Athina Hansen
Content Writer at Gradehacker
Updated April 28, 2022
You’re ecstatic to earn your BSN degree as you know it will increase your job opportunities within the nursing profession. However, there’s a minor detail; you have no idea which college’s nursing program to choose!
Your friend recently graduated from Western Governors University and assured you, “a WGU nursing program is a great option.” Those words are dancing around in your head, and you want to learn more about pursuing a BSN degree through a WGU nursing program.
You open up their RN to BSN page and are instantly taken back because it is information OVERLOAD!
You wish there was just a simple explanation of this Western Governors University nursing program. Well, let go of your stress and anxiety because you’re in the right place.
Here at Gradehacker, our focus is on non-traditional students, who we help in many ways, such as with essays or exams. In our years of experience, we have grown very familiar with WGU, having helped many nursing students enrolled in a WGU nursing program.
That’s why we will walk you through Western Governors University’s RN to BSN program, so you are left with a clear understanding and can decide if it is the right fit for you!
Official Program Name
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN degree)
Degree Level
Bachelor’s
Learning Format
Online
Competency Units
12 competency units (WGU’s equivalence of the credit hour) in each six-month term. Each course is typically 3 or 4 units
Cost
$3,795 per six-month term or $11,735 (including resource and program fees)
Average Course Length
18 months
Transfer Credits
Up to 90 transfer credits from a previous program
Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
WGU RN to BSN Program Prerequisites
What, prerequisites? Can’t I just enter if I want to?
It would be great if the world worked that way, but unfortunately, there are prerequisites for this WGU nursing program.
Apart from WGU’s general admission requirements, some eligibility requirements are specific to this online BSN degree program.
If you want to enroll in this WGU degree program, you will have to:
- Have an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing
- Have a current, unencumbered RN license in your state of residence
- Submit a criminal background check through American Databank
Do you match these prerequisites? If so, it looks like you’re in the right place! Continue reading to learn more about this RN to BSN program.
WGU’s Unique Learning Approach
You might be thinking, hey, they made a mistake and they forgot to include the number of credits involved in this online program.
And the truth is – we did it on purpose! All WGU nursing programs are structured around competency-based learning.
How exactly does a competency-based program work? Unlike the traditional learning format, at WGU, you advance through your program when you demonstrate mastery in a set of competencies.
How does one demonstrate mastery? Through tests, papers, projects, and other assessments.
Because of this competency-based model, you can take advantage of the knowledge your educational and professional background gave you. You can speed through subjects you know well and spend more time on those you don’t know too well.
To keep it short and straightforward, competency-based learning measures skills instead of time. So, instead of waiting until a semester ends to progress through your degree, you can advance when you’ve demonstrated knowledge in the competency.
WGU RN to BSN Program
This online BSN degree program is designed to be extremely flexible. Don’t worry about having to log in to classes at a set time. Also, your assignments don’t have deadlines!
Okay, but who is this WGU nursing program aimed for? This Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, as the name implies, is meant for registered nurses who gained their license either through an ADN or nursing diploma.
This WGU nursing program expands on the prior knowledge gained through your unique educational and professional background.
Are you wondering what the pillars of this RN to BSN program are?
Well, this academic program is centered around the following areas:
- Research
- Theory
- Leadership
- Community concepts
- Healthcare policy
- Therapeutic interventions
- Current trends in healthcare
This program aims to prepare you with the skills necessary to improve patient outcomes and your community’s health!
You might be thinking, okay, everything sounds good so far, but how long is this program? There is no set program length as it is competency-based, but 66% of this program’s graduates finish within only 18 months!
So if you’re worried about time, don’t be!
WGU RN to BSN Program Curriculum
Okay, now on to the interesting part, what will I be learning if I choose this program? What type of preparation will I receive?
In total, this program has 24 courses. Each course is structured around a set of competencies, where you can take the time you need to prove that you’ve learned each specific competency.
That is why this program is highly flexible and personalized!
This WGU nursing degree program focuses on real-world skills, so as you progress through the program, you will find that you can apply what you’re learning at work!
You will work through the courses at your own pace and finish more quickly if you know the material. There is no limit on how many classes you can complete in a term!
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Evidence-Based Practice and Applied Nursing Research
- Professional Roles and Values
- Health Assessment
- Health and Wellness Through Nutritional Science
- Clinical Microbiology
- Community Health and Population-Focused Nursing
- Care of the Older Adult
- Biochemistry
- Leadership and Professional Image
Field Experiences
This RN to BSN program is an online degree program; however, it does include field experiences!
What do these field experiences require? They are directly related to the program’s coursework and involve community assessments, simulations, and other activities.
How many hours are dedicated to field experiences? In total, 90 practice hours must be completed as part of the clinical experience.
Okay, but where exactly will I complete these field experiences? These will be completed in a facility close to you, and don’t worry; the university will assist you with that process.
Is WGU’s RN to BSN Program Right For me?
WGU’s RN-to-BSN program will suit you if:
- Your time schedule demands a highly flexible educational environment
- Your professional and educational background has provided you with a lot of nursing knowledge
- You have already completed an associate’s diploma or degree in nursing
WGU’s RN-to-BSN program will not suit you if:
- You learn best in an on-campus environment
- You prefer a highly-structured educational environment
- You have no prior associate degree or diploma in nursing
We understand how challenging it can be to decide which BSN program is right for you. Hopefully, after reading this article, you can make your decision!
Are you looking to clarify the difference between an ADN and BSN degree? Check out our article on ADN vs. a BSN Degree: What’s The Difference?
Would you like to learn more about evidence-based practice? Check out our article on What’s Evidence-Based Practice and Why It Matters So Much for Nurses?
Are you hesitant to choose an online modality because you think it may be easier? Read our article on Are Online Classes Easier than In-Person Classes?
Athina Hansen
Athina has worked with Gradehacker both as a content writer and a study consultant, where she assisted college students with nursing courses. Athina has a background of educating others and producing content, having tutored college students and produced articles for her school magazine. She brings her experience to her current role, where she writes content to empower and assist the non-traditional college student who is often overlooked. You can find her on LinkedIn
