If you went to WGU and then on to NP school, where?

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I'm in the very early stages of researching BSN programs. I am planning on eventually moving on to an NP program. I understand the pass/fail 3.0 issue with WGU, but I keep seeing posts saying people transferred successfully into NP programs despite this.

I am, however, having trouble ascertaining what NP programs specifically people got into. I've been looking for about an hour and haven't been able to pin down a specific NP program anyone from WGU had gotten into yet. I'm not married to any certain NP program at this time, so I'd like to hear what programs other people got into so I can research them.

WGU still looks appealing to me because I work FT, I'm no Spring chicken, and I am financially a bit strapped due to losing my home to a hurricane not too long ago, so I'm still rebuilding my life.

I'd really appreciate those who have graduated from WGU with a BSN and then successfully gotten into an NP program to share which programs are cool with the WGU grading system.

Thank you so much!

Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
penname40 said:
I have a question, or 2.....

I am a 20 plus year associate degreed RN, looking to finally start on obtaining my advanced degree.... BSN. I have pretty much decided WGU will be a good fit for me. However, I am also weighing my options of skipping the BSN & getting a bachelors in IT. I think it would give me more options for the future and getting away from bedside nursing. Is there anyone with RN and degree in IT that has made that transition, and what opportunities did you find.... I hope this makes sense and someone can give me some advice/ opinions. Thanks

This really depends on your goals. Are you interested in moving into actual IT or are you interested in going into Nursing Informatics? If IT, then go for the BS IT. If informatics, then you'll want to get the BSN before you do anything else.

Realize that with 20 years' experience as an RN, you're probably going to take a big drop in pay going into an entry-level IT job.

Also, this is an off-topic question and you may find it more helpful to create your own thread on the subject instead of piggybacking onto this one.

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This is a reply I received from Washington State University after I asked if they accepted WGU students:

Hi!

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the WSU College of Nursing Graduate Program! We have accepted students from WGU and the biggest obstacle is the 3.0 GPA for those who passed the program. (We do require a Bachelor's degree as well and you don't mention this in your email. Do you plan to get one prior to the MSN from WGU?)

The GPA is only one part of the admission puzzle. You also are required to submit a written interview questionnaire and have a person one-one interview as well. Both of these requirements are areas where you can talk about the GPA from WGU and to really shine” by having a well-written interview questionnaire and being prepared for the interview.

Best wishes in your search, and thank you for your interest in the WSU College of Nursing Graduate Programs. Please don't hesitate to contact us with more questions or concerns.

---------------------------

So it is possible!!! Good luck everyone!!

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Reminder: Yes, your GPA from WGU will be 3.0. However, for most people in the RN to BSN program, WGU represents a small percentage of your overall undergrad GPA. Competitive schools will look at your whole college career, not just your RN to BSN GPA.

So the WGU 3.0 GPA is a potential issue for those in the prelicensure program or who have a low GPA from their previous college experience. It should not be a major issue for those who have done well in college prior to WGU, which is probably most of us, as nursing school is competitive to get into.

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In response to MURSE901...

I am wondering what was your GPA beforehand, and what did you do to be competitive for your graduate program?

What kind of experience did you acquire as an RN and what kind of leadership events did you do?

Thank you for your time! Any insight is really appreciated!

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I wish you best of luck with this, too. I've noticed it's hard to get good info about WGU to NP. I am just about finished with my BSN at WGU. I'm hoping WGU is able to offer NP sooner or later. Have you called any NP schools you're interested in attending?

I, too, have been kind of interested in NP. Looks like a local affordable option for me is California State University Los Angeles or Cal State Dominguez Hills. I have not yet called them about WGU BSN. Awhile back I spoke with Simmons College in Boston and Georgetown. They both said they would accept WGU BSN's. I think someone elsewhere on Allnurses wrote that University of Southern California, too, will accept WGU BSN's.

Best of luck. Update us with your info.

