Capella University vs Western Governors University (WGU) - What is Your Experience?

What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing their experiences with Capella University's BSN-MSN program, including the number of courses required, the flexibility of the program, and the process of translating the point system into a traditional GPA. Some members share advice on not changing specialties mid-program and the importance of asking questions about remote options and site listings. Overall, members are sharing their positive experiences with the program while also highlighting potential administrative challenges.

I'm wondering if anyone can give some updated light on which school (Capella vs WGU) would be better to attend. Are there discussion boards, group projects, and how many papers for each class?

Specializes in Registered Nursse.

anyone get employed with the Capella BSN???

Specializes in Pediatric Specialty RN.
1 hour ago, Jay123 said:

anyone get employed with the Capella BSN???

I was already employed but my employer paid for my BSN 100% as long as we went to Capella. I started Oct 7 and will be done by the end of February but I had a ton of transfer credits. It’s a fully accredited program.

Specializes in Registered Nursse.

anyone from Loma Linda Ca, get into RN with the Capella BSN degree?

Specializes in Pediatric Specialty RN.
On 1/17/2020 at 5:05 PM, movano said:

Hi Nurse Magnolia I am trying to decide between Capella and WGU for my MSN in education. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I started Capella on Oct 7 and I have two classes left and expect to finish my BSN in March. So, 6 months to complete 8 classes. The program is very clearly laid out and you know what is expected of you. The only issue I've had so far with flexpath is that the official transcript is not translated into a GPA. I'm applying to NP schools currently and they required it be translated, so I had to call Capella and get a translated one mailed. No biggie, but I didn't know that ahead of time.

I am writing A LOT of papers. Usually, each class is 4-5 assessments and each assessment is on average a 3-4 page paper or PowerPoint presentations or video presentations. It's tedious. I'm doing a ton of research, which I guess is what BSN is supposed to teach me how to do. It's not helping my floor nursing job all that much. But we already knew that - A BSN does not make a better floor nurse. But, it will help me for research in my NP program.

I'm not sorry I chose Capella, especially since my employer paid for it 100%.

Specializes in Pediatric Specialty RN.
On 1/23/2020 at 11:44 PM, movano said:

I am leaning towards Capella also but worried about having to find a possible field site myself. That is the only thing holding me back I started filling out the application but stopped when I saw a statement saying that 'field site' is the responsibility of the student. I am a travel nurse so I move around a lot.

For the BSN? I haven't had to do a fieldsite assignment yet. We did have some clinical hours where we had to present a seminar to others, but those others could be coworkers, family, etc....Or you could go to a fieldsite. But it wasn't required. I have two classes left.

Specializes in Peri-op, ER, Cardiac Rehab.
On 10/9/2019 at 6:20 PM, wayemika said:

WGU is cheaper. I did a MSN through capella. But it did cost me much more than WGU so thats a down side

Which MSN program did you complete? I’m interested in completing the MSN informatics pathway. Any information/experience with Capella is greatly appreciated!

On 7/28/2019 at 2:39 AM, rn2bbsn said:

I know this is an old thread but i was wondering anyone had a bachelors In something else prior to starting the Bsn program. I also would like to know how are hard are the assessments. Any information will help .

Specializes in Pediatric Specialty RN.
On 2/22/2020 at 2:35 PM, Levi Austin said:

I know this is an old thread but I was wondering anyone had a bachelors In something else prior to starting the BSN program. I also would like to know how are hard are the assessments. Any information will help .

I had two bachelor's in non-nursing disciplines before starting my BSN with Capella. All of the other classes transferred in so I had 8 classes to complete which took me exactly 4 months to complete. But, I worked on it pretty much non stop when I wasn't at work. It was a lot of work. Not difficult per se, but tedious.

The assessments are usually about 3-4 page length APA style research papers, powerpoint presentations, video presentations or a combination of all of the above. Most classes have 4 assessments per class, some have 3 and capstone had 5.

I did learn a lot about APA formatting and how to do research. I'm not sure that everything was applicable to my practice as a psych nurse but I was able to tailor my research to psych most of the time. I'm very glad this is complete and I'm moving forward now. I had no desire to get a 3rd bachelor's degree - but it was a means to an end for me.

8 classes took you 4 months, while working full time.

Thanks for posting this garbage on the Internet.

Specializes in Pediatric Specialty RN.
1 hour ago, Oldmahubbard said:

8 classes took you 4 months, while working full time.

Thanks for posting this garbage on the Internet.

What’s the problem here? I had a million credits from two other bachelor's degrees to transfer in, and a lifetime of experience to put towards this degree. I needed 8 classes to get my BSN and I completed all of the requirements in a fully accredited program paid for 100% by my employer. I completed quickly because I worked my *** off...and I’m a very good student with a 4.0 nursing school GPA and after nursing school, Capella was easy in comparison. I spent 6-8 hours a day on most days I wasn't working, working on my BSN. My BSN will allow me to go to any graduate school I chose because the degree is fully accredited and my overall RN and BSN GPA is a 4.0. I’ve spoken to every graduate program to which I’ve applied and they are fine with my Capella BSN. So, what’s the problem? What’s YOUR problem? Other than you didn’t do it this way yourself?

Personally, I don’t think a BSN is needed for bedside. It’s useless in that regard. But I needed it for grad school and my large hospital system said they’d pay for it 100% if we went through Capella, so I did.
I now completed my RN and BSN for less than 30k and I got a raise.
You can mad that you didn’t do it as smartly, but don’t be mad at me for using every resource available. You can be mad that Capella is accredited, but then be mad at the CCNE (the same accrediting body of the likes of Duke, Penn, etc...). You can be mad...But I’m laughing all the way to grad school and beyond with zero nursing school debt.

Specializes in Informatics.
On 2/29/2020 at 2:55 PM, Oldmahubbard said:

8 classes took you 4 months, while working full time.

Thanks for posting this garbage on the Internet.

The only “garbage” here is that you feel the need to bash and discredit myself and other members who attended a CCNE accredited school and program. Go take your anger out elsewhere. I will continue to promote this excellent program and you are exactly what is wrong with nursing education, in that you are stuck in “that’s just how we do things” mode.

On 8/4/2019 at 5:20 PM, Nurse Magnolia said:

Glad to hear this! I start at Capella tomorrow! Hoping to finish fast as I only need to take the 8 core nursing courses.

How is it going at Capella?

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