HCA Healthcare is now the majority stakeholder in the parent company of one of the nation's leading nursing schools, the Nashville, Tenn.-based health system announced March 14.
The 185-hospital system will be a majority stakeholder in the Louisville, Ky.-based Galen College of Nursing, a private enterprise that offers online degree programs in addition to the programs across its five campuses. No changes to the college's leadership will be made.
The goal of the partnership is to provide better access to nursing education and career development for nurses to improve patient care. Officials said the collaboration will offer additional career development opportunities to HCA's 94,000 registered nurses and will allow the Galen College of Nursing to establish programs at the health system's affiliated hospitals nationwide.
HCA is one of the largest nurse employers in the nation and already owns two nursing schools and five advanced nursing simulation training centers. The health system also began investing up to $300 million in more benefits for employees, including additional career development opportunities for nurses.
"Nurses are the lifeblood of our organization, and we've been intentional about investing in nursing so they can be successful and provide the best possible patient care. Galen has an excellent reputation in nursing education, and we look forward to working with them to advance their mission and expand their programs to more of our markets," HCA CEO Sam Hazen said in a statement.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. The terms of the partnership were not disclosed.