WGU Pre-license in Dallas, Tx

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Anyone else interested or looking into WGU's prelicensure program in Dallas, Tx?

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Anyone else interested or looking into WGU's prelicensure program in Dallas, Tx?
Hi SilverLove! I'm in New Braunfels, Tx and am seriously considering them. I have some questions/concerns and am going to post it next..if you know the answers or even part of them, please jump in! I need more info from them and not really getting the person to answer my questions that I have been corresponding with.
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Re: Western Governors University:

1st off, I have no pre-preqs done although I've been a LVN for over 20 years. We didn't have the type of structure back then. So, no credits. I have a 3.72 gpa and was on the President's Honor Roll for whatever that is worth. Not much I guess! LOL

I plan on utilizing every resource available to me online to fulfill, quickly, my pre reqs. I am not trying to get out of that and understand the importance of this!

I am being told by a couple of recruiter/reps that this particular course "pre-licensure" is not able to be finished before 2 years. I specifically asked both folks, "you mean I can't test out for previous knowledge of a particular class instead of having to go through the entire course?" I can't finish sooner? I was told, "No" you have to go the entire 2 years. I also saw on various websites, perhaps even here, that it's 2 1/2 years and now I don't know what to think!

All of GWU's other degrees state you can finish sooner. One of WGU's primary enticements is "progression" and finish when you finish. So now I am very concerned and confused. I don't want to put off my career any longer. I feel it's now or never. I'm 58. I have taken care of family members for a few decades now (paraplegic father from my age of 11 and Alzheimers mother and step father who have gone on to be with The Lord)....and I am only now able to further my career.

WGU mailed me a catalog for the Nursing program that states you can finish early and it is also on their website under the pdf link "view pdf program guide." http://www.wgu.edu/wgu/prog_guide/BS_NUR_prelicensure.pdf There are a couple of other options, other than Excelsior, ISU, etc.. University of OK has a 9 month lpn to bsn...have to do pre-reqs of course but, 9 months...you're done. Downside is they only accept admissions for fall and spring. Presentation College in SD has a "virtual lpn to bsn" however their info is a tad bit confusing and it looks like fall and/or spring only option at best. Geographically, it would be very difficult, but doable.

I like the no waiting for WGU but would be pretty upset to find out that you cannot progress like it states on their website. I am hoping the reps gave me the wrong info as I really would prefer to start with WGU. It's closer for me, it's economically more feasible and can start any month and hopefully progress and complete sooner.

I understand and welcome that I have to do clinicals. That's a no brainer!

Here is an excerpt from their website for the pre-licensed portion:

"undergraduate students must enroll in at least twelve (12) competency units each term. Completing at least these minimum enrollments is essential to On Time Progress and serves as a baseline from which you may accelerate your program. We measure your progress based on the assessments you are able to pass, not on your accumulation of credit hours or course grades. Every time you pass an assessment, you are demonstrating that you have mastered skills and knowledge in your degree program. For comparison to traditional grading systems, passing an assessment means you have demonstrated competency equivalent to a “B” grade or better.

WGU has assigned competency units to each assessment so that we can track your progress through the program. A competency unit is equivalent to one semester credit of learning. Some assessments may be assigned three competency units while other assessments may be as large as six competency units." and

"The benefit of this competency-based system is that it makes it possible for people who are

knowledgeable about a particular subject to make accelerated progress toward completing a

WGU degree even if they lack college experience.

I sure hope someone can clarify. I am quite sure I'm not the only LVN/LPN who is desiring to pursue their BSN with this University.

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History: The desire of my heart is and always was to obtain employment, as a nurse, hopefully in a charge position, with the V.A.

My father was a 100% disabled Viet Nam veteran, as I stated, paraplegic from 1965. I had been either visiting or accompanying my father, in and out of V.A. hospitals from my age of 11 years to approx. 35 years old.

Yes, he had pressure sores and a whole host of challenges. Psychological, physical, social etc. I will never forget one visit and one nurse in particular.

The nurses weren't turning the vets every 4 or every 8 or every 12 hours. They were lucky to be turned at all unless an aide, who was always over worked, turned them. The nurse knew my father had pressure sores (decubitis ulcers) and he had nearly died at one time from sepsis secondary to an ulcer.

My father was a Gunny, (USMC Gunnery Sergeant), true to form, he put others above himself, and felt it was his mission to make sure the other vets on his ward, were not neglected.

After an altercation with the charge nurse, he pulled himself up in his bed by his trapeze bar and voiced to the nurse "We are men, we are humans, we are not animals."

That day, I told my daddy, that one day, I was going to run the V.A. and make sure none of the soldiers were ever treated less than human again.

