New Policy at WGU regarding admissions

[hailey1122]

Hello all! I wanted to share this information for anyone interested in applying at WGU, or anyone who has come across this same issue and has been able to find a way around it.

I'm an RN-finished school in March 2012 and passed my NCLEX in July 2012. Like a lot of new grads, I've been applying to any RN posting within 100 miles of my home and have not had any luck-not even ONE call. I figured pursuing a BSN would make me a more marketable candidate, so I started looking into online programs, being that I work 40-50 hours a week and I'm a single mom. After much research, WGU seemed like the way to go and I was very excited to start the enrollment process. After paying the $65 application fee and paying my 3 colleges/universitied for transcripts, I received a call from my admissions counselor. He asked me what I did for a living, and I told him I'm a Human Resources Administrator. He asked if I recruited nurses or healthcare professionals, and I truthfully said no. Then, he advised me that WGU had adopted a new policy "about a week ago": admission cannot be granted to any applicants who are not currently working as an RN, or at the very least in a healthcare-related field (medical assistant, CNA, etc.) I was very disappointed, to say the least. Has anyone applied within the last week or 2 and come across this problem? Thank you.

[LoveToHike]

Can you volunteer somewhere and have that "work" count?

[jujubeee]

Hmm. Haven't heard of that. Curious as to what everyone else says and have come across. I guess it makes sense though?

[klone, MSN, RN]

Double post

[klone, MSN, RN]

It states right on their website under admission requirements:

Must be working in a position that requires use of nursing knowledge at time of application and enrollment.

Admissions Requirements for the College of Health Professions Online | Western Governors University

I do not know how long that requirement has been in place.

[hailey1122]

Thank you, klone, for your post. However, at the time when I applied, the website DID NOT say that. It has been updated. Had it said that, I would not have spent my money and time applying. I understand that some people do not do their due dilligence when applying for school, but I did, which is why I don't believe it's fair that they changed the requirements AFTER I submitted my application, yet they still want to hold me to the NEW rules.

[RN*mommy]

I haven't gone to the website to look, but I'm sure there is a disclaimer that admissions procedures are subject to change at anytime. If I'm wrong, then shame on them for not adding that.

Have you appealed the decision? I'm thinking about how Workman's comp works here...that if you can show diligence in attempting to find a job, maybe there's a way that can help you get in? It's a long shot but worth looking into. I know when I apply for jobs online I always get an email after my application is submitted. That would be the proof I'm talking about.

Just an idea...

[hailey1122]

Again, I understand that an institution has the right to change their policies at any time. What I don't understand is how they can hold me to a policy that was NOT in place at the time of my application. It's like false advertisement. It's like ordering a $20 shirt online and being sent an invoice for $30 because the price changed AFTER you ordered it, without the option of cancelling the order (they are not reimbursing my admission fee). There's no way this is fair. There is nobody at the school I can make an appeal to, and I really wouldn't even know where to start. I guess maybe I dodged a bullet and should look elsewhere. It's too bad the other programs are so expensive or not accredited. Back to the drawing board.