Why a BSN?

Nursing is a fulfilling career that is constantly evolving. That’s why it’s more important than ever to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). A BSN provides more in-depth research that will enhance students’ professional development and interpersonal skills with their patients.

In February 2019, the Campaign for Nursing’s Future, an initiative of the Center to Champion Nursing in America, highlighted the increasing number of nurses who have earned baccalaureate degrees. Approximately 56% of RNs have earned a BSN or higher, which has drastically increased from 49% in 2010 when the Institute of Medicine’s report on the Future of Nursing was released.

So, what does that mean for a new nurse in the field or an experienced RN who might not see the benefit of going back to school at this stage? We can all agree that nurses are already stretched on time as it is.

While there are a growing number of hospitals that are beginning to require a BSN, something also worth noting is that a bachelor’s degree offers broader professional opportunity. BSN-prepared nurses can work in some of the highest-paying nursing specialties including nurse research, pediatric endocrinology, orthopedic nursing, or neonatal nursing, to name a few. In the long run, a bachelor’s degree can open a lot of doors and create more financial freedom.

We are hoping to help fulfill this growing need for BSN degrees in the healthcare industry, and offer several paths, based on a student’s current education level and licensure status. Galen’s Online RN to BSN  is designed for real life, and lets you earn as you learn – meaning you don’t have to put life or your career on hold to pursue your degree. You can complete the program in as little as 16 months, or more if you need it, all while continuing to work in the field as an RN. Some employers also offer tuition-assistance or reimbursement programs, which can ease the financial strain that we all know is associated with advancing your education.

Life can get complicated but earning your BSN doesn’t have to follow suit. At Galen, our goal is to help you achieve your goal in a way that makes the most sense for where you are in your career. If this is something you’ve been thinking about, there’s no better time than the present to begin a career-changing endeavor.

Galen’s Hazard Campus Associate Degree in Nursing Receives ACEN Programmatic Accreditation

Hazard, KY – April 24, 2018 – With the accreditation of its Hazard, Kentucky, Associate Degree in Nursing  (ADN) program, Galen College of Nursing is pleased to announce that all of its ADN programs have been granted accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).  The Hazard location is Galen’s fifth instructional site to receive this accreditation.

In response to the ongoing nursing shortage throughout Eastern Kentucky, Galen College of Nursing partnered with Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) to offer an ADN program beginning in March 2017.  “This partnership helps provide a solution to the growing need for nursing care and greater access to nursing education in the region,” said Joe Grossman, President and CEO at ARH.

“The support from the Hazard community has been amazing,” said Mark Vogt, CEO at Galen College of Nursing.  “Our mission is about expanding opportunity in nursing, and earning ACEN accreditation college-wide is a testament to the quality of education offered through all of our campuses.”

The extensive accreditation process includes a self-study, an Accreditation Site Visit, and a recommendation for accreditation. The recommendation then is affirmed by an Evaluation Review Panel and approved by the ACEN Board of Commissioners.

ACEN accreditation is a voluntary peer-review process intended to enhance quality improvement in nursing education.  The core values of accreditation emphasize learning, community, responsibility, integrity, value, quality, and continuous improvement through reflection and analysis.  This programmatic accreditation is specific to nursing and focuses on standards in six key areas: mission and administrative capacity, faculty and staff, students, curriculum, resources, and outcomes.

The ACEN is recognized as the accrediting body for all types of nursing education by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Galen College of Nursing graduates more nursing students than any other single program in Kentucky and consistently exceeds the national average on nursing licensure pass rates.  Since Galen’s founding in 1989, more than 20,000 nursing students have graduated from the College.

For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu.

For more information about ACEN, visit http://www.acenursing.org.

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.

Galen College of Nursing Chief Executive Officer Mark Vogt Accepts Position on NLN Board of Governors

January 4, 2018 — Louisville, KY — Galen College of Nursing is proud to announce that Chief Executive Officer Mark Vogt has accepted a position on the National League for Nursing Board of Governors, responsible for oversight of the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 40,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members.

The NLN Board of Governors has collective and individual responsibilities for organizational policy setting and monitoring, and to understand stakeholder needs and expectations to protect and advance their interests. Additionally, governors are expected to monitor and assess external environmental factors in which the NLN is operating to maintain and cultivate relevance for its members.

Said NLN CEO Beverly Malone, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, “Since he became President of Galen College of Nursing in 2004, Mark has been pioneering innovative pathways for entering the nursing profession and ensuring that students receive a positive experience in a contemporary learning environment. Mark will serve the NLN with dedication, excellence, caring, and integrity.

Galen College of Nursing has long demonstrated a commitment to the NLN and its mission in support of excellence in nursing education. Said Vogt, “The development of support and resources in nursing education is imperative to the expansion and advancement of a strong and diverse workforce. I value the opportunity to contribute and I am honored to join such an esteemed group of leaders as we work together in support of what I consider one of this country’s most valuable resources in healthcare.”

