Recently Completed BSN Prelicensure Program

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I recently finished the BSN prelicensure program and passed the NCLEX in 75 questions in a little over 1 hour 15 min. I felt more than prepared to take the NCLEX after finishing the program. I only studied for a week post-graduation because I honestly felt the last semester at WGU was basically studying for the NCLEX. WGU utilizes ATI throughout the program and I personally thought that really helped with the NCLEX and time management. I spent about $25,000 for the entire program which is such a great bargain because some programs I looked at were $50,000 plus. During the last month and half of the program we had to do a roles transition course where we did 180 hour (3 12's a week) clinicals at a unit of our choosing (depends on availability) and I felt like my confidence to provide care for my patients sky rocketed. I was basically providing care for all my patients myself performing all procedures, administering meds, and charting. So I highly recommend WGU! Also the prelicensure faculty/staff, were amazing to work with and did everything that they could to help me with any dilemma I encountered.

If you have any questions, let me know!

Did you have any healthcare experience prior to this program?

Did the 2.5yrs seem to go by quickly?

Is that 3 12s/wk for 3wks?? Were you able to select the hospital as well as the unit...?

What state are you in? I'm a LVN now starting in a Houston based cohort.

Yes! It seems just like yesterday that I had my first clinical rotation. Either way, 2.5 years is going to pass by whether we like it or not so might as well start the program. I kept putting off doing my pre-reqs for so long and had I just done it when I first thought about it I would have finished 3 years ago.

The Roles Transition course at the end of the program is usually 3 12's for 5 weeks. You work your preceptors work days so it can change/vary. The regular rotations are not that long/intense, but you still work your preceptor/coach's schedule. For the Roles Transition course, I was able to select which hospital and unit. However, these were places I had already rotated. I think as long as WGU has an affiliation/contract with that hospital you can do your preceptorship there. For the regular clinical s, you do not have a say where you do. However, you usually have an idea because each cohort is affiliated with a hospital. SO whichever hospital your cohort is affiliated with most likely majority of your clinicals will be there.

The only healthcare experience that I had was a CNA Certification, but I never worked as a CNA until I was already in the second semester of the program.

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Congratulations!! I just started the program on 01/02/2018. Really nervous about it.

Totally normal to feel nervous! Just make sure you keep on top of the course work and don't get behind. Once you get into the second semester that is when everything can really pile up quickly. Make sure you always communicate with your student mentor. My student mentor really helped me succeed in the program.

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Hello,

Congratulations on passing the NCLEX and the program, how long did it take you to complete and did you have an pre-req when you started?

I know the classes are self paced for the most part , but how are they set up ?

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Hello,

Congratulations on passing the NCLEX and the program, how long did it take you to complete and did you have an pre-req when you started?

I know the classes are self paced for the most part , but how are they set up ?

The program took me 2.5 years which is the minimum amount of time to finish since the program is 5 semesters long. The prelicensure program is different from other WGU program in that there are deadlines that you need to meet and technically is not self-paced. You need to pass a class by a certain time frame, pass your lab assessment before going to clinicals, etc. If you do not complete then in the deadline given then you will not progress with your cohort and may need to realign with another cohort. The classes usually have a weekly pacing guide telling you what things should be done for that week. However, that doesn't mean all of week one things have to be done that week. So I guess it's self paced in that as long as you finish your classes by the deadline given (usually for core nursing classes it's 12 weeks) you can pace yourself however you want to until that 12 weeks is over. The pacing guide that will be given to you by the course instructor is just a guide to help you not fall behind. I always a tried to follow the guide and never had problems with falling behind. It's still overwhelming, you'll get to the point where some things in the guide is not helpful for you to do and you just move on to the next thing. Labs and clinical classes usually have dates already set at the start of the program. Clinicals and labs are definitely not self paced.

As long as you finish the classes in the deadline set forth by your mentor (you'll be assigned one) then you should have no problem progressing.

You need to have the required pre-reqs completed before you can apply. I think the only ones that can be completed at WGU during your first semester in the program is statistics and biochem.

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Your post was very encouraging as I just started this program. Thanks for sharing!

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I am in TX Dallas Ft Worth area...I have been waiting 12 years to get my RN/BSN I am gonna apply until I get in! 😁

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Hi. I just started the application process for WGU & I'm wondering how many days you're actually on site/clinicals at a hospital? Also how soon did you start having to be on site? Thank you and congrats!

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Congratulations! What state are you in? Has anyone finished or enrolled in the program in CA?

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I'm in CA. Looking for insight into the program, my family & I would have to relocate if I was accepted, I think. Well depending on how much time is spent at the hospital.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Hi. I just started the application process for WGU & I'm wondering how many days you're actually on site/clinicals at a hospital? Also how soon did you start having to be on site? Thank you and congrats!

Ask your enrollment counselor to send yo a 'sample cohort calendar'- it will show you the entire 2.5 years on a single page and will answer some of those questions.

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Will do. Thank you! I appreciate the feedback.

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Specializes in ICU.

Congrats! I'm praying to get into WGU shortly!

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