WGU Graduates

[WJewell]

Hi All! I'm attracted to the take your time, self paced atmosphere of the programs at WGU. I'm specifically interested in hearing from people who have gone to WGU for your MSN. I'm thinking of doing the MSN Nurse Educator route. I want to know......how quickly have you been able to complete the program? Is it completely self paced? Are you able to apply for student loans to cover? Any pros or cons in your experience?? I'm currently a stay at home mom on maternity leave with an infant, so I need to be able to work around her schedule. I'm so ready to get my MSN but I'm limited in time now. My older two kids will be home with me for the summer, so I'm going to have three kids keeping me busy! Thanks in advance!

[benegesserit]

It is totally self-paced. There are no mandatory class meetings or anything like that. The only deadline is that you have to have all work/tests submitted by the end of the semester. If you're not making progress, your mentor will hound you some, but they can't actually do anything as long as you get it all done by the end of the semester.

The only things that are scheduled are your weekly/biweekly phone call with your student mentor (they are flexible if you find you need to reschedule or can't answer, as long as you communicate regularly), and tests, which you self-schedule at a time that is convenient for you. Some classes have optional cohorts that might have a videoconference or something, but you can watch a recorded one if you can't make it and you're interested in the info.

If you apply now, you probably won't be able to start until towards the end of summer.

You can apply for financial aid the same as at any other college. Just fill out the FAFSA.

[WJewell]

Thank you!

[JustMeRN]

Yes, it's all self paced and you can potentially finish quickly, but you do have to have a good deal of time to move quickly. Do you already have a bsn? I believe the average time for Rn to bsn is 18 months, another twelve months added to that for msn. Many people finish quicker, some slower. When you say not much time, what does that mean? When do you want to be done by? What is the maximum amount of time you can commit?

The estimate is 15-20 hours of study a week to finish Rn to bsn in the average time (I don't know MSN ). Nurses who finish Rn to bsn in one term (6 months or less) are usually people without family comitment (aka child free) and devote 40+ hours a week to study. So weather or not you can complete you MSN quickly depends on many factors.

[WJewell]

Thank you! I have my bsn. I'm flexible on time as far as program length. The self pace is really appealing to me with having limited free time with an infant at home. :).

[Salmo23,RN]

You sound just like me, just had a baby- he's 3 months old, and the other 2 are out for summer. I'm back at work, in a busy ER, but trying to decide on going the "Brick and mortar " school route or through WGU.... Need advice too :)