RN to MSN Leadership &Management

RNMal227 · Jul 21, 2018

The practice test is a few questions and takes time because you have to download the proctor program, the proctor introduces themselves and asks to take over your mouse and computer, and the time between you and them lags (i'm guessing D/T location). I never took the practice test, but it did show me how much they can do on their end! THE TEST! I logged in with the proctor program and they assigned my proctor. She was nice, but her expressions let you know that THIS IS NOT A GAME. lol!! She took over my computer and started changing privacy settings, closing open windows, closing apps...EVERYTHING. I have an iMAC computer so she went to all three of my desktops and closed all of my programs, AND she had the courtesy to ask if there was any information I wanted to save! The only thing she didn't do was change my voice reminders. My computer notifies in a selected English accent of the time every hour, and when she spoke during the test ("it's 8 o'clock"), my soul almost left my body! It scared me half to death! Then the fear that they were going to kill my test came, but soon went away after she said nothing, and I continued. So after all the "checks" are done, she asked me to pick up my WGU camera, and told me to show my whole desk SLOWLY, ALL corners of the room, under your desk, your desk top...EVERYTHING. She also asked to see my cellphone too! I told her I left it in the bedroom. I told her I didn't see a need for it during a test and she said "good". The questions were NCLEX style, easy to read and comprehend, but challenging. BE sure to thoroughly read your questions! A couple times I thought I had repeat questions and they were NOT. They were asking for something else, using the same example!! This test is NOT a test of memory. It truly is competency. You get your results immediately! It felt so good to see PASS! A few days before the test, I got an email from my program mentor stating she was moving to another area and I would be getting another mentor. IT hurt..so bad. We had our last appt and she said she's available until the official "changeover" date. I met my new mentor and she immediately started giving me tons of career advice and educated me on my possible NP goal and the conflict of getting a MSN before that. I LOVE her for that! It gave a topic of discussion for my husband and I but I am staying the course people!! I think I'm on the right career path, for now. I now have 2 classes left in my Leadership and Communication class (WHICH I LOVE)!! We have a paper to write at the end. I will give more info on that course in my next update for those that want me to share. I was taking Health & Wellness, but my new mentor told me to stop! lol She said you should take BIOchem first, because it's the foundation for that course. I wanted to slap myself. DUH!! TBH, I was skating around Biochem because I was intimidated. I love science, but I heard the course is a beast! lol! That was a bit out of character for me as I usually like to tackle beasts first!! So it was an eye opener.. so I went and found my guts and started the course. She gave me resources and told me to sign up for the bootcamp to help me on my way. I'm telling you, I LOVE MY MENTOR. I don't feel alone AT ALL! Until next time.. Take care of yourself, keep it positive, and BREATHE. Much love, Mal

RNMal227 · Jul 21, 2018

Nothing wrong with that! If you're able to get all of your requirements squared away before the 15th of August, then you should be good to go! It is so rewarding see that status change as you go! I wanted a June 1 start date, but I made my decision to attend a bit late, so I missed the date. The beginning of June was extremely challenging for me and my family as we had a death at the beginning and I had surgery towards the end. There's definitely a silver lining. and bittersweetness to that. Go with your gut/heart!

RNMal227 · Jul 21, 2018

I am set to start Oct 1st but strongly considering moving date to September 1st as I want to get this show on the road.

Nothing wrong with that! If you're able to get all of your requirements squared away before the 15th of August, then you should be good to go! It is so rewarding see that status change as you go! I wanted a June 1 start date, but I made my decision to attend a bit late, so I missed the date. The beginning of June was extremely challenging for me and my family as we had a death at the beginning and I had surgery towards the end. There's definitely a silver lining. and bittersweetness to that. Go with your gut/heart!

bryanleo9 · Aug 1, 2018

Great updates! Thank you for explaining what we will be going through.

RNMal227 · Aug 18, 2018

Hi guys!! Just a quick update! I have finished the Leadership & Comms (L&C) class and have been pounding Biochem! I hope to have it completed by the end of the month. We had a paper to write for the final for the L&C class. I had to be at least 4 pages or 2500 words, I believe. We had to turn in 2 prior papers and this was the first time I had my paper returned to me. I sweated it a little bit, because I felt I explained it thoroughly. I then thought about one of the things I learned in the class- accountability. I perused my paper again and found I indeed did not fulfill that part of the rubric clearly. You see, they give you a written explanation of why your paper didn't meet the requirements and that eliminates any guesswork on our part!! I sat down, took a deep breath, and began to type! I read it yet again, and re-submitted it! It took about a day to get my results... I think I was #141 in the queue. But who cares.. I passed!! So happy to report 2 classes down and ready to add more to that quota! I hope you guys are having a great day. Talk soon, Mal

bryanleo9 · Aug 18, 2018

Great update

bryanleo9 · Aug 19, 2018

How is it balancing work life and school?

RNMal227 · Aug 27, 2018

How is it balancing work life and school?

