From working as a paramedic to becoming a family nurse practitioner and opening his own clinic, Rob Phoenix’s professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to patient care and a desire to make a difference in his community. 

Today, as a full-time faculty member at Galen College of Nursing’s Las Vegas campus, Phoenix brings that experience into the classroom, helping prepare future nurses to approach patient care with knowledge, empathy and understanding. 

“I tell people I’ve been a nurse since 1964,” said Phoenix. “My mom was a nurse, and she was pregnant with me when she started working in the ICU. Between my mom, my grandfather and my uncles, who were volunteers with the local fire department, health care kind of got in my blood.” 

After beginning his career as an emergency medical technician and paramedic, Phoenix continued his education and eventually became a nurse practitioner. He later opened and operated the Huntridge Family Clinic in Las Vegas for approximately 10 years, gaining valuable experience in both clinical care and community health. 

Throughout his career, education remained an important part of his work. Phoenix regularly taught courses and collaborated with academic programs to help develop future health care professionals. 

When his clinic closed in 2024, Phoenix began considering what would come next. While pursuing his PhD, he saw an opportunity to return to teaching full time and build on the educational experiences he had gained throughout his career. He joined Galen in February 2025. 

Today, Phoenix teaches courses across Galen’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. For him, one of the most valuable aspects of the role is the ability to combine an established curriculum with his own professional experience. 

“I like the structure Galen provides, but I also like the freedom that I have to adapt it to me and what the students’ needs are,” Phoenix said. “Alongside the objectives for the course, I can also kind of veer off if I need to, to help students understand. I get to bring in my flair, my style and my experiences and personalize it.” 

That flexibility helps Phoenix connect classroom concepts to the challenges patients face outside the clinical setting. He encourages students to consider how factors such as transportation, medication costs and access to insurance can influence a person’s health. 

Recently, he brought some of his BSN students to a Remote Area Medical event in Pahrump, Nevada, where they helped provide free health care services to community members. The experience gave students a firsthand look at the barriers patients may encounter when seeking care. 

“The students really got to see how social determinants of health impact patients in real life. They saw how many people don’t have health insurance, may not know what medications they’re taking, or face barriers to accessing care. It was rewarding to see them recognize that these challenges are much bigger than they realized.” 

For Phoenix, these opportunities are an essential part of helping students grow into thoughtful, well-rounded nurses. 

Beyond the classroom, Phoenix appreciates the welcoming and inclusive culture he has found at Galen. He values being part of a campus community where faculty can bring their individual experiences and perspectives to their work. 

“I feel very welcome. I’m allowed to be who I am, and that’s really important,” he said. 

As he continues his work at Galen, Phoenix hopes to help students develop not only the clinical knowledge they need but also the communication skills and compassion that make a meaningful difference in patient care. 

“Everybody is somebody. Everybody is important. And everybody should be treated with respect,” Phoenix said. 

For Phoenix, joining Galen has provided an opportunity to bring together his years of clinical practice and passion for education. Through his teaching, he hopes to prepare future nurses to look beyond a diagnosis, understand each patient’s circumstances and provide thoughtful, compassionate care. 

Ready to share your experience and inspire the next generation of nurses? Explore faculty opportunities at Galen College of Nursing and help shape the future of healthcare through education, mentorship and compassionate care.