Western Governors University has been awarded a three-year, $725,000 nursing grant by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation - a step the foundation believes will help provide the nation with more nurses through greater educational opportunities.
The grant will be used by the College of Health Professions at WGU to develop online nursing degree programs, including a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
WGU is a fully accredited, online, competency-based university, created by 19 western governors to improve education access for adult learners.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the nurse shortage in the United States could grow to as large as one million by 2020. The foundation believes that alternative educational options - such as Western Governors University - are important to explore in combating the shortage.
Starting in 2009, nursing students accepted into the program will complete their coursework online through WGU. The new programs aim to increase the number of nurses with baccalaureate degrees and initial licensure by attracting qualified students nationwide who otherwise would not attend nursing school.
"We are delighted to support this innovative program," said Susan Hassmiller, team leader and senior program officer for the foundation's human capital team. "This new program assists our goal of ensuring that our nation has a diverse, well-trained healthcare workforce to meet the needs of all Americans by providing education to qualified candidates who would otherwise not attend nursing school."
The programs will offer flexibility and be more affordable than many traditional schools, providing opportunities for students in rural communities, minority students, working adults and non-traditional students.
"WGU is honored that the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has chosen to support our high-priority nursing initiative through the award of this grant," said WGU President Robert Mendenhall. "This important joint venture will serve those who have been denied access to nursing programs because of consistent barriers such as cost or difficulty traveling to traditional university campuses. WGU's fully online, competency-based approach should allow many students to earn their degrees and help fill the demand for qualified nurses."
In addition to the foundation, other major initial corporate supporters in this effort include the Hospital Corporation of America, the Tenet Healthcare Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, Cedars Sinai and Universal Health Systems.