About Galen College of Nursing
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 and a mission to expand access to nursing education, the College offers baccalaureate and associate degree education and practical/vocational nursing (PN/VN) programs to over 5,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., Hazard, Ky., San Antonio, Tx., Tampa Bay, Fla., Cincinnati, Oh., and Online. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu.

About the National League for Nursing
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its 40,000 individual and 1,200 institutional members. NLN members represent nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education, and health care organizations and agencies.

Galen College of Nursing Names Dr. Joan Frey Academic President

March 27, 2017 — Louisville, KY — Galen College of Nursing announced today that Joan Frey, EdD, MSN, BS has accepted the position of Academic President. Since 2008, Dr. Frey served as the Dean of Galen’s Louisville campus, having lead in the role of acting Academic President since May of 2016. As Galen’s Academic President, Dr. Frey will be 100% focused on developing and maintaining the critical resources necessary to continue the advancement of academic quality in support of Galen’s growing role in nursing education.

Dr. Frey brings a wealth of experience in nursing to Galen, from patient care as a staff nurse, unit manager, then Nursing Director, to her tenure in academia with 17 years at Aultman College of Nursing  Joining the college as adjunct faculty, she gradually took on more responsibility, eventually becoming the nursing college Director.  In her role as Director, she was instrumental in transitioning the 114-year old hospital-based education program to an accredited nursing program under the North Central Association and National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. As Dean of the Louisville campus for 9 years, she was instrumental in building not only programmatic quality and growth but a culture of student-centered education which continues to thrive and evolve throughout the college.

Dr. Frey is also highly active in the nation’s largest nursing organization, the National League for Nursing (NLN). Since 1991, she has served in various capacities on committees ranging from public policy to finance, as well as elected positions on the NLN Board of Governors and NLN Excellence Awards Review Panel.

Her dedication to nursing and quality nursing education will be instrumental to guiding Galen’s academic present and future, as the school continues to expand access to quality nursing education and support the healthcare community across the country.

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 4,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, KY; San Antonio, TX; Tampa Bay, FL; Cincinnati, OH; 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.  For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu.

Galen Opens Doors to Advanced Nursing Education Facility

San Antonio, TX,– March 15, 2017 — Galen College of Nursing opened its doors to a newly expanded and renovated San Antonio campus, a 70,000-square-foot facility that features high-level clinical learning labs as well as the new Galen Simulation Hospital that includes a simulation ER, ICU and Pediatric Unit, and gives students a cutting-edge approach to nursing education.

“We are always innovating to create the absolute best learning environment for our students,” says Galen President Mark Vogt. “This expansion and renovation will better prepare our graduates for their careers in nursing.”

The U.S. is in the midst of a national nursing shortage, with an increasing healthcare demand due to an aging population and changes related to the Affordable Care Act. To address this growing need, Galen announced in January a new 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that is offered at the San Antonio campus.

“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 Tara Dailey, MSN. “This new 3-year BSN enhances our prelicensure nursing pathways, so we can educate more students for entry into professional nursing practice and help meet the needs of our partners in healthcare.”

Galen is one of the largest nursing educators in South Texas, graduating nearly 6,000 students. The expansion and renovation support Galen’s ongoing mission to expand access to quality nursing education, support the local nursing workforce and meet the healthcare needs in San Antonio.

“It’s a privilege for us to support both education and workforce development in this region,” adds Vogt.

About Galen College of Nursing

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 more than 3,000 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 to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare and Galen College of Nursing Partner to Offer Associate Degree in Nursing Programs in Hazard, KY

February 2, 2017 – Hazard, KY – Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) and Galen College of Nursing announced today a partnership to offer an associate degree in nursing program at a new location based in the ARH System Center building in Hazard, Kentucky.  In response to the continued and growing nursing shortage in the region, Galen College and ARH have joined together to offer additional nursing education opportunity, in support of both the local nursing workforce and the need throughout Eastern Kentucky.

“The need for nurses to support the growing demand for healthcare throughout the country is a frequent conversation. We hear concerns regularly from our partner hospitals and healthcare facilities in our campus communities,” said Audria Denker, RN, DNP, EVP Prelicensure Nursing Education at Galen. “Through connections within state nursing organizations, we had a relationship with nursing leadership at ARH and often discussed the dire need for nurses in Eastern Kentucky.  Together, we asked a ‘What if?’ question, which brought us to this exciting partnership.”

“The need for nurses is great in Hazard and across the region,” said Joe Grossman, President and CEO, at ARH. “This partnership helps provide a solution to the growing need for nursing care and greater access to nursing education.”

A two-year program for those new to nursing will be offered first, with the goal to include a 15-18 month program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to continue their education in pursuit of an RN, called an LPN to ADN Bridge, within the year as well. Additionally, Galen offers an Online RN to BSN program and can support area nurses who hold an associate degree to pursue their BSN online while they continue to work.  A grand opening celebration is planned for later this spring, but the campus is now open.

The inaugural class will start March 30 at the newly renovated Galen College of Nursing at the ARH System Center located at 100 Airport Gardens Road, which was the original ARH hospital.

