Do WGU graduates find jobs?

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Mar 30, 2016

Since I've obtained my BSN from WGU, a plethora of opportunities have opened for me that otherwise would not have been. The job search has been much easier due to obtaining my baccalaureate degree. The job I have now required a BSN, so in my opinion, obtaining my BSN from WGU has been very much worth it.

tsm007 · Mar 30, 2016

I graduated from the prelicensure program and have had absolutely no problem finding a job and neither have my classmates. ALL of them have jobs and none of them took a long time to find one.

Stargate Atlantis · Mar 30, 2016

Thanks.

Stargate Atlantis · Mar 30, 2016

Since I've obtained my BSN from WGU, a plethora of opportunities have opened for me that otherwise would not have been. The job search has been much easier due to obtaining my baccalaureate degree. The job I have now required a BSN, so in my opinion, obtaining my BSN from WGU has been very much worth it.

What type of nursing are you doing, if that's not too personal. And did you start off as a CNA or with a RN degree? I might have to work while attending school, so I may get my CNA for starters.

tecj · Apr 2, 2016

You didn't ask me, but I will say I would definitely work as a CNA while in the program! I didn't go to WGU for my ADN, but it was always obvious among my classmates who had worked as a CNA and who hadn't. The one's that hadn't struggled with certain ideas that were obvious for anyone who had worked. Plus, when you do start working as an RN, you will have CNAs under you and I believe it is important to have walked in their shoes for manage effectively. The nurses I've encountered who didn't work as CNAs first were always hated because they didn't truly understand the CNAs job.

jtboy29 · Apr 7, 2016

I really don't think employers look down on where you get your BSN at. I'm currently a LVN student finishing up my program in December and just reading this board makes me feel at ease when looking for a BSN program for when I do decide to complete a BSN program in the near future.

EmmReeCPT · Apr 7, 2016

I was just accepted to WGU and that was one of my greatest fears when I applied. I have a friend in charge of hiring at a hospital in Utah and she said they throw out applicants from West Coast University(B&M for profit school) but they actually prefer WGU grads. Since it is Utah, it's possible WGU uses said hospital as a clinical site but I'm not too sure. I currently work as an EMT in SoCal and I've asked around in most of the hospitals in LA and OC and the charge nurses say they're typically impressed by WGU grads and don't see them as any less since it's technically an online degree. WGU typically does really well at training nurses because they are 1-1 clinicals rather than a group setting.

If you're looking for a healthcare job, I would highly discourage CNA. True, it is in the hospital setting but a vast majority of the time its nursing homes or home care doing very menial, basic tasks(house cleaning, patient baths/restroom needs, cooking). Its not too helpful in my opinion as far as nursing experience. It's also a minimum wage job. Finding a higher pay rate for CNA would be few and far between.

I would suggest looking in to phlebotomy or an accelerated EMT program although their benefits are wildly different.

EMTs make just above minimum wage. It is a lot of anatomy/physio/emergency care and gets you used to moving and talking to patients as well as knowing common medications for common medical conditions, abnormal vitals, head to toe assessment, trauma assessment, EKG interpretation if your paramedics are helpful. The assessments are nowhere near what a nurse does but it is a good foundation. Although, I wouldn't recommend a full semester program as I personally feel that long of a program isn't necessary, but there are quite a few 6-8 week programs. The IFT(interfacility transfers) side of EMS has taught me how to take report from the sending nurse and give report to the receiving nurse and common meds for common hx. I worked CCT(critical care transport) for a bit with an RN and he really taught me a lot. Most RNs are willing to answer questions and teach you because they know you're on your way to join their ranks. My 911 experience has taught me how to make quick decisions and give a detailed yet concise report to the nurse.

Phlebotomists make the most out of all 3 but it's very one dimensional. It's drawing blood and finger sticks. No more. No less. It does get you used to finding the vein and understanding how to stick a person and it does get you into the hospital. It will probably help you with IV starts for a wide age range and condition of patients. It's not the best as far as clinical experience, but it is helpful as far as pay rate. I've worked as an EMT and now I work as a phlebotomist. I would say EMT gave me the valuable experience but phlebotomist is now paying the bills.

Hope somewhere in that rambling I helped you out! Good luck!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Apr 8, 2016

I completed the online RN-to-BSN program through WGU and, a few months later, secured my dream work-from-home job. So, yes, WGU graduates find employment.

Redsox07 · Apr 23, 2016

I am glad to see the comments above about life as an EMT-B. Studying for my pre nursing school classes, I worked as an EMT in Inglewood, California. We were earning like a dollar or two more than minimum wage but it was the most fun I ever had. I did it for 3 years before I realized I'd better increase my scope of practice so that I could do more than just live off generic cola and ramen noodles. , Other EMTB's were preparing for medical school, paramedic school, fire academy, and police. I was thinking I might go paramedic for awhile. We had access to some interesting medical cases and sometimes (though not always) you could ask questions of the doctors and nurses and they were happy to talk with us - many of them had been EMT's too.

As far as I know, no WGU grad has ever posted here that they had difficulty improving their career and job situation upon graduating from WGU. I am just loving that I'll be able to get my BSN and hopefully MSN at roughly 1/3rd of what other routes would cost me.

WGU is the real deal. That said - when I started I had hoped it would be a cake walk. It is not. (For me) it has been some hard work and some very serious focused studying. I'm very glad to say, I have really enjoyed many of the things of learned, too, in the different courses. It has really shown me why (when they're interviewing inexperienced RN's) the best hospitals prefer BSN's to associate degree RN's.

Best of luck.

Nursing24/7, LVN · May 18, 2016

I am a CNA and plan to apply to the WGU BSN program next year. While the first few jobs I had were in nursing homes (which I hated--just not for me) & a sub acute, I worked hard & pushed & got 2 hospital jobs after only working as a CNA, for 4 months(this is VERY rare most hospitals want 1 yr experience or more), which I think both hospital jobs have been great for learning & getting a in depth glimpse at an acute care nursing career.

CNA work is super physically demanding & the pay bites but I have learned so much & something different from each of the facilities I have worked at being a CNA--bedside manner, patient care, patience & time management & I think it will definitely be an asset to me as a nursing student & RN. I have other friends who have worked as home health aides, EMT's, hospital transport & Phlebotomists while attending nursing school & those worked out for them too but I really feel like being a CNA in a hospital gives you the closest experience to what being an RN will be like...The good, the bad as well as the ugly parts of it. CNA work is hard & I feel overwhelmed at times but I do love my job. For me, the good days out weigh the bad. I love caring for patients, making them laugh, making them comfortable & making them feel better.

If you have any questions pm me!