Description

At Galen College of Nursing, we educate and empower nurses to change lives. Since 1989, we’ve dedicated our work to delivering high-quality nursing education with a student-first mindset. As one of the largest private nursing colleges in the country, we combine the support of a close-knit learning environment with the strength of a nationally recognized institution, HCA Healthcare.

That same passion for excellence in the classroom extends to our offices. At Galen, you’ll find a culture deeply rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to improving the future of healthcare. Your work directly touches the next generation of nurses, and your contributions help our students pursue their dream of a compassionate career.

If you’re looking for a career where you can make a difference, grow professionally, and be part of a caring team, we’d love for you to apply for the Associate Program Director position today!

Click here to learn more about Galen!

Position Overview:

About the Role

Galen College of Nursing is looking for an Associate Program Director to serve as a key academic leader within one of our nursing programs. You will work alongside the Program Director and Dean to ensure every student has what they need to succeed - from their first day of enrollment through graduation.

This is a hands-on leadership role that spans academic oversight, faculty development, student support, curriculum integrity, and regulatory compliance. If you are a nurse educator energized by building strong programs, developing faculty, and removing barriers to student success, this role is worth your attention.

What You'll Do

Student Success & Support

• Oversee the admissions and readmission process, including applicant review and selection
• Connect students to faculty coaching, mentoring, and counseling resources when needed
• Monitor program completion rates, retention trends, and student satisfaction data - and act on what you find
• Collaborate with retention and readmission committees to build student success action plans
• Represent student voice in program planning through the Student Advisory Committee
• Participate in graduation ceremonies and program milestone events

Faculty Leadership & Development

• Support hiring, onboarding, and ongoing development of program faculty and staff
• Observe faculty in classroom, clinical, and simulation lab settings to provide developmental feedback
• Serve as a thought partner for faculty navigating instructional or student challenges

Curriculum & Academic Integrity

• Regularly review curriculum with faculty to ensure alignment with program objectives and NCLEX® outcomes
• Facilitate and evaluate nationally-normed exam testing across the program
• Build and manage class schedules, clinical site assignments, and faculty teaching responsibilities
• Track student NCLEX® performance and use data to inform program improvements

Regulatory & Governance

• May serve as the designated nursing program administrator with state boards of nursing and programmatic accreditors
• Keep the Program Director and Dean informed of student, faculty, and operational issues in a timely manner
• Participate in nursing leadership meetings and assigned governance committees

Requirements

• Master's degree in Nursing required; doctoral degree preferred
• Active, unencumbered RN license in the applicable state
• Minimum 3 years of recent clinical nursing experience
• Working knowledge of nursing education, clinical practice environments, and accreditation standards
• Experience matching student learning needs to clinical placement sites
• Strong analytical skills - comfortable collecting and acting on program outcome data
• Clear communicator in writing and in person
• Organized, self-directed, and comfortable working with minimal supervision

Who Would Thrive Here

This role is a strong fit for a nurse educator who is ready to shape a program, not just participate in one. You see gaps and move toward them without waiting to be told. You care about student outcomes as a mission, not just a metric. You can give faculty honest developmental feedback and handle a sensitive student situation with equal professionalism.

You will do well here if you:

• Have nursing education experience and are ready to grow into or deepen a formal leadership role
• Thrive at the intersection of people, operations, and outcomes
• Want to know your pass rates, retention numbers, and satisfaction scores - and do something about them
• Take compliance and accreditation seriously without losing sight of the student experience

At Galen College of Nursing, we want to ensure your needs are met. We offer a comprehensive package of medical, dental, and vision plans, tuition discounts, along with unique benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical coverage that covers many common services at no cost or for a low copay. Plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage as well as free telemedicine services and free AirMed medical transportation.
• Additional options for dental and vision benefits, life and disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, supplemental health protection plans (accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity), auto and home insurance, identity theft protection, legal counseling, long-term care coverage, moving assistance, pet insurance, and more.
• Free counseling services and resources for emotional, physical, and financial well-being
• 401(k) Plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay (based on years of service)
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with 10% off HCA Healthcare stock
• Family support through fertility and family building benefits with Progyny and adoption assistance.
• Referral services for children, elders, and pet care, home and auto repair, event planning, and more.
• Consumer discounts through Abenity.
• Retirement readiness, rollover assistance services, and preferred banking partnerships.
• Education assistance (tuition, student loan, certification support, dependent scholarships).
• Colleague recognition program.
• Time Away from Work Program (paid time off, paid family leave, long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence).
• Employee Health Assistance Fund that offers free employee-only coverage to full-time and part-time colleagues based on income.

Learn more about Employee Benefits.

Note: Eligibility for benefits may vary by location.

Galen College of Nursing is recognized as a 2023 National League of Nursing (NLN) Center of Excellence (COE).

Galen’s Compassionate Care Model Values

• Inclusivity: I foster an environment that provides opportunity for every individual to reach their full potential.
• Character: I act with integrity and compassion in all I do.
• Accountability: I own my role and accept responsibility for my actions.
• Respect: I value every person as an individual with unique contributions worthy of consideration.
• Excellence: I commit myself to the highest level of quality in everything I do.

Learn more about our vision and mission.

Experience the HCA Healthcare difference where colleagues are trusted, valued members of our healthcare team. Grow your career with an organization committed to delivering respectful, compassionate care, and where the unique and intrinsic worth of each individual is recognized. Submit your application for the opportunity below:

Associate Program Director

Galen College of Nursing