It was a breeze at first, but now I'm finding studying a bit challenging since school has started. I let a PRN job go because it required me to work a specified amt of hours monthly, and I found the weekends were a golden time to study. In addition to this, my FT job has a lot going on and I've been doing a lot of planning and conversing after hours. As a result, my concentration dwindled. After I got home, I still cooked for a few days in advance and that took away from study time. In came the chronic headaches that love to rear their ugly head during stress! I considered taking a nap after I got home, like I did in nursing school the 1st two weeks- which was very effective, but thought that as a last resort.. So I had to take a day to re-evaluate what my priorities were! I sat and talked with my husband and talked about my worries balancing it all. I took another day at work to sort through all of the new things going on and develop a plan to complete smaller daily tasks. I still cook in advance, or hubby helps with meals. We tag team, helping with the kids' homework. I take study breaks now to meddle the kids so they won't feel left out. I'm still adjusting, but I was able to identify the problem and studying is coming a bit easier. I might still do that cat nap to wake with a more clear mind for study. Whatever I have to do to not only exceed, but excel, I am willing to do.

bryanleo9 · Aug 27, 2018

Yes definitely take that R and R time. You are right it's about prioritizing. I start next week on the this degree and am going over the material this week. It's a lot of reading but I am learning to focus on the most important things they are looking for in the rubric. Keep the updates coming as they are very helpful.

BishopLPN, BSN · Sep 16, 2018

Hey! I really appreciate that you are sharing your experience. I've been an LPN for 8 years and I will complete my ASN this December- still kicking myself for waiting so long. I'm thinking about enrolling into WGU's RN to BSN program. I'm anxious to see your take on Biochemistry. It's one of the courses really holding me back from applying.

One of the reasons it has taken me so long to get my RN- was my failed attempt at Excelsior. I'm worried that since I wasn't successful in that program- I will have a difficult time in with WGU.

RNMal227 · Oct 9, 2018

I TURNED BIOCHEMISTY BLUE!!! Thank GOD I finally stopped taking bird bites and went into BEAST MODE! I read and studied EVERY DAY! I watch the cohorts and bootcamps, used the study guides, played the Jeopardy game, and used the extra quiz questions as supplements!! I used the last PA as an indicator of my final readiness before the exam. I re-scheduled my test twice! I thought I didn't have some of the information down, so I rescheduled and studied more! For those of you that think like me---> Sometimes, the modules start off "talking" like you already know the info...KEEP READING! It will explain to you, in-depth, what the information is about. I went back several times trying to figure out if I missed something, and if I had just kept reading, it would have gotten into the meanings and I wouldn't have gotten lost! Everything will be explained. The best way i think to pass Biochem is to not just memorize, YOU WONT PASS from MEMORY. The CONCEPT has to be grasped. I probably got a couple of questions that were knowledge based. The rest was applying what I learned! It's the bonafide point of competency right?? FIRST, read the terms and definitions..this helps later on. If not, the terms are greatly explained in the text. Make sure you watch the videos in the text!! They prove to be valuable for "putting it all together". NEXT, do the quiz attached to the chapter. Write down the concepts you missed based on that feedback, so you'll know what to brush up on. They make that easy by telling just where that info is located just so you can! THEN, do the games, flashcards etc. I watched my cohorts as supplements and did not attend them live. You can sign up, and the video will be sent to you. I always knew if I had a question, there were TONS of support available, so even though I didn't attend them live, ALL questions I had were answered in the text, the live recordings, or the course videos. Now with all of that out of the way... I ENJOYED THIS COURSE! I now know HOW insulin works, HOW medications work, and I am able to apply those concepts in my nursing career. I have explained in depth to nurses and families how medications work and how carbs are broken down. I am MUCH MORE competent and have improved my nursing judgement based on knowing how the body works on a molecular level. Once you jump in there, I mean REALLY jump, you'll find yourself immersed in the wonder of the body. It's truly amazing. Now I know everyone won't share the same sentiment as I, but the more positive your outlook is on a task, the easier it is to tackle it. I dreaded it based on horror stories, as I previous stated....but I now wonder, "WHY DID I?" I leave you with encouragement, positivity, and hopefully, motivation to keep trucking! Just breathe. With love, Mal

415RN, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2018

This topic is inspiring. I started the RN to BSN program on 10/1. I did the Professional Leadership and Communication course along with Anatomy and Physiology 1, and finished them both at about the same time this weekend, so four weeks and two courses done. While I was taking a breather before jumping into Anatomy and Physiology II, I took a look at Human Growth and Development yesterday morning. I took the pre-assessment and did ok. Watched the videos, read through the study guide, took the Objective Assessment today and passed it. I graduated with my ADN in 1990 so it's been 28 years since I've been in school. It's a thrill to see the courses turn blue as completed, and to have three done in just four weeks. In the middle of this month, I got fed up with my job and how toxic it was, and start a new one tomorrow. Lots of changes. Once you decide to take that leap, things pick up momentum.