USF or WGU

[seriouslyserious, LPN]

I have a couple of issues here...

I am a Florida resident. I plan to go to USF (university of south florida) for their RN to BSN program but my family situation may force me into California. So I am also interested in WGU (Western Governors University).

From what I understand, both are CCNE accredited (at the BSN level). Though USF is SACS accredited, WGU is not... what is SACS? and what is equivalent to SACS, since WGU is based of UTAH?

Also, does it matter that I will receive a bachelor from a strict ONLINE university (WGU) vs. an actual university (USF)? I may plan on pursuing a MSN in the future... will a BSN from WGU be recognized as a legit degree in the workplace or higher learning?

should I just go straight into their MSN program, instead?

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Yes, WGU is a legitimate university with degrees that are recognized by institutions as being equivalent to and as valid as a degree from any other university.

If you are relocating to California, I would recommend that you not start a program at WGU until AFTER you relocate, as California has unique requirements from WGU students for state to recognize the degree. I don't know if WGU would allow you to do the California program unless you're an actual California resident.

As far as the RN-MSN program at WGU, you do earn the BSN partway through the program, regardless (at least you did a year or two ago, that may have changed). The benefit to doing the RN-MSN rather than the RN -BSN and then the BSN-MSN is that if you finish the BSN in the middle of a semester, you can start immediately on the MSN classes, rather than having to wait until a new semester starts, and wasting time/money.

I've never heard of SACS. The accreditations that are important are CCNE and NLNAC. They should have one of those, and those are all that matter to facilities.

Just googled - SACS is a regional accreditation - so regional accreditation is going to differ, depending on the physical location of the school. WGU does also have regional accreditation through the NCCU (NW Commission of Colleges and Universities). Like I said, it is a completely legitimate, real school with real degrees that are recognized by institutions as being just as valid as one obtained at a B&M school.

[ecosurfer]

I would wait till you get to Cali based on the perameters that each state requires. Good luck. I'm in Tampa and started the program on 03/01. So far so good