Opinion: How statewide nursing education answers the state's call for care

South Carolina has long experienced a shortage of registered nurses. By 2030, our state could face 10,000 vacancies in nursing positions.

The University of South Carolina system is the state’s leader in addressing this need by awarding 900 nursing degrees each year. To meet the growing demand, it will require a statewide commitment to attracting, preparing and retaining this essential workforce.  

This problem cannot be solved exclusively in Columbia. That’s why USC is dedicated to delivering nursing education across the Palmetto State — especially in rural and underserved areas — in ways that are flexible and meet students where they are.

You will also find strong academic offerings for nurses at:

• All of USC’s comprehensive institutions in Aiken, Beaufort and the Upstate.
• The four Palmetto College campuses in Lancaster, Salkehatchie, Sumter and Union.
• Our online master’s in nursing program, which has been ranked No. 1 in the country for four years in a row by U.S. News and World Report.

Led by top-notch faculty renowned for academic excellence and innovation, nursing students gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills vital for success.

An established path to accomplishment

Whether USC’s nursing students ever step foot on a campus, we ensure that they receive an education that prepares them to be tomorrow’s health care leaders.

Seventy percent of nurses who graduate from Columbia’s College of Nursing choose to stay in South Carolina. Often placed in the high-need, underserved areas of all 46 counties, our graduates help meet South Carolina’s health care needs as they demonstrate they are integral to the state’s economy.

Our system nursing programs fill important roles in educating nurses who stay in their local communities, such as the Rural Nursing Initiative at Salkehatchie and our USC Union-USC Aiken nursing program partnership. Students in those areas have the access to gain the same degree opportunities and learning environments as students on the Columbia campus.

New nursing graduates must be able to transition smoothly from their academic preparation to a range of practice environments. With rigorous clinical training and a wide range of academic support, our students are equipped with the awareness they need to enter a stressful field and succeed.

 Pathways to nursing leadership

 Both nursing professionals and employers recognize the stellar reputation of USC nursing and the exceptional quality and competency of our graduates. Our College of Nursing in Columbia is in the top 1 percent in the country for pass rates on the NCLEX, the national exam for licensing nurses.

Our success depends upon demonstrated academic excellence and a dedication to providing flexible degree pathways.

Students can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in as little as 12 months. These programs are tailored to accommodate the busy schedules of registered nurses. In Columbia, the program was recently relaunched as a direct response to student and health system partners’ requests. Our No. 1 online master’s degree in nursing is also tailored to meet the needs of professionals already working in the field.

Understanding and rapidly responding to needs

 Graduate programs prepare nurses to assume roles in primary care, acute care, long-term care, specialty practices and public health settings. That’s why we focus on creative partnerships throughout our communities.

For rural areas, we are upgrading aging facilities with urgently needed new technologies.

Last year, USC Beaufort was awarded a $1 million federal grant in partnership with the city, county and Beaufort Memorial Hospital. This funding will create a leading-edge simulation center in northern Beaufort County.

This fall, in partnership with Lexington Medical Center, we at the university will double our efforts to grow the state’s nursing population by opening an incredible new home for clinical training. Students in Columbia will have access to a state-of-the art simulation center and teaching space, plus clinical training in an award-winning hospital environment.

Elevating our intentions

USC is committed to delivering world-class nursing education that will help South Carolina meet its health care needs over the coming decade.

Systemwide, we are focused on access to innovative nursing education. We also prepare nurses for leadership and managerial roles in health care across the Palmetto State. This is how we make progress in elevating life and health for all South Carolinians.

Solutions will require awareness and cooperation from every region in our state if we are to continue to offer unparalleled advantages for prospective students.

We live in a complex health care environment where nursing graduates must be prepared to meet diverse patient needs, avoid burnout and collaborate effectively with other providers — all while delivering effective and quality care. Equipping our graduates with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in this evolving environment is at the heart of what the University of South Carolina does.