I have submitted my application at WGU and had my 1st interview over the phone last week and everything seemed well. My question is:
1) is it a hard program?
2) is it purely research papers?
3) are the mentors helpful?
4) is my laptop ( MAC) compatible with their online course and projects?
5) admin told me I can finish BSN in 6 months depending on how much work i put into it and finish the requirements, but I'm also thinking what if they're just saying this to attract students to enroll? They make the course harder so that you won't finish it and so u will have to pay extra for another 6 months?
The MSN capstone has completely changed for the new crop of students, and I don't THINK we'll be seeing any more survey monkey capstones once the people in the old program have passed through. It's now a project/paper based on a work field experience, but I don't know too many details since only a few have started it so far. :)
What concerns me is that the students who would benefit most from the guidance, support and feedback of a traditional nursing program will be passed along through a pass fail competency based program with no one to teach them. If I understand it correctly the program measures what you know or can teach to yourself.
What concerns me is that the students who would benefit most from the guidance, support and feedback of a traditional nursing program will be passed along through a pass fail competency based program with no one to teach them. If I understand it correctly the program measures what you know or can teach to yourself.
This program is for nurses who are already RN's. And there are mentors and considerable support for those who need it. :)
This program is for nurses who are already RN's. And there are mentors and considerable support for those who need it. :)
Glad of hear it... but you'll pardon my skepticism as to the quality of the learning with such mentorship. Who's teaching them research? Or is that not considered really critical to being an MN?
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
Glad of hear it... but you'll pardon my skepticism as to the quality of the learning with such mentorship. Who's teaching them research? Or is that not considered really critical to being an MN?
The course mentors do. There are still class instructors for every class, and the instructors still teach and hold lectures and presentations, only in an asynchronous format. There are textbooks and suggested readings and activities for every class.
Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.
For course mentors, a terminal/doctoral degree in the subject for which they mentor, depending on the class - for a few of the more general subjects, a Master's is required. For student mentors, a minimum of a Master's degree.
What academic credentials are required to teach an online nursing course?
The same requirements to teach at a brick and mortar. I've taught in both formats and I have an MSN. At WGU, it depends on the course. The minimum requirement is a masters. Some courses, like advanced health assessment, are taught by MD's. Others are DNP's. Most of us who teach in an online program also work elsewhere (I teach clinicals as well as lectures at a free standing university).
For course mentors, a terminal/doctoral degree in the subject for which they mentor, depending on the class - for a few of the more general subjects, a Master's is required. For student mentors, a minimum of a Master's degree.
One more question please as I am interested in the philosophy of competency based education.
If the staff are the equivalent of grad school teaching assistants and professors, why are they given the titles of mentors and instructors?
Specializes in OB, Women’s health, Educator, Leadership.
This type of program is not for everyone and those who it does not appeal to will never care for or understand the value of it. Unfortunately some online universities have given a bad point of view to online learning which is unfortunate because it is the way of the future like it or not. Many people would not be able to get an advanced degree without these programs. I recently enrolled and so far am impressed with my weekly mentor contacts who have a broad range in experience, from med/surg through ICU and hold phD's.
That said there are always going to be people who let their own biases blind the value of any particular thing. Hopefully we can continue to offer valid points (like some above) and that will help these programs improve because they are here to stay.
nurseprnRN, BSN, RN
1 Article; 5,116 Posts
Klone, thank you. Sometimes I feel like I'm a voice crying in the wilderness on critical thinking like this.