BSN program

[amomwholearns]

Has anyone gone through the BSN program? I am strongly considering it, but am interested to see what other peoples experiences are. I am wanting to be a lactation consultant that works in the hospital, but unfortunately most places require you to be an RN. So technically the degree would be for show, as I don't really plan on being a practicing nurse.

[MNomadic]

Has anyone gone through the BSN program? I am strongly considering it, but am interested to see what other peoples experiences are. I am wanting to be a lactation consultant that works in the hospital, but unfortunately most places require you to be an RN. So technically the degree would be for show, as I don't really plan on being a practicing nurse.

I have a friend who did her nursing degree at WGU and she really liked it and recommends it. She's now doing a nursing master's through a different university.

[bjcheung77]

FYI - Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible to get into the program just for show.

Health/Nursing Program Links: https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-health-degrees.html

An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:

Time: 66% of graduates finish within 18 months.
Tuition and Fees: $3,225 per 6-month term, plus one-time Health Professions Student Fee of $350.
Transfers: On average, students transfer 81 credits.

With over 35,000 BSN alumni, this is one of WGU's most popular online degree programs. View our RN to BSN degree guide.

If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's Degree in Health Services Coordination instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.

RN to BSN Link: https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-healt...ogram.html#

To be considered for this program, you must:
Possess an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing.
Possess a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license in your state of residence.
Submit to a criminal background check through American Databank.

Nursing Prelicensure: https://www.wgu.edu/online-nursing-healt...ogram.html

A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:

Locations: offered in CA, FL, IN, TX, and UT only.
Tuition and fees: $5,925 per 6-month term.

WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.

If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's Degree in Health Services Coordination instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.

[indigoshuffle]

Has anyone gone through the BSN program? I am strongly considering it, but am interested to see what other peoples experiences are. I am wanting to be a lactation consultant that works in the hospital, but unfortunately most places require you to be an RN. So technically the degree would be for show, as I don't really plan on being a practicing nurse.

The short answer:
I did my BSN at WGU. It's too rigorous a course of study just to do it for show. 

The short of it is, you really need to research the laws. If you're serious, it's not a waste of money to consult an attorney before you do anything that could get you into a heap of trouble with the law.


The long answer:
Back in the day, you could become a lactation consultant with just a few college credits and certification. But the affordable care act now requires providers to cover breastfeeding support, thus triggering licensing requirements. This basically means that lactation consulting will be diverted to the family doctor pediatrician, Nurse Practitioner,  or a certified registered nurse. 

You need to check your state laws and you need to be business-minded and think about who exactly will be paying for your services, and how. Of course, if you're a labor and delivery nurse, there is a board certification you can obtain after a few thousand hours of clinical experience, but it seems like an awful lot of headache to go through just to become a lactation consultant. There are other professions in natural healthcare that you might want to consider.

[dmjacobsen]

<snipped>There are other professions in natural healthcare that you might want to consider.

MSN RN here. I echo all of what indigo said. If you are not at least an RN, you are going to have a really hard (though not absolutely impossible) time finding a lactaction consultant job in a hospital. You may be able to find a job in a clinic or perhaps in a not-for-profit that offers services to the community. If you're really set on becoming a lactaction consultant in a hospital, best bet is to suck it up and get an associate's degree, work a year in L&D, and then get your certification.