No "S" on my chest for super student, but maybe for slow

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2016

The nice thing about WGU's RN-to-BSN program is there's no algebra requirement. For someone like me who is a poor math student, this was reassuring.

I completed the program in 10 months while working 12-hour night shifts full time. If you want to complete the program in 18 months, that's a reasonable goal. However, taking longer means you pay more tuition.

Good luck to you!

Redsox07 · Jan 14, 2016

Hi, I'm (I think) 85% of the way through the BSN at WGU. I'm in the RN-MSN Education track and we complete the BSN coursework along the way. Overall, I think you should jump right in and go for it. You'll never know, you might be one of those that start off saying they're "slow" and then fly right through it. I too had to take stats and I loved it. One of my favorite courses. I thought it was very well organized and I really learned a great deal.

One of the best things about the program is also one of its worst. Only you are ultimately in charge of your school progress.

Thus, learn from my mistake - make school your priority. This means, make time to study and think about where you can go regularly for a quiet place without interruptions. It didn't occur to me until my 3rd semester, I maybe should have lied and told my job, my friends and family that I'm a student at a brick and mortar institution like the local state college. I have regularly had to push my school work aside because they needed help at work. Or my friends will say - you don't have to study, or worse- "Why do you need to go back to school?" I wasted a lot of time with people I lived with making noise or the such, thinking that online school is sooo easy. Not for me. It's the real deal and with each new course, it can take a little time to understand the best way to get through the course.

Make sure your job is on board with your going to school. If not, maybe consider holding off school until you can sort that out best. I have left two jobs who regularly overscheduled me after I stressed with them - "I can not work extra days - I'm in school." I had one part time job (2 days a week) where for 4 months, they regularly scheduled me for 4 and 5 days a week before I finally had to quit and turned to travel nursing to pay the bills.

You are going to learn a great deal and have a greater respect for other nurses (especially BSN's). Now I can understand why magnet hospitals and other employers ONLY hire BSN. Completing the BSN is a whole different game.

Best of luck. Think positive, plan well, and you'll get through it on-time with minimal stress.

Another plus --- WGU seems to be the most affordable BSN anywhere. I love, too, that whatever I'm doing, I am chipping away at my education. The minute you finish one course, you're onto the next. Even though it can be stressful, I'm very appreciative of each experience. Go for it.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 14, 2016

You'll never know, you might be one of those that start off saying they're "slow" and then fly right through it.

I concur. By saying you're going to be a 'slow' student, you're setting up a self-fulfilling prophecy. There's nothing wrong with moving slowly through the coursework, but your tuition and fees will double if you take too long.

Another plus --- WGU seems to be the most affordable BSN anywhere.

It is only the most affordable BSN if you finish in two terms or less. Once the student enters a third term, the tuition becomes comparable to several other popular programs (UTA, OU, FHSU, ENMU, ULL).

And of course, students who require a fourth term to complete their degrees end up losing any cost savings whatsoever, in addition to paying more in the long run.

bellabellabijou · Jan 19, 2016

I'm just starting my MSN in education this April. I am shooting for 18 months tops. I am also 62 years old, work full time cath lab and am on call. Talk about the cards stacked against me! But I received my BSN from The University of Texas in 2 years at the age of 57 working the same conditions PLUS having 2 parents ill and a dying sister PLUS a house and a husband. I don't have any of that now...so this should be easy as heck.

We all have adversity and what we consider impediments to achieving our goals. Especially when trying to go back to school while working with a family. But people do it all the time and succeed. There is no reason for any of us not to. I say: take a close and non-emotional look at the situation and them go for it. Commit. That's the key: just commit to it and jump in. It's only 2 years of struggle then years of reward. I don't recall much of the pain of those years of getting my BSN but I do recall the rewards of it.

heartsgal, ADN, RN · Jan 20, 2016

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and advice! I am eager to "jump right in" Bella and hopefully can begin soon. I'm still working out the financial side of things.

heartsgal, ADN, RN · Jan 20, 2016

Hi, I'm (I think) 85% of the way through the BSN at WGU. I'm in the RN-MSN Education track and we complete the BSN coursework along the way.

When did your classes begin? I'm trying to get a handle on an approximate timeline for myself. Thank you for all the tips and detailed information :)

MollyRN77 · Jan 22, 2016

You can totally do it! I just graduated in Dec 2015 from the RN-BSN program. I worked full time M-F and had three daughters in multiple sports all at the same time. I took 18 months to complete the program. I just focused on one class at a time. Some were faster than others. I also had to take statistics. I studied in bulk a lot. Like entire Saturday's or if something was overwhelming I tried to break it up into manageable bites. I almost gave up in the beginning, but my wonderful course mentor convinced me to keep plugging away! So glad I did. Received my degree in the mail, and it is so rewarding. It may have cost me a little more, but it was worth it to be able to balance everything. Best wishes to you!

klone, MSN, RN · Jan 23, 2016

I think I hold the record here for the longest time spent completing my WGU degree(s). I spent 18 months on my RN-BSN, and 26 months on my MSN-Leadership.

I started, intending to accelerate, but life and procrastination got in the way. Slow and steady, but I did it! You can too. :)

benegesserit · Jan 26, 2016

I think I hold the record here for the longest time spent completing my WGU degree(s). I spent 18 months on my RN-BSN, and 26 months on my MSN-Leadership.
I started, intending to accelerate, but life and procrastination got in the way. Slow and steady, but I did it! You can too. :)

Nope, I've got you beat! Took me a full 4 terms for RN-BSN. Almost went to five, but I managed to pull off a lot at the last minute.

Health issues, took on too many other responsibilities, and I have a bad perfectionistic procrastination streak. In retrospect, WGU may not have been the best fit for me, and I seriously doubt I will go there for a post-grad degree, even if they do end up getting a specialty more aligned with my interests.

But I have my BSN!

Redsox07 · Jan 27, 2016

I started June of 2014. Hope to finish the bsn before the end of May 2016.