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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear Names Galen College of Nursing Team Kentucky All-Star
Galen College of Nursing Named Team Kentucky All-Star by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear
Galen College of Nursing was named this week’s Team Kentucky All-Star during Gov. Andy Beshear’s weekly Team Kentucky update, for its support of healthcare facilities in need during the fight against the recent COVID surge.
Nursing students from Galen have joined local hospitals and healthcare teams in need by offering assistance with testing, clinical needs, and other services. Galen’s Dean Lisa Peak, MSN, RN, CNE, said, “Upon reaching out to facility partners, the need is great. From the fundamentals of nursing care to the need for help with covid testing, to simply having people in the facilities who can help with patient flow with hospitals at capacity, and shortages in staffing across the board. And we will continue to look for ways we can provide support in any form.”
During the update, Gov. Beshear welcomed the College’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Vogt; Dean of the Louisville and Hazard Campuses, Lisa Peak MSN, RN, CNE; Director of Clinical Education Dr. Brittney Welch, DNP, RN; and three students: Sophia Allen, Jaquar Morris and Sabrina Hale.
“This will make a huge difference in our fight against COVID, while also offering these students real-life training,” said Gov. Beshear. “Thank you. What you and these students are doing is the true spirit of Team Kentucky. We are grateful for your bravery and dedication to caring for our people, supporting our healthcare teams and furthering education in such a critical field. For that, I am honored to name Galen College of Nursing’s students and staff this week’s Team Kentucky All-Stars.”
Said Galen CEO, Mark Vogt, “As a college dedicated to educating future nurses, we have a duty to help. We must set the example to rise to the position of our profession to help meet the needs of our communities. Because that’s what nurses do. We see it time and time again in the news, across the country, the tireless work being done.”
As the largest educator of nurses in the state, Galen acknowledged the responsibility early in the pandemic to offer assistance wherever it was needed. Galen students and clinical faculty have spent over 4,600 hours assisting with Covid mitigation efforts. This includes efforts with Louisville Metro delivering over 100,000 vaccines at Broadbent Arena, a partnership with the Kentucky Nurses Association completing thousands of COVID tests, and vaccinating underserved populations, as well as work with Pearl Medical to provide thousands of COVID tests to the community.
Continued Vogt, “Unprecedented times call for new ways of thinking and problem solving. In this most vulnerable of times in our history, our student nurses have the opportunity to truly serve while learning invaluable lessons. Any nurse can tell you that the opportunity to serve, to make an impact, is why they are nurses. Galen College of Nursing is dedicated to supporting the nursing workforce and all healthcare facilities who are helping care for us and our families, and to looking for additional ways that we can assist those in need.”
Galen Stories: Lauren Lacount – I couldn’t have asked for a better school.
Audio Transcript
Hi, my name is Lauren Lacount. I completed the Vocational Nurse program here at Galen, and currently, I’m enrolled in the Vocational Nurse to ADN Bridge Program.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
Unfortunately, my brother was shot back in 2015, so when he was in the ICU for about four days on a ventilator, he just had a nurse that wasn’t maybe up to par. So I ended up doing a lot of the care for him. It made me angry, but it fueled my passion to become a great nurse and set the standard for my practice.
How did you end up at Galen?
I took my pre-reqs at another big name four-year university, and then I noticed that I was just a check and a number on my forehead, so that really got me to a point where looking at a more private smaller school. Then I went on the Board of Nursing website and I just clicked on Galen and I was like, ‘Oh well, check it out.’ So I came down and just from the very beginning when I took a tour here, my enrollment advisor was really great. Almost every staff member, current student that was here at the time stopped to talk to me and just smiled. It was like I was a part of their family.
What did you like about the Vocational Nursing program?
I think it’s really great. Not only do they have four start dates throughout the year, which I think is very awesome, I feel like the teachers here really care and they’re accessible almost 24/7 even on weekends. And I think they’re very great about incorporating nursing even in your general education classes, so that way you’re truly understanding the Galen slogan of ‘Pure Nursing.’
