The healthcare industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and nursing education must evolve with it. At Galen College of Nursing, leaders across our 25 campuses are reshaping curriculum, clinical opportunities, and student support to ensure graduates are prepared not just to pass exams, but to thrive while providing patient care. 

Through close collaboration with HCA Healthcare, Galen is focused on developing nurses who can think critically in high‑stress environments, build mental and emotional resilience, and embrace technology in the workplace. This approach is grounded in one goal: preparing confident, competent, and compassionate nurses. 

“In a time when healthcare is transforming faster than ever, the heart of nursing remains unchanged—compassion, integrity, and human connection,” said Dr. Lori Brodie, DNP, PhD-Psy, APRN, PMHNP-BC, CNE, Galen’s AVP of Nursing Education Excellence. “At Galen, with intentional focus, we are ensuring our faculty teach these values and that they embody them. Every interaction, every simulation, every moment of mentorship becomes a living example of what it means to care with purpose.” 

Today’s healthcare environment requires nurses to do more than follow procedures. Nurses must assess complex scenarios, considering a patient’s mental, emotional, and physical state when determining how to provide care. 

“Anybody can read a textbook, but it doesn’t mean they know how to think through a scenario,” said Carla Points, Dean of Galen’s Savannah campus. 

One way Galen helps students build this skill is through simulation. Faculty create realistic scenarios students may encounter in the real world, giving them the opportunity to make decisions, learn from mistakes, and build confidence in a safe environment. 

“We’ve really added in that concept of clinical judgment,” said Jessica Burnett, DNP, RN, CNE, AVP and Regional Dean – West. “It’s not just about knowing the content. It’s about knowing how to pull it together.” 

“We give students that really safe environment,” Burnett added. “And what I love is we come back and debrief — what went well, what didn’t go well, and what are we going to do in the future?” 

These experiences help students learn how to think on their feet and apply clinical judgment before stepping onto the hospital floor. 

Clinical competence and critical thinking are essential for nurses, but they aren’t enough on their own to sustain a long, healthy career. Long shifts and emotionally challenging situations can take a heavy toll. 

Rather than hoping students discover resilience on their own, Galen intentionally integrates emotional awareness, reflection, and support into the curriculum. 

“At Galen, we really teach resilience as a skill, not so much as a personality trait,” said Tonya Condas, Associate Dean at Galen’s Salt Lake City campus. “Resilience is huge in nursing, and if they don’t start to learn it early on, it will hit them once they become nurses.” 

“We need to prepare them for what they’re going to experience emotionally,” Condas added, “so that when they meet it in the real world, they’re able to handle it and not run from it.” 

By normalizing conversations around stress and self‑doubt, Galen helps students build empathy, emotional intelligence, and resilience. 

Technology continues to create new opportunities to improve patient care. At Galen, students learn that nursing remains a human‑centered profession grounded in trust, compassion, and communication, even as technology evolves. 

For example, artificial intelligence monitoring patient vitals can help alert nurses when a trend indicates potential concern. 

“AI is changing the face of every industry in the world right now, and that’s no different than healthcare,” Points said. “There’s a misconception that AI is just a cheating tool, but it can be very impactful. We’re finding innovative ways to leverage it to improve student learning.” 

Through simulation and clinical rotations at HCA Healthcare facilities, students gain experience using modern tools they’ll encounter in practice. 

Preparing nurses for today’s healthcare environment requires more than strong coursework. Students need exposure to real‑world patient care, evolving clinical standards, and the expectations they’ll face on day one. 

That’s where Galen’s partnership with HCA Healthcare plays a critical role. 

“One of the ways HCA Healthcare and Galen College of Nursing are integrating locally is by bringing real‑world clinical expertise directly into the classroom,” said Nicole Hill, Assistant Vice President, Academic Affairs, HCA Healthcare Continental Division. “We partner with Galen faculty to have bedside clinicians and subject‑matter experts—such as wound care nurses, infection prevention specialists, and dieticians—participate in lectures and lab experiences, sharing practical insights and real patient scenarios with students. At the same time, our clinical teams provide ongoing feedback to Galen on areas where new graduates may need additional support, such as EKG, so those topics can be strengthened within the curriculum.  

“This two‑way collaboration ensures students are better prepared for the realities of clinical practice when they enter the workforce.” 

By bringing bedside expertise into the classroom and continuously refining curriculum based on clinical feedback, Galen ensures students are learning skills that translate directly to today’s healthcare settings. 

As healthcare continues to evolve, Galen remains focused on developing nurses who are ready to meet those challenges with skill and compassion. 

“I love the phrase compassionate, competent, confident nursing,” Condas said. “Adding confidence and compassion is what makes a good nurse a great nurse.” 

By teaching students to think critically, build resilience, and responsibly embrace technology, Galen is preparing graduates who are ready for the realities of modern healthcare, and for the people who depend on them. 

As healthcare continues to evolve, the need for well‑prepared, compassionate nurses has never been greater. At Galen College of Nursing, education is intentionally designed to meet this moment—equipping students with the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to succeed in today’s complex clinical environments.

Galen offers a range of pre‑licensure nursing programs to support students at every stage of their journey into the profession. Whether you are taking your first step toward a nursing career or building on prior education, our programs emphasize hands‑on learning, faculty support, and real‑world clinical preparation.

Pre‑licensure program options at Galen include a Practical Nursing (PN/VN) program, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), an ADN Bridge pathways for licensed practical or vocational nurses ready to advance their careers, and a three‑year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Apply now to start on your nursing path at Galen!