Galen Student Overcomes Personal Tragedy to Graduate with BSN Degree

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) requires immense dedication, but for Eileen Burger, a recent graduate of Galen College of Nursing Gainesville, it demanded extraordinary resilience. Her story is a testament to perseverance, highlighting the crucial support for nursing students provided by Galen’s faculty and staff.

Eileen Burger, from Live Oak, Florida, faced unimaginable challenges during her 3-year BSN program at Galen. She endured two direct hurricane hits (Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricane Helene in 2024), leading to devastating home damage and the tragic loss of multiple family members, including her grandparents, Kathy Sue Meserve and Robert Meserve. The disruption, combined with part-time jobs and long commutes to campus, could have derailed her nursing education.

“I don’t think I would have made it,” said Burger, a proud member of Galen Gainesville’s first BSN cohort, graduating on July 24, 2025. “There were a lot of teachers and faculty members that had my back.”

Burger chose Galen for her BSN after completing an Associate’s Degree elsewhere. The flexible nursing program start times offered by Galen throughout the year and the consistent communication from her enrollment counselor were key factors in her decision. Little did she know how vital the student support system would become.

Despite the personal tragedies and the chaos caused by the hurricanes—which left her without power for weeks and her home in disarray—Burger developed a proactive strategy. “I got to a point where I was doing all my schoolwork a month ahead because I knew life would throw obstacles in my way,” she explained.

Galen Gainesville BSN program director Carla Points praised Burger’s determination. “Nursing is not just a profession, it is a calling defined by resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment,” said Points. “Eileen was a remarkable nursing student, now graduate, who embodies those values in every sense. Her journey is a powerful testament to the human spirit, and a shining example of the kind of nurse the world truly needs.”

Galen’s faculty understood Burger’s circumstances and were committed to helping her succeed. This dedication to student well-being and academic success is a hallmark of the Galen College of Nursing experience.

Through it all, Burger’s focus remained on her family and two young children. Their future motivated her to push through the toughest moments. “Every day I knew that my kids would be better [if I got my BSN],” she shared.

Now, with her BSN degree completed at the end of June 2025, Burger is ready for the next step in her nursing career. She will be working as an RN in the Cardiovascular ICU at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, where she has been a tech for five years. She stands as a pioneer, having been part of the inaugural BSN cohort at Galen’s Gainesville campus.

For aspiring nursing students, Eileen Burger offers invaluable advice: “Go for it and use your resources… Use your students in your class and your staff, because they will be your biggest support system. And if you feel like giving up, don’t. Talk to somebody first.”

Eileen’s story exemplifies the transformative power of nursing education at Galen College of Nursing, proving that with the right support, even in the face of immense adversity, achieving your dreams is possible.