SAN ANTONIO, Texas – November 5, 2009 – Galen College of Nursing will graduate its first class of students who have completed the RN program on Friday, Nov. 6. Thirty-five students will graduate in a ceremony to be held at St. Paul Community Center, 1201 Donaldson Avenue in San Antonio. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m.
Galen launched the RN program in August 2008, in response to the growing need for RNs. According to the Texas Hospital Association, the average hospital vacancy rate for registered nurses is near 11 percent, while specialty areas face even higher rates. The National Association of Health Care Recruiters considers a vacancy rate of 8.0 percent to be a “crisis point.”
Judy Staley, Ph.D. (c), RNC, FNP-BC, CNS, WHNP, was named Dean of the college this past August and previously served as the college program director. “This is an exciting time,” Staley said. “We’ve been graduating competent and caring vocational nursing students for nearly 20 years. The entire college feels a sense of honor and accomplishment to graduate its first extraordinary group of future registered nurses.”
Working with Staley is Shirley Carson-Davis, Ph.D. (c), RN, FNP-BC who was recently named the RN program director.
About Galen College of Nursing
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 nurse (PN/VN) and associate degree nursing programs to students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit our website.
