Online Student Survival Guide

Archive for May, 2009

Mentor Spotlight: Dr. Linda Gunn

WGU on May 29, 2009

Linda Gunn joined Western Governors University in 2005 as a mentor for the College of Business and is currently the Program Coordinator for the College of Health Professions. She has worked in various areas of education for almost 20 years, including online education and workshop development as well as serving as an adjunct professor for Indiana University Northwest and Central Michigan University. She has taught a variety of subjects, including organizational development, diversity, strategy, and management to both undergraduate and graduate students.

“Being a mentor is more than helping students through their programs. I get to know these people and what is going on in their lives.” says Linda. “I not only get to share in their accomplishments, I am often aware of the personal trials and challenges they have to overcome to stay in school and finish their degrees. Their commitment to completing their education can be truly inspirational.” Recently, I had the good fortune to work with a very determined MBA student. He completed his degree while juggling a full-time job, helping care for his wife who is legally blind, and raising child who was losing his sight due to a degenerative disease. When that student walked across the stage to get his diploma, I felt overjoyed knowing how much this meant to him. I am privileged to be a part of those moments.”

“When I was first hired at WGU, I felt valued for the information and expertise that I brought with me. And that continues to be one of the reasons I enjoy being a mentor. I can share my experiences with students and help them bring what they are learning to life,” says Linda.

Linda earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Operations Management from Indiana University, an MBA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, and a Doctorate in Organizational Development from Union Institute and University. She has also earned the CPHRM (Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management) from the American Hospital Association. Linda currently lives in Indiana with her husband and three children.

Western Governors University Offers Two New Master’s Degrees in Nursing

WGU on May 19, 2009

RN to MSN Program Allows Registered Nurses with Associate’s Degrees to Earn Their Master’s

CCNE-accredited Western Governors University, www.wgu.edu, has launched two new master’s degree programs in nursing, the RN to MSN in Nursing Education and the RN to MSN in Nursing Leadership and Management. The degree programs, which are online and competency-based, are designed for registered nurses who have an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing and wish to advance directly to a master’s degree.

WGU’s RN to MSN degree programs incorporate the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Practice and the Essentials of Master’s Education for Professional Practice established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The RN to MSN—Education degree coursework, which is based on the standards established for Nurse Educators by the NLN and the ANCC, will prepare students to become accomplished nurse educators. Students who select the RN to MSN—Leadership and Management program will graduate with the competencies needed to become a valuable leader and manager in a variety of healthcare settings and will complete the exam required to earn the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Nurse Executive Certificate.

About WGU’s Nursing Degree Programs
Western Governors University offers six online, competency-based bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing, all developed to help address the growing shortage of qualified registered nurses in the U.S. and to make nursing education accessible to working adults. WGU’s nursing programs have been developed in collaboration with major healthcare employers, government agencies, and key accreditation organizations to ensure that graduates emerge with the skills and knowledge they need to fulfill their roles in patient care, nurse education, and leadership. Degree programs include:

B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN online)
B.S. Nursing (Prelicensure)
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)

For more information on WGU’s nursing programs, go to www.wgu.edu/RNtoMSN

Western Governors University Announces Scholarship Program for Displaced Workers

WGU on May 14, 2009

In the past 15 months, more than 5.1 million Americans have lost their jobs. Many of the job losses are permanent—displaced workers will need to retool for new jobs and careers by going back to school for more training and education. To address this need for additional higher education, Western Governors University (www.wgu.edu), the non-profit, online university designed for adult learners, has created the Economic Turnaround Scholarship Program. The scholarship program provides up to $4,000 per student to make it possible for recently laid-off workers to go back to school to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

“With the national unemployment rate at 8.9%, getting people back to work must be the top priority for education, government, and industry,” said WGU President Robert Mendenhall. “WGU focuses on providing degree programs in high demand fields such as healthcare, education, and information technology, and our unique, competency-based academic model is designed for busy, adult learners. We’re committing the funds to this scholarship program to help unemployed workers, who may not have the financial resources to attend college, complete their degrees and become more competitive in the job marketplace.”

WGU’s Economic Turnaround Scholarships are open to new WGU students who have become unemployed in the past 12 months, are able to complete a degree program in two years or less, and currently have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. The program is competitive, and scholarships will be awarded based on the candidate’s academic record, financial need, current competency, and readiness for online study at WGU. Scholarship recipients will be eligible to receive $1,000 per six-month term for up to four terms. For more details regarding the scholarship program, go to www.wgu.edu/turnaround or call 1-866-225-5948 (866-CALL-WGU).

Western Governors University Nursing Education Programs Receive CCNE Accreditation

WGU on May 11, 2009

Western Governors University’s Nursing Education Programs (www.wgu.edu), including the new B.S. in Nursing (Prelicensure) have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The initial accreditation, which has a five-year term, was awarded following a rigorous process that included a site visit as well as a review of WGU’s nursing curriculum.

An autonomous arm of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, CCNE is the foremost accrediting body for nursing schools that offer baccalaureate and graduate degrees. Officially recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a national accreditation agency, it is the only accrediting body devoted exclusively to the evaluation of baccalaureate and graduate nursing degree programs. Accreditation is a nongovernmental peer review process that evaluates each program’s mission, goals, and expected outcomes and assesses the performance of the program in achieving the mission and goals.

“Providing educational opportunities and degree programs to meet the needs of underserved populations and employers with critical workforce needs is part of WGU’s mission, and earning CCNE accreditation allows us to address the growing shortage of nurses and nurse educators in the U.S,” said WGU President Robert Mendenhall. “Accreditation demonstrates that our approach, which combines technology and competency-based learning with comprehensive clinical experience, will produce graduates who are well prepared to fulfill their roles in patient care, nurse education, and leadership.”

For more information on WGU’s nursing programs, go to www.wgu.edu/CCNE.

WGU Receives Utah’s Best of State Medal

WGU on May 7, 2009

Western Governors University has been chosen as the 2009 Best of State medal recipient in the On-Line Education category. The Best of State awards were created to recognize outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals in Utah. Over 100 judges reviewed the nominations, basing their scoring on the following criteria: achievement in related field of endeavor (50%), innovation or creativity in approaches, techniques, methods or processes (30%), and contribution to the quality of life in Utah (20%). The process was overseen by the independent certified public accounting firm of Gilbert & Stewart, P.C., which collected and tabulated the scores. Although WGU serves students all over the nation, WGU qualified for this award because its headquarters is located in Salt Lake City. WGU received this award in 2007 for the Best of State in the Educational/Training Service/Institution category. The medal will be awarded at the Best of State gala at the Salt Palace, on May 30th.