Healthcare provider HCA Healthcare plans to buy a majority stake in private nursing schools group Galen College of Nursing.

The partnership, announced earlier this month, is expected to help grow the 30-year old nursing school, for example by offering HCA Healthcare nurses with additional career development opportunities through Galen’s nursing degree programmes.

It will also help Galen establish nursing programmes at HCA Healthcare affiliates across the country, providing more clinical education and career paths for students.

The terms of the deal are undisclosed and the transaction is subject to regulatory approval and conditions.

Nashville, Tennessee-based HCA has two nursing schools, Research College of Nursing and Mercy School of Nursing, as well as five advanced nursing training centres. Last year, the company began investing up to $300 million in more benefits for nurses, by adding or expanding career development programmes for its 94,000 registered nurses.

Galen College of Nursing will keep its name and will continue to be led by its chief executive Mark Vogt.