Western Governors University (WGU) has announced the launch of a new $10 million scholarship fund that could impact its nursing students in Tennessee.
The Heartbeat of Healthcare is aimed at supporting registered nurse (RN) students across the country who are pursuing WGU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) or Master of Science in Nursing (RN-to-MSN) programs at the Michael O. Leavitt School of Health (LSH). This initiative, which is available through June 2025, is intended to increase access to affordable nursing education, helping to address the state’s critical need for highly trained nurses.
The Heartbeat of Healthcare scholarship provides two tiers of support to eligible students:
- Tier 1: Full tuition for up to two terms, awarded to 100 recipients nationwide
- Tier 2: $2,500 per recipient, divided across two terms ($1,250 per term)
In Tennessee, WGU currently has nearly 5,200 students, including 598 in its LSH. Over the past 12 months, WGU has awarded more than $1.1 million in scholarships in Tennessee.
Employers across Tennessee, including major healthcare providers like HCA Healthcare and Ascension, are increasingly seeking nurses with advanced education. According to the AACN, more than 28 percent of employers now require nurses to hold a bachelor’s degree, while 72 percent strongly prefer it.
Tennessee RNs who have an associate degree or nursing diploma and are looking to advance their careers into roles like public health nurse, flight nurse, nurse case manager or staff nurse are encouraged to apply for these scholarships. The RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN programs are designed to be completed within one year, allowing working professionals to efficiently continue their education while maintaining their current roles.
The program is evidence-based, with updated content that aligns with the AACN Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education.
For more information about the Heartbeat of Healthcare scholarship or to apply, visit https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships/general/heartbeat-of-healthcare-rn-bsn-scholarship.html.
