“Graduate-Level Accreditation Across States” by Dr. John Lundeen featured in ACEN’s Bridges

ACEN’s quarterly publication, Bridges, has recently published an article from our own John Lundeen, EdD, RN, CNE, ANEF, MSN Program Director/Professor at Galen. In the article, John describes how Galen’s MSN program was designed to address the faculty shortage and the shortage of nurse leaders. He also discusses our experience moving through the accreditation process, lessons learned, and how ACEN’s support has been instrumental in our journey.

READ THE ARTICLE

Galen Announces New Campus In Richmond, VA

Galen College of Nursing, one of the largest educators of nurses in the United States, continues its mission to expand access to quality nursing education and help address the nation’s increasing nursing workforce needs with the announcement of a new campus in Richmond, Virginia.

The new state-of-the-art 35,000 square-foot campus features resources designed to elevate the student experience and prepare future nurses to enter the field. Solely focused on nursing education, Galen prepares a diverse population of students to become nurses who deliver quality, compassionate care. The state-of-the-art facility also features advanced patient simulation labs and classroom environments designed to encourage practice-based learning. Galen’s student support model has helped thousands of graduates enter the profession with consistently high NCLEX pass rates.

“We are thrilled to bring our 30 years of experience exclusively educating nurses to the community and look forward to providing new opportunities to those called to nursing in the Richmond area,” said Mark Vogt, Galen’s Chief Executive Officer. Continued Vogt, “At Galen, we are uniquely positioned to help expand the pipeline of qualified nurses in Richmond and are committed to helping stem the nursing shortage and help improve the delivery of quality care.”

Jan Gannon, HCA Healthcare Capital Division Chief Nurse Executive, added, “We are excited to work with Galen to recruit future nursing graduates who will expand and enhance our community’s workforce. With this Academic Practice Partnership, we are poised to provide the best education and patient care possible.”

Located at 7300 Beaufont Springs Drive, the Richmond Campus is designed to cultivate learning with advanced classroom and simulation technology mixed with collaborative and creative space. Created with students in mind, the campus environment reflects a high-quality education approach and an expression of commitment to students and the community at large. The Richmond Campus will initially offer an Associate Degree in Nursing Program with two options, including:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Two-year Option
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate Degree in Nursing Bridge Option (LPN to ADN Bridge)

In addition, Galen offers online RN to BSN and MSN programs for nurses aspiring to advance their education in support of career growth and development. With four quarterly enrollments per year, admission for the upcoming March 31, 2022, term is now in progress.

Pearl Clinic and Galen Open New Downtown COVID-19 Testing Center

Pearl Diagnostic Laboratory, in partnership with Galen College of Nursing, opened a new COVID-19 testing center in downtown Louisville on Monday, January 24th. The new testing center is located at 707 S. Third St., Louisville KY 40202. Right in the heart of downtown Louisville, this center will serve the residents and businesses in the area.

COVID-19 testing will be offered on a walk-in basis Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM, closing from 12-1 PM for lunch. Testing options offered will include nasal, oral, and The Yale School of Public Health SalivaDirect™ PCR tests. Results will be given by Pearl within 24-48 hours.

The partnership between Pearl and Galen is facilitated through a clinical affiliate agreement they have had for over a year. This agreement will afford individuals in the downtown area a much-needed centralized testing location and will also allow Galen’s nursing students practical hands-on clinical care with patients, as well as working in a medical practice setting.

Dr. Audria Denker Inducted Into The 2021 AADN Class Of Fellows

Congratulations to our own Executive Vice President of Nursing, Audria Denker, DNP, RN, for her induction into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing (AADN) in November of 2021. The AADN was established to recognize those individuals who model exemplary dedication to associate degree nursing education and practice, and who have worked as change agents to advance health and education through associate degree nursing. Academy members are those actively engaged in associate degree nursing education or practice, with proven records of excellence in their institutions and a demonstrated commitment to the health of their communities.

“I am thankful and humbled to be among some of the best nurse educators in the country here at Galen,” exclaimed Dr. Denker. The honorary academy fellowship recognizes those individuals who have worked to transform health and education through associate degree nursing throughout the breadth of their careers. Honorary fellows have worked in education and practice, as well as other fields such as advocacy and service.

