switching to WGU). Even with a bachelor's degree, and a AS/RN, I still had other classes beyond just core nursing classes to take. The advancement from an associates degree to a bachelor's degree is not just a matter of taking more "core classes." I believe you can always expect to have other peripheral requirements (histories, englishes, arts, maths, hours filled by electives, etc) when advancing from associates to bachelors. So, personally, from someone who spent 4 straight years of full-time study to obtain a bachelor's degree, I do not feel like having a 2-year degree plus 7 classes (either squeezed into 6 months, or drawn out over 2 years) necessarily constitutes the full work-load that is deserving of a bachelor's degree. Now, don't get me wrong. I am applying to WGU right now to attempt to "fast track" my way to a BSN, and I will be joyful for any classes I do not have to take. I am not being critical of WGU, but if I felt that WGU awarded a bachelor's degree to someone who has an associates degree, plus a few classes, then I would seek my education elsewhere. Again, I am not being judgemental and I do not know everyone's specific situation/associates degree work/prerequisites/etc, but it is my opinion that if you want to earn a real bachelor's degree, it takes a lot of classes.

Most of the people (myself included) who have flown through with the 7-8 courses to completion brought in a substantial number of credits beyond the ADN. Yes, the only DEGREE they have is an ADN, but they have other credits from other places.

NO- WGU is not a 'money muncher'. They are an affordable alternative- and if they were just out for your $$ (which, being non-profit would be pretty ludicrous) then WHY would you be able to 'accelerate' - earn as many credits as you can in a term and pay NO ADDITIONAL TUITION? And WHY would they offer almost all texts INCLUDED in the tuition as FREE ebooks?

WGU is the real deal and the high quality degrees I've earned from them have changed my practice and my life. For real.

Hello marycarney, I came on here looking for suggestions, support, or similar experiences to mine to help me in deciding my next step. MOST of the responses I recieved were just that. I understand you have accomplished your goals via and I was not proclaiming them to be bad. I was curious however about the monstrous class load. This is how people seperate the good from the bad you know, by asking questions and doing your homework. I completely understand and accept that my bsn will not be handed to me. I am an excellent and hard working student who loves school and learning new things. My problem is that I am told that I have to take sociology AGAIN, anatomy AGAIN, (not one but three), nutrition AGAIN and two more comp classes in addition to the two I have already done, speech/communications AGAIN. You see, I too have had additional classes. My advisor, who I spoke with yesterday had done nothing to check into this as of last week when I asked her to. So, anyway, I am still trying to decide if WGU is the right fit for me, no disrespect intended towards you.

+ Add a Comment