Talk about the VN to ADN program.
So the Vocational Nurse to ADN Program is really great because it helps a lot of students have more flexibility with their scheduling of their classes. If you have a lot going on in your life, it makes it really nice, you can take one class instead of three classes per quarter, or if you have more time and more flexibility, you can take more classes. The instructors in the ADN Program, they’re very nice, they’re very caring, and even though you’re not in class as much, you still get that feeling as if they’re accessible 24/7 and you can go to them for anything.
Describe your hands-on experiences at Galen.
So in the VN Program it was great because just from the jump you get a ton of hands-on experience, not only in the clinical learning lab but out in clinicals. Then for the VN to ADN Bridge Program, going out into the hospital and really seeing the things that you’re learning about in theory really brings it all home.
Final thoughts?
I think nursing is a call, and I think Galen makes you understand why you were called to nursing, especially the mentors here and the teachers here, they’re lovely. I couldn’t have asked for a better school. I would scream it from the rooftop if I could, that Galen is one of the best schools and I wish I would’ve come here sooner.
Mental Health Experts Enlighten TriState High Schools
Cincinnati, OH, April 23, 2018 — Galen College of Nursing is hosting an education event, Mental Illness in the Classroom, for Tristate high school staff on Saturday, May 19, 2018. Regional, doctorally prepared experts will address the topics of teen depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, and substance abuse. This free event includes breakfast and lunch, and awards continuing education credits at the Cincinnati Galen campus in Sharonville, Ohio.
“Galen supports education at all levels. High school staff help guide Tristate students into our nursing programs and we are excited to support them with this free continuing education opportunity,” states Judy Rudokas, Dean of Galen College of Nursing in Cincinnati. “As a college who educates future healthcare professionals, we believe it is an opportunity to provide valuable information on the important topic of early identification of childhood mental illness. The earlier the treatment is started, the better the life-long outcome for the child.”
Teachers, counselors, and nurses interact daily with students challenged with mental illness. Mental illness is on the rise and reports indicate that one in five students are dealing with mental health problems. This event will highlight the signs, symptoms, interventions, and community resources available for students and their families. The four presenters are local health care experts dedicated to the treatment of mental illness in children.
“Children are struggling with issues that impact their school work, relationships, and behavior,” notes Dr. Katrina Lenz, a presenter at the upcoming event. “Students will often reach out to a trusted teacher and therefore high school staff might be the first to identify a mental health problem.”
Galen College of Nursing opened its doors in 1989 and is dedicated to expanding access to quality nursing education, with over 25,000 graduates. Galen is located at 100 E. Business Way, Suite 200, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241. Those who would like to register for this free event may email jbucci@galencollege.dev or call 859-630-5808 for event questions. The event will take place on May 19, 2018, from 8:00 am-3: 30 pm.
Founded over 25 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nursing (PN/VN), associate and baccalaureate degree nursing programs to over 5,000 students on its campuses in Louisville and Hazard, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., Cincinnati, Ohio, along with an Online Campus. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.

Galen College of Nursing Celebrates National Nurses Week
Galen College of Nursing is honoring its faculty, students, and alumni during National Nurses Week 2018. This year’s celebration focuses on how nurses “Inspire, Innovate, and Influence” to highlight the diverse and impactful roles they play in health care.
National Nurses Week kicks off Sunday, May 6, which is also National Nurses Day. The final day of National Nurses Week is Saturday, May 12, to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale, considered the founder of modern nursing. May 12 is also International Nurses Day.
Every year, National Nurses Week recognizes nurses for the vital work they do and the care they provide. While traditionally the week highlights the accomplishments of licensed nurses, Galen College heartily extends thanks to today’s students who are preparing for the future of healthcare.
“We’re reminded each day not only of the value of nurses but equally important to the future of healthcare – nurse educators,” said Mark Vogt, CEO at Galen College. “While we celebrate this specific week for all those who have devoted their time and talents to nursing, we are proud to honor our nursing faculty and staff and our amazing nursing students throughout the year.”
