From Visual Notes to Published Workbook: How a Galen Grad Is Supporting Pharmacology Education

For many nursing students and new graduates, pharmacology can feel overwhelming — a subject dense with details, memorization, and high-stakes responsibility. For Galen graduate Riki Matsui, RN, it became an opportunity to give back to the nursing community in a meaningful and creative way.

After graduating from Galen’s Louisville campus in Spring 2023, Riki began his career as a Resident at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. While working in the mental health unit, a familiar challenge resurfaced.

“When I started working without preceptors, I was responsible for administering medications on my own,” Riki shared. “There were many medications I needed to look up beforehand — especially working in mental health, which was new to me.”

Galen had already instilled a core principle: knowing exactly what medications you are giving to patients is essential to safe nursing practice. As Riki revisited pharmacology in real-time clinical settings, he found himself returning to the same learning style that helped him succeed as a student.

“I remembered how I used to take notes at Galen,” he said. “They were mostly illustrations — visual learner dream notes.”

Those illustrated notes didn’t just help Riki. His classmates often relied on them, and the results spoke for themselves. “I did well on my exams, and so did my friends who used my notes,” he said.

As a practicing RN, Riki began drawing medications one by one and keeping the illustrations in a folder at work. Before long, coworkers were using the drawings to review medications, and even patients began asking questions after seeing them.

“That was when I realized these illustrations could be useful beyond just me,” Riki said.

What started as hand-drawn notes evolved into educational videos shared on TikTok as “Nurse Riki,” reaching thousands of viewers. Eventually, those teachings and illustrations came together in a self-published pharmacology workbook designed for nursing students and practicing healthcare professionals alike.

“Pharmacology is one of the hardest subjects,” Riki said. “If students can start to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how,’ nursing becomes more fun and enjoyable.”

That philosophy traces directly back to Riki’s experience at Galen, particularly the instructors who shaped his approach to learning and patient care.

He credits Dr. Ayesha Zafir, who taught Anatomy and Physiology I and II at the Louisville campus, for emphasizing understanding over memorization. “She taught us that the human body is like a puzzle — everything connects,” Riki said.

He also points to Instructor Brittany Payne, whose teachings reinforced the importance of compassion and patient safety. “She made it clear that nurses should never cause harm,” Riki shared. “That’s why I always made sure to look up medications before administering them as a new nurse.”

Today, working in the mental health unit at the VA, Riki continues to care for patients while supporting learners across the nursing profession through education and creativity. His journey reflects a powerful truth: the habits built in nursing school don’t end at graduation — they can be the backbone of a successful career in healthcare and even provide essential support to peers, patients, and future nurses.