WGU: Pre-Licensure BSN

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 14, 2015

I am a faculty member in the Indiana WGU pre-licenure program (they all work the same).

Most of the eight clinical rotations are 72 hours in length. (Community Health and Role Transitions/ Capstone being the exceptions) You work 1:1 with a Clinical Coach, and you work that person's schedule. Generally 12 hour shift, often include weekends, sometimes they are entirely night shifts. You are told upon admittance that during the clinical window (that two to three week period when the clinical intensive happens) you must be available to meet the obligation. They try very hard to give you plenty of notice so you an work around it. But it's not like you get a choice.

For example, one of my current students is a grade school teacher. The scheduler tries to give her a Coach with more weekends, but she does end up burning nearly all of her vacation and sick time for clinicals. If your job is more flexible (a part-time tech in a clinic or hospital) your manager may be able to move your days around to accommodate clinicals. But your first priority must be the clinical experience. If you don't complete the required hours, you do not progress through the program.

Does this answer your questions?

CMorg25 · Sep 14, 2015

I appreciate, you, as a faculty member responding. Is it best to inform scheduling of your work schedule at the beginning?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 14, 2015

I appreciate, you, as a faculty member responding. Is it best to inform scheduling of your work schedule at the beginning?

You can inform scheduling all you want, and they try to work with you, but my point is that you are not assured of getting the coach and the schedule you want. I run into this fairly often. We tell students repeatedly (Before and during the program) that clinical availability is entirely dependent on the Coach's schedule, and we cannot and do not guarantee a certain schedule to ANY student based on their preference or need.

What type of work and schedule do you have now?

CMorg25 · Sep 14, 2015

Thank You so much.

How far in advanced are clinical schedules given?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 14, 2015

You know when the clinical window is far in advance: For example, Med Surg 1 (CASAL 1) will be the second and third weeks of October. This schedule of windows is pretty set in stone, and you usually have the whole program mapped out when you begin the clinical portion of the program.

HOWEVER, it may not be until a week or two before that particular window begins that you know your specific schedule. Again, it can be days/ nights/ weekends. Generally 12 hour shifts (exceptions being peds and community health generally)

CMorg25 · Sep 14, 2015

Thank you, again. You have been very helpful.

CMorg25 · Sep 14, 2015

I'm sorry I see you asked my work schedule: I work MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:00AM-3:30PM.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 14, 2015

I'm sorry I see you asked my work schedule: I work MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:00AM-3:30PM.

You work schedule will be your biggest barrier. You cannot do 3- 12 hour shifts/ week AND work that schedule. Hopefully, you have vacation time you can use, or you can switch your hours or something.

CMorg25 · Sep 14, 2015

I understand. Yes ma'am, I do have vacation time. I will hope/pray for weekend & night clinicals as well :) Again, I appreciate you taking time out to answer my questions.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 14, 2015

Happy to help.

Best wishes

mistyp88 · Sep 28, 2015

I am in the Dallas cohort and what was stated above is all true. I am able to switch my scheduled days around, but you will not get your scheduled days until about 1-2 weeks before the blocked time. Labs are on the weekends so you will be good for lab. It could be night, day, weekend or weekday; it just depends on your coaches schedule. Good luck. I like the program so far. It fits with my time.