I already miss you, WGU!

Nursing Students Western Governors

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As some of you already know, I earned my BSN degree online through Western Governors U earlier this year. As much as I enjoyed my experience, I wanted to 'attend' a different school for graduate nursing studies because I didn't want my resume/CV crowded with degrees from schools with mega online presences.

I start the online MSN nursing education program at Eastern New Mexico U in a few days, on August 18th. Yesterday and today I was browsing through BlackBoard, which is the internet course delivery platform ENMU uses.

Now I realize how spoiled I've become because of WGU's self-pacing and lack of hard deadlines! All of the hard deadlines and discussion post requirements for ENMU's program are going to be quite an adjustment for me.

So, I already miss you, WGU!

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
I posted earlier about looking for an online micro class and came across WGU. I don't understand their prenursing RN/BSN. Is the program really all it's cracked up to be? I think what confused me was the clinicals, how does an online program guarantee clinical hours? Also, is WGU self paced? Are the exams proctored or...??? i want to consider this school if it's truly a good program, it seems too good to be true though.

Their prelicensure RN program is a different beast altogether. I can't speak for how it's structured, but I know it's highly regarded and the students get great clinical placements.

Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.

I'm with ya. I'm doing my MSN through a local university and wish I'd just bitten the bullet and done RN->MSN through instead of taking my WGU BSN and moving on. In hindsight, I would have been much better off with the WGU RN->MSN and then doing a post-Master's DNP. But, as they say about hindsight...

Specializes in Outpatient/Clinic, ClinDoc.

Academic incest be durned, if I need an MSN I'm staying @ . I know at my workplace they just want the degrees to 'check the box' and as long as they are accredited you are golden. :p

To Jessies_hope,

WGU has parterships with different hospitals and clinics in the states that the prelicensure program is offered (CA, IN, TX, and FL) that is how they guarantee clinical hours for the students. When you apply, you usually apply to a cohort that is associated with a particular hospital. Apart from on-site clinicals, you also have weekend labs that you need to attend and with in-person assessments.

WGU in general is self paced, however the prelicensure program is not. You have to complete the assigned classes per semester in order to move on to the next since they build off off each other. The exams are proctored, either through ProctorU (using a webcam) or you can take them at an approved location in your area.

I am in one of the cohorts and I really enjoy the program so far. I made sure I did all my research and this program was the best fit for me because I am able to work while in the program. I do not think I would be able to pursue nursing if it were not for this non-traditonal program.

I made sure that the program I attended would be CCNE accredited and regionally accredited, which is, so I do not limit myself in the future if I wanted to further my education.

I appreciated your post so much.

I am in the RN - MSN education program with and have been thinking about bailing (because it would be so easy to just say "ehhh, I'm tired of school"). But, because of your post I will soldier on. I have run into some personal life stuff making online school challengin (I've had to move like 4 times). But, I'm making progress on my Master's and that's better than the alternative - i.e. 'no progress altogether'. Thanks. Best of luck.

Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
But, I'm making progress on my Master's and that's better than the alternative - i.e. 'no progress altogether'. Thanks. Best of luck.

Just remember, that time will pass whether or not you are doing the program. That's what I always tell myself when I'm faced with "Oh my g-d, being done seems so far away!"

Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
I appreciated your post so much.

I am in the RN - MSN education program with WGU and have been thinking about bailing (because it would be so easy to just say "ehhh, I'm tired of school").

In addition to what klone said, consider that your MSN credits may not transfer to another MSN program, should you reconsider later on. Yes, it's a pain in the behind. As someone who's been in school non-stop for the past 10 years (LPN, then ADN, then BSN, then MBA, now hopefully wrapping up MSN this year, and stupidly considering a DNP) believe me, I know the feeling.

But, as klone said, the time will pass either way. At the end, you can either look back upon your accomplishments, or you can look back and say, "I wish I had..."

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