HCA Healthcare Invests $4.8 Million in Pepperdine Nursing School
Event summary
- HCA Healthcare is donating $4.8 million to Pepperdine University to support the launch of its new School of Nursing.
- Pepperdine’s School of Nursing opened in Fall 2025 with an initial enrollment of 68 students, offering BSN and ELM-CNL programs.
- The gift will fund a 30,000-square-foot facility with clinical simulation labs.
- HCA Healthcare acquired Galen College of Nursing in 2020, which now operates 25 campuses with over 19,000 students.
- HCA Healthcare has previously invested in nursing education, including a $3.4 million expansion for Research College of Nursing in 2023.
The big picture
The national nursing shortage is a significant constraint on healthcare delivery, prompting providers like HCA Healthcare to explore innovative solutions. This donation represents a shift towards direct investment in nursing education, moving beyond traditional recruitment strategies. HCA’s broader investments in nursing education, including Galen College, demonstrate a commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of nurses to support its extensive network of facilities.
What we're watching
- Program Growth
- The success of Pepperdine’s School of Nursing will depend on its ability to attract and retain students, and HCA’s continued support will be crucial for its long-term viability.
- Talent Pipeline
- HCA Healthcare’s investment signals a strategic effort to address the nursing shortage, but the effectiveness of this approach will hinge on the quality and placement of graduates.
- Acquisition Strategy
- HCA’s acquisition of Galen College of Nursing and subsequent expansion suggests a broader strategy of vertically integrating nursing education to secure a future workforce; further acquisitions in this space are possible.
