Finished RN to BSN Program in 6 months and 1 week! Feel free to ask me anything!

dorkypanda · Aug 3, 2016

If you had to redo the program what things would you do differently and also what would you do the same as the first time you did RN to Bsn at wgu ?

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Aug 3, 2016

If you had to redo the program what things would you do differently and also what would you do the same as the first time you did RN to Bsn at wgu ?

I honestly wouldn't change a thing:)

dorkypanda · Aug 16, 2016

Do we need to have a webcam or some sort of video recorder to turn in head to toe assessment assignments ?

ChrisB718 · Aug 16, 2016

CLUVRN Congrats!!! Did you already have a bachelor's degree? I have a bachelor's degree and obtaining my Associates right now (graduation date AUG 2017). Do you think it will take me less than 6 months to obtain my BSN? Also, Do you suggest becoming obtaining a MSN, DNP, or FNP degree? I've seen on this website some nurses stating that obtaining a NP degree is a waste of time since you get the same salary or less than a RN.

benegesserit · Aug 16, 2016

Do we need to have a webcam or some sort of video recorder to turn in head to toe assessment assignments ?

The school provides a webcam for testing purposes, so you don't have to go out and buy something. People also use cell phone cameras.

CLUVRN Congrats!!! Did you already have a bachelor's degree? I have a bachelor's degree and obtaining my Associates right now (graduation date AUG 2017). Do you think it will take me less than 6 months to obtain my BSN? Also, Do you suggest becoming obtaining a MSN, DNP, or FNP degree? I've seen on this website some nurses stating that obtaining a NP degree is a waste of time since you get the same salary or less than a RN.

Relatively few people take less than 6 months to finish the program. There is no way anyone can say whether or not you're one of them. People who finish quickly tend to be very motivated non-procrastinators with a lot of time available to work on school. Is that you?

Having a previous bachelors is unlikely to make a whole lot of difference. It will help to minimize the number of prerequisite and general ed classes you need to take, but you can still expect to have at least a few classes outside the core nursing classes, since WGU has very specific requirements for some of them.

An NP generally has more earning potential than a floor nurse. A new grad NP who is an experienced RN may find that they initially take a pay cut compared to what they were earning as a floor nurse, especially taking into account things like overtime pay, since most NP jobs are salary, not hourly. But which is likely to be earning more and have better quality of life when approaching retirement?

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

No, I did not have a bachelor's degree while pursing my BSN at WGU. I initially thought that since I had so many credits to complete, it would take me at least a year to complete the program. However, once I started taking the classes, and saw how fast I was getting though them, I set a new goal to complete the program in six months. I did this while working full-time. Whether or not it takes you to complete the program in six months depends on how many credits you have to complete when starting the program and your motivation to finish the program quickly. As far as graduate degrees go, I was going to start the DNP-FNP program through Bradley University, but changed my mind as I realized I didn't want to be an NP and the program was way too expensive. I just began the MSN in Education at WGU at the beginning of this month which I am paying for out of pocket. I have already completed the first two classes! Hope I've answered your questions! Good luck in your program!

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

CLUVRN Congrats!!! Did you already have a bachelor's degree? I have a bachelor's degree and obtaining my Associates right now (graduation date AUG 2017). Do you think it will take me less than 6 months to obtain my BSN? Also, Do you suggest becoming obtaining a MSN, DNP, or FNP degree? I've seen on this website some nurses stating that obtaining a NP degree is a waste of time since you get the same salary or less than a RN.

No, I did not have a bachelor's degree while pursuing my BSN at WGU. I was scheduled to start the BSN to DNP-FNP at Bradley University January 2016, but decided not to because: 1) I realized I did not want to become an NP, and 2) The program is way too expensive, in my opinion. I began the MSN in Education at the beginning of this month and have already completed the first two classes!

Whether or not it takes you six months to complete the BSN depends on the number of credits you have to complete when you start the program and how motivated you are to finish the program quickly. I initially, thought that due to having 55 credits to complete my BSN, it would take me at least a year to complete the program, but once I started and saw how fast I was completing the classes, I set a goal to complete everything in six months. I hope I've answered your questions. Good luck through the rest of school!

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Aug 17, 2016

Do we need to have a webcam or some sort of video recorder to turn in head to toe assessment assignments ?

Yes you need a webcam for the head to toe assessment and objective assessments. WGU provides the webcam (in a package they send to you called the Student Success Kit). You can take the objective exams via webcam proctoring or you can take the exams at a WGU-approved testing center.

kellyciccone · Aug 31, 2016

thank you for taking time to post about your experience and provide helpful tips.

CONGRATULATIONS on your accomplishments

CLUVRN, MSN, RN · Aug 31, 2016

thank you for taking time to post about your experience and provide helpful tips.
CONGRATULATIONS on your accomplishments

Thanks!

jcnichols · Sep 17, 2016

Congratulations on the accomplishment. I am starting the RN-BSN program October 1. Quick question, do you think it is possible for me to get done in 6 months or less? I only have 31 CU to do.

benegesserit · Sep 17, 2016

Congratulations on the accomplishment. I am starting the RN-BSN program October 1. Quick question, do you think it is possible for me to get done in 6 months or less? I only have 31 CU to do.

Is it possible? Maybe. Is it likely? Not really.

People have made it through 31 or more CUs in 6 months. The program has been restructured such that making it through in six months is less common, but it apparently still happens.

31 CU is a fairly average amount to have to do for the RN to BSN program, and most people are going to take 2 semesters (at least) for that.

But there's absolutely no way anyone here can say whats possible for you personally.

People who make it through quickly tend to be very motivated, not procrastinators, good at self-teaching, and have few outside commitments. Often they only work part-time or have a job that allows lots of time at work for doing schoolwork. Some has to do with whether your student mentor is facilitative or obstructive, and that's luck of the draw.