“A lot of people, planning, and coordination between agencies came together in less than a year to make this happen, which is extraordinary.  The support from the community has been amazing and we couldn’t be happier with the decision to open this campus and to be working with ARH to make it happen,” said Mark Vogt, CEO, at Galen College of Nursing.  “Our mission is about expanding opportunity in nursing.  We can’t think of a better way to do it.”

 About Appalachian Regional Healthcare

The not-for-profit Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) system. Operating 11 hospitals, multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, HomeCare Stores and retail pharmacies across Kentucky and West Virginia, ARH is the largest provider of care and single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third largest private employer in southern West Virginia.

About Galen College of Nursing

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 4,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, 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.  For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu. This location is currently pending approval by SACSCOC.

 For additional information, contact Anna Kitson, Marketing Director, Galen College of Nursing, 502-410-6215, akitson@galencollege.dev or Melissa Cornett, System Manager, Marketing and Communications ARH, 859-226-2679, mcornett@arh.org.

Galen College of Nursing Online RN to BSN Program Receives Programmatic Accreditation by CCNE

LOUISVILLE, KY — June 3, 2016 — Today, Galen College of Nursing announces the accreditation of its Online RN to BSN program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE is an independent accrediting agency dedicated to verifying the quality of baccalaureate, graduate and residency programs in nursing.

“Successfully achieving CCNE accreditation for Galen’s RN to BSN program is an external validation of the quality of our online program,” said Dean of Online RN to BSN, Kathy Burlingame EdD, MSN. “For students and industry partners, nursing programmatic accreditation has become the standard expected of nursing programs to ensure colleges are providing a quality educational experience.

“Galen custom-built all courses with a team of faculty, subject matter experts, and expert online instructional designers, to create unique and engaging courses.

These comprehensive courses include extensive video, interactive presentations, motion graphics, and 3D animation, ensuring that information presented to students is reinforced in various forms, for optimal learning. Galen is constantly focused on innovating online courses to assure they are presenting the best online education experience possible.

In addition to CCNE accreditation, all core courses have been Quality Matters certified, with new elective courses being submitted for certification as completed.  Quality Matters is a nationally recognized, faculty-centered, peer review process designed to certify the quality of online course design and online components.

“Galen is proud to offer high quality and engaging online courses, with the flexibility working RNs need to pursue their goal of higher education,” said Mark Vogt, CEO of Galen College of Nursing. “Galen’s future goals include considering additional higher education nursing programs to continue to help build the nursing workforce for the communities we serve,” said Vogt.

Due to proactive planning, Galen timed the request for a site visit from CCNE to occur prior to the first graduating class of RN to BSN students. As Burlingame said, “The timing of this visit was critical to our students as the accreditation is retroactive to the date of the site visit. This means that our first graduating class and future graduates will receive their degree from a CCNE accredited program.

“The CCNE serves the public interest by assessing and identifying programs that engage in effective educational practices.

As a voluntary, self-regulatory process, CCNE accreditation supports and encourages continuing self-assessment by nursing programs and supports continuing growth and improvement of collegiate professional education and nurse residency programs.

For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu.###Founded over 20 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 online baccalaureate degree nursing programs to over 3,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, 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.

Fran Roberts, PHD, RN, FAAN, Joins Galen College of Nursing Board of Directors

August 6, 2015 — Louisville, Ky — Galen College of Nursing is proud to announce the election of Fran Roberts, PhD, RN, FAAN, to the College’s Board of Directors  “We are excited about the distinguished experience in nursing education and leadership that Dr. Roberts brings to Galen,” said Mark Vogt, CEO.

Roberts grew from clinical practice and leadership in Arizona to serve as a leader in the state as the Executive Director for the Arizona Board of Nursing and Vice President of Professional Services for the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. From there, she joined Grand Canyon University (GCU), serving as Dean, then Vice President, of the university’s College of Nursing.  While with GCU, she transitioned to Strategic Alliances to help build alliances across the United States in the delivery of GCU College of Nursing and Health Sciences educational programming.

Upon moving to Strategic Alliances with DeVry Healthcare Group, Roberts served as a key leadership representative to external audiences in the building and development of collaborative relationships, driving the development of alliances with healthcare systems to deliver outstanding educational programming, secure clinical rotations and enhance employment opportunities for graduates. In 2012, she created The Fran Roberts Group, putting 30 years of experience to practice in consulting work for healthcare organizations across the country, and for the last year has served as the Kate Aurelius Visiting Professor in Integrated Care at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

“Dr. Roberts is the perfect candidate to provide guidance, insight and thought leadership as we execute a strategic plan of academic and programmatic growth and quality,” said Chairperson of the Board Kathy Mershon, MSN, RN, CNAA, FAAN. “Her incredible passion for nursing education and dedication to the profession is inspirational and we are honored that she has accepted the position.”

Editors and reporters: For interview opportunities, please contact Galen College of Nursing Director of Marketing Anna Kitson at 502-410-6215, akitson@galencollege.dev.

Founded over 20 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 online baccalaureate degree nursing programs to over 3,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, 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 baccalaureate degrees. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galencollege.edu.