Cons of WGU

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 19, 2014

The primary complaint is the GPA issue. Since it's pass/fail, they don't give a "traditional" GPA which can be difficult for matriculation.

As I am not planning on enrolling in a doctoral program or a post-master's program of any type, that's not really a con for ME, but others have expressed that concern (although it seems mostly a non-concern for most programs, as I haven't actually heard of anyone not getting into a program). Other than that, I honestly can't think of any cons, unless you are the type of person who needs the structure of deadlines in order to get things done.

ERnurse71, ADN, BSN · Nov 19, 2014

Thank you so much for your help! At this point I don't intend on getting my MSN... So I feel like WGU would be a good for for me... Just worried about the statistics course for the most part... Feel like anything else I would be alright with. ?

caliotter3 · Nov 19, 2014

I thought I saw some posts about the statistics course recently that indicated it is not 'impossible'. Look around, maybe you can find them too. Don't think you have anything to worry about there.

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 19, 2014

I agree with Cali. I didn't take stats at WGU, but from what I've read, it's 98% theory, and 2% math. I wouldn't worry.

SquishyRN, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2014

The primary complaint is the GPA issue. Since it's pass/fail, they don't give a "traditional" GPA which can be difficult for matriculation.
As I am not planning on enrolling in a doctoral program or a post-master's program of any type, that's not really a con for ME, but others have expressed that concern (although it seems mostly a non-concern for most programs, as I haven't actually heard of anyone not getting into a program). Other than that, I honestly can't think of any cons, unless you are the type of person who needs the structure of deadlines in order to get things done.

This the only reason I didn't go with WGU. Otherwise, I think it would have been perfect for me.

ShondaJ · Nov 19, 2014

There are many student who have moved on to higher education regardless of the way WGU grades.

I plan to attend the pre-licensing BSN program and plan to move on to MSN NP.

I have heard nothing but Great things about the school and if any student wished to move on to higher education at another institution, I don't see why they couldn't. Just check with the school of choice and they can tell you whether they accept them or not.

featherzRN, MSN · Nov 19, 2014

I did stats at WGU and thought it was easy. However, I do well in math. I can say, however, that I don't think it's possible to have an easier 'stats' class - it's still stats, which is difficult to 'get', but there's not really any 'math' just concepts, definitions, etc.

ERnurse71, ADN, BSN · Nov 19, 2014

Thank you for breaking us down. I think I'm pretty much sold on going to WGU. I'll probably reach out to you all for help with this statistic once I get there. ? thanks again for the advice. I will take all I can get!

klone, MSN, RN · Nov 19, 2014

We're here for you! This is a very supportive group. :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2014

Just worried about the statistics course for the most part...

I passed the WGU statistics course last month as part of their RN-to-BSN program. My math skills are definitely not up to par, but I was able to easily pass this stats class because it is extremely introductory. It consists of all theory, definitions, and rules. It had no calculations whatsoever.

benegesserit · Nov 19, 2014

Yeah, don't fear stats. Limiting yourself to BSN programs that don't include a statistics class is going to majorly limit your options, and WGU's class is not bad.

WGU has a lot of double-edged swords. It's very cheap if you can get through in one semester, similar to my state school's online program if you go two semesters, and more expensive if it takes longer than that. Same with time - going beyond two semesters gives no time advantage over the state school. However, even though I'm going to take three semesters, I still think WGU was a good choice, because the circumstances that led it to take that long would have made it difficult to do a less flexible program.

I agree with klone that it may not the best program for people who work best under deadlines (that's me!).

It's obviously not a great program for people who need lots of in-person support, study groups, and that sort of thing. Even if you have other people locally doing WGU, the self-paced nature means that you quite likely aren't going to work on everything at the same time. Since everything, textbooks, library, and all, is online, it isn't a good choice for someone who really doesn't do well with computers. But that probably doesn't apply to anyone reading this :)

Other than that, and the pass/fail grading, I think the main drawback is that you're going to run into people who simply aren't going to take it as seriously as a degree from a brick and mortar school, even if the B&M schools program is totally online, too. And that person may be the person doing the hiring/admissions.