WGU RN to BSN

I'm planning to enroll in WGU (Western Governors University). Can anyone provide pros and cons to the program? Interesting in hearing from current students, but welcome others to chime in for learning purposes.

I actually called and they have changed their requirements. You do not have to work a certain amount of hours but have to be "actively employed as a RN" .

They will review your transcripts. It depends on the length of time since you took the course. I had to retake because it had been so many years since I had nutrition, even though it was a semester long, hard course. The WGU nutrition course is a piece of cake. You will be able to complete it in 2 days. It was nothing like the hard university course I took several years ago.

WGU stats is nursing stats, not calculus based. Lots of graph reading.

I'm starting the program in September! I am a little worried though because I have to take statistics and biochemistry. Anyone have any input on these classes? Are the manageable or difficult?

Specializes in PMHNP.
On 11/8/2019 at 5:42 PM, kristylynnholman said:

Miss.Jersey, BSN, RN did u look at other psych programs? I want to start at WGU, but my GPA is already under 3.0 so I'm worried that it will effect my ability to get into a psych nurse program, if I so decide, in the future. Do u know if there are many psych nurse advanced degrees that aren't picky about GPA?

I looked at multiple programs. If your current GPA is under 3.0 I would consider another school, unfortunately. Minimum GPA for graduate schools (I would assume) are 3.0 at least. I think it was Northern Arizona University I was also looking at for my BSN. If I recall, it was also a pass fail with an option to show mastery with an extra project to achieve an A? I can't find details with a quick google search, but it's worth looking further into. WGU was more responsive than the other school I was looking at and I went with them.

Good luck!

The classes have online learning modules. Some have an online textbook. You either take an objective assessment (OA) or write a paper(s) or a combination of the two. One class required a video head to toe assessment. Each class is pass/fail. I believe this translates to a 3.0 in the end. You will have a program mentor who will check in with you once per week. There are instructors you can email, but I never used them.

On 6/10/2020 at 9:39 PM, AmbitiousNurse30 said:

Hello guys,

I’m looking to start WGU in a month! I’ve read this entire thread. I would like to know if there are any papers to be written or only exams? Also, how many exams are there for each class? Is it like a normal semester where there are 3 exams. I work full time on a Med Surg unit 3 days a week, 12 hr shifts.
I would be grateful for some feedback ?

Most classes have one final exam. There are several papers to write, but some are short. You will also have to submit a video and complete some simulations. Overall, it wasn't too difficult.

I wish I could tell you the answer to that. Maybe you should call Mayo. I have seen posts from nurses who have gone on to become NPs after graduating from WGU.

Specializes in School Nurse, past Med Surge.

How much clinical time is required?

Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
2 hours ago, SaltineQueen said:

How much clinical time is required?

And do you have to find your own clinical site???

Mr. Ruby Jane did his RN to BSN through GCU. He's a veteran and they're vet-friendly. I don't recall clinicals but he did have to use me for some public/community health stuff.

23 hours ago, eh14 said:

I just finished my last BSN class. I highly recommend if you have a prior degree. The 3.0 kills your grade point if you have a lot of classes, but its a great way to to get an accredited BSN in a self-paced affordable manner.

eh, what is meant by the 3.0 kills your GPA?

Also, I am located in Nebraska and of course I am considering local schools such as Nebraska Medicine (UNMC), Clarkson or Methodist in Omaha for my RN TO BSN.

However, I am wondering what, if any, benefits there are with going through a local 4 year university as opposed to just doing WGU RN TO BSN.

In addition, their new commercial is pretty catchy, The times they are a changin'. ?

Thanks for replies everyone! WGU sounds like a winner

4 hours ago, NICUismylife said:

Loved WGU. I finished in 6 months (I had no life outside of work and school for those 6 months, but it was worth it!) I was in CA, so I did have to find a preceptor and had a higher clinical hour requirement than other states, and I still recommend WGU. No homework, no group projects, no discussion forums. It was great, but you do need to be self-motivated.

Question for you NICU, was this the entire RN to BSN that you finished in 6 months or did you already have some extra credits towards your BSN that helped shorten the time frame?

Also, were you able to work full time during the program?

Thanks.

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