The need for nurses continues to grow. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 15 percent by 2026, much faster than the average for all occupations. Similarly, employment of licensed practical and vocational nurses is expected to grow 12 percent.
Galen College of Nursing is dedicated to expanding access to quality nursing education. Programs are designed to foster excellence and compassion in nursing through an educational approach immersed in innovation, technology, and student support.
Since Galen’s founding in 1989, more than 25,000 nursing students have graduated from the college, which encompasses an Online Campus and five instructional sites in Louisville, Ky.; Hazard, Ky.; San Antonio, Texas.; Tampa Bay, Fla.; and Cincinnati, Ohio.
For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu.
Founded over 25 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing colleges in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nursing (PN/VN), associate and on-ground/online baccalaureate degree nursing programs to over 5,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., Cincinnati, Ohio, Hazard, Ky., along with an Online Campus. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Nursing as a Second Career
Have you ever thought about nursing as a second career? Although you may be in a different field, do your inner thoughts push you toward choosing a career making a difference in people’s lives? Do these thoughts remind you of your nursing dreams? Well, if nursing is calling you, maybe it’s time to listen. It’s never too late to become a nurse.
Your work experience can help you be a better nurse.
No matter what your previous career, the experience you’ve already gained in the workplace may help you succeed in nursing. In fact, second career nurses often do better in school than first career nurses. Having the skills of a seasoned worker is a huge asset. A solid foundation of communication skills, confidence and ability to handle workplace stress can give you a significant head start.
If you want to be an amazing nurse even at age 40, it’s entirely possible with Galen.
-Kate Miller
Age can actually be an advantage.
Life experience is a big plus. Starting a career at an older age gives you room to apply life experiences to your work. You’ve had years to gain wisdom and a better understanding of what patients may be going through at different stages of their lives which can result in a better patient-caregiver connection.
Galen offers you the flexibility you need, with many different pathways to becoming a nurse.
At Galen College of Nursing, you can choose a path that best fits your needs to get into the rewarding field of nursing. And classes start 4 times a year so you can start when you are ready.
- The most direct path is our 3-Year BSN and accelerated BSN program. If you can devote three years to getting your Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, the preferred degree for employment at most hospitals, our three-year BSN program is for you. It allows you to achieve your goal in one, streamlined 36-month program. And, if you already have a degree or college credit, you could complete your BSN in as few as two years.
- Our ADN Program can help you become a working nurse faster. If you’d rather not wait three years to start your nursing career, this path allows you to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing and start working as a Registered Nurse in as soon as 24 months by preparing you to sit for you NCLEX RN exam. After that, you can pursue your BSN online when you’re ready.
- Need to start working, and earning, even sooner? Through our Practical Nursing Program, you can become an LPN and start working in just 12 months. Then, through our LPN-to-ADN Bridge Program, you’ll be ready to take your exam to become a Registered Nurse for more earning potential. Finally, when you’re ready, you can pursue your BSN online in our RN-to-BSN Online Program.
This is the perfect time to pursue nursing.
Nurses are in higher demand than ever. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a need for more than 1.2 million new and replacement registered nurses by 2020. So there are lots of opportunities out there for good nurses. They’re needed in many settings, including hospitals, doctors’ offices, long-term care facilities, schools, offices and more.
At Galen, your new career as a nurse may be closer than you think.
No matter what you are doing, you owe it to yourself to explore the possibilities of a fulfilling career as a nurse. With all the options and support available at Galen College of Nursing attaining your degree is right at your fingertips.
Visit us online, or give us a call at 877-223-7040. You may discover you were meant to be a nurse!

A Heart Healthy Diet Helps You – Both in School and During Your Career
Nursing school is time-consuming and can be challenging and stressful. Remember to take care of your heart while you are learning to care for others hearts as well.
