Shriners Hospitals for Children and WGU Announce New Partnership

SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Shriners Hospitals for Children^®, one of the nation's most recognized names in pediatric specialty care for children, recently announced a national partnership with Western Governors University (WGU). As part of the partnership, Shriners Hospitals employees have access to an exclusive tuition discount as well as scholarships.

In addition to a 5 percent tuition discount for any of WGU's 60 bachelor's and master's degree programs, Shriners Hospitals employees will be eligible to apply for scholarships available through the WGU Healthcare Partners Fund. The Fund grants scholarships of up to $2,500.

Learn more about the WGU-Shriners Hospitals for Children partnership at wgu.edu/landing/shriners.

"Our goal is that 80 percent of our direct-care nurses have a bachelor of science degree in nursing or higher by 2020, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine," said Marjorie McEttrick-Maloney, Chief Nursing Officer, Shriners Hospitals for Children. "We are committed to meeting this objective, and we value each and every one of our nurses for their dedication and passion. As such, Shriners Hospitals for Children looks forward to the partnership with WGU to meet the needs of our nurses' and all employees' future education."

Founded in 1922, Shriners Hospitals for Children provides the highest quality care to children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate. The environment at Shriners Hospitals embodies a compassionate, family-centered, and collaborative care setting.

WGU's competency-based learning model makes it possible for working adults to fit studying into their busy lives. While WGU's online degree programs are rigorous and challenging, students can earn their degrees without sacrificing work, family, and financial obligations. Students complete courses as soon as they demonstrate that they have mastered the materials, enabling them to move quickly through material they already know and spend more time on what they still need to learn. As a result, many students are able to accelerate their studies, finishing faster and saving money—the average time to complete a bachelor's degree is about two and half years.

WGU's tuition after the 5 percent discount is about $2,850 per six-month term and covers all coursework completed in that time. WGU offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in health professions (including nursing), information technology, business and teaching.

"WGU is committed to changing lives through education," said WGU President Scott Pulsipher. "WGU's academic programs ensure graduates have the core knowledge and skills required to compete and succeed in the workplace, while also helping partners like Shriners Hospitals for Children address their critical professional development needs."

About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and outstanding medical education. Our 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico, provide advanced care for children with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate

Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Learn more at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online, nonprofit WGU now serves 83,000 students and 88,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation's leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In just 20 years, the university has become a leading force in changing lives through education. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

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SOURCE Western Governors University