Walden University BEWARE

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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!

Specializes in Emergency Room, Hospice.

Thank you Rose

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Specializes in Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.

Jut took the AANP certification exam 10 days after I finished at Walden, and passed easily with NO review course. Walden prepared me well!

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
Jut took the AANP certification exam 10 days after I finished at Walden and passed easily with NO review course. Walden prepared me well![/quote']

Wow that was fast. I aka ways hear of people having to wait 3 or 4 weeks to test. Congrats Mark!

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Specializes in Certified Family Nurse Practitioner.
Wow that was fast. I aka ways hear of people having to wait 3 or 4 weeks to test. Congrats Mark!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

I registered for the test weeks in advance.

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Specializes in Nursing Education, CVICU, Float Pool.
I registered for the test weeks in advance.

Proactive! Congrats again!

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Specializes in ICU and Hospice.

Congrat's Mark. I am hoping to follow in your footsteps. I'm going to be applying to Walden soon, and hope to become a FNP also.

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I am nervous about online schools in general. I know it may be a unfounded nervousness. As far as WGU...I get the competency based thing. But...does everyone that graduates have a 3.0? if it is pass/fail, is the pass= to a 3.0? I'm confused.

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Hi Mark, I am starting Walden this June for the Adult NP program. I have a diploma in nursing with over 25 years experience. Just wanted to touch base with you and see how things are going. How do you like your new role as a NP?

Marcia

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I would like to add my 3 cents to this conversation. Before Walden I attended a very prominent brick and mortar FNP program and to say the least each day was hell. They had professors who sucked and host of other issues that made it not quite conducive to learning. Quite a few of us transferred to Walden and while it wasn't 100% the best program around they did what they said they would do which was to prepare us to become certified nurse practitioners. Once completed I like others did the test and we all passed. I must admit that I too thought I would meet resistance in terms of finding a job but that was not to be the case. As a matter of fact I turned down quite a few job offers.

My advice to anyone entering this or any other program, find a good preceptor/preceptors and really hone your skills. That is what will keep you out of lawsuit. Anyone with a desire to learn will learn no matter where they go and some will be unsuccessful no matter how prestigious the school is. You get what you put in.

Now instead of wasting time bantering about what school is better we should be pushing for more autonomy and respect for the profession. Let us push for fellowship programs after graduation to further enhance our education and skills. Nurses are our biggest enemies to date and we will not advance as a profession until we gain the respect of our fellow nurses.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I am nervous about online schools in general. I know it may be a unfounded nervousness. As far as WGU...I get the competency based thing. But...does everyone that graduates have a 3.0? if it is pass/fail, is the pass= to a 3.0? I'm confused.

Yes pass = 3.0. FWIW I know several ADN RNs who were accepted to CRNA and NP programs at brick and mortor state universitys after getting their BSN through WGU.

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Most of the people who complain are the ones who are not accepted by the school or who are accepted but failing or did not graduate, and that's the truth. I am currently taking up MSN at Walden University, and my experience has been pleasant and challenging. They require students to exert great efforts to accomplish all the assignments, projects, and other tasks. I am graduating soon with a GPA of 4.0, and I am so excited about it. If the school did not accept you or if you are a poor performer, don't be bitter about it, instead do better. Every institution has its requirements which you have to comply. When you attempt to destroy the reputation of the school, you are also damaging its graduates, don't be selfish. If it is just about money, then they will accept anyone and award degrees to everyone who can pay them, but that doesn't happen.

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Most of the people who complain are the ones who are not accepted by the school or who are accepted but failing or did not graduate, and that's the truth.

And you know "that's the truth" how??? You personally know everyone who criticizes Walden and the other for-profit diploma mills, and their objection is that Walden turned them down? And you are personally aware of people who have applied to Walden and haven't been accepted? Please, tell us more. How is it that you know for a fact that Walden is turning people away?

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