Finished my MSN this morning - ask me anything!

Nursing Students Western Governors

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I completed the final oral defense for my MSN through this morning. I also have my BSN from WGU.

Completed RN-to-BSN in one, six month term, and the MSN in 11 months and five days (not that I'm counting!)

Two degrees for under $10K out of pocket, including books. (I received a total of $2K in scholarships)

So----- I'm going to put myself out there and if you would like info about either program from a recent grad -hit me up!

Hi Nitfree, I am just starting Community Health C229, the field experience. I can let u know how it goes, but I am thinking it might take me maybe 10 weeks to finish it (more or less). My biggest hurdle was finding an approved site. My understanding is that California is the only state that requires the student do this course with an approved preceptor and approved site. Otherwise, my student mentor says I should devote I think 15 hours a week to get the allotted 65 hours. (It's 90 hours total I think. But u get credit for hours from C228, the course w/ the research paper and the comm health test). I bet outside of California, this course is significantly easier. I am going to have to regularily touch base with my preceptor that I'm doing research hours that are worthwhile. Either way, I'm sure it will be interesting. I couldn't drop out and change to a different school. has been so flexible, unlike any other program that would have worked for me (I have been working as a travel nurse throughout California and also in Massachusetts). Best of luck, it'll work out ok.

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Hello,

I am considering this fall and have a few questions. Why did you go with this school vs another program? Is there another comparable program to WGU?

I have a macbook. Do you need windows operating system?

I read comments about mentors holding you back from moving on to other classes. Can you take more than one class at a time? I wanted to enroll in more than one class at a time.

What are pros an cons from your perspective? What are some things you learned that you did not know going in that would have made your experience more efficient?

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Hi! Loved your review!! I'm starting the same program at this October. Any more advice? I'm impressed! You finished your program in such little time!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, addiction.

Hello all, Im starting the MSN Leadership and Management program at in October. Anyone else starting then?

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I just enrolled in the MSN Program (management and leadership), start date October 1st. I have a fulltime nurse management job, 3 kids at home, one in college and a husband who travels frequently for work, so essentially a single parent. I am determined to do this in 2 terms. Do you think its doable? Am I being unreasonably ambitious?

Any advise you can share is greatly appreciated.

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Yes! I am.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, addiction.

You sound like a super hero to me!!!!!!!!! Sounds like I should be getting advice from you!! I work full time on a surgical unit, kids are grown. I would like to complete the program in 2 terms also. Not sure if we're being reasonable or not but I will give it a go.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, addiction.

nadinebrooks01 how soon are you anticipating it will take you to complete the program?

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do you have to do webcam for every course? Is it a skills test on webcam or just written?

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I definitely would like to get in touch with you. I'm just entering the RN-MSN program and I'm so very excited!!

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I've still never seen anyone on this thread answer the questions about newly-graduated RNs enrolling in the RN-BSN/RN-MSN program. Would those of you who have completed this program think that not having years of bedside experience would slow me down significantly? In my case, I just graduated RN school, completing over 109 credit hours with a 4.0 GPA. I consider myself a pretty strong, self-motivated student who has a good grasp on patho and "core" nursing content. Would this be a good fit for a newbie nurse?!

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Specializes in tele, med/surg, step down.
I've still never seen anyone on this thread answer the questions about newly-graduated RNs enrolling in the WGU RN-BSN/RN-MSN program. Would those of you who have completed this program think that not having years of bedside experience would slow me down significantly? In my case, I just graduated RN school, completing over 109 credit hours with a 4.0 GPA. I consider myself a pretty strong, self-motivated student who has a good grasp on patho and "core" nursing content. Would this be a good fit for a newbie nurse?!

I tried to enroll in this program just after finishing NCLEX but had to wait as the cohorts did not have a slot open until September, I would say a lot of the content for the MSN program was a branch off of what I had just learned in the ADN program I finished so I did help me with content. My friend has been a nurse for 15 years and just finished the paper for her BSN and she was able to answer the pretest questions and score high enough d/t her advanced knowledge of nursing. I thought it was a good fit for a new grad working night shift three 12s. I was able to write papers and take pre tests on the job (just don't tell the employer!)

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