Finished my MSN this morning - ask me anything!

Nursing Students Western Governors

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I completed the final oral defense for my MSN through this morning. I also have my BSN from WGU.

Completed RN-to-BSN in one, six month term, and the MSN in 11 months and five days (not that I'm counting!)

Two degrees for under $10K out of pocket, including books. (I received a total of $2K in scholarships)

So----- I'm going to put myself out there and if you would like info about either program from a recent grad -hit me up!

Do you have any advice for a ADN new grad looking into 's RN-BSN course?

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Do you have any advice for a ADN new grad looking into WGU's RN-BSN course?

What kind of advice are you looking for?

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Specializes in Flight Nursing/Critical Care/Education.

I am starting the RN to MSN Ed on February 1st, how is it going so far?

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I have been researching schools for my MSN in education. I would like to start in the new few months. I actually started at a local college in Beaumont, Texas, but had to drop after three weeks due to my overloaded work schedule. If I am understanding everything correctly, there are no actual "deadlines" in the program. You have six months to complete all attempted units. Is that actually correct? Did you start the program in January? If you did, how is it? I have no problem doing the work. I just want to feel like I am actually learning and not just doing "busy" work to fulfill the education requirements. Any information you have would be appreciated. If you are in the program, I wish you luck and success in your studies and future career choices.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

Interesting thread with lots of great information. I would love to get my master's. Here's my question: For the capstone project what if you don't work in a traditional health care setting? I work in a detention center. We are contracted by the county and the corporate office is 4 hrs away. How would one approach this in terms of a research project? Also, I am VERY interested in holistic nursing. Is it possible to incorporate your passion into the capstone? I'm not really clear on what the expectations are.

Thanks and congrats to those who have graduated or are about to do so!

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.

I'm guessing that, because incarcerated individuals are considered a vulnerable population, you would have a really hard time doing a capstone around your job. I don't see why you couldn't do something with holistic nursing!

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.
I'm guessing that, because incarcerated individuals are considered a vulnerable population, you would have a really hard time doing a capstone around your job. I don't see why you couldn't do something with holistic nursing!

Hmmmm...I wonder how I can find out more about this??? Seeing as how the capstone is such a large part of the curriculum (6 months dedicated to that alone) I'll have to look into this further. I can appreciate not doing research within my facility based on the clientele. Tell me more!!!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

I would contact the Nursing program chair at - and request to brainstorm this with a capstone mentor. They know all the different things students have done for capstone projects and can likely assist you.

BUT: Think about this- you COULD do a study of WGU students! Attitudes toward correctional nursing, online schools, any number of topics. A friend did hers about vaccines and used on online survey tool to gather data. I think your problem is surmountable.

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.
I would contact the Nursing program chair at WGU - and request to brainstorm this with a capstone mentor. They know all the different things students have done for capstone projects and can likely assist you.

BUT: Think about this- you COULD do a study of WGU students! Attitudes toward correctional nursing, online schools, any number of topics. A friend did hers about vaccines and used on online survey tool to gather data. I think your problem is surmountable.

Thank you for your feedback! What appeals to me is the lack of deadlines, per se. So if I want to go somewhere for a few days I don't have to stress about logging onto a discussion board before midnight on Sun, etc., correct? My one fear is the extensive writing component and staying on task with that. I have self discipline but...:whistling:

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Specializes in Correctional Nursing; MSN student.

marycarney, I sent you a PM...thanks for checking.;)

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Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
So if I want to go somewhere for a few days I don't have to stress about logging onto a discussion board before midnight on Sun, etc., correct? My one fear is the extensive writing component and staying on task with that. I have self discipline but...:whistling:

Correct. No deadlines, other than the end-of-semester deadline (all classes you have enrolled in for that semester must be completed or any outstanding class will get an F, and there is a minimum credit requirement each semester of 12 in the BSN program and 8 in the MSN program). The program works really well for my husband, who has to travel a lot for work. He might be on a business trip for a week, where he can't do anything school related, but then he'll be working from home for two weeks, where he can get a lot done in that time.

You don't have to be a stellar writer to do well. You do need self-discipline, though!

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Are you able to sign up for more classes in the same term if you end up finishing all of the ones you are registered for earlier than expected?

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