Pros/Cons of a Western Governors degree

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Can anyone tell me the pro/cons of a Western Governors degree. I've heard conflicting views and don't know what to believe.

I realize they are competency based. However I wonder if there is some way that they can make a change in the outgoing GPA seen by other universities. It is the greatest disadvantage I can see at WGU. I still plan to go there even though I had possibly hoped to become and NP.[/quote']

I was told by the representative that because they are competency based there is no way of judging what is an A or B. For example, there are multiple times you are able to take a test (I think about 3) and that is why they cannot give A's or B's. She was very honest and warned me that depending on the school, this could pose a problem for people who seek past a Bachelors. I don't think it'll be a problem for people who live in the Midwest but for myself who lives in California and am planning on applying to California schools, this would definitely be a problem.

To add to that, I spoke with Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach and Azusa Pacific Master programs and they said a 3.0 is not competitive at all. It is actually their bare minimum when applying. HOWEVER, if you have years of experience, this could outweigh their decision. Hope this helps anyone in Cali! :)

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I guess I should contact my school of choice for a masters and see what the competitive GPA is around here. In Texas, near DFW, it is very competitive due to the many nursing schools in the area. Any which way, I will probably stick with WGU. They have so many positives otherwise!

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I guess I should contact my school of choice for a masters and see what the competitive GPA is around here. In Texas near DFW, it is very competitive due to the many nursing schools in the area. Any which way, I will probably stick with WGU. They have so many positives otherwise![/quote']

Yup! You never know! She did mention that plenty of their students move on to Master programs and to contact your specific school of choice. Good luck! :)

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Specializes in Postpartum and Newborn.

I had the same GPA concern, so I called a few prospective graduate schools in California to ask about the whole WGU 3.0 situation. I was told that the minimum GPA for these programs is typically a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, but because a 3.0 is the highest you can get at WGU, they take that into consideration. Basically, many of these schools will look a a 3.0 from WGU a little differently than a 3.0 from another university. Might not be true for every program, but it made me feel better about my decision to enroll at WGU (I've been very happy with the school and the education I've been receiving... highly recommend!). :)

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I am a second career professional. I live in Southern California. I received my ADN from a very respected private university in So Cal and it cost me 42k ( but it was a means to an end at the time). I completed my RN-BSN with WGU. I am in the process of applying for the MSN program with WGU. I can tell you that recently I have been on several interviews and have not encountered any issues with having a BSN from WGU from potential employers. All they want to know is " Do you have your BSN?" " Yes." Check. " Do you have your PHN certificate?" " " Yes." Check. " You are pursuing your MSN?" " Yes." "Great!"

My current employer is one of the clinical sites for WGU's pre-licensure program. The student to RN ratio is 1:1. Which I think is great instead of the student having to wait until they are almost done with their program to work 1:1 with an RN.

I have no dreams of being CNO or CEO of a hospital ( not saying that you couldn't with a WGU degree). Do I believe that have MSN in my back pocket will be invaluable? Absolutely! The whole WGU debate reminds me of when I was applying for nursing school and everyone had an opinion about G.P.A.'s and TEAS scores, what nursing schools thought if you repeated a science course. I said it was " BS" then and it's " BS" now. You have to make the decision that's best for you. WGU is extremely affordable and I don't regret a penny spent.

I do believe that any RN who plans to be working for the next 20 years needs to read the writing on the wall and plan on going further with their education. WGU isn't for everyone. The same way no two nursing programs are alike. You get in where you fit in.

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I am a second career professional. I live in Southern California. I received my ADN from a very respected private university in So Cal and it cost me 42k ( but it was a means to an end at the time). I completed my RN-BSN with WGU. I am in the process of applying for the MSN program with WGU. I can tell you that recently I have been on several interviews and have not encountered any issues with having a BSN from WGU from potential employers. All they want to know is " Do you have your BSN?" " Yes." Check. " Do you have your PHN certificate?" " " Yes." Check. " You are pursuing your MSN?" " Yes." "Great!"

My current employer is one of the clinical sites for WGU's pre-licensure program. The student to RN ratio is 1:1. Which I think is great instead of the student having to wait until they are almost done with their program to work 1:1 with an RN.

I have no dreams of being CNO or CEO of a hospital ( not saying that you couldn't with a WGU degree). Do I believe that have MSN in my back pocket will be invaluable? Absolutely! The whole WGU debate reminds me of when I was applying for nursing school and everyone had an opinion about G.P.A.'s and TEAS scores, what nursing schools thought if you repeated a science course. I said it was " BS" then and it's " BS" now. You have to make the decision that's best for you. WGU is extremely affordable and I don't regret a penny spent.

I do believe that any RN who plans to be working for the next 20 years needs to read the writing on the wall and plan on going further with their education. WGU isn't for everyone. The same way no two nursing programs are alike. You get in where you fit in.

Awesome!! Are the MSN programs you're applying to NP programs? This is specifically what they said was competitive. And how much health care experience do you have? I would love to know because if this is the case, I will seriously reconsider. I have a baby and online classes would be so much better for my schedule. Please let me know. Thanks so much!!

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I know a number of nurses who got accepted to, and graduated from CRNA school after getting their BSNs through WGU. Several of them good friends of mine.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

My only complaint with WGU is that they don't have an RN to MSN program. Those RNs with associates degrees have to ask themselves if they want to comeplete (at the very least) 21 credits to comeplete their BSN and then about (at least) 36 credits to comeplete their MSN when they can earn the MSN directly with 44 or so credits.

On the other hand WGU is very affordable and it might be worth the extra work do do 13 more credits to save a lot of money.

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My only complaint with WGU is that they don't have an RN to MSN program. Those RNs with associates degrees have to ask themselves if they want to comeplete (at the very least) 21 credits to comeplete their BSN and then about (at least) 36 credits to comeplete their MSN when they can earn the MSN directly with 44 or so credits.

On the other hand WGU is very affordable and it might be worth the extra work do do 13 more credits to save a lot of money.

They actually do have an RN to MSN program. My counselor was actually talking to me about doing that, but I told her I just wanted to get a BSN through them.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

Yes, they do have an RN-MSN program. I like that, unlike many other programs, you still earn your BSN as you go through the program. Sometimes unexpected things happen, and if for some reason you cannot finish the program, at least you still have a BSN to show for all the work you have invested thus far.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Yes, they do have an RN-MSN program. I like that, unlike many other programs, you still earn your BSN as you go through the program.

*** That is not an RN to MSN program inspite of what they call it. I was well aware that WGU offers a path to MSN for RNs when I stated the fact that they do not offer an RN to MSN program.

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
*** That is not an RN to MSN program inspite of what they call it. I was well aware that WGU offers a path to MSN for RNs when I stated the fact that they do not offer an RN to MSN program.

Why is it not an RN to MSN program? There are benefits to it that you do not get if you enroll in the RN to BSN, and then the BSN to MSN, separately.

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