Nursing school graduates typically kickstart their healthcare careers by learning from experienced peers and forming meaningful, lifelong bonds with their colleagues. For two graduates of Galen College of Nursing’s Roanoke campus, that experience is especially unique—because their coworkers are also their family.

At HCA Healthcare’s LewisGale Medical Center, six members of the same family now work side by side, something Aaliyah Reynolds says has created endless opportunities both personally and professionally.

“It’s not just one of us, it’s six of us,” Reynolds said. “We all get to meet different people and connect in different ways, so now I feel like I have endless opportunities. It’s something I’ve been so grateful for.”

That strong presence didn’t happen overnight. Aaliyah said it all began in 2022, when her mother joined LewisGale without knowing anyone at the hospital. Soon, the rest of the family began to follow.

“My mom started, then Alexis started, then Jakari,” Aaliyah explained. “I started shortly after in October of 2024. More recently, Jalen and Cartier have joined the team.”

Their shared journey has also been shaped by the connection between Galen College of Nursing and HCA Healthcare, which provides students with direct pathways into clinical settings like LewisGale. Through that collaboration, students benefit from hands-on experience, mentorship, and career opportunities within HCA’s network of hospitals, something Aaliyah says made their transition from students to professionals seamless.

Nursing wasn’t always part of Aaliyah’s plan. After graduating high school early, she began working at Toyota. But when her sister Jakari graduated from high school and enrolled at Galen, Aaliyah decided it was time to return to school, and this time, she wasn’t doing it alone.

“We both joined at the same time,” Aaliyah said. “We did all of our online classes together, all of our work together, all of our studying together. The two of us took up Galen’s study rooms plenty of times, just the two of us, bouncing ideas off each other. It couldn’t have been more perfect.”

While enrolled at Galen, both sisters took advantage of opportunities made possible through the school’s connection with HCA Healthcare. They began working at LewisGale as patient care technicians before moving into nursing extern roles, gaining valuable clinical experience while still completing their coursework.

They initially worked in the hospital’s progressive care unit before transitioning to women’s services, where they continued balancing long shifts with their studies.

“I had my first clinical rotation on this unit with the nurse manager, and that experience really got the ball rolling. It led to my opportunity to become a nurse extern, and from there I knew this was exactly where I wanted to be,” Jakaari said.

Since graduating from Galen in April, the sisters have taken the next step in their careers as nurse residents on the hospital’s labor and delivery team, an area where they can combine their skills with their passion for patient care.

But their journey doesn’t stop there. Both say they plan to continue their education at Galen’s Roanoke campus, this time working toward their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

“We’re excited to be going back to Galen together to earn our BSNs. Although balancing work and school can be challenging, I’ve always loved learning, and I’m excited to continue building my knowledge and skills. Continuing my education is important to me because I want to be the best nurse I can be and provide the highest quality care to my patients,” said Jakaari.

With six family members already working at LewisGale, the Reynolds family’s presence continues to grow, and it may not stop anytime soon. Aaliyah says even more siblings are considering following in their footsteps, including their younger brother, who recently graduated high school.

“He’s only 18, so he’s got a little bit of time,” Aaliyah said. “But I think education-wise, he’ll likely start with his associate degree and then come back to Galen for his BSN.”

For this family, what started as one step into healthcare has turned into a shared journey, one supported by education, opportunity, and a unique partnership that continues to open doors for the next generation.

At Galen College of Nursing, you can turn your passion for helping others into a meaningful career in healthcare. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to advance your education, Galen offers a range of programs designed to meet you where you are—including the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Practical Nursing (PN), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Through hands-on training and a strong partnership with HCA Healthcare, you’ll gain real-world clinical experience and build the skills you need to succeed from day one. Take the first step toward your future—explore Galen’s programs and discover where a career in nursing can take you.