Considering WGU--need to hear from current/past students...

Nursing Students Western Governors

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Specializes in hospice/pediatrics.

Hello everyone,

I am a 58 year old ADN-RN with over 23 years of RN experience. I am currently working at an inpatient Hospice facility and obtained my National Certification in Hospice/Palliative Care (CHPN) in 2008.

I am likely enrolling in the RN to BSN program early 2014 and would like to hear from past/current students with their impressions/experiences with "distance learning". I think, because of my age, I have a lingering "funny feeling" about going to school seated at my computer at home. Seems strange and "different".........

I have no small children at home and my hubs is certainly old enough to live on "cruise control" for a while.

I seriously want to hear if this program/degree is "do-able" in 12 months. I intend to start, keep my head down and not look up until I am done.

Also, for any of the more "mature" RN's out there....how challenging was the work? I am ready to work hard and plug along with no whining but need to hear honest feedback from those who have been out of school for years and years.

I have enjoyed the many different threads concerning this subject and look forward to hearing what everyone has to say.

Thanks again,

~d~

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It's absolutely doable. My biggest struggle was feeling like "why am I doing this. I don't HAVE to do this." I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to schoolwork.

That said, it's been a great experience so far. The website is very easy to navigate.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

I just finished the BSN program in September.. took me 3.5 months, but my results are not typical. It's an awesome program and we have active facebook groups for support through the program. And most of us are not spring chickens!! :)

I've been out of school 20+ years and had no problem with the coursework - and I ended up with a huge amount of classes to retake and still managed to pass everything on the first try. You can do this! (and you can't beat the price).

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I'm 58 and completed both my BSN and MSN at - after the age of 55. Technology was my biggest hurdle, and I found all the help I needed between the school's resources and my teens. I'm VERY satisfied with my decision.

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Specializes in hospice/pediatrics.

Thanks for the encouragement--3.5 months....WOW!!! I will be perfectly satisfied with 12 months (or anything less)!

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Specializes in Peds, developmental disability.

FeathersRN

Do you mean to say that your previous courses were not all accepted? Was it due to grades, or...? My grades were not so good during my diploma program, so I could also have to take some over, I guess.

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Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.
FeathersRN

Do you mean to say that your previous courses were not all accepted? Was it due to grades, or...? My grades were not so good during my diploma program, so I could also have to take some over, I guess.

There were specific reasons I had to retake a few courses. My grades were fine, but my sociology was a CLEP exam, and apparently CLEP only keeps scores 20 years. Even with the score report (I had the original), they would not take this class. My physiology and micro, taken through excelsior, had no lab component, so had to take those over. As far as I know, the only time limited class is statistics (must be within 5 years). Almost everyone has to take nutrition as well, even if you have it already.

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