LAS VEGAS/RENO – WGU Nevada, an online, accredited, competency-based, nonprofit higher education institution, is kicking off a surprise scholarship campaign to help shine a light on the need for more nurses and the high demand in this field.

The “High Five for Health Care” scholarships will be given out during National Nurses Week with the targeted dates of May 8 through 10. The scholarship title refers to higher education and five stops: WGU Nevada will be visiting five Nevada-based hospitals that employ those being awarded $5,000 each in scholarship funds for the nursing program at the college. 

The effort comes at a time when new healthcare job opportunities become increasingly abundant, so more professional and educated workers are needed to fill these roles. So far, since its launch in June of 2015, WGU Nevada has graduated 580 students from its College of Health Professions, according to WGU Nevada.

“The desire for our nursing degrees at WGU Nevada continue to grow among our statewide student base,” said WGU Nevada Chancellor Spencer Stewart. “We know from our hospital partners and others in the medical industry that turning out additional quality nurses is a necessity in Nevada. This scholarship effort will help encourage hospital staff members to look into nursing as the next step in their careers, and we are finding a fun way to reward five of those who apply.”

Stewart will be teaming up with hospital executives and local dignitaries to announce the surprise scholarship recipients at their hospital job sites. Along with the surprise, WGU Nevada will be hosting a catered breakfast or lunch for the nursing staffs at the specific locations.

In order to apply for the scholarships, information can be found online at: https://www.wgu.edu/financial-aid-tuition/scholarships/nevada/high-five.html