Can/Have you got a job with a degree from WGU?

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I have been talking to a close family friend and I was explaining to her WGU and how great this school sounds. She is currently trying to get into a CSU for Nursing and she said an employer will not see this as a "real" degree because the school its not "known" to any employers ...? She said not to "waste my time"

Has anyone who has graduated with a Nursing Degree from WGU got a job with WGU degree? I know its accredited which is awesome. Does it really matter if the school is "known" to get a job as a RN?

Hope to hear from any WGU graduates so I can prove her wrong.

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It is a BSN or MSN from an accredited school...so if a job is looking for a BSN graduate you certainly have as much chance as anyone to get the job. Hopefully if employers aren't familiar with the school they are looking into it. WGU has gotten great press and I'm guessing with the current wait lists, they are becoming more popular. I think WGU is growing and will be known to many in the near future.

Also, I recently applied to and got a job in which the interviewing nurse did know about WGU. A BSN was not a requirement of the job, however it came up and she was interested in hearing about the program. I live in Wisconsin and many jobs here still accept an ADN, but more and more I'm seeing "BSN preferred" on job postings, so I'm guessing they are moving towards BSN required.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

This is one of the few online schools that is non-profit, fully accredited, totally legit, well-tested and has gotten TONS of press. Just Google News it and you'll see. Their list of contracted employers is a mile long, and includes several high-profile, Fortune 500 companies. My employer is waiting for me to finish my MSN from them and has a big raise and promotion waiting for me when I do. They are the ONLY online school my scholarship entity would approve funding, too.

Try doing your OWN research and statistic searching, instead of listening to what "people" "say." That ability to think critically will be one of the requirements to even be accepted into their program.

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Not to mention the application test.....just have my capstone to finish (MSN/Education)

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I have done my OWN research. I just would like to hear from WGU graduates who have for a job with their degree. Critical Thinking is something I do very well. I have passed several classes with my critical thinking skills and have done well in my past jobs doing so as well. Thanks for your concern about my Critical thinking skills.I know next time not to even ask on this forum for advice without someone having to say some kind of rude comment.

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Specializes in Aesthetics, Family Medicine.
It is a BSN or MSN from an accredited school...so if a job is looking for a BSN graduate you certainly have as much chance as anyone to get the job. Hopefully if employers aren't familiar with the school they are looking into it. WGU has gotten great press and I'm guessing with the current wait lists, they are becoming more popular. I think WGU is growing and will be known to many in the near future.

Also, I recently applied to and got a job in which the interviewing nurse did know about WGU. A BSN was not a requirement of the job, however it came up and she was interested in hearing about the program. I live in Wisconsin and many jobs here still accept an ADN, but more and more I'm seeing "BSN preferred" on job postings, so I'm guessing they are moving towards BSN required.

From what I've been told by some WI nurse recruiters, BSN is preferred if you don't have RN experience. :p

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I am a two-time WGU grad, and my degree was instrumental in me getting the PICU job I currently have. In fact, my employer has more than a few managers working on MSNs through WGU. They are very well-respected here in Indiana.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

WGU is well-respected, and online programs are most definitely considered "real" programs by employers. It's the future of education. My boss's boss's boss got her MBA through Excelsior.

While I haven't (yet) gotten a different job after I received my degree from WGU (haven't looked for one, I'm happy with the job I have at the moment), I *am* able to keep the RN job I currently have, due to my degree. Our hospital is moving towards all RNs having BSNs. With my degree, I'm also now able to enter my hospital's clinical ladder, and I should be getting a 6% raise this spring. I would not have received that without my degree.

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From what I've been told by some WI nurse recruiters, BSN is preferred if you don't have RN experience. :p

I'm sure that's probably very true! I've been a nurse almost 10 years and I've already sensed the shift. Back when I graduated I probably could have worked anywhere, but now my experience plus my BSN gives me an edge!

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Klone brings up a great point! A BSN certainly helps with clinical ladders and such. So a BSN through WGU could certainly help a RN move up the ladder. Where I used to work the nurses would get points for being in school and more points when they graduated, and I know accredited online degree programs counted.

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Specializes in inerested in school nursing, peds, OR.

I have always heard that here in Texas WGU is a very well known and respected school and nursing program, and I have never known of anyone having a hard time finding a job.

With that being said I was looking online at job postings and there was a GN opening at MD Anderson cancer center (which is a major major hospital in Houston, and is worldly known) that said no online degrees. That's one hospital, but I thought I'd just throw that out there. I still think WGU would be worth it.

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Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.
I have done my OWN research. I just would like to hear from WGU graduates who have for a job with their degree. Critical Thinking is something I do very well. I have passed several classes with my critical thinking skills and have done well in my past jobs doing so as well. Thanks for your concern about my Critical thinking skills.I know next time not to even ask on this forum for advice without someone having to say some kind of rude comment.

Every time someone writes a rude, snarky reply like this, it adds fuel to the saying that "nurses eat their young" Remember we are not all like this. Most board members are caring and supportive and will respond politely to any question. Please don't let this discourage you from posting. :)

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