In the Fall of 2021, Dr. Denker was also elected as Director Southeast Region by the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) for a two-year term. In addition, Dr. Denker has been appointed as an alternate member for a three-year term to the NCLEX® Examination Committee by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Board of Directors beginning on October 1, 2021.

After several decades of experience in clinical practice and healthcare management, Dr. Denker joined Galen College of Nursing in 2005. As Executive Vice President of Nursing, she is responsible for day-to-day program operations, staffing and workload, clinical operations, simulation, and student support; as well as additional academic responsibilities for campus expansions in partnership with Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA). During her tenure as EVP, all prelicensure RN programs obtained ACEN programmatic accreditation and all program pass rates have exceeded state and national averages.

Dr. Denker is an active leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations and holds a Kentucky Governor-appointed position on the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Board of Nursing since 2018. Dr. Denker received the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Pikeville (Kentucky) College (now the University of Pikeville), and the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Bellarmine University in Louisville.

Galen College Of Nursing And HCA Florida Healthcare Announce New Campuses In Gainesville, Sarasota

Galen College of Nursing, one of the largest educators of nurses in the United States, and HCA Florida Healthcare continued their mission to expand access to quality nursing education with today’s announcement of new campuses in Sarasota and Gainesville. With existing campus locations in Tampa Bay and Miami, Galen will double its footprint in Florida to help address the state’s increasing nursing workforce needs.

“At Galen, our mission is to expand access to quality nursing education and prepare diverse learners to demonstrate excellence and compassion in nursing,” said Mark Vogt, Galen’s chief executive officer. “Working together with HCA Florida Healthcare, students in our Gainesville and Sarasota campuses will have increased opportunities to enter the nursing profession.”

The new Gainesville 25,000 square-foot campus and Sarasota’s 22,700 square-foot campus will feature resources designed to elevate the student experience and prepare future nurses to enter the field. Solely focused on nursing education, Galen prepares a diverse population of students to become nurses who deliver quality, compassionate care. Galen will bring one of the highest levels of nursing education to the region with state-of-the-art facilities featuring advanced clinical and classroom learning environments designed to encourage hands-on learning. Galen’s student support model has helped thousands of students enter the profession with consistently high NCLEX pass rates.

Dr. Leanne D. Salazar, DNP, MBA, ARNP, CENP, CPPS, CPHQ, FNP-BC, division chief nurse executive for the West Florida Division of HCA Healthcare, added, “As the top sponsor of graduate medical education in the state of Florida, we are excited to join Galen in recruiting more prospective nursing students who will go on to expand and enhance our community workforce, like the more than 25,600 nurses we employ in our Florida sites of care. With this Academic Practice Partnership, we can also work together to bridge the education to practice gap, all designed to provide the best patient care possible.”

Dr. Peter Lindquist, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, division chief nurse executive for HCA Healthcare North Florida Division, shared, “As a mission-centered organization, we are committed to the health and wellness of our communities. Ensuring generations of families have access to high-quality healthcare delivered by compassionate, caring healthcare professionals is a top priority. We are excited to welcome Galen College of Nursing to Gainesville and look forward to the lasting impact this development will have on Alachua County and the surrounding area.”

The Gainesville Campus will be located at 7001 SW 24^th Ave. and the Sarasota Campus at 501 N. Cattleman Rd. They will be designed to cultivate learning with advanced classroom and clinical technology mixed with collaborative and creative space. Created with students in mind, the campus environments will reflect a high-quality educational approach and an expression of commitment to students and the community at large.

The Sarasota and Gainesville campuses will initially offer three program options, including a two-year option for an associate degree in nursing; a licensed practical nurse to associate degree in nursing bridge (LPN/LVN to ADN bridge option); and a BSN program with a pre-licensure option. In addition, the Gainesville campus will offer a Practical Nursing (PN) option. Galen also offers online RN to BSN and MSN programs for nurses aspiring to advance their education in support of career growth and development.

With four quarterly term starts per year, admission for the upcoming term beginning March 31, 2022, for the ADN and Bridge options is now in progress.

