Appalachian Regional Healthcare and Galen College of Nursing Partner to Offer Associate Degree in Nursing Programs in Hazard, KY

Hazard, KY, February 02, 2017 --(PR.com)-- Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) and Galen College of Nursing announced today a partnership to offer an associate degree in nursing program at a new location based in the ARH System Center building in Hazard, Kentucky. In response to the continued and growing nursing shortage in the region, Galen College and ARH have joined together to offer additional nursing education opportunities, in support of both the local nursing workforce, and the need throughout Eastern Kentucky.

“The need for nurses to support the growing demand of healthcare throughout the country is a frequent conversation. We hear concerns regularly from our partner hospitals and healthcare facilities in our campus communities,” said Audria Denker, RN, DNP, EVP, Prelicensure Nursing Education at Galen. “Through connections within state nursing organizations, we had a relationship with nursing leadership at ARH and often discussed the dire need for nurses in Eastern Kentucky. Together, we asked a ‘What if?’ question, which brought us to this exciting partnership.”

“The need for nurses is great in Hazard and across the region,” said Joe Grossman, President and CEO, at ARH. “This partnership helps provide a solution to the growing need for nursing care and greater access to nursing education.”

Two program options will be offered to award an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). A two-year program for those new to nursing, and a 15-18 month program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) to continue their education in pursuit of an RN, called an LPN to ADN Bridge. Additionally, Galen offers an Online RN to BSN program and can support area nurses who hold an associate degree to pursue their BSN online while they continue to work. A grand opening celebration is planned for later this spring, but the campus is now open.

The inaugural class will start March 30 at the newly renovated Galen College of Nursing at the ARH System Center located at 100 Airport Gardens Road, which was the original ARH hospital.

“A lot of people, planning and coordination between agencies came together in less than a year to make this happen, which is extraordinary. The support from the community has been amazing and we couldn’t be happier with the decision to open this campus and to be working with ARH to make it happen,” said Mark Vogt, CEO, at Galen College of Nursing. “Our mission is about expanding opportunity in nursing. We can’t think of a better way to do it.”

About Appalachian Regional Healthcare
The not-for-profit Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) system. Operating 11 hospitals, multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, HomeCare Stores and retail pharmacies across Kentucky and West Virginia, ARH is the largest provider of care and single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky and the third largest private employer in southern West Virginia.

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, 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, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., Cincinnati, Ohio, 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. This location is currently pending approval by SACSCOC.

For additional information, contact Anna Kitson, Marketing Director, Galen College of Nursing, 502.410.6215, akitson@galencollege.edu or Melissa Cornett, System Manager, Marketing and Communications ARH, 859.226.2679, mcornett@arh.org.