Has anyone done the WGU online RN to BSN program?

[mightymitern]

Has anyone taken any classes from Western Governors University, the RN to BSN program? It looks like a great program, but the classes are not your typical pay per class style. They go by a 6 month period, you pay a fee for that period and can take or test out of as many classes as you would like.

I also like the fact that when I told them I could not start until the fall of 2010 they kept my name and information on file and update me once a month, but are not pushing. I filled out a form for info on another college 2 days ago and they haven't stopped calling, calling, calling since. I do not like the pressure tactics. Thank you.

[Carabella]

Passionflower, have you graduated from WGU? And when did you enroll?

[vetnrse]

So when did you take this program? According to ranothrr post, the program was redone and is now more confusing a and difficult to get through in less than 18 mo

[passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN]

Carabella I finished the BSN portion and am now on to my MSN about half way through.(I did the bridge) Took me one year to complete BSN on a very part time basis (and had to take personal time off) but also I am enjoying the learning process. My ADN program was accelerated and I feel like I learned for the moment but got no real retention. I have learned a lot with WGU but I have always been a self motivated learner and so far have gotten what I needed from the program and the course mentors. Works for some, others don't care for it but I believe the ratio tips the scales in favor of the program. Bottom line is do what is best for you and feels right and best of luck!

[Carabella]

Passionflower, Thank you for your answer! What year did you graduate with your BSN and how many credits did you need?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

So when did you take this program?

What year did you graduate with your BSN and how many credits did you need?

I know y'all were asking someone other than me, but I'll respond anyway. :)

I completed the RN to BSN program in 2015. It took me 10 months and 34 credits to complete the program at a somewhat leisurely pace.

[Carabella]

I think it was just not for me. What I liked:

The two courses that needed tests only (I'm a good test taker) and I aced them with high grades, the ease of signing up, the price, the video cam assessments at home, and my student mentor was lovely.

What I didn't like:

Biochemistry (recently redone and now they are restructuring the course again due to multitudes of complaints about confusing or unavailable info...) I spoke with a very flippant course mentor who referred me to the exact resources that I called about because I could NOT get answers, nor the information I needed. I love science, it is probably my best subject, and I thought I would go out of my mind with this course. The other mentors would provide partial answers to a direct question (i.e. Where do I find the information to study for this, or when answering the question part of the rubric do I need to include x, y, or z - because different resources within the course material will tell you different things), after calling the Biochem dept., would get a cheery post (in chatter) as to how they were glad they were able to "help"... You feel as though you are going down a rabbit hole into a deep dark maze, to end up at the same place with no results... This is not an uncommon theme at WGU! There is always some "hook" you find out about at the back end. The other student mentors would give half answers when I called to clarify questions, again because I had conflicting information within their material. They tell you not to use google, but I would not have been able to do the tasks without it. I also question why they can't just accept chemistry as a science course? We are already licensed RNs!!! I HATE: doing the models! I'm not the arts and crafts type they are not "fun", and you still must provide multi stepped short essay answers in flawless APA format. It is not "challenging", it is confusing!!!!

Course work annoyance factor (HUGE - I cannot stress this enough) The amount of long, (did I say long?) annoying papers, projects, videos, etc. Insanely detail oriented, differences among the various resources as to how to complete protects, APA STICKLERS (yes, I know it is customary, but it's profoundly annoying), vast amounts of work to cover for topics that should be more straight forward (again, we are licensed already!). I passed everything first try, but it totally s*cked!!!

Would rather take tests, have straight forward study material, and clear info on what I needed.

I went to an accelerated ADN program and breezed through... My school had a 98-99% pass rate on the NCLEX depending upon the year. I was shocked at how CONFUSING WGU was. Maybe it is just me and I have gotten more linear with age.

I am looking for a different school and program :)))))))))

[vetnrse]

Did you run into any of the problems that Carabella mentioned?

[Carabella]

Thank you, Commuter! I appreciate your answer!

[Minnesota Betty]

I started WGU in 2016 and was able to finish in one term. My goal was to finish as quickly as possible for employment reasons. If my goal had been to maximize learning (usually a goal) rather than to finish as quickly as possible, it would have taken longer. I already had taken biochemistry and statistics as well as all the other non-nursing prerequisite courses before beginning at WGU so that made it more manageable to finish in one term as well. I'm happy to provide feedback on my experience if that would be helpful for anyone.

[vetnrse]

Oh, thats my reason, for job purposes I too need to get this done as quickly and painlessly as possible. They said I have to retake statistics since its been greater than 5 yrs and they wont accept the organic chem I took, they want biochm.How many credits did you have to take after previous credit transfer?

[Carabella]

Minnesota, that's impressive!

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

I already had taken biochemistry and statistics as well as all the other non-nursing prerequisite courses

Where did you take Biochemistry?

Thank you.