Nurturing next-gen nurses: HCA Healthcare gains Galen College of Nursing

Moving our nursing agenda forward, we are pleased to announce HCA Healthcare has acquired majority ownership of Galen College of Nursing, one of the largest educators of nurses in the United States.

HCA Healthcare and Galen will work together to provide access to nursing programs for colleagues as well as the larger community, which will help in addressing the nation’s nursing workforce needs.

With a focus solely on nursing education, Galen offers baccalaureate and associate degree nursing programs and practical/vocational nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville and Hazard, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., Cincinnati, Ohio, along with master’s and baccalaureate degrees through its online campus.

HCA Healthcare has approximately 94,000 registered nurses holding positions from bedside caregivers to leadership roles in a variety of healthcare settings and at every level throughout the organization. The partnership with Galen combines two leading nursing organizations to increase access to education and provide nursing career development opportunities that will positively impact patient care.

Nurturing a pipeline of next-gen nurses and nurse leaders

Backed by HCA Healthcare’s extensive history and on-the-ground experience in nursing practice, the partnership will strive to develop innovative and evidence-based curriculum to prepare nurses for today’s workforce and best meet the needs of patients.

“Every day, our nurses are on the front lines of caring for our patients, which embodies our mission at HCA Healthcare,” said HCA Healthcare’s chief executive officer, Sam Hazen. “Galen’s commitment to expand access to quality nursing education perfectly aligns with our focus on giving our nurses – at the bedside and in leadership – great programs and career advancement opportunities that will enable them to deliver better care.”

Galen will remain Galen College of Nursing, led by chief executive officer, Mark Vogt, and will continue its focus on growth strategies for locations and programs.

“This Academic Practice Partnership will allow two of the top nursing organizations in the country to connect the latest in evidence-based practice to the delivery of nursing education on a significant scale,” said Vogt. “The union is an incredible opportunity to make a profound impact on nursing education and the quality of nursing care in our nation.”

“HCA Healthcare is committed to being the premier career destination for nurses,” said HCA Healthcare’s senior vice president and chief nurse executive, Jane Englebright. “Galen’s graduates will help us nurture a pipeline of next-generation nurses and nurse leaders to deliver effective, evidence-based, innovative care to our patients.”

Investing in our nursing workforce

The purchase of Galen is the latest example of HCA Healthcare’s continued focus on supporting its nurses across the country. HCA Healthcare has made it a priority to invest in technologies, capital improvements and infrastructure that support nurses professionally and personally.

These initiatives include:

• Expanded benefits: $300 million investment in additional benefits available to nurses, including tuition reimbursement for most full- and part-time colleagues, student loan debt assistance, expanded certification offerings and a scholarship program for children of HCA Healthcare colleagues.
• Centers for Clinical Advancement: seven state-of-the-art training locations across the country that enable nurses and nursing students to hone their craft using high-fidelity, lifelike simulation equipment to replicate real-life situations.
• HCA Healthcare Inspire: a unique mobile app that unlocks possibilities across HCA Healthcare by empowering nurses to chart their professional growth and career paths in clinical or leadership disciplines and connect with mentors who can inspire and challenge them.
• HCA Healthcare Nurse Care: a nursing-focused support program designed to offer real-time assistance with common workplace issues such as work-life balance, time management, effectively managing stress and self-care.
• Advanced nursing technologies: from a system that reduces documentation burden to mobile-enabled nurse leader tools enabling personal connection with nurses throughout care facilities, HCA Healthcare continuously listens to nurses and develops custom tools to help drive high colleague engagement and improvement in clinical outcomes.

HCA Healthcare’s investment in nursing education is not new as we currently have two nursing schools, Research College of Nursing and Mercy School of Nursing.

The extraordinary mission of Galen College of Nursing—change the life of one to care for the lives of many—is a true complement to the mission of HCA Healthcare, and we look forward to partnering to provide healthier tomorrows to our patients and colleagues.

For more information about career opportunities in nursing at HCA Healthcare, visit here.