I wanted to make sure my daddy was treated with dignity. I wanted to become a nurse. I knew knowledge was the key.

In 1988 I graduated from college as a practical nurse. My daddy went out to California for vacation with my little brother to stay for a few months. I had a nagging fear in the pit of my stomach, I'd never see him again. Long story short, July 1989, the V.A. misdiagnosed his illness.

As relayed to me by my brother and V.A. nurses later....He went to the V.A. ER and was told there was no room in the spinal chord injury ward. He was so weak he was sliding out of his wheel chair. The nurses begged the Doctor to admit him. They would not. They tied him to his wheel chair, and sent him home.

Home nurses came to visit him for a few days. They urged the V.A. to admit him. A few days later he went into septic shock, was taken to the civilian hospital and he died of septic shock from a perforated esophagus. 6 litres of purulent fluid was found in his abdominal cavity.

One year later, May 29, 1990, I received my license in the mail from the TBON. It just so happened to be, my daddy's birthday.

For the next 20 years, I was floundering like a fish out of water. It seemed I had lost my purpose. My dream, was, a dream. I've done every kind of nursing, just about that is out there. Dialysis, Occupational Nurse, Medical Administrator, Med Surg, LTC, Clinical review, Travel etc. I've trained LPN's, RN's and CNA's.

I have come full circle. Kids are raised, loved ones have passed on. Having experienced the plight of veterans from a young age, and observing the treatment (or lack thereof) of our veterans, (for approx 20 years) still weighs on my heart.

I realize the V.A. has come a long way and have made incredible strides in the care and treatment of our veterans. I also realize that I will most likely never run the V.A. LOL! However, we are never to old to learn, we are never too old to care or help and we are never too old to pursue our dreams. Online learning is something I am used to doing. I have for years disciplined myself to increase my skills and knowledge, online.

I know it won't be a challenge in that department for me.

It's the time and convenience that is my main criteria.

Time and convenience is what attracted me to WGU.

The tuition is a bonus. I just don't have a lot of time to waste. It's inconvenient.

p.s. "I am, My Father's Voice" google it. It's my tribute to my father and all who have fought and served, USA

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hi twobluestarmom:

sorry for the delay in getting back to you, i am doing so many things at once. to be honest i might not be the best source for the information. i can try to get some of these questions answered when i speak with my admissions counselor. but that will not be until aug. 3rd. as far as i know, it does take 2 1/2 yrs to complete the bsn, my understanding of this is b/c the first 6 months you do several classes and what they call a boot-camp, i forgot the exact name of that. i know that usually need those pre-reqs for the pre-licensure program. i am currently on my last pre-req, which is stats, but have everything else done...including nutrition and biochem. sorry i was not much help, but i can definitely inquire for you....i can post on here what i find out, since i am unable to send pms.

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Hello, I am looking into the same program, but in Houston. When I asked the admissions counselor about the program being 2 1/2 years long and if there was a way to progress faster she said no because of the clinicals. The program is set up for working individuals so they made the clinicals to work around that. Also, they are at the mercy of the hospitals and that hospital may not have the time / scheduling available to progress the students faster. She also said they are continually looking for ways to improve the program, and if there is a way to get it done faster they will try to figure it out .

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Hello, I am looking into the same program, but in Houston. When I asked the admissions counselor about the program being 2 1/2 years long and if there was a way to progress faster she said no because of the clinicals. The program is set up for working individuals so they made the clinicals to work around that. Also, they are at the mercy of the hospitals and that hospital may not have the time / scheduling available to progress the students faster. She also said they are continually looking for ways to improve the program, and if there is a way to get it done faster they will try to figure it out .

Hi EMarie, sorry I just saw this post, so never mind on what I asked, should have read this one first.

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Ok so I spoke to my counselor and she told me that this prelicensure is the only one program you are not able to test out of.

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I am curious to find out how many are interested in the DFW Prelicensure program.

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I just discovered WGU today- sounds intriguing! I'm planning on going the el centro/UTA RN-BSN route.

What's the deal with WGU with a prior Bachelor's? Any benefit really? And how do you complete clinical hours?

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Hi RNNelson79,

Sorry for the late response, I just saw this. I have a bachelor's, but not sure if it helps or not. But in regards to the clinical hours, those are done at a local DFW hospital, just like you would with any program. Sorry not much help....

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Hello,

I am very interested in WGU pre-licensure nursing program. I would like to know if anyone know if you should have all your sciences completed prior to applying to WGU? I have a 3 C in the sciences and I would like to re do thoses so that I can have a better shot. Any advice about anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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