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.

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.

Veterans in Nursing

How Military Veteran Mauricio Alvarez found his ideal civilian career path.

After dedicating nearly nine years to military service, Mauricio Alvarez found support, camaraderie, and a great civilian career path at Galen College of Nursing. He talked with us recently about his journey.

“When I was a young boy in Mexico, I always wanted to join the Army, but my father didn’t let me do it. He preferred for me to go to school, so that is what I did. I earned an accounting technician diploma and went to work in a mine as a payroll clerk. Two years later, I emigrated to the United States. After four years of working odd jobs from dishwasher to roofing and construction, I longed for life as a soldier. So I talked to an Army Recruiter.”

The recruiter told Mauricio to earn his GED and become more proficient in English. So he attended San Antonio College, studying English as a second language and taking GED classes. In November 2007, he earned his GED.

“I found out from the second Army Recruiter I talked with that I didn’t need my GED since I already had my high school equivalent from my home country. But after all the processing, tests and immunizations, on January 7, 2007, I was shipped out for basic training. I served for 8 years, 9 months, 23 days and a few hours as a U.S. Army Soldier.”

Mauricio’s military experience was excellent preparation for a career in nursing.

“My first duty station was at Fort Hood, Texas, as a 92A Automated Logistical Supply Specialist. For the next four years, I trained as a combat lifesaver and was part of QRF [Quick Reaction Force]. I liked being part of the medical personnel taking care of soldiers. When my re-enlistment was up, I was offered a change of MOS [Military Occupational Specialty] and was qualified for 91B Combat Medic. I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston for AIT [Advanced Initial Training]. I graduated as a Combat Medic and Emergency Medical Technician. I spent the last five years as a combat medic.

“After my military service ended, and to fulfill my mother’s wishes for me to become a civilian again, I worked at Brooke Army Medical Hospital in San Antonio. I liked taking care of people and felt the satisfaction of making somebody else’s life better by fulfilling their medical needs. I started in a nursing school in Austin, but when my mother passed away, I returned to Mexico for her burial, and spent about six months there. I lost that chance to become a nurse.”

We asked Mauricio what makes veterans ideal candidates to become nurses.

“My skills and experiences as a soldier and combat medic will impact my nursing career by forging the discipline to follow nursing policies and protocols by the book, and by developing a strong desire to find and/or perfect new ways to provide medical care, leadership and management.”

“The clinical training veterans receive and experiences they acquire while serving as combat medics permit us to perform an extensive range of services. For example, we get experience in primary care by working at the troop clinic, experience in emergency and urgent care by having worked at the ER, troop clinic, and field clinic, plus quarterly disaster relief training while in service and public health. As combat medic veterans, we have gone through rigorous training exercises and work evaluation that follows performance measurement based on competency. Many combat medics earn the Expert Field Medical Badge in time of peace and Combat Medical Badge in time of war.”

Here’s what Mauricio said when asked why he chose Galen over other nursing schools.

“I was advised by my VA counselor that Galen had no waiting list like community colleges and universities did. Galen starts classes four times a year, so you can start just about anytime you’re ready. And if you’re just getting out of the military, there’s a time you can start shortly after your dismissal.”

Mauricio credits Galen College of Nursing with helping him transition from military service to a civilian career track. We have no doubt that he has a rewarding future in nursing.

“Galen College of Nursing has helped me personally to become part of something bigger than myself and to have structure, purpose and the will to achieve my goals to become a Registered Nurse and beyond.”

“While in the service, we veterans were part of something bigger than ourselves. It is understandable that when we get out of the service and into the civilian world, some of us feel lost and don’t know what to do next. Galen College of Nursing has helped me personally to become part of something bigger than myself and to have structure, purpose and the will to achieve my goals to become a Registered Nurse and beyond.

“Galen instructors and staff are very helpful. I felt very welcome in this college. I graduated in October 2016 in Vocational Nursing (VN). I know that I will succeed and earn my Associate Degree in Nursing next year. As a nurse, I plan to work for the Veterans Administration Hospital, Brooke Army Medical Hospital, or other major hospital in the city.”

Galen College of Nursing could be the right choice for you, too.

