Published May 8, 2014
artonurse
2 Posts
I have been looking for reviews on the BSN program, but so far most of the reviews are on the ADN-BSN programs. I would like to hear from students that either are in the pre-licensure BSN program or finished the program.
-Pro's and cons of your opinion
-How long will or did it take you to finish?
-Do you work or did you work while in the program? And how many hours a week?
-And add anything else you would want to share with me, please :)
If anyone particular is from southern california in the program, how did the clinicals work? Did they find you a hosptial and a mentor or do you find your own?
tsm007
675 Posts
I'm in the Indiana program, but it works similarly in all the locations. I love it! There are some drawbacks and I don't love everything about it, but I think it is a very good program for working adults. Most of the people in my cohort work part time if not full time. All the course work is online, some classes have papers that you submit for your grades, and others have tests that are taken at a proctored site. The classes are somewhat self-paced, but there are deadlines for completion. The clinical labs are intense and you do not get as much practice with an instructor as you would in a traditional program. The hospital part though is awesome and you get to do a lot that you might not get to do a lot. As far as pairing with clinical preceptors, they do that. Each cohort is usually assigned to a particular location and then you are all paired with a nurse. One of the drawbacks is scheduling. I have heard that other locations are better about getting the schedule to you in advance, but ours has kind of been late to getting you the schedule for clinicals. You will have to have a job that is flexible with scheduling because you can't really request clinical dates to be specific days (at least not in my experience, other locations might be different). All and all I like WGU's program and feel good about it. There are things that I don't like, but there is no way I would be able to complete my degree in a traditional program and I am very grateful that WGU has this program.
poppy808
15 Posts
where are the clinicals done?
cjag422
18 Posts
I am in the Texas program and I work a 40-50 hour work week along with a teenage son and a husband so I know that it can be done. I am entering the last term and it has been rough at times you just have to put in the time. Usually on Saturday I sit at the kitchen table all day to do my work as much as I can get done if we have somewhere to go. I work every night on my tasks at least two hours. Cinicals are usually at the hospital I work at or in Texas City which is about 45 minutes from my house. As far as scheduling goes I have my employer a copy of the 15 month schedule with clinicals listed as well so when clincicals are coming up I just tell then I will be out two or three weeks and they give me off so when its not everyday they are surprised that I am working for them.
2-3eeks at a time?
You don't have to miss 2 to 3 whole weeks at a time. It is 72 hours (usually 6 days) within that time period. It's just you don't have the exact schedule for your clinicals until about 2 weeks before the rotation. Lab dates you know well in advance.
Thank you
Ndmiles
30 Posts
TSM007-I would love to talk with you offline since you are in the same state as I am. I am perusing WGU Indiana Prelicensure program.
Sure. Once you get to 10 posts you can send a private message on AN and I'd be glad to chat with you.
OK great? Thanks!
kodc
42 Posts
I have similar questions. If you don't mind I'll work on getting my ten posts also and ask you a question or two. My main question is more specifically about length of program as well as what the time frame is of the each required rotation.
Does this mean 6 days in a row? "It is 72 hours (usually 6 days) within that time period."
I have similar questions. If you don't mind I'll work on getting my ten posts also and ask you a question or two. My main question is more specifically about length of program as well as what the time frame is of the each required rotation. Does this mean 6 days in a row? "It is 72 hours (usually 6 days) within that time period."
Usually it's 3 days one week and 3 days the next, but not necessarily 3 days in a row. It could be like Mon and then Thur and Fri, but it can also be 3 days in a row. It just depends what your clinical coach's schedule is. Hope that helps.