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

[dandk1997RN]

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!

[benegesserit]

beekee said:

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.

I've calculated it out in the past, and didn't find it to be cheaper/quicker unless you finish WGU very fast. Post-master's certs don't really save all that many credits.

I'd think it would be marketable as long as the Post-master's cert was from a reputable program.

Because Post-master's certificate admissions take into account gpa in graduate level work, WGU's grading system might be more of a problem than it is for the RN to BSN program.

[dandk1997RN, MSN, RN]

To answer my own question...finished up my MSN-Ed at WGU earlier this year and just found out I was accepted into the Samford University DNP program. So it does really happen.

[SimplyacaringNurse]

dfwbsndude said:

Couple other things to consider about WGU: they are a longer program than others, 2 1/2 years, and they seem to be more competitive to get into. For Dallas they only take 12 people per each cohort. Some of the other programs accept quite a few more people. The costs are the same for the most part. Also, their clinical rotations are not very flexible. I've asked for clarification about this in another thread, but the admissions rep said you are at the mercy of partnering hospital and you need to be available at any time during the week, day, night and weekends. My current job is a M-F 9-5 type so it would be really difficult for me to work my clinicals during the day.

So while I like some of WGU's structure, I'm kinda leaning towards not doing their program since I absolutely know I want to get into a NP program. I'm sure there are programs I could get into, but I like to be as qualified as possible -- that extra bump from a good GPA is critical to me.

Not true, their clinicals are doable for the working student plus no school has clinicals that will fit every student work schedule if you know of a school like this let me know lol

Cost is low

The program length depends on you.

[benegesserit]

SimplyacaringNurse said:

Not true, their clinicals are doable for the working student plus no school has clinicals that will fit every student work schedule if you know of a school like this let me know lol

Cost is low

The program length depends on you.

This doesn't seem right given the info they publish.

Based on the sample schedule WGU publishes, the clinicals seem like they would require a lot of time off work (at least a week or two every two months, increasing towards the end of the program). Total program length may have some flexibility, but the actual nursing portion of the program has a set minimum length because of the clinicals.

But maybe what they publish isn't accurate, and it's more flexible than it seems? You sound like you're speaking from experience - what did it look like in reality?

I do agree - there are few nursing programs that are going to accommodate a full-time job, especially a 9-5 type. WGU is certainly not unique in that.

[Charcoal717, MSN, NP]

I finished my RN-BSN through WGU graduating in May 2016. I am now knocking out my MSN with a focus on nursing education at WGU now (I teach clinical as an adjunct 1-2 days a week for supplement income.) I was accepted into Indiana Wesleyan University for the NP program in primary care. I start May 2017, and I am pumped. I know that this is an older post on the forums but I wondered the same thing and wanted to pass on my experience.

[dandk1997RN, MSN, RN]

I just wanted to clarify, for future readers, that the program at Samford is an FNP DNP program.

[whatcom county nurse]

As a WGU grad (April 2016) I wanted to throw a couple of things out here -- First, I completed BSN in 4 months, found the program very tedious with "busy work" but not challenging. I know the 3.0 is recognized by nearly every MSN and DNP program because WGU is well-accredited. I've applied for NP programs and been wait listed. My work experience as a nurse is limited but my education is lengthy (already have MS in another field) and cumulative GPA 3.3. So, while WGU's 3.0 isn't a problem, I wonder if the program integrity is as well-regarded by admitting evaluators as other programs. Second, all the MSN and DNP programs I've looked at require minimum 3.0 if you are applying with BSN. But, if you are applying with MSN, they require 3.5 GPA. If you're applying with an MSN from WGU, you're GPA will always be 3.0. If anyone has seen a way around this or knows of a NP or DNP program that will take a 3.0 MSN from WGU, please let me know. If that's the case, I will take MSN at WGU, then apply for NP or DNP (hopefully...). Good luck to everyone!

[fetchfelix]

I researched this subject greatly, so for the future people who read this thread..............Im a British trained RN with = GPA to 3.0 I graduated WGU after nearly 3 years ( I had a lot to do because no one recognizes my UK stuff) in Feb 2016. I start FNP with Frontier Nursing University in Jan 2017. GPA is not the only factor schools look at. Be encouraged.

Felix

[SSSLE]

Looking for advice...

1. I'm 50 (time is money for me)

2. Working on 3rd career after divorce and empty nest (Experience: 15 years in I.T. for major airline; 8 years networking marketing; involved stay at home mom; business owner)

3. 2014-15 I went back to school full time; I did 4 semesters of Esthetics for License (West Georgia Technical College and completed many extra certifications laser, micropigmentation etc)

4. Fall 2015 I continued on as a full-time student taking core classes/ALHS curriculum for CNA and pre-req for RN.

(I maintained a 4.0 through LE & CNA; 3.8 after a couple of additional ALHS & GE Core classes; 3.6 after College Algebra) (All while working, maintaining a house, animals, volunteer stuff and planning my daughter's wedding)

5. I'm now almost done with GE and ready to apply for RN...I can't seem to find an accelerated, online or hybrid college in my area that I can transfer my credits to and finish. I don't qualify for the HOPE scholarship in GA due to my age so I'm paying out of pocket. I will consider student loans if it's an accelerated program mostly online.

Currently, I own my own Clinical Esthetics practice, but I am still restricted from doing everything that I'm certified to do because the medical board controls some areas of aesthetics and since we don't have an NP/MD as our Director our scope of practice is limited. My long term goal is to finish BSRN then do a bridge program to NP so that I can own my own Medical Aesthetics Practice. Does anyone have any advice on colleges that offer an accelerated program mostly online that is accredited to get into an NP program?

[OliverElio87, BSN, RN]

WGU has a hybrid program, but its only offered in CA, UT, TX, IN, FL. It's also 2.5 years long.

[m.sherman81]

I graduated WGU in Dec 2015 1 week before having a baby. I took a year off to be with him, and today received an acceptance letter from UTA for FNP starting in February. It is absolutely possible.

[Ziglar1]

Has anyone gained entrance into a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Program with a WGU BSN? If so, which school was it? Really interested in this field and would like to see if I can get pointed in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!