WGU RN-BSN 2020 GRADUATE!

Nursing Students Western Governors

Updated:   Published

Just wanted to update my nurse family and say that I'm done with the RN-BSN program! It was a long and arduous journey..... but it's over now. It took me 1 year and 3 months to complete the program because I worked full time (Monday-Friday) on 2 toxic jobs, and I had to sacrifice my weekends to make it happen. ? However, the school's course mentors and course instructors were very helpful, and I appreciated their contributions. I wish much success to everyone else's journey. ?‍?

Specializes in Gastroenterology.

I have not started the program so I can't help and don't know what you mean by OA AND PA.  Sorry.

8 hours ago, JR78 said:

Hello can you tell me more about the program. My advisor just ended up confusing me. LOL. Is OA and PA required for every course.

I just started the BSN Pre-licensure program this month. The OA (Objective Assessment) is essentially like an online exam. You might have taken these in previous courses. The PA (Performance Assessment) is essentially a different type of exam which is something you might have to physically do or complete in order to get the credit for it. To my understanding, you'll either have an OA or a one or two PA’s at the end of a course at in order to pass the course. 
 

However, I haven’t gotten far enough into the program to see if you could have both. They’re basically just types of exams you need to take in order to pass whatever course you’re taking. 

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

OA (Objective Assessment) is a typical multiple choice proctored exam, Most OAs also have multiple 'practice assessments' as well to give you an idea of what the exam is like. 

PA (Performance Assessment) is either a paper, a PowerPoint or a video you submit for grading. 

Some courses have only one OA, some have only a PA, and some have both. 

 

I hope this helps. 

1 Votes
Specializes in Gastroenterology.

I just got my transcript assessment back so not that far into the process yet.

I know I need to take biochem and statistics. When do you start taking those classes, are they done before you start nursing courses or do you need to start with that first communications course and then you go on to what ever class you want to after that?

Thanks

 

Specializes in Er.

I am just starting also. I had 2 claases left. I heard horrible stories online about how difficult biochem and stats were, so iam taking those other places and transferring them to . I took an accelerated Biochem lecture only portion at Southern Ca University of Health Sciences, since thats whats required. 5 weeks. I loved it. I just registered to take Stats at American Public, 8 week class. My goal is to be enrolled and taking classes by Apr '21. 

Specializes in Gastroenterology.

gulp......

 

You start with whatever classes you haven’t transferred in, plus the healthcare communications course, intro to nursing, medication dosage, organizations systems and nutrition. Then there’s another information technology course you would take before you get into the clinical portion. I’m taking biochem right now. 

It’s a bit tough because the information is so dense. I just have to power through the material. I’m a little worried about the class. I just have to make sure I’m doing an adequate amount of studying so I can get the material covered. 

Specializes in Dialysis RN.
20 hours ago, JR78 said:

Hello can you tell me more about the program. My advisor just ended up confusing me. LOL. Is OA and PA required for every course.

The most important thing to remember is that an OA is an Objective Exam. It is a proctored exam that is scheduled through a proctoring service. You will hook up an approved video camera to your home computer and they will monitor you the entire time you are testing. It's nervewrecking at first, but you get used to it. The PA on the other hand is WHATEVER the school wants it to be!! The papers are tedious, the assignments are plentiful, and the tasks are endless. But if you are determined, you will annihilate it nonstop! The PA's take up so much time because if you do not complete every part of the rubric, you have to resubmit your work, bla bla bla. Hope that helps. You got this. 

Specializes in Dialysis RN.
9 hours ago, kswick said:

I just got my transcript assessment back so not that far into the process yet.

I know I need to take biochem and statistics. When do you start taking those classes, are they done before you start nursing courses or do you need to start with that first communications course and then you go on to what ever class you want to after that?

Thanks

 

Hello, your course mentor will help you arrange your courses, and they assist you with what you need to take, and when. You will speak with them regularly so that you stay on track. The Biochem and Stats courses are arranged after other classes have been completed. Biochem was challenging, but Stats was not too bad (in my opinion). But there will be plenty help from the instructors. Hope this helps. 

Specializes in Gastroenterology.
8 minutes ago, NurseEffort said:

Hello, your course mentor will help you arrange your courses, and they assist you with what you need to take, and when. You will speak with them regularly so that you stay on track. The Biochem and Stats courses are arranged after other classes have been completed. Biochem was challenging, but Stats was not too bad (in my opinion). But there will be plenty help from the instructors. Hope this helps. 

Thanks that helps a lot! Getting nervous. Just need to take one day at a time!

Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

Best advice I can give you as both a graduate and (now) a faculty member: Do what your mentor tells you! They are your GPS through the program. If you follow their direction- you'll be fine. If you get off track- they know the best way forward. 

Are they still doing pass/fail grades? I had read elsewhere that it had changed as of 2020…. It’s literally the only thing keeping me from applying there. 

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