Nurses on Boards Coalition Recognizes WGU as a Founding Partner Online, nonprofit university’s students and alumni to benefit from the Coalition’s trainings and resources

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February 1, 2018

WGU contact for media inquiries:
Joan Mitchell – VP of Public Relations
801-428-5463
jmitchell@wgu.edu

SALT LAKE CITY — (February 1, 2018) Western Governors University (WGU), one of the nation’s leading nurse educators, has been recognized by the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) as a Founding Healthcare Leadership Organization Strategic Partner for its work in improving the health of communities through the service of nurses on boards.

This partnership enables WGU’s 21,000 current nursing students and 34,000 nursing alumni to freely access training and board preparation resources through the NOBC at www.nursesonboardscoalition.org/resources/.

“The Nurses on Boards Coalition is delighted to welcome WGU as a Founding Strategic Partner,” said Kimberly J. Harper, NOBC’s Board Chair-Elect. “Clearly, both organizations share a similar mission—to get the nursing voice to decision making tables across America. By working together, WGU students and graduates will further develop skills and competencies needed for successful board placement and service.”

The mission of NOBC is to improve health in communities across the nation through the service of nurses on boards. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and AARP joined forces to form NOBC in 2014. With 26 coalition members and growing, the goal is to help ensure that at least 10,000 nurses are on boards by 2020; as well as raise awareness that all boards would benefit from the unique perspective of nurses to achieve the goals of improved health, and efficient and effective health care systems.

“WGU is committed to advancing nurse leadership opportunities, and this partnership with NOBC will do just that,” said Dr. Jan Jones-Schenk, WGU’s Academic Vice President for the College of Health Professions and Chief Nursing Officer. “In addition, this partnership will also help us to provide students and alumni with ongoing professional development, specifically in regards to governance skills for nurses.”

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 91,000 students nationwide and has 100,000 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 21 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and was featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.

About NOBC
The Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) represents national nursing and other organizations working to build healthier communities in America by increasing nurses’ presence on corporate, health-related, and other boards, panels, and commissions. The coalition’s goal is to help ensure that at least 10,000 nurses are on boards by 2020, as well as raise awareness that all boards would benefit from the unique perspective of nurses to achieve the goals of improved health, and efficient and effective health care systems at the local, state, and national levels. Learn more at www.nursesonboardscoalition.org.