MSN education info

LJMoats · Dec 15, 2017

1. My goal was to complete in 1 year and am on track. I have 1 more class before my Capstone.

2. Capstone is a project that you research, implement, and evaluate.

3. I am a huge proponent of competency based education for the ADN to BSN and BSN to MSN programs. I really can't speak to traditional classroom. This program is very research oriented. You create your own timeframes for course Work. I feel prepared.

4. Setting realistic goals. Utilizing resources available. Communication with both the Student Mentor and the Course Mentors.

Are you currently enrolled at WGU? If so the best advice I can give is this: When writing a paper use the rubric sections as headers, follow the rubric explicitly. For example if the rubric asks you identify advantages and disadvantages, make sure you include those words in your writing.

KCRN143 · Dec 19, 2017

Thank you for your information and advice!!

allnurses Guide · Dec 20, 2017

1. How long did it take you? If you have no responsibilities besides PRN work maybe 1-3 shifts a week, do you feel it could be done faster than the previous answer?

I did RN to MSN and took a total of 2.5 years to complete it, working full time with teenaged kids. Yes, I definitely feel it can be done faster than I did it. There was a LOT of procrastination built into my timeline!

2. What exactly is a capstone project? (sorry if that's a dumb question but I honestly do not know)

Capstone is a big research project you do at the end of your program. It is the final component to pass before you are awarded your degree and graduate. It actually begins the semester before, through research and development, working in conjunction with a Masters prepared nurse at your place of employment. I really enjoyed mine. It involves a very in depth literature review that is intimidating, but frankly not difficult, just voluminous. You end it with a video presentation of your Capstone that is the equivalent of doing an oral defense.

3. Do you feel it gave you what you needed to become a great professor? or do you feel you might have benefited from a in class type program?

I have chosen to go into Professional Development rather than being a professor. I do feel as prepared as any new grad feels in a new specialty. I learned a LOT from WGU. I am learning even more now as I practice in my new role. Just remember...all the differences that made going from school to being a new grad nurse are also there when going from graduate school to being a nursing education professional. There is a learning curve that can't be taught in school. Not having done this in a brick and mortar type of institution, I can't speak to the differences very well, but I too am a big fan of competency based education for adults with experience. I feel my experience was very pertinent to my coursework and that my coursework has been very pertinent to my new role.

4. Any pointers/tips would be great!

I agree with the above tip about using your rubric. I would print mine out and have it beside me as I wrote my papers. If you have two computer screens you could eliminate the need to print.

I would add in to utilize your course mentors. I was pretty late into my program before I found the courage to contact them and I wish I had actually done so sooner. Every single one of them was responsive and made things easier. When the coursework is mostly independent it is very easy to overthink things and make it harder than it has to be. Using the course mentors kept me in the right lane, so to speak. I am not kidding that every single one was engaged and enthusiastic about helping. Particularly while learning to evaluate research reports, I found the mentor to be essential. He helped me like crazy.

I also was a member of a couple of Facebook groups specific to WGU and my degree/major. Help from other students that didn't cross over into academic dishonesty was super useful. It was also motivating to see others moving ahead in the program. At times it would make me feel bad that I wasn't doing it faster, but the truth is, seeing people who started after me finishing up was a kick in the rear that I needed. The biggest challenge of the WGU model is not having any deadlines other than those set by yourself and the end of the semester. Finding ways to keep myself going forward was a personal growth opportunity, as I am a procrastinator by nature.

Good luck in school and don't hesitate to reach out to me via PM if I can be of assistance!