WGU Texas Celebrates National Nurses Week with New RN Scholarships

AUSTIN, Texas, April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- To commemorate National Nurses Week 2014 (May 6 to 12), and to fill the growing need for a robust, well-educated nursing workforce throughout the state, WGU Texas has launched the Nurses Lead the Way Scholarship. Five scholarships, each valued at up to $500, will be awarded to motivated nurses who are ready to take on the increasing challenges of today's hospitals and wish to pursue an online bachelor's or master's degree program in the WGU Texas College of Health Professions.

"The healthcare industry in Texas is experiencing increasing opportunity and big changes," said WGU Texas Chancellor Ray Martinez. "Providing access to high quality, affordable education will help fill the gaps of nursing talent in Texas, especially in areas such as Dallas and Houston—ensuring our state's long-term prosperity."

Research shows that there is a growing need for high quality, credentialed nurses in Texas. According to data from the Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies, demand for full-time registered nurses in the state exceeds supply by 22,000. This gap could expand to a shortage of more than 70,000 nurses by 2020.

WGU Texas leverages an innovative approach to learning called competency-based education that measures student learning rather than time spent in class. Created for adults who need a flexible, affordable way to return to college to complete a bachelor's or master's degree program, this approach to learning is ideal for working nurses and health professionals seeking to advance their career by completing a bachelor's or master's degree, while balancing the demands of work and family. Tuition for WGU Texas' nursing programs is charged at a flat rate of $3,250 per six-month term, and terms can begin on the first day of any month.

In December, Renee Kuykendall, a nurse in Austin, Texas, received her BSN from WGU Texas. She is now pursuing a M.S. Nursing—Education. A busy wife and mother who works full time, Renee said that the competency-based model and affordability of the WGU Texas degree programs made all the difference for her. "The best thing about WGU is that it's self-paced, so you don't have to worry about trying to get things done in a particular time period, and that really makes it ideal for working nurses and working moms," she said. 

To be eligible for the Nurses Lead the Way Scholarship, applicants must be a licensed RN, complete an application for admission to WGU Texas, and complete the scholarship application. The deadline to apply for the Nurses Lead the Way Scholarship is April 30, 2014. In addition, throughout, the month of April, WGU Texas is offering a $65 application fee waiver* to nurses applying to a bachelor's or master's degree program.

The Nurses Lead the Way Scholarship is available to new students enrolling in any of the following programs from the College of Health Professions at WGU Texas:

• B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN online)
• M.S. Nursing—Education (for RNs with BSNs)
• M.S. Nursing—Leadership and Management (for RNs with BSNs)
• M.S. Nursing—Education (RN to MSN Option)
• M.S. Nursing—Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option)
• MBA Healthcare Management

There are currently more than 400 nurses enrolled in WGU Texas' CCNE-accredited online nursing degree programs. For more information about the WGU Texas Nurses Lead the Way Scholarship, please visit: texas.wgu.edu/nursesweek or call 1-877-214-7011.

*As part of Western Governors University, WGU Texas offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington, DC 20036, 202-877-6791).

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Contact for media inquiries: 
Holly Subervi, PR Manager    
512-225-6652 or 512-965-4500         
[email protected]   

Contact for enrollment information:
877.214.7011
texas.wgu.edu

SOURCE WGU Texas