Dr. Kristen Bryan Wessel, Dean of Galen College of Nursing’s Tampa Bay campus, was recently featured in Invest: Tampa Bay, sharing her perspective on the evolving landscape of nursing education and healthcare.
In the interview, Wessel discusses Galen’s efforts to expand access to nursing education, strengthen clinical and community partnerships, and prepare future nurses to meet the changing demands of patient care.
She also highlights the importance of supporting students from a variety of backgrounds and building stronger pathways into nursing—all while keeping Galen’s vision at the heart of the work: “To change the life of one to care for the lives of many.”
Kristen Bryan Wessel, PhD, MSN, RN brings more than 15 years of experience in academic leadership, adult learning methodologies, and employee engagement. As a Dean, she focuses on fostering exceptional student learning outcomes through curriculum development and innovative teaching strategies, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
Her professional mission has been to support and empower teams in delivering high-quality nursing education. By leveraging her expertise in academic leadership and adult learning methodologies, she contributes to shaping future nursing professionals while promoting educational excellence.
Dr. Wessel earned her PhD in Philosophy from the University of Nebraska, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Morningside University.
Thinking about nursing school but worried about prerequisites? At Galen College of Nursing, they’re built into the curriculum of our pre -licensure programs. That’s right, you don’t need prerequisites to enroll at Galen. Why is that a big deal? Because it means you can begin your nursing journey without waiting to complete general education courses. At many schools, prerequisites can add months or even years to your timeline. But at Galen, you can start right away. That means more time learning what matters, and less time waiting to get started. Galen’s curriculum is built from the ground up for nursing. Every course is designed to prepare you for real-world care and the NCLEX. And because you’re not juggling unrelated courses, you can stay focused on your goal, becoming a nurse. Plus, skipping prerequisites can save you money. Fewer courses mean fewer tuition costs and a faster path to earning potential. Whether you’re switching careers, starting fresh, or just ready to dive in, Galen makes it easier to begin.
If you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, you’ve probably asked yourself, is nursing school hard? The short answer? Yes, it can be. But with the right support, tools, and mindset, success is absolutely within reach. At Galen, we specialize in helping students from all walks of life succeed from enrollment to graduation. Let’s look at some common challenges and how Galen helps you overcome them. Nursing school can be intense. Heavy course loads, tough exams, and fear of failure are real. That’s why Galen assigns you a dedicated academic advisor from day one. You’ll also have access to tutoring, faculty support, and a strong peer network. The NCLEX exam is the final hurdle to becoming a licensed nurse, and it can feel intimidating. Galen prepares you with proprietary course content, NCLEX -style practice questions, and curriculum aligned with the actual exam. Balancing school, work, and life take strategy, including time management and forming consistent study habits. Galen also offers a course called GPS, Galen Pathway to Success to help new students adjust to college -level work. And when you need extra help, the Student Resource Center is your go -to hub. You’ll find on -demand videos, enrichment specialists, disability services, and even virtual counseling, all included. And finally, there’s no overstating the powerful network of support you’ll get from your Galen classmates, the bonds you can form with diverse students just like you, people who may have taken many paths and may not have been in school for many years, but all aspire to make a real difference in people’s lives. This can empower you to face and overcome the challenges of nursing school together. Ready to take the next step?
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