HCA Florida Healthcare, the majority owner of Galen College of Nursing, has a long history of investing in Florida to effect positive change, including a major capital investment initiative of approximately $3 billion spent over the last three years. This includes the $360 million HCA Florida University Hospital and existing facility renovations across the state to accommodate new, state-of-the-art equipment. Earlier this month, HCA Healthcare announced it had purchased MD Now Urgent Care, a network of 59 urgent care centers in Florida. As a tax-paying entity, HCA Florida Healthcare has also supported local communities with more than $957 million in state taxes over the past three years.

Galen College Of Nursing Announce New Post-Master’s Nurse Educator Certificate Program

Galen College of Nursing, one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States and solely dedicated to nursing education, announced a new Post-Master’s Nurse Educator Certificate beginning in the January 2022 term.

Galen’s certificate is ACEN accredited and will provide experienced professional nurses, who currently hold a graduate degree in nursing, the opportunity to receive formalized preparation for the role of the nurse educator. Nurses with a desire to teach or lead education initiatives across the healthcare continuum will gain essential knowledge about the full scope of the nurse educator role by completing didactic coursework. In addition, they will gain a valuable mentored experience during the required practicum.

“The new Post-Master’s Nurse Educator Certificate is an excellent option for nurses looking to expand their skillset and credentials, as they aspire to help educate current and future nurses who will influence the quality of patient care,” said Galen College of Nursing’s MSN Program Director and Professor, John D. Lundeen, EdD, RN, CNE, ANEF. “Our certificate is designed to prepare professional nurses for teaching roles in a range of nursing education settings, including the college classroom, staff development departments, and professional development arenas. This certificate helps to fill a gap in the availability of educational programming for the distinctly unique and advanced role of the nurse educator.”

According to AACN’s report on 2019-2020 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, U.S. nursing schools turned away 80,407 qualified applications from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2019 due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical preceptors, and budget constraints. Most nursing schools responding to the survey pointed to faculty shortages as a top reason for not accepting all qualified applicants into their programs.**

“As the need for nurses prepared at every level of education continues to grow, we are keenly aware faculty shortages across the country are limiting student capacity. As a response, Galen College of Nursing is thrilled to extend our post-licensure options with this new program for advanced-prepared, professional nurses,” said Galen’s CEO, Mark Vogt. “Nurse educators are an essential part of the future of modern, high-quality patient care and healthcare delivery, and our new Post-Master’s Nurse Educator Certificate is designed to help address the critical demand.”

Courses are offered over 8-week modules with enrollments three times per year in January, May, and September. Galen will accept up to six semester credit hours of transfer credit as outlined in their transfer credit policy. Graduates of the program will additionally meet the eligibility requirements for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) examination. Galen College of Nursing is currently accepting applications for this program for the January 2022 term.

Grand Strand Health Welcomes Galen College of Nursing to Myrtle Beach

Galen College of Nursing and HCA Healthcare are pleased to announce plans to open a campus in Myrtle Beach, SC. This is Galen’s fourth new campus announcement since the nursing college was acquired by HCA Healthcare in 2020, helping support the College’s 30-year mission to expand access to quality education and become a premier destination for those interested in pursuing nursing careers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2019-2029, the Bureau projects 175,900 openings for registered nurses (RNs) each year through 2029 when nurse retirements and workforce exits are factored into the number of nurses needed in the U.S. In addition to five existing campuses, Galen has expanded its educational footprint to Miami, FL, Austin, TX, and Nashville, TN to help address the nation’s increasing nursing shortage.

The new 19,000 square-foot campus facility, located inside Grand Strand Health’s Medical Office Building, will feature advanced patient simulation labs and classroom environments designed to encourage practice-based learning. Solely focused on nursing education, Galen strives to elevate the student experience with an emphasis on student support and courses carefully designed to prepare practice-ready graduates. Galen’s student support model has helped thousands of graduates enter the profession with consistently high NCLEX pass rates.