February is American Heart Month, which is a great time to start thinking about the long-term health of your heart. A poor diet has been shown to be an important risk factor in the diagnosis of many heart diseases, as well as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Many students and nurses struggle with maintaining a healthy diet. If you make the effort and integrate heart-healthy eating into your life now, you’ll set a foundation for a long and healthy career. And, you may be able to apply your new-found knowledge to help improve your patients’ lives as well.
According to the WebMD.com, to get the full benefits of a heart-healthy diet you should:
Eat fruits and vegetables every day. Dark green, deep orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables are especially nutritious. Examples include spinach, carrots, peaches, and berries.
Eat a variety of grain products every day. Include whole-grain foods that have lots of fiber and nutrients. Examples of whole grains include oats, whole wheat bread, and brown rice.
Eat fish at least 2 times each week. Oily fish, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, are best for your heart. These fish include salmon, mackerel, lake trout, herring, and sardines.
Choose healthy fats. Unsaturated fats, such as olive, canola, corn, and sunflower oils, are part of a healthy diet. But all fats are high in calories, so watch your serving sizes.
Limit sodium. For good health, less is best. This is especially important for people who are at risk for or already have high blood pressure.
Eat only as many calories as you need to stay at a healthy weight. Visit https://caloriecontrol.org/healthy-weight-tool-kit/assessment-calculator/ to find out how many calories you should be consuming to maintain a healthy weight .
Limit added sugar. Limit drinks and foods with added sugar.
*Did you know that in one 12oz can of Caffeine-free Coke there are 39 grams of sugar. This is more than 10 grams over the amount recommended for a normal weight adult.
Drink more water. Visit https://www.slenderkitchen.com/article/how-to-calculate-how-much-water-you-should-drink-a-day to find out how much water you should be drinking for your body type.
You only have one heart. Remember to take care of it in the hustle and bustle of nursing school and everyday life. Fuel your body with healthy options and lifestyle choices that will allow you to pursue your career for years to come.
Tampa Bay Campus Announces New 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree and New State of the Art Campus
Galen College of Nursing announced today exciting growth with a new nursing degree program and a brand new campus location coming summer of 2018. Offering solely nursing education, Galen is focused on supporting the nursing profession through excellence in education.
Galen’s new 3-Year BSN program supports the rising industry demand for the BSN. “We created an innovative and quality program that will allow students to get into the healthcare workplace with a BSN in a shortened timeframe,” said Dean Michele Godwin. “This new 3-year BSN enhances our pre-licensure nursing pathways so we can educate more students for entry into professional nursing practice and help meet the needs of our partners in healthcare. It is a natural progression to an already quality program offering with outcomes that are among the best in the country. We are excited to be taking applications now for our first class start on July 2.”
Additionally, the need to expand the school’s infrastructure to accommodate its growing student population and program offerings was identified. The new campus will strengthen the environment that will support its students, with modern facilities and advanced technology. “As one of the largest educators of nurses in the country, we are committed to providing our students not only with a great education but with a great learning space. We want to make sure we are firmly positioned to meet the needs of our students and the community we serve,” said Rob Wolf, Campus President.
After being in the community for over 25 years, Galen is building one of the largest, dedicated nursing education campuses in Southwest Florida. This new, state of the art nursing education facility will feature an Advanced Simulation Hospital with specialized areas for maternity, aging care and medical/surgical, and has been designed around the needs of today’s student, through a thoughtful blend of collaboration, gathering and study spaces. This new campus will be a symbol of the quality education Galen offers and a gesture of caring commitment to an ever-expanding student body. It is conveniently located in close proximity to the existing campus in what was the Dex Media building at 10200 9th Street N., where renovation is currently underway, to be ready summer of 2018.
“Our mission is about expanding opportunity in nursing, and by offering more options to become an RN, with more capacity to do so, we not only support local workforce development in the Tampa Bay area but a diverse population of students with multiple lifestyles and learning needs,” said Wolf. “We couldn’t be more excited.”
Founded over 25 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nursing (PN/VN), associate and baccalaureate degree nursing programs to over 5,000 students on its campuses in Louisville and Hazard, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., Cincinnati, Ohio, along with an Online Campus. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees.