WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY Comparing Healthcare Undergraduate Degrees

This degree program is designed to help current registered nurses (RN) further their education and earn a bachelor's degree. It builds on knowledge gained in an RN program with more complex and specialized subjects, such as evidence-based practice, leadership, and community health. It can be a great option for current RNs looking for a flexible, reputable, and affordable program.

WGU's prelicensure pathway allows you to earn licensure as an RN and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in one program. The curriculum covers topics such as mental health, medical dosage calculations, critical care nursing, and more. Upon graduation, you’ll earn a BSN and meet the requirements to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. You must then pass the exam to become a licensed registered nurse.

WGU’s prelicensure program is open to a limited number of RNs and only available in select states: Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Indiana, Utah, and Nevada.

This program is all about keeping patient data and information safe, organized, and accessible. The curriculum provides a solid foundation in computer information systems and technology for healthcare organizations. Coursework in data analytics, health systems, and security will teach you how to handle patient and financial data. WGU’s health information management program also provides a simulation experience that gives you a glimpse into how HIM operates and functions in the real world.

If direct patient care isn’t your passion but health and technology are, a health information management degree is a great intersection of these two fields. Because there’s a strong statistical and information technology component to this field, this degree works best with people who have experience or interest in these subjects. 

Because this program is more directly focused on the business side of healthcare, it sits within WGU’s business college. WGU’s healthcare management degree will help you get the medical understanding you need, as well as give you business fundamentals that will enable you to run medical facilities effectively. The coursework in this program includes topics such as human resources, healthcare management, business management, healthcare data, and more.

Every healthcare organization needs to be run with strong business principles in order to be successful, and healthcare managers are the people who make it happen. If you want to help people on their healthcare journey, but aren’t interested in directly working with their medical needs, a healthcare management degree could be a good option for you.

The health services program readies students for responsibilities in patient-focused healthcare, communication, leadership, care coordination and more. It includes instruction in value-based care, social determinants in health, and care coordination. Graduates of this program are prepared to help patients in other areas of their care, beyond physical healing. They’re able to navigate patients through a complex health system, assisting with everything from insurance, provider referrals, medical resources, and appointments.

This program is geared toward those who want to help patients but don’t necessarily want to be a doctor or nurse, or have a job focused on physical patient care. If you consider yourself highly organized, are an excellent communicator, and can work well under pressure, you might want to consider a degree in health services coordination.

It ultimately comes down to your interests and career aspirations. Ask yourself:

Do I want to work directly with patients?

Am I interested in helping people navigate their medical journey?

Do I see myself in a management role?  

Is technology something that interests me?  

Wherever you land on these questions, the good news is, WGU has a healthcare degree program that will connect with your passions and prepare you for the career you desire.