Des Moines Resident Earns Master’s Degree from WGU

Halle Haedtke, a resident of Des Moines, has graduated from Western Governors University (WGU) with a Master of Science in Nursing. Haedtke participated in the nonprofit, fully online university’s commencement ceremony in late August, where she and thousands of other graduates were recognized and celebrated for their achievements.

Haedtke, an academic nurse educator at a local college, spent a few years working as a bedside nurse in an inpatient oncology unity before deciding to become a clinical instructor and pursue her MSN. She learned about WGU’s MSN program when she was interviewing for her current position, so she applied and was immediately accepted to WGU. Once she started her clinical instructor position and had a few shifts with the students, she was confident that she made a great choice in pursing her MSN from WGU.

“As I started my position, I noticed that the course content that I was covering in my nursing education classes aligned with what I was seeing in the workplace,” said Haedtke. “Being able to apply concepts as I was learning them really helped reinforce everything I learned.”

WGU’s competency-based model, which measures learning rather than time spent in the classroom, worked well for Haedtke and allowed her to complete coursework on a schedule that fit her life.

“I cannot express how grateful I am for WGU,” she said. “The flexibility of the program allowed me to work full time while balancing school, and the support I received from the course instructors was unparalleled. Now that I have completed my degree, I am excited to continue learning and growing as a nurse educator.”

Since the beginning of 2020, more than 30,000 individuals have earned degrees from WGU, most of them while working full-time jobs and raising families. In its 23-year history, WGU has awarded more than 197,000 degrees and has celebrated with ceremonies held multiple times per year, usually in cities across the country. The August commencement ceremony was held virtually in place of previously planned in-person celebrations.

For more information about the university or its programs, visit wgu.edu.

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 more than 121,000 students nationwide and has more than 197,000 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 23 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 has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and in The New York Times. Learn more at www.wgu.edu.