“Galen is uniquely positioned to stem the nursing shortage threatening the delivery of quality care across the country. With the addition of the Myrtle Beach campus, we are proud to help expand a diverse population of qualified, well-prepared, and compassionate nurses in the community,” said Mark Vogt, Galen’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are thrilled to bring our 30 years of experience exclusively educating nurses to South Carolina and look forward to providing new opportunities to those called to nursing in the Myrtle Beach area,”

Tiffany Keys, chief nursing officer of Grand Strand Health, added, “We are excited to work with Galen to recruit future nursing graduates who will expand and enhance our community’s workforce. With this Academic Practice Partnership, we are poised to provide the best education and patient care possible.”

Located at 920 Doug White Dr., the Myrtle Beach campus will be designed to cultivate learning with advanced classroom and simulation technology mixed with collaborative and creative space. Created with students in mind, the campus environment reflects a high-quality education approach and an expression of commitment to students and the community at large. The Myrtle Beach campus will initially offer two program options, including:

• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
• Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate Degree in Nursing Bridge (LPN to ADN Bridge)

Fisk University And Galen Create A New Pathway To Nursing

Fisk University and Galen College of Nursing have announced an articulation agreement to create a new pathway in nursing for Fisk students. Filling an unmet need for students enrolled in science programs who wish to explore nursing, the agreement allows for Fisk degree coursework credits to transfer to Galen College of Nursing so students may go directly into Galen’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The articulation agreement is designed to help Fisk students excel with degrees that will lead to advancement and growth, as well as make a meaningful impact on the quality of healthcare in the communities they serve.

“The articulation agreement marries our university’s rich tradition of scholarly excellence with a new opportunity to receive an unparalleled nursing education from Galen College of Nursing – helping drive diversity and leadership in the nursing field,” exclaimed Fisk University President, Vann Newkirk Sr., Ph.D. “Fisk students who wish to complete a biology or chemistry program with further study in a nursing program may now do so under this new articulation agreement.”

Prospective students must first be granted admission into the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology programs at Fisk University. Upon successful completion of this degree, the graduate will be considered to have met all Galen admissions requirements and granted admission to the BSN program at Galen College of Nursing, which can then be completed in as little as two years.

“Galen College of Nursing is honored to be working with Fisk University to offer their ambitious students this unique opportunity to enter the field of nursing,” said Galen College of Nursing CEO, Mark Vogt. “This articulation agreement is the perfect illustration of our mission actualized – expanding access to nursing education while supporting the nursing workforce with smart, well-prepared, and compassionate graduates. We need talent in nursing. Now, more than ever. A Fisk University and Galen College of Nursing dual graduate will be well-positioned to make a substantial impact, not only in nursing, but on the lives of so many.”

In 2020, Galen College of Nursing joined HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. “HCA Healthcare is committed to expanding access to quality nursing education and this partnership will help provide those opportunities,” said Dr. Jane Englebright, senior vice president and chief nurse executive of HCA Healthcare. “As a premier career destination for nurses, we continue to grow the pipeline of next-generation nurses and nurse leaders that will provide high-quality care to our patients.”

About Fisk University
Founded in 1866, Fisk University is a private, liberal arts university located in Nashville, Tennessee. Consistently recognized for its brand of academic excellence, Fisk is ranked No. 6 on the Top 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the 2019 U.S. News & World Report. Fisk ranked No. 1 in the nation among HBCUs for social mobility and No. 3 in the nation among small liberal arts colleges for research expenditures in the 2018 Washington Monthly rankings. Fisk University’s focus has always been on student success and outcomes. Fisk excels at preparing its highly motivated student body for prosperous professional careers and elite graduate schools. From the classroom to the boardroom, a Fisk education gives students the tools to turn their passions into careers and prepare them to make a difference in their own lives, communities, and around the world. To learn more about Fisk University, please visit www.fisk.edu.

John D. Lundeen Inducted Into the NLN Academy for Nursing Education Class of Fellows

Galen College of Nursing is pleased to announce John D. Lundeen, EdD, RN, CNE, has been selected for the fifteenth class of fellows to be inducted into the prestigious National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education. Dr. Lundeen will join nineteen distinguished nurse educators in the 2021 induction ceremony at the Honors Convocation on Saturday, September 25, during the 2021 NLN Education Summit. Fellows represent a prominent list of leading nurse educators affiliated with top-ranked teaching hospitals, academic institutions, and other organizations committed to advancing the quality of health care in the U.S. and globally.

