WGU will not accept me

Nursing Students Western Governors

Published

I am a New Grad ADN with my license (RN), but have not found a job yet because acute care hospitals are requiring BSN. I applied to , but they will not accept me unless I am working as an RN. Currently working as HCP (Health Care Partner) in an acute care hospital. I work along side RNs on a daily basis. I realize that isn't the same thing, but the only reason that they could give me for this ridiculous policy is that they have found that those who aren't working as an RN are not able to pass their classes. Am I crazy to try and fight to get this policy changed? Input please...

They are a Magnet hospital, therefore they only hire BSN. Unlike most magnet hospitals who will hire ADN as long as you are enrolled in BSN program, this hospital's CNO (Chief Nursing Officer) wants BSN completed first. Hence why I wanted to go to so that I could complete a BSN a little faster( about a year) instead of most BSN programs that are an avg of 15-18 months.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was just voicing my opinion on my experience, but have already moved on. I was just posting so that others would learn from my experience. Some are just taking my post down a whole other road.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
There are some other schools with relatively low tuition which will accept you. Many hospitals will hire you if you are actively pursuing a BSN. One of the people I work with had an ADN and was working "unpaid" as a volunteer nurse with immigrints. She was working on her BSN at one of our PA state universities and was hired into an RN position because she was pursuing the BSN. Try another school. I hear Ohio State is low cost. Also University of Wyoming is low cost. WGU has lots of students and are probably not going to change their policy. Fortunately, they are not the only game in town! If you get an employer, you can get them to help with tuition. There are lots of people in my area who worked at a large nursing home here and went from LPN to ADN and even BSN on the facility's dime. Don't be so stuck on having to go to WGU and having to do only acute care. If you look at the whole picture and look at the alternatives, there are several ways to get where you want to be.

I am not going to pursue . Just wanted others to learn about my experiences. I have a guaranteed job once I finish my BSN in a Magnet designated hospital. As for working in acute care, it is what I want to do. I have plenty of experiences that I have drawn from in the last 20 years to know that working in a hospital is the right fit for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PCCN.

Ok, good luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well if you really want a spot in WGU's program, this statement may not be accurate.

You are chasing your tail here. You can't get into WGU's program without nursing experience, but you are not willing to take an honorable, important job that would give you said experience. In your area you can't get an acute care job without your BSN, but are not willing to take a job that would lead toward getting said BSN.

You are focused on convincing them to change their policy...which even if they spoke to you and allowed you in, you still don't have any nursing experience on which to draw, so may not end well for you. Wouldn't it be easier, but also more productive to take a nursing job, get into their program, and get on with life?

You don't know what kind of experience I have.OBVIOUSLY you have never worked in a nursing home. I have already moved on AND BEEN ACCEPTED into 3 other schools. You are taking my original post way farther than it needed to go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
They are a Magnet hospital, therefore they only hire BSN. Unlike most magnet hospitals who will hire ADN as long as you are enrolled in BSN program, this hospital's CNO (Chief Nursing Officer) wants BSN completed first. Hence why I wanted to go to WGU so that I could complete a BSN a little faster( about a year) instead of most BSN programs that are an avg of 15-18 months.

Since you've moved on, i guess it's not a problem for you anymore.

I would still have a problem with this. The hospital is getting an RN without paying for one.

If the hospital wouldn't make an exception to their rule i would leave and work anywhere else.

I still think your rule challenging is unjust and misplaced. You are missing the point that by not working as an RN, you are missing valuable experience. is not the one acting unfairly here, your employer is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You don't know what kind of experience I have.OBVIOUSLY you have never worked in a nursing home. I have already moved on AND BEEN ACCEPTED into 3 other schools. You are taking my original post way farther than it needed to go.

Ummmmmmm. The last line in your OP asked for input soooo...:whistling:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
I am not saying that they OWE ME THIS, I am just saying that I have a special set of skills and experiences that would/ could be very useful in this program, but if they are unwilling to step outside of their box and actually speak with me, they might think differently.

Actually no. Many of us worked in similar positions prior to and during nursing school. Most reputable employers will not let RNs work outside of their degree. Your experience is not exceptional and it is not RN experience.

If you have moved on, then move on. If social justice is the hill you want to die on, we need more of you....but this is not an injustice. It is just you not getting your way and not being happy about it. Set this energy into something that matters.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Actually no. Many of us worked in similar positions prior to and during nursing school. Most reputable employers will not let RNs work outside of their degree. Your experience is not exceptional and it is not RN experience.

If you have moved on, then move on. If social justice is the hill you want to die on, we need more of you....but this is not an injustice. It is just you not getting your way and not being happy about it. Set this energy into something that matters.

FYI obviously my experience (of which you know nothing about) has been added to a part of research that the CNO of is gathering to look into so as to in the near future maybe adding those of us out there with the same experiences will be able to attend WGU. So, I might actually have been a part of policy change. So my energy may have really mattered for others. That is really what it was all about, not just me throwing a temper tantrum.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

I'm an RN with 30 YEARS nursing experience. Applied to last weekend and submitted my resume as required. I'm currently working as an interim Director of Nursing (in LTC no less) but my contract is complete 10/31/16 and I'm going on vacation November 1st for a week before I begin my next job. Technically, I am unemployed November 1st and as a result, they will not sign me up to begin Nov. 1st as I won't be working as an RN on the date I start. 30 YEARS - I have PLENTY of experience to draw from. My response "That's fine, I can wait until Dec 1st". My best advice to you, just learn to roll with it because God knows you're going to have to learn to roll with a LOT of things and a lot worse things in nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm an RN with 30 YEARS nursing experience. Applied to WGU last weekend and submitted my resume as required. I'm currently working as an interim Director of Nursing (in LTC no less) but my contract is complete 10/31/16 and I'm going on vacation November 1st for a week before I begin my next job. Technically, I am unemployed November 1st and as a result, they will not sign me up to begin Nov. 1st as I won't be working as an RN on the date I start. 30 YEARS - I have PLENTY of experience to draw from. My response "That's fine, I can wait until Dec 1st". My best advice to you, just learn to roll with it because God knows you're going to have to learn to roll with a LOT of things and a lot worse things in nursing.

This is insane!!! I'm glad that I am not going to this school. So that means that there is some legal reason for their policy. I wish that I had access to research them and put them on front street for their practices. Some things aren't meant to just settle and roll with. Best of luck to you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.
This is insane!!! I'm glad that I am not going to this school. So that means that there is some legal reason for their policy. I wish that I had access to research them and put them on front street for their practices. Some things aren't meant to just settle and roll with. Best of luck to you

I just fail fail to see the battle. It's their right to make their policies, their prices seem to be better than anyone, I really believe that once I get going I'll get thru it faster than anywhere else. It's just 30 days, big deal.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment