I already have a BA and an LPN, is WGU right for me?

Nursing Students Western Governors

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I already have a BA and an LPN and I'm wondering if might be an option for me. If so, how long will it take me? I've seen people post their BSN took 6 months, I'm assuming this is an RN-BSN??

Thanks for any help!

I called EC they said it takes 18-24 months with current wait times :(

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The pre-licensure program is five, six month terms. LPN courses do not transfer. You would likely get credit for some pre-requisite work from your BA (what is your BA in?)- but you still would need to complete that pre-clinical term with your cohort. That's just how the program is set up.

I think your bigger issue right now is being able to work as an LPN. If you 'cannot afford daycare' on LPN pay- that is HUGE. Is there no way around this? Family? Friends? Night shift work?

Sorry just saw your first question, my BA is in science education.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Nope. My husband is a soldier so I'm not near family/friends and he comes and goes so he can't help with the kids. LPN pay is close to minimum wage and day care is 1000-2500/ month depending on where we are stationed.

Why do I need daycare for this program if it's online?

Clinicals are not online.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I called EC they said it takes 18-24 months with current wait times :(

If you're willing to travel to any clinical site, then you might get a sooner date when you are CPNE eligible. People cancel for all sorts of reasons.

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

Why do I need daycare for this program if it's online?

For the clinical portions

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Why does it take so long if I already have a BA and LPN?

I suspect your time frames to degree completion might be a tad bit unrealistic.

I have never, ever seen an LPN-to-BSN program that was less than two years in length, even with a previous non-nursing BA or BS degree. My LPN-to-ASN transition program was 14 months long, and people with previous BA/BS degrees might have only gotten the first two months shaved off for previous coursework.

A friend with a previous LPN license and BS degree completed the LPN-to-ASN program with me, and got only two months shaved off, so she attended for 12 months while other members of the cohort attended for 14 months or longer.

Personally, I transitioned from LPN to ASN to BSN. If you need a shorter program, you may wish to consider LPN-to-ASN programs at a local community college or trade school. You can complete an accelerated BSN in 15 months, but you'll pay up the nose in tuition and fees without the ability to work full-time anymore.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

It seems to me that if you could do an LPN-RN bridge, get a job as an RN, then to and RN-BSN bridge. The RN-BSN program I took was very inexpensive and I did it in a calendar year. Online totally. I think the LPN-RN is about the same, but I don't know as much about those programs. The BA should come in handy when you got to do the RN-BSN because you will not need (probably) any Gen Ed classes. I worked FT during my RN-BSN online program. I have a BS in Biology so that helped. I would have done an ABSN but missed the deadline for entrance so opted for the ADN

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I was a LVN (Texas version of LPN) and just graduated last month from a transition to RN program at a local community college. The problem with for you is that they give you very little, if any, credit for your LPN license that you worked so hard for (not patronizing, my LVN program was much more difficult that the RN program I just finished). Even at the community college I only saved one semester by having my LVN license. What took a traditional student 4 semesters took me 3 and my LVN program was 3 semesters so I ended up with a total of 6 vs their 4. I was FAR more prepared than most of the traditional students and was making easily twice as much money as most of them working full time during school and while I had a good RN job waiting for me, many of them will have to take entry level RN positions, etc. Who's better off? I don't know. I think I did what was best for me and my family. There is only one LPN-BSN program that I am aware of that is entirely online. It is through Indiana State Nursing: LPN / LVN to BS | DegreeLink | Indiana State University. In my opinion, you are better off finding a local night and weekend program for transition to RN. The increase in pay is significantly more for the LPN-ADN than from ADN to BSN. WGU has, from what my research has found, an amazing RN-BSN/MSN. I will be starting the RN-MSNadmin program in January! As far as babysitters go, there are a lot of resources available for you on base. I'm sure there are lots of moms who are willing to help you. Also, you can easily get the workforce scholarship (federal funds) to pay for your program allowing you to more easily afford to pay for babysitting. Even if you have to take out $15,000 in student loans I promise it will be worth it.

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