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There is absolutely no reason any school would not accept a WGU BSN. WGU is regionally accredited, the BSN program is accredited through the CCNE, and it is as valid as any other school. So simply asking if they will accept the degree is pointless.

The question is whether the 3.0 GPA would be accepted and competitive. And, as I've previously said, most RN to BSN graduates will have higher than a 3.0 overall GPA due to previous college work.

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Jess6 said:
There is absolutely no reason any school would not accept a WGU BSN. WGU is regionally accredited, the BSN program is accredited through the CCNE, and it is as valid as any other school. So simply asking if they will accept the degree is pointless.

The question is whether the 3.0 GPA would be accepted and competitive. And, as I've previously said, most RN to BSN graduates will have higher than a 3.0 overall GPA due to previous college work.

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I realized I phrased it awfully in my last post! I did explain my concerns to the counselor about the GPA issue, not the accreditation issue because that obviously is not a concern- since accredited with both CCNE and NLN...

But I wonder what is an average GPA for people coming into graduate school if they went to WGU. Right now I'm at a B level... and I wonder if going to WGU will hurt my chances...

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For what it's worth, I just calculated my total GPA. If you disregard my first failed attempt at college 15 years ago (and it can reasonably be disregarded - I have adequate credits for a bachelor's without any of that), my GPA is 3.44 (3.21 if you include everything). That includes a D and a few Cs, along with my 34 units of 3.0 from WGU.

Wouldn't get me into a super-competitive program, but I blame that more on my less-than-perfect academic history than WGU, and it is perfectly adequate for many programs.

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Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
MercuryStarshine said:
In response to MURSE901...

I am wondering what was your GPA beforehand, and what did you do to be competitive for your graduate program?

What kind of experience did you acquire as an RN and what kind of leadership events did you do?

Honestly, my GPA when I applied to the NP program was not competitive at all. I don't remember what it was, but I probably barely scraped 3.0. GPA is not the end-all, be-all of NP school admission, but you'll definitely have to at least meet the minimum requirements.

For my program, working experience seemed to be a bigger factor than GPA. A co-worker of mine had been applying to the same program and was rejected 3 application rounds in a row, despite having a very competitive GPA for her BSN. However, she started applying when she was a new grad. She was accepted on her fourth application, and she had about 2 years of ER experience under her belt on that last application. I applied and was accepted on the first application, but already had 2 years of ER experience as an RN and also had several years' experience as an LPN and EMT prior to that.

As a side note, I transferred from the NP program to the Executive Leadership MSN at my school, so I don't have much to say about anything other than the admission process.

As for what type of experience to get -- I'm a little biased. If you're going into an FNP program, I highly advise to get experience in a busy ER. This will give you exposure to pretty much everything you'll run into as an FNP, and you'll get a good mix of high acuity, very sick patients as well as routine coughs and colds. If you're planning on being an ACNP, you'll definitely want strong ICU experience.

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Thanks MURSE901, I very much appreciate your response. It really helps put it in perspective of what I need to accomplish as a new grad that aspires to be an FNP. I do need experience to figure out what I want though, and perhaps my aspirations will change along the way too. I wonder why you changed your mind about NP school...if you don't mind me asking...

But truthfully even after this discussion I am still trying to decide whether I should pend my brick and mortar school's BSN acceptance, or if I should go the cheaper route of WGU...

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Specializes in ER,Pedi,Med-Surg.

Hi everyone, I'm also racking my brain about deciding on WGU or UT Tyler here in Texas? I I want to pursue a Master's Degree, just can't decide if NP or MSN in Education :/...I know I need my BSN- just can't decide?? I've been a ER RN for quite sometime. Was a LVN, then bridged for an ADN, been at the same hospital for close to 10 yrs.... I need advice... Please

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Anyone complete a MSN at WGU and then go on to get a post-masters certificate to be a NP? It seems it could be cheaper and quicker, but I wonder if it's marketable.

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