HCA Healthcare Inc., one of the nation's leading healthcare providers, recently announced the allocation of more than $200 million for the expansion of Galen College of Nursing, and approximately $136 million for the opening of new HCA Healthcare Centers for Clinical Advancement.

Sam Hazen, chief executive officer of HCA Healthcare, noted in a statement:

We believe supporting nurses in their practice through available and effective clinical education helps drive the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Continuous Investment

Since 2019, HCA Healthcare has invested approximately $46 million to open 12 new Centers for Clinical Advancement, reaching 15 locations across the country.

Designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the bedside through practice-based instruction, the company plans to open an additional 20 centers over the next 3 years thanks to its recent commitment of $90 million.

The centers use state-of-the-art technology and specialized mannequins to simulate real-life scenarios that nurses may experience at the bedside.

“We are proud of the resources and education opportunities we offer our nurses and are committed to helping train the next generation,” added Hazen.

About the Centers for Clinical Advancement

Operating independently of nursing schools, these venues are dedicated to helping practicing nurses advance their skills and careers.

While new nursing graduates use the centers to complete their nursing residency program and choose specializations, veteran nurses can use the centers to pursue advanced certifications.

Technology within the centers also allows students to learn from clinical experts from across the country and record their simulations to replay scenarios and report back to colleagues and trained facilitators to further advance their learning.

We are committed to supporting the #nursing profession by actively investing in resources, training and development programs to inspire tomorrow's leaders. Read about our $300 million announcement to support clinical #education and training: https://t.co/PHDIojIaEG. #NursesWeek pic.twitter.com/gM500zxluc

— HCA Healthcare (@HCAhealthcare) May 8, 2023

“Expanding our clinical education agenda, including HCA Healthcare’s Centers for Clinical Advancement nationwide is a large part of our overall nursing strategy,” said Sammie Mosier, chief nurse executive of HCA Healthcare.

Through the purchase of Galen College of Nursing in 2020, HCA Healthcare has committed more than $200 million to unite two leading nursing organizations to increase access to education and provide professional development opportunities.

Across the country, HCA Healthcare has 68 classrooms, 65 simulation rooms and more than 145 manikins.

More Investments

HCA Healthcare has made other significant investments to support nurses and educate the next generation of nursing leaders, including:

• HCA Healthcare offers tuition assistance benefits that allow eligible colleagues to complete the Galen College of Nursing RN-to-BSN program with zero out-of-pocket tuition expenses. In 2022, HCA Healthcare distributed $7.7 million to assist more than 2,250 colleagues in the program.
• To help address the national nursing shortage, HCA Healthcare has invested in the recruitment of quality nurses while also expanding care teams to include positions such as licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs), paramedics and nurse externs.
• In 2022, HCA Healthcare committed $1.5 million to Fisk University to support scholarships for students pursuing healthcare careers and the university’s dual degree program with Galen College of Nursing and $1.5 million to Florida International University’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences to expand its faculty, offer scholarships to increase enrollment and help address the national nursing shortage. A $750,000 partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) was announced in 2022 to provide internship opportunities and scholarships for graduate students in nursing administration and management programs. These are part of the company’s larger $10 million commitment to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and help build a diverse healthcare pipeline.
• The HCA Healthcare Foundation, through its Healthier Tomorrow Fund, recently announced $250,000 in grants to community colleges and universities to provide high school students early access to careers in healthcare. As part of these grants, Miami Dade College received $50,000 towards its Care Cadre Nurse Exploration Experience and Pensacola State College received $50,000 to help fund the Nurse Explorer Boot Camp. Both programs will give students early exposure to careers in nursing.
• The HCA Healthcare Foundation, through its Healthier Tomorrow Fund, has also given $130,000 to the Urban League of Broward County to help pilot a workforce development program for those who have been disconnected from the workforce to explore careers in the healthcare field.

“Providing a safe and realistic learning environment for our nurses promotes clinical skill readiness and development. We are excited to open these new locations and will continue to invest in our nurses as they provide great care for our patients and communities each and every day,” added Mosier.