New Scholarship Available for CCNE-Accredited Online Nursing Program

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May 07, 2012, 01:17 ET

Western Governors University Recognizes National Nurses Week with Go Further in Nursing Scholarship

SALT LAKE CITY, May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In honor of National Nurses Week 2012, nonprofit, online Western Governors University (WGU) has established the Go Further in Nursing Scholarship to help motivated nurses advance their careers and their practice by completing a bachelor's or master's degree.

WGU's Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) and four Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and are designed to provide flexible, affordable options for working nurses to earn advanced degrees.

Nearly 5,000 students nationwide are enrolled in WGU's BSN and MSN programs. Like all WGU degree programs, nursing degrees are earned through a mentor-guided, competency-based learning model, which allows students to advance when they demonstrate mastery of course material rather than spending time in class accumulating credit hours. In programs where on-site experience is required, clinical or practicum work is performed in appropriate healthcare settings.

The Go Further in Nursing Scholarship is valued at up to $500 toward WGU's already affordable tuition. The scholarship is for new students and will apply to their first six-month term. To be eligible, applicants must complete an application for admission to WGU and write an essay on "How My Education at WGU Will Make Me a More Effective Nurse." Details and application information can be found at www.wgu.edu/nursingscholarship. Tuition for WGU nursing degree programs is a flat rate of $3,250 per 6-month term regardless of how many courses a student completes. WGU nursing programs available nationwide are:

"National Nurses Week is an excellent opportunity for us to celebrate the remarkable people who dedicate themselves to the noble profession of nursing," said Jan Jones-Schenk, WGU's Chief Nursing Officer. "These scholarships will put a rewarding, enriching education even more within reach of deserving nurses who dedicate their lives to the health and well-being of others."

Learn more about WGU's nursing programs at www.wgu.edu/nursing.

About Western Governors University

Featured on NPR's "All Things Considered," the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, CNN's "Schools of Thought," and in The New York Times, WGU is the only university in the U.S. offering competency-based degree programs and the only nonprofit, fully online university with students in all 50 states. WGU offers more than degree programs in business, K-12 teacher education, information technology, and health professions, including nursing. Since its inception in 1997, WGU has grown into a national institution, serving more than 32,000 students. WGU is self-sustaining on tuition of approximately $6,500 per 12-month year for its nursing programs.

WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). WGU nursing programs have been accredited by the Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and its B.S. in Health Informatics is accredited by CAHIIM (Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education).

In 2012, WGU received its third 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance learning from the United States Distance Learning Association, (USDLA). In addition, WGU President Robert W. Mendenhall was recognized for his achievements in higher education when he received the 2010 McGraw Prize in Education.

On June 11, 2010, WGU Indiana was created by Governor Mitch Daniels as Indiana's eighth state university. WGU Washington was established by the Washington State Legislature on April 22, 2011. On August 3, 2011, the state of Texas created WGU Texas. WGU Indiana, WGU Washington, and WGU Texas are state-endorsed and offer degree programs that are accredited through Western Governors University.

The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, HCA, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle, SunGard Higher Education, and Zions Bank. More information is available at www.wgu.edu or by calling 866.225.5948.

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CONTACT: Joan Mitchell, Director of PR, +1-801-428-5463, [email protected]

SOURCE Western Governors University