Walden University BEWARE

Nursing Students School Programs

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BEWARE of WALDEN UNIVERSITY! They call you constantly. You do everything they ask... then...BOOM! The infamous goal statement! Due to poor grades 20 years ago out of high school (a lot of us have been there) and an ADN, 2 bachelor degrees and 5 graduate classes (with a 4.0 GPA) taken at another university, later, I have to explain my whole entire life story of why my grades 20 years ago are not up to "their" standards and what happened along the way. I wrote a 2 page letter with an overall general explanation. I had it proof read prior to sending it. The editor stated it was very well written and this was coming from a professional PhD educator. The "advisor" from Walden stated they wanted more. They wanted a detailed explanation done for review by December 27th and this was December 24th, Christmas Eve. Not a time to hash up my life but I did.

Out of spite, I wrote 7 pages. It was very difficult to write and brought back a lot of things that I did not want to deal with, especially, over the holiday season. I was very angry and very frustrated. I decided this university is not for me. In my opinion, this is not showing a supportive attitude for potential students. I felt it was very intrusive. I have applied to several universities and received acceptance. I have never had to explain the deep darkness of my life. I feel it was none of their business. From the reviews that I have read and my experience, I WILL NOT be attending this school. Any school that does not support the positive things that you can bring to their university and focuses on the negative aspects of one's lifetime is NOT a school I want to attend. I am a professional nurse saving lives everyday and would like them to try it. I bet they couldn't do it like we do everyday. DO NOT GO TO WALDEN UNIVERSITY!

Interesting that folks should still be focused on GPAs given the research findings. Here's a quote from one study:

The present study used meta-analytic methodology to synthesize research on the relationship between college grades and adult achievement. The data for the meta-analysis came from 108 studies correlating grade average in college to various criteria of adult achievement or success. The average correlation between grade average and a composite success criterion was .18, a small effect. Correlations between grade average and eight other criteria of adult achievement were also small, ranging from .09 to .20. Correlational effects were larger in military settings and for studies conducted prior to 1950. The results of this meta-analysis may be somewhat discouraging to those who place a great deal of importance on the predictive value of grades.
Taken from "College grades and adult achievement: A research synthesis" by Peter Cohen but there are many other similar studies.
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Ya, I was NOT impressed with Walden. Calling everyday, sometimes twice. Couldn't get a straight answer to some questions that I had regarding the program. When I decided to withdraw my application, the recruiter was rude, nasty, and condescending. WoW how things change when they find out they aren't going to get your money!!!

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Specializes in nursing education.

I hope everyone that had a negative experience with Walden got everything straightened out. I went to Walden and graduated in Feb 2011 with my MSN in nursing ed. I absolutely enjoyed my experience and had no of the problems discussed here. Maybe it has been straightened out. All I know is that I highly recommend Walden!

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Specializes in MEDSURG.

ive had a okay experience thus far with them. they have not called and called and called me

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
About WGU's BSN proram..I just had a friend call the NP school she was going to apply too and they said they would not accept WGU's. Yes they are accredited but their being competancy based is just too new a concept for the rest of the colleges. Now I think they are going in the right direction with their concept but one should check with the next institution if they think there is any chance they might want to go on..Just make sure, that's all. Would hate to waste time and money and not get the correct end result.

FWIW I personaly know 3 or 4 RNs who were accepted to CRNA school with BSNs from .

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Family Practice.

I am a BSN graduate from and have had NO issues being accepted into other schools. Starting with Walden for the AGNP program in December. They have been great to work with, are accredited and accepted by the state of Kansas Board of Nursing. All in all a good experience.

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Walden just started an FNP program. I am currently in an FNP program at a different school and it is a new online program and the teachers are very indifferent and difficult to communicate with. I am worried that its because its a new online program. Even though Walden's FNP program is new, they have been doing online education for years and I wonder if they might have it together a little more? I'm wondering from those who have attended Walden, how the teachers and classes were and if they seemed to have a pretty good handle on teaching via distance learning.

Thank you!

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I didn't read all the posts, just want to throw my 2 cents in. ALL SCHOOLS ANNOY THE HELL OUTTA YOU. I have had so many grad schools call me continuously. Walden actually was one that stopped after I said I wasn't ready until so and so date. Then they waited and called me again after a few months.

I got my BSN from . I LOVE LOVE LOVE that school. Great people, great mentors, very organized and cheap. I am also going to Walden right now and start the FNP program Dec 3rd. Process was smooth, they reviewed my transcripts within a week, and I have not had any problems.

WGU is accepted anywhere, as long as they don't require more than a 3.0 average, since WGU is pass/fail, the most you can acheive is 3.0.

Everyone will have good/bad experiences on the same school.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

WGU is accepted anywhere, as long as they don't require more than a 3.0 average, since WGU is pass/fail, the most you can acheive is 3.0.

Everyone will have good/bad experiences on the same school.

*** Wanted to share this. A friend on mine got his BSN from so that he could apply to CRNA school. The CRNA school requires at least a 3.0 ON A 4.0 SCALE. However usually a 3.0 isn't competitive but the school took the view that since WGU isn't on a 4.0 scale his 3.0 would be viewed the same as a 4.0 from a school that does use the 4.0 scale. He got in to two of the three schools he applied to.

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Just wanted to share my experience r/t to Walden. I filled out the "I am interested" info questionnaire on their website for the FNP program. They sent out a generic response to let me know who my admissions counselor would be. So I emailed the admissions counselor with a list of questions (i.e. clinicals, sample schedule, etc.) I never heard back from them. I feel that if they are not interested in answering basic questions, then its not the place for me.

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Wow, sorry that happened to you. I had just the opposite happen to me, terrible grades over 25 years ago, and they were only interested in my overall GPA and my cumulative average in my nursing classes. Started December 3rd and its going well cant say anything bad at this point. Sorry again, hope things are going well.

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I am attending Walden too, started Dec 3rd. Finishing 6001 now. May I'll see you in one of my classes. Good Luck.

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