FYI to everyone since it is not stated on their website: WGU does not accept RNs employed per diem. It only states on their admission requirements on the website that the RN must be employed in a position which requires their use of nursing knowledge. I applied online, was never asked this on the form, I paid the fee, took the two hour readiness assessment, had my transcripts sent. Then over the phone I was asked if I work full or part time, and I said no, per diem. She tells me they only accept full time and part time employees into their MSN program. This was news to me. I work two per diem jobs and am looking for a third to pay for grad school. I have children who are involved in many activities, and my husband travels frequently. This is they way I choose to be employed right now. I do not need health benefits through my employers and the schedule is flexible as a working mom who is interested in going to grad school online. I have worked full time, part time, and per diem through my years of experience. Ultimately, I will work full time again in the future, preferably with a MSN.
No problem, though, I will get my MSN degree somewhere else, where my employment status choices are not judged. It is WGU's loss that they do not accept me or other working per diem nurses. It is just very shady that they will take application fees before telling applicants this.
That worries me a bit as I am currently off on workers compensation and was hoping to go for my BSN in order to make myself marketable. Does this mean I am just flat out of luck?
How long do you plan to be off? I'm just starting the program, but it is my understanding that some of the assignments may draw from your experiences in the work place so you need to have a work place.
Specializes in Home Health, MS, Oncology, Case Manageme.
That sucks, I have also worked most of my career per diem for the same reasons. I'm a current RN/BSN student. I wasn't asked much about my employment except that I needed to send a resume. Don't ask/Don't tell :)
All I was asked is "Are you working" and to send a resume. No one ever asked how many hours I was working or anything like that. And yes, there are a few work related assignments near the end, but there are arrangements that can be made if you aren't working at the time to complete those - or so I have been told. I know some people in the program that are or were on maternity leave, and they were able to complete those assignments.
This is so strange because I go to WGU and I have been PRN the whole time?!? It has never been an issue. I wouldn't let it go too quickly. I would ask to speak to someone in charge of whichever enrollment counselor you are working. It just doesn't sound right at all. Best of Luck!
I really, really want to attend WGU, but as a new grad ADN it is pretty much impossible to find a job, so that knocks me out of the running for WGU. It really stinks that they made it a requirement to be working as an RN. That wasn't the case when I got my ADN in Puerto Rico and moved back to the states. If I would have known that I couldn't go to WGU unless I was employed as an RN I would have stayed in PR and completed my BSN. Now I'm living in AZ so that's out of the question *sigh*
FWIW, I talked to a WGU recruiter earlier this week and was specifically told I must be full or part-time to be considered for the program. I even have to provide proof of employment.
There are several classes that while not exactly requiring a job, need a manager type to sign off on. That's probably the main reason they want you to be working. No one ever said you couldn't work PRN to me /shrug. If your PRN is often enough to be called part time, I doubt they will check. It's just helpful when you get to the leadership project to have a manager to approve it.
Wow. Super strange. This must be a new requirement. I started my MSN at WGU this past June and had worked per diem (clearly stated on my submitted resume) for several years. They didn't make any comments at all about it. I'm in the old program and loving it. Maybe it's a requirement of the new program. They will lose out on a lot of good candidates with this new rule.
In the MSN program your manager from your job has to sign off on your WGU course assignments? Can someone clarify this for me it doesn't make sense.[/quote']
I'm currently in the MSN track but it is the old one, none of the new classes. The only thing I possibly would have needed my director to assist me with was if I was going to do my capstone using my position for research. I would have needed to get IRB approval from the institution I work for. I wouldn't necessarily have to present anything to my boss if I was able to navigate my way through to the review board without her assistance, however I'd have to present it to the IRB and show them what legwork I'd done. I never had to submit any of my course work to anyone but the nice folks at Taskstream. Hope that helps!
Also, I've been per diem since I started the program back in August of 2012. My student mentor knows I'm per diem and it's never been an issue. I also work in two different jobs (same institution) per diem at both. I was in the old track for my BSN as well, so not sure if that made a difference.
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schnookimz
983 Posts
How long do you plan to be off? I'm just starting the program, but it is my understanding that some of the assignments may draw from your experiences in the work place so you need to have a work place.