As Program Director for the online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Galen College of Nursing, Dr. Lundeen leads the development and implementation of the MSN Nurse Educator and Nursing and Healthcare Leadership programs. Drawing from his extensive experience in nursing education, Dr. Lundeen ensures the Galen curriculum prepares graduates to teach in academic settings through scholarly inquiry and leadership. His focus is helping transform nursing education and development in clinical settings, as well as support and direct faculty development.

“Since joining Galen in 2019, John has been a tremendous asset to our online MSN program and we are thrilled his accomplishments and thought leadership is being recognized by the NLN. His steadfast commitment to the continuous growth and professional development of nursing is prevalent in everything he touches at our institution,” Galen’s CEO Mark Vogt said. “This honor is reserved for some of the most esteemed educators in nursing, and we’re so proud that John is helping change the lives of our MSN students seeking career advancement in nursing education and leadership. Well deserved!”

Before his appointment at Galen, Dr. Lundeen was an associate professor and nurse anesthesia simulation coordinator in the Ida Moffett School of Nursing at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was on faculty for 11 years. At Samford, Dr. Lundeen had the opportunity to teach in the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs. He also taught in the DNP program and served as chair of the school’s Faculty Development Committee and co-chair of the university’s ad hoc Committee on Faculty Assessment.

In addition to his faculty role, Dr. Lundeen has served at the national level as a Governor-at-Large on the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Board of Governors since 2014. Previously, he served as a member of the CNE Certification Commission and as chair of the CNE Test Development Committee. As a scholar, he has published articles on evaluation and certification. Most recently, Dr. Lundeen contributed a chapter to the NLN’s Clinical Nurse Educator Competencies: Creating an Evidence-Based Practice for Academic Clinical Nurse Educators.

The Academy of Nursing Education fosters excellence in nursing education by recognizing the wisdom of outstanding nurse educators. In a competitive application process, the Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel takes into account applicants’ contributions to innovative teaching and/or learning strategies; nursing education research; faculty development activities; academic leadership; promotion of public policy initiatives that advance nursing education; and/or collaborative educational, practice, or community partnerships. For more information, visit NLN.org.

Dr. Audria Denker Elected to OADN Board of Directors

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Audria Denker, DNP, RN  for her election as Director Southeast Region by the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) for a two-year term.

OADN serves as the national advocate for the over 1,200 associate degree nursing programs across the country with the focus to advance excellence in nursing education and community college pathways into registered nursing careers. OADN is the only organization that advocates for associate degree nursing at the national level by using a collective voice to continue delivering opportunities for nurse educators, as faculty and leaders. Dr. Denker’s responsibilities as Director Southeast Region include the development and implementation of OADN’s strategic plan, and serving as a board liaison to southeast US healthcare communities and workgroups, and OADN member nursing programs.

In addition to her appointment with OADN, Dr. Denker has been appointed as an alternate member for a three-year term to the NCLEX® Examination Committee by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Board of Directors beginning on October 1, 2021.  The responsibilities related to this appointment include advising the Board of Directors on matters related to the NCLEX® examination process, including examination item development, security, administration, and quality assurance to ensure consistency with the Member Board’s need for examinations, and develop NCLEX® prototype items that use technology-enhanced item types focused on measuring clinical decision making/judgment.

Dr. Denker joined Galen College of Nursing in 2005 after several decades of experience in clinical practice and healthcare management. She currently serves as Executive Vice President of Nursing (EVP). In her current position, she is responsible for day-to-day program operations, staffing and workload, clinical operations, simulation, and student support; as well as additional academic responsibilities for campus expansions in partnership with Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA). During her tenure as EVP, all prelicensure RN programs obtained ACEN programmatic accreditation and all program pass rates have exceeded state and national averages.

Dr. Denker is an active leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations and holds a Kentucky Governor-appointed position on the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Board of Nursing since 2018. Dr. Denker received the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Pikeville (Kentucky) College (now the University of Pikeville), and the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Bellarmine University in Louisville.