MSN capstone/fieldwork information

[msa9179]

I just submitted my final task to complete my BSN through WGU. I am considering continuing on with one of their masters programs, but I have a few concerns about field work and/or capstone stuff. Does anyone know what this entails? The overall setup of the progam worked great for me for my BSN, and I would like to possibly knock out the MSN this way too. Are there major differences in BSN vs MSN at WGU in the classes (performance and objective assessments)? Do you have to clock a lot of fieldwork hours or clinical hours, or something like that?

I see the following classes listed on the WGU website for the leadership MSN. Does anyone know how these classes work? again, lots of clinical time etc?

Essentials of Advanced Nursing Practice Field Experience

Nursing Leadership and Management Field Experience

Nursing Leadership and Management Capstone

[klone, MSN, RN]

Honestly, I'm not sure exactly how it works, as I will not be taking those final courses until my next term (beginning in December). I don't believe you have to clock a certain number of hours, but I could be wrong. My impression of the capstone is that you can do it on "on the job" - basically you look for a QI project need at your work, do it (in a formal, measurable manner) and then write about your findings.

I have a phone meeting this afternoon with my mentor; I will ask her what the field experience is all about and let you know what she says.

[msa9179]

Honestly, I'm not sure exactly how it works, as I will not be taking those final courses until my next term (beginning in December). I don't believe you have to clock a certain number of hours, but I could be wrong. My impression of the capstone is that you can do it on "on the job" - basically you look for a QI project need at your work, do it (in a formal, measurable manner) and then write about your findings.

I have a phone meeting this afternoon with my mentor; I will ask her what the field experience is all about and let you know what she says.

Thank you so much. I will really like to hear what you find out. I have a complicated personal life due to illness in the family that requires me to work basically two full-time jobs most of the time, so WGU has worked great for me to self-pace and create my own schedule/deadlines. I would love to keep going, but I need to make sure I don't get in a bind with committing to spending clinical time, when time is not really on my side. For the BSN, specifically the community health practicum, I literally just had to schedule a bunch of time off work and eat up my vacation time, and get it done. But, my hope is to not get involved in a situation where I have to "clock hours" again like that. Otherwise, I don't mind working on projects at my hospital or talking to managers to design a project or improvement plan, or doing a reasonable amount of research that is not time-specific, or something like that, as that is easily squeezed in with my work.

Anyway, sorry, long winded. But, thanks again, and I look forward to hearing what you find out, along with any other info you have on the program. thanks!

[klone, MSN, RN]

Ack, we got so involved in discussing getting me switched to the new capstone program that I completely forgot to ask. I will go to the MSN message board at WGU's site and ask over there. I'll let you know what I find out.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Okay, according to my mentor, the field experience does require a preceptor, but you mainly just "check in" with them, you don't have to log any hours or officially shadow or precept at that person's job. The capstone is something within your own workplace where you identify something and do a QI project, then evaluate the results.

[msa9179]

Okay, according to my mentor, the field experience does require a preceptor, but you mainly just "check in" with them, you don't have to log any hours or officially shadow or precept at that person's job. The capstone is something within your own workplace where you identify something and do a QI project, then evaluate the results.

Again, thanks so much for the information. I'm really trying to weigh out whether to jump back into school or take some time off. It sounds like the WGU MSN is probably doable for me, even with my busy schedule. I might be wise to just get going while I have momentum on my side and I am accustomed to writing tons of papers and stuff. By the way, are you doing leadership? I am thinking of going the leadership route if I do it, versus the education route. I work ICU now, and still have no idea what I want to do when I grow up......manage? teach?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yeah, I'm doing leadership. Never thought I was ever going to want to go into management when I was a new nurse, but that seems to be the trajectory my career is headed in.

What I did was take 6 months off between my BSN and MSN. It was a nice break, but I can see the merit in jumping right into it while you're still in the student mode.

[saraksa]

Hello klone

I am doing my MSN in administration, and I need help in secleting my QI project. Could you please suggest some topics?

Thank you

[klone, MSN, RN]

Hello klone

I am doing my MSN in administration, and I need help in secleting my QI project. Could you please suggest some topics?

Thank you

No, I really can't. If you're going to WGU, then you need to identify an improvement that needs to be made at your place of work. Only you can do that. If you're having difficulty coming up with someone, you should discuss it with your mentor.