With more than a decade in nursing education, Jennifer McCrickard, Richmond Campus Program Director, has dedicated her career to helping students succeed, especially those facing challenges beyond the classroom. After years spent teaching students across the spectrum, from high school nursing programs to LPN and RN education, she thought her days as a student were behind her. That changed when she was encouraged to apply to Galen College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

Returning to school while teaching a nursing program was no small task. For McCrickard, the experience offered a new perspective on the challenges many students face every day.

“I would definitely say that it was a very humbling experience,” McCrickard said. “I had to go back to practicing what I preach, time management, being as organized as I could, and then still plugging in time for my family and things like that outside of my work environment. But also, I’m just grateful for the opportunity.”

As part of Galen College of Nursing and HCA Healthcare’s commitment to developing future nurse leaders, employees have access to educational support that can help make advanced degrees more attainable. McCrickard credits that investment in employee growth with helping her pursue a DNP degree while continuing to serve students, faculty, and the Richmond campus.

“I believe that one of the most important things we can do as nurses and educators is never stop learning. At the heart of nursing is caring, and that commitment to others should inspire us to continually grow, challenge ourselves, and seek new knowledge. Pursuing doctoral education is about more than earning another degree. It is about becoming better educators, stronger leaders, and more thoughtful practitioners who can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Our vision, ‘We change the life of one to care for the lives of many,’ speaks directly to why lifelong learning matters,” said John Lundeen, the dean of graduate education.

That gratitude came through in a milestone achievement. McCrickard became one of the first two faculty members from Galen’s Richmond campus to earn a DNP degree, alongside fellow graduate Janet Thurston.

While earning the degree was an accomplishment in itself, McCrickard knew she wanted her doctoral project to have a lasting impact on the students she serves every day.

Her project focused on strengthening faculty confidence in supporting nursing students facing social determinants of health and other non-academic barriers. The topic aligned closely with a passion that has followed her throughout her career.

“My most favorite group of students are students that have some outside non-academic barriers,” McCrickard said. “That’s kind of always been where I’ve worked in education. It’s probably my biggest love.”

With that passion in mind, McCrickard developed resources designed to help Galen faculty identify and support students before challenges become barriers to success. The project included a faculty resource packet, conversation guides, and a screening tool adapted from healthcare settings to help faculty better understand students’ needs.

“I really wanted to start working with faculty to try to grow in their confidence in taking time to meet with students,” she said. “I want them to know how to guide them to all the resources that are out there for them to try. It will prevent them from dropping out because of outside barriers and know that there are things out there for them.”

At the heart of the project is a simple idea: taking the time to listen.

“It only takes five minutes of your time to sit down and just listen,” McCrickard said. “Once you sit there and listen, you can understand a little bit of where they may be coming from or why they’re struggling.”

The project has already been shared across multiple Galen campuses, and McCrickard continues to present her findings to faculty colleagues. The next step will be tracking data to see how the initiative impacts student retention and success over time.

For McCrickard, however, the project’s success goes beyond numbers. It reflects the same philosophy that has guided her throughout her career: meeting students where they are and helping them reach the finish line.

“I think the biggest thing is just keep going. You can do it,” McCrickard said. “It doesn’t matter how you get to the finish line. Just that you do.”

As one of Richmond’s first DNP graduates, McCrickard hopes her journey inspires other faculty members to pursue their own educational goals. More importantly, she hopes her work continues to create opportunities for students to overcome obstacles, access support and achieve their dream of becoming nurses.