Nursing at HCA Healthcare

In 2020, HCA Healthcare expanded our commitment to education by becoming the majority owner of Galen College of Nursing, which joined Research College of Nursing and Mercy School of Nursing as educational facilities within the HCA Healthcare family.

Our partnership with Galen has increased access to education and provided nursing career development opportunities that we believe will positively impact patient care. In November 2021, Galen and Fisk University, a Historically Black University, announced an articulation agreement that allows Fisk degree coursework credits to transfer to Galen so students can go directly into Galen’s BSN program. This will help Fisk students obtain degrees that can lead to advancement and growth, drive diversity in the nursing field, and in turn make a meaningful impact on the quality of healthcare in the communities we serve.

HCA Healthcare's Centers for Clinical Advancement bridge the gap between classroom learning and bedside care by providing highly interactive, practice-based instruction. Our goal is to provide new hires and seasoned caregivers with the opportunity to engage in an immersive learning experience, enabling them to elevate their clinical practice. Each center includes dedicated classroom space, advanced simulation spaces, virtual “face-to-face” interaction and best-in-class tools and equipment. Using manikins to simulate high-risk circumstances, teams can train together to address specific patient care situations and develop a treatment plan. Following the scenario, teams work together to discuss what they could have done differently to achieve an improved patient outcome.

In 2023, HCA Healthcare announced more than $300 million in investments to support the education and training of nurses through the opening of new HCA Healthcare Centers for Clinical Advancement and the expansion of Galen College of Nursing.

Transition to Practice programs at HCA Healthcare have been designed to provide nurses with an individualized, competency-based professional development experience that maximizes nurse potential and enhances confidence and competence.

• Nurse residency: The HCA Healthcare Nurse Residency program is a comprehensive 12-month registered nurse residency transition to practice program. Divided into two phases, this program is designed to bridge the nursing practice gap for all newly licensed/new graduate nurses.
• RN Plus: HCA Healthcare RN Plus is an emerging registered nurse fellowship transition to practice program. This program is designed for registered nurses with at least six months of nursing experience transitioning into a new practice setting/specialty (e.g., med-surg to emergency).

HCA Healthcare proudly encourages the professional growth of our colleagues who wish to improve their knowledge, skills and potential for advancement through continued education.

As a part of our commitment to workforce development, eligible colleagues may receive support with higher education expenses through HCA Healthcare’s student loan assistance program and tuition assistance program. Our tuition benefits also allow eligible colleagues to complete the Galen College of Nursing online RN-to-BSN program with zero out-of-pocket tuition expenses.

In 2024, HCA Healthcare provided approximately $11 million in student loan assistance and roughly $42.1 million in tuition assistance.

The Clinical Certification Support Program (pre-paid certification voucher, test fee reimbursement and certification bonus) policy encourages colleagues to enhance and promote their professional growth by newly acquiring or recertifying nationally recognized certifications beyond those required for their current position.