Western Governors University (WGU) BSN to MSN program

You will love WGU. NO discussion postings and NO group projects. Flexible pacing. Something like 85% of WGU's MSN students work full-time. I did when I was in the program. 

I loved WGU! Self paced and lots of guidance anytime you need it!

Wow- I have exactly the same question! I got BSN from Aspen and have chosen MSN at WGU. I am  going for MSN in leadership and management. Please let me know how it’s going and how different it is. I really do nit know what to prepare for. Start 01-2021

I am finishing up my BSN from gcu and I wanted to look into quicker online schools to finish my MSN? My end goal is to become a Nurse partitioner. Any good recommendations?

EmiC408 there are a lot of good NP programs out there. Just got to research which is best for you. I was really impressed with Georgetown but their set up does not match my work hours so I couldn't go that route. I looked at about 6 different online programs. 1st years is online. 2nd year is pretty much full time clinicals. I do not want to quit my job to accommodate that second year at this time. It would make me 1 year shy of being vested for retirement. So I opted for my MSN in leadership and management and then will get a specialty certificate in my current field. I felt like that is the MSN program that allows the most flexibility for use in all fields of nursing. 

I would love to get my NP but that is going to have to wait awhile and maybe never depending on where my MSN takes me in my current field. I am all in with my job. My boss should be retiring in about 3 to 4 years. If I were to get her job when she leaves (and that is a big if, all our nurses are great) then that is a career choice I would take and would plan on staying at until retirement. I love my job and my work setting. I believe my MSN and certificate would prepare me to be a great leader and manager. Our staff is great and I would be honored to have that position. If I didn't get it, I would stay and be a great employee but start my NP school at that time. 

Good luck to you! For NP programs I googled best Online FNP programs and picked the results from what I perceived as reputable and then basically went down the line. Pretty much all of them were as I described above. 

Thank you so much for your insight! I’ve done a lot of research on online man programs and most are like 2 years. I heard that wgu works at your own pace and could potentially complete your man faster. Has anyone had luck with this program ? On average how long does the MSN leadership and management at wgu take ? What types of asignments do you need to do ? Thank you 

8 hours ago, EmiC408 said:

Thank you so much for your insight! I’ve done a lot of research on online man programs and most are like 2 years. I heard that wgu works at your own pace and could potentially complete your man faster. Has anyone had luck with this program ? On average how long does the MSN leadership and management at wgu take ? What types of asignments do you need to do ? Thank you 

I did the MSN leadership in 6 mos, lots of papers and a presentation. Also had to video a head to toe assessment. Very do-able

Typically how long did it take you to complete one class at a time? Did you have to take any online proctored tests? Thank you for you insight :-)

-Emily

24 minutes ago, EmiC408 said:

Typically how long did it take you to complete one class at a time? Did you have to take any online proctored tests? Thank you for you insight ?

-Emily

I think I had 2 online proctored tests. I completed most classes in 1-2 weeks, could have done them quicker, but I goofed off. I will note that I was single, not dating, etc, kids grown and gone, don't watch much TV, so not many distractions. So this is what causes time to complete variance for everyone. I finished well before 6 months was up, even though I was working overtime, I was able to dedicate time without interruptions 

It has been awhile since I have not posted because I have been so busy. I have to say that I really enjoyed the program at WGU. I am learning so much despite being very busy with my full-time job. I also enjoyed their performance assessment which allows you to do research and master the subject. I will definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to become a nurse educator. 

@Hoosier_RN, MSN 

Is that right, you finished BSN TO MSN in 6 months ?? That is insanely awesome ? I am thinking about going to wgu and doing BSN to MSN. Then doing an MSN to PMHNP program. Any thoughts anyone ?

17 hours ago, ChrissyBee said:

@Hoosier_RN, MSN 

Is that right, you finished BSN TO MSN in 6 months ?? That is insanely awesome ? I am thinking about going to wgu and doing BSN to MSN. Then doing an MSN to PMHNP program. Any thoughts anyone ?

I actually finished at slightly over 3 months. With WGU, you don't get grades, you get pass/fail. For some schools, this will make you less competitive for admission for postmaster, depending on school

Look at job postings and projections for PMHNP for where you are looking to practice (even if remotely). So many have jumped on the bandwagon, that some areas are flooded. My area is one. The few ads there are available pay less than bedside, and expect experience. I know 2 in the boat that are looking and can't find anything in "desirable" pay range. But then again, they want 5+ year experience pay rate, at newbie experience. They're also crying that they now have so many student loans to pay. I think everyone, regardless of profession, should investigate job market and projections (not from the school, independently) prior to taking on a student loan to pay