RN to BSN WGU Clinicals?

[lizbye]

I'm planning on graduating from my ASN program in May and am already looking ahead to getting my BSN after the summer of 2014 is over. The only reason I'm doing so right away is because I am in need of a couple orthopedic surgeries that I've been putting off during my ASN program. This is precisely why I'm interested in an online program that requires little to no in-person attendance or clinicals. WGU seems like a good opportunity to complete my BSN while I recover. My one concern is what the clinicals (if there are any?) are like? Depending on when my surgery is done, I may very well be able to do clinicals while I'm in school but I won't really know until I get the surgery scheduled and talk to the surgeon re: recovery time. I'd really appreciate the info!

Also, has anyone done the WGU program in Tennessee?

[lizbye]

Also, is it a strict requirement that you must be working as an RN during the program or can you just have an active license? Obviously if I've just had a surgery I won't be working...that's a bit of a stick in the mud.

[SunshineDaisy, ASN, RN]

You have to be working as an RN to attend WGU.

[featherzRN, MSN]

The "clinical" at WGU is a 90-hour community health project. You come up with a topic, interview community members and leaders, develop a plan, etc. There are accommodations available for certain situations, but I think it would be difficult to do if you aren't able to get around at all. And yes, they do want you to be employed.

[lizbye]

Well hell...I think I could do the community health project just fine but there's not a way I could work during this time--which is the whole reason I want to use it for something worthwhile. Maybe I will just get any additional gen Ed classes I'd need for another program and once I'm recovered go with that one. Drats.

[benegesserit]

You have to be working at least part time (scheduled, not PRN) at the time you enroll. I specifically asked before enrolling what would happen if I ended up not working at some point during the program (because it would be horrible to both lose my job and my means of qualifying for a better one at the same time!), and was told that it wouldn't be a problem. And I likely will drop back to PRN during my second semester (having a baby). So, if you could work for a little while, you wouldn't have to work the whole time.

You might also try contacting student services and seeing if you can get and an ADA accommodation to waive that requirement, especially if the surgery is something you really need in order to be able to work, or do so without making a current injury worse.