Futuristic Simulation Labs Help Students Prepare for Real-Life Patient Care

Gaining the skills and confidence a nurse needs to work with patients requires a lot of hands-on experience. But you can’t start out practicing complicated procedures on actual patients in distress. So Galen College of Nursing has made a major investment in advanced technology in their simulation labs. These sim labs provide the most realistic way for students to safely practice the medical procedures they will someday perform on actual patients. The labs are now available to students at the Louisville, San Antonio, and Tampa Bay campuses.

Galen students get a head start.

These sim labs give Galen students a jump on hands-on clinical learning. In fact, depending on the program, some students start simulation training as early as the first quarter. That’s much sooner than in most other institutions. The types of procedures practiced in the lab correlate with the subjects the students are learning in class.

These aren’t your mother’s sim labs.

As Patrick Caufield, Simulation Technician at the Louisville campus explained, “With advances in computers, batteries, and wireless technology, what used to be a static, lifeless mannequin now has vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure. It can breathe, blink, sweat, convulse, give birth, bleed, cry and more. Battery and wireless improvements also allow us to untether the mannequin from the bed and place it in a chair, hallway, a car, or even move it around from location to location during a simulation.”

Who are the patients?

Students get to work with infant, child, and adult male and female mannequins, as well as with the equipment a nurse would typically use for the patients care. Galen even has a female mannequin that gives birth in an extremely realistic fashion.

What kinds of procedures do students get to do?

Galen attempts to simulate in the labs just about anything a nurse would face on the job. Students perform patient assessments; insert feeding tubes, breathing tubes and catheters; read heart rhythms; deliver babies, set up IV lines and more. According to Caufield, a typical simulation day is between four and eight hours depending on the complexity of what is being simulated.

The simulations are incredibly realistic.

“We make every effort to make the simulation seem as real as possible,” said Caufield. “Any procedure students need to perform is done just like it is done on a person. In addition to the high-tech simulators, we also apply special effects makeup and appliances when needed. There is no “pretend there is a bruise or wound there.” If there is supposed to be a bruise or wound, then one is put on our simulator to interact with.”

To make things even more life-like, instructors can speak through the mannequin to describe symptoms or react to the students’ care. The conditions of the mannequins can also improve or deteriorate depending on the care they receive.

What happens in the lab stays in the lab.

When asked to describe a few unexpected or surprising things that happened during simulations and how students handled them, Caufield gave a response that will put future students feel at ease. “To preserve the safe, friendly learning environment of our simulations,” he said, “We don’t discuss what happens in simulation outside of simulation.”

Learning by doing.

In the scenarios, students face in these labs, they have the opportunity to learn in a hands-on way, as well as to react and solve problems in real time. Their work in these labs is an essential complement to the knowledge they gain in the classroom. It’s a great way to prepare future nurses and, equally important, to give them the confidence they need to provide excellent care for patients in the real world.

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.

Nursing Careers Just Keep Getting Better

Nursing holds top slots in America’s best jobs.

In the old days, when you heard “nursing can take you anywhere,” the phrase usually described a career as a military or traveling nurse.

And yes, you still can go all over the world as a nurse. But more and more of today’s nurses are changing the world without traveling, or without even working from a clinical setting. Nursing roles have expanded far beyond the clinic, the practice, or even hands-on patient care. Nowadays, a nurse can find himself or herself managing data. Teaching other nurses. Researching global disease states. Or developing public-health policy.

Indeed, I can think of very few career fields with so many paths that can lead in so many directions. Today’s nurses have more opportunities, and more ways to influence health, than ever before. Thanks to expansion, and with it, increasing specialization, nursing today offers a mix of clinical and non-clinical specialties.

In fact, Johnson & Johnson lists no fewer than 104 nursing specialties on its “Discover Nursing” website. 104 specialties – that’s amazing! Imagine the possibilities. Read on, and see what nursing can hold for you!

Impressive salaries are part of the package.

Depending on your specialty, your nursing degree can take you to a pretty healthy salary range, too. The median pay for a nurse anesthetist in 2014 was $154,000. Nurse midwives averaged around $97,000 per year, and nurse practitioners earned around $95,000.

And many of these fields will only expand from here. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects up to 35% growth in the careers mentioned above, as well as a minimum 16% increase in general Licensed Practical/Vocational and RN jobs.

The time is ripe.

It appears that nursing is not only among America’s best careers – it’s also among those for which demand continues to rise. If you’re considering starting, or continuing, your career in nursing, there’s a lot working in your favor.