First, some facts. Of the Nursing graduates from Western Governors University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 227 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 94%, Nursing graduates from Western Governors University have a substantially higher likelihood (+27%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 32% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Nursing graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from Western Governors University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Nursing. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONAdjunct FacultyWalla Walla Community College Jan 2019 - Aug 2020 Nursing Instructor Walla Walla Community College Aug 2020 - Present Nursing Instructor Ascend Learning Oct 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Science - MSWestern Governors University 2020 - 2020 ABOUTCaring and compassionate Registered Nurse with a demonstrated clinical background, excellent communication skills, attention to detail and recently obtained HEDIS experience. Driven to explore all avenues to identify gaps in care and utilize my recent training knowledge of HEDIS specifications and data collection. With my on-line chart review and mock/experience of abstraction/HEDIS data, I would be an efficient and motivated asset to your team. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
The job market for graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Nursing from Western Governors University (WGU) is diverse, displaying a wide range of roles that these individuals have taken on since completing their studies. A significant number of alumni have pursued positions as Registered Nurses (RNs), Nurse Practitioners, and Case Management Nurses, which directly utilize the nursing knowledge and skills cultivated during their academic training. Roles such as these highlight a clear alignment between the education received at WGU and the core responsibilities of nursing practice. For instance, positions like Registered Nurse at various healthcare facilities and Nurse Practitioners in specialized areas of care are prime demonstrations of this relationship, as they require the direct application of clinical skills, patient interaction, and comprehensive medical knowledge necessary for effective healthcare delivery.
However, not all job titles held by WGU nursing graduates maintain this strong relevance to the nursing field. Some have ventured into roles that, while they may use some nursing principles, do not directly engage with core nursing skills. For example, positions such as Healthcare Recruiter and Clinical Informatics Specialist do imply a certain level of healthcare understanding, but lack a strong requirement for the specialized clinical competencies that form the basis of nursing practice. Similarly, roles focused on health administration or management, like Director of Nursing or Clinical Director, incorporate nursing knowledge but may also predominantly involve oversight and decision-making without daily clinical interaction.
Overall, the job titles of WGU nursing graduates tend to cluster heavily in areas directly related to nursing practice, such as clinical roles where hands-on patient care is central. This indicates that the education provided equips its students to thrive primarily within traditional nursing roles. Yet, there is also a notable presence of alumni working in other health-related capacities that capitalize on their nursing background to inform their work, even if it does not involve direct patient care. This blend illustrates that a nursing degree offers flexible career paths, catering not only to those seeking direct patient interaction but also to those looking to leverage their expertise in broader healthcare contexts.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Nursing graduates (this is across all Nursing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Governors University):
Graduates of the Nursing program at Western Governors University (WGU) seem to follow a generally positive trajectory in their nursing careers, with many securing relevant positions right after graduation and continuing to advance in the field over time. Most of the individuals listed who graduated between 2010 and 2023 have taken up roles directly related to nursing or healthcare, which indicates a strong alignment between their education and their career choices.
For instance, many graduates began their careers as Registered Nurses (RNs), which is often the most common first job for nursing graduates. A significant number of profiles show graduates starting as RNs, Case Managers, or in specialized roles like Nurse Practitioners or Healthcare Recruiters. This suggests that WGU nursing graduates are able to enter the workforce in roles that are not only relevant but also foundational for further career advancement. Over the first few years, it’s common to see them move into more specialized roles, such as Nurse Practitioners or Clinical Instructors, which often require additional training or experience.
Fast forward to five to ten years later, the profiles reflect a solid career progression. Many graduates have transitioned into leadership roles such as Nursing Directors, Managers, and Educators, demonstrating their growth in both experience and responsibility. A notable number have also taken on specialized positions, reflecting ongoing professional development, continued education, or shifts into other healthcare areas such as clinical informatics or case management. However, while it's clear that most graduates have managed to stay within the healthcare field, there are a few who ventured into roles that could be seen as less direct, like healthcare management or consulting, which still leverage their nursing background.
Overall, the trends suggest that WGU nursing graduates tend to establish successful careers in nursing and related fields. Most seem to remain engaged in nursing practices and healthcare administration, indicating that their education is well-respected and provides a solid foundation for various roles within the health sector. So if you're eyeing a nursing degree from WGU, the data certainly looks promising for creating a productive and fulfilling career in nursing!
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Western Governors University (WGU) can be a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, WGU’s flexible, self-paced learning style lets you move as fast or as slow as you need, which can definitely make it easier than traditional nursing programs if you’re motivated. However, nursing isn’t exactly a walk in the park! You’ll still face tough classes filled with intense clinical skills, complex concepts, and loads of studying. It requires a good amount of dedication, time management, and self-discipline to juggle everything, especially since you’ll have practical components and exams to tackle. So while it might be easier in terms of structure, the content itself can be challenging. Just be ready to put in the work!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 1 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Nursing.
So, when taking a look at the nursing graduates from Western Governors University, it seems like a lot of them are doing pretty well financially. Many of them have landed roles as nurses, nurse practitioners, and even in educational positions shortly after graduation, which generally means they've been able to start working in relatively high-paying jobs right off the bat. Fields like healthcare typically offer decent salaries, especially for specialized roles, and it looks like these grads have progressed upward, taking on roles with more responsibility and higher pay over time. For instance, those who became nurse practitioners or took on management roles are likely earning significant salaries compared to their earlier RN positions.
However, the specifics of their earnings can vary widely depending on location, specialization, and experience. Some have also shifted roles or taken on multiple positions at once, which can impact their income either way—possibly leading to better earnings or causing financial strain due to overload. But overall, if you're looking at the big picture, many of these grads seem to be carving out solid careers for themselves, and with the demand for healthcare workers remaining strong, it's safe to say that they're probably doing decently on the money front.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Nursing (this is across all Nursing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Governors University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Nursing (ordered by the average relevance score of their Nursing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: