University of South Carolina | College of Nursing | Fall 2023
Gamecock
Nursing Nation
CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS Leading the way in transformative health care
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2 / COLLEGE OF NURSING • 2023
CONTENTS
DEAR COLLEAGUES, ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, As I enter my 11th fall semester as Dean of the College of Nursing at the University of South Carolina, I am excited to welcome our largest overall enrollment in the history of the college, now with 2,200+ new or returning students. Our team of faculty and staff are committed more than ever to fulfill our mission to prepare graduates who care, inspire, and lead to advance science, practice, and policy to optimize health for all. We welcomed 15 new faculty and staff members to the college, along with six promotions and three new departments: Professional Nursing Practice, Advanced
DEAN JEANNETTE O. ANDREWS Follow me on X @DeanUSCNursing
Professional Nursing Practice & Leadership and Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science. In this issue, you will read about the college's creative partnerships to address South Carolina's nursing workforce challenges and health outcomes of individuals, families and communities we serve. You will be inspired by our talented faculty, staff and students and the impactful leadership initiatives addressing relevant needs in our state and beyond. As the state's flagship nursing program, we remain steadfast with our commitment to excellence and quality in all that we do. The momentum, positive growth and impact continue to soar. With a new building set to be completed in 2024 that will double our overall footprint, we are embracing perhaps the most transformative era in our history. Not only will we expand our pre-licensure programs, but our research initiatives and graduate programs will expand in both capacity and impact with planned biobehavioral and clinical research laboratories. It is a remarkable time to be part of the Gamecock nursing nation. Stay tuned!
FALL 2023 Director of Communications and Marketing Nicole Meares Senior Director of Development Monica Cromer Administrative Assistant Erica Neet Contributing Writers Gregory Hardy Contributing Photographers Bonnie Smith Kim Truett Designer Francesca Novotny College of Nursing University of South Carolina 1601 Greene Street Columbia, SC 29208 sc.edu/nursing Phone: 803-777-7412 @UofSCNursing
INSIDE THE ISSUE
page 8
4 / Briefs Get updated on the West Columbia campus construction, a tuition reimbursement plan and a top national ranking
8 / Creative partnerships key to addressing nursing shortage New ways are being explored to boost the state’s workforce, including recruiting and training underrepresented nurses
12 / Student Nurses Association: Q&A with Ryan Fox Among the valuable experiences of being a MEPN student is learning that nurses can create and explore their own paths
14 / Summer Learning: SC high schoolers get a close look at health careers For these rising seniors, summer vacation meant a hands-on experience through a Lexington Medical Center partnership
16 / Spotlights
Jeannette O. Andrews Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Meet the alumnae, graduate students and staff who show dedication to the college’s values of care and excellence
Dean and Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation or veteran status. 23-13500 12/23
NEWS By the Numbers
22
Welcome New Faculty & Staff
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BRIEFS
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BRIEFS BOLD Pathways
Campus across the river In February, Lexington Medical Center and the University of South Carolina broke ground on a new building to train nurses on the hospital campus in West Columbia. The 52,000-squarefoot state-of-the-art nursing simulation center and teaching space is slated to open in July 2024 for BSN Upper Division (Juniors and Seniors) and Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing (MEPN) students. It will be used to provide clinical training for the University of South Carolina’s growing nursing student population. It is part of a public-private partnership between the university’s College of Nursing and Lexington Medical Center. “Our partnership with the University of South Carolina will ensure that we can help teach skilled, compassionate nurses who want to keep working in South Carolina and take care of our families, friends and neighbors in the future,” said Tod Augsburger, president & CEO of Lexington Medical Center. “As leaders in the Midlands, our organizations share a responsibility and a vision to enhance services, create opportunities and support growth in our region. This partnership will improve the health of our communities for generations.”
The S.C. Commission on Higher Education introduced the BOLD Career Pathway Loan in August to support the recruitment and retention of nursing faculty at public colleges and universities across the state. The program reimburses up to $30,000 per academic year, per student, for Doctor of Nursing Practice or Ph.D. programs at the University of South Carolina for up to three years, with a maximum amount of $90,000. Following graduation, program participants must agree to serve two years as nursing faculty within the state for every one year of tuition reimbursement they receive.
NATIONAL RANKING For the third straight year, USC's College of Nursing was ranked No. 1 nationally for its online master's in nursing program, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual online programs rankings released in January. “We continue to have an urgent need for additional nurse practitioners, nurse educators and other advanced roles in nursing to meet the health care workforce needs, and our flexible and high quality online graduate programs are meeting the needs of our nursing graduate students and their current and future employers,” said College of Nursing Dean Jeannette Andrews.
PALMETTO CAREGIVERS The growth of South Carolina’s aging population increases the demand for health care services. However, the state faces a projected shortage of 10,000 nurses by 2030, which would result in compromised patient care and higher health care costs. Fortunately, the University of South Carolina recently secured a $3.1 million grant to take proactive measures. The College of Nursing leads an initiative to coordinate access to Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training sites. These CNAs will work closely with doctors and nurses to provide personalized care, which will improve health outcomes and reduce staff burnout.
Why it Matters South Carolina’s demographics highlight the importance of this effort. In 2019, more than 18 percent of the state’s residents were 65 or older, which was a 4 percent increase from 2010. A 2023 report from the S.C. Department on Aging revealed disparities in poverty levels among senior residents. Nearly 22 percent of senior Black South Carolinians live in poverty, compared to 8.5 percent of Latinx seniors and 7 percent of White seniors.
The Solution To address these challenges, the college has launched the Palmetto Caregivers program with support from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Centers for Disease Control. The Palmetto Caregivers program offers a comprehensive two-month certification course, equipping participants with essential healthcare skills. Cindy Corbett, nursing professor and program director, considers CNAs as especially important members of the workforce at rehabilitation centers and long-term care facilities. “They provide residents with assistance in activities of daily living, conduct basic assessment and monitoring, and promote the overall health and well-being of residents, most of whom are older adults, through activities such as helping people walk safely and promoting good hygiene to prevent infection,” Corbett says. To ensure a smooth entry into the health care workforce, participants receive job placement assistance upon completion of the course. With funding available to train and certify up to 3,000 students, Palmetto Caregivers aims to bridge the health care gap and protect the well-being of South Carolina’s aging population.
PIPELINE FACULTY FELLOW PROGRAM
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FACULTY AWARDS
BlueCross BlueShield Pipeline program To assist the College of Nursing in increasing student enrollment and addressing critical health care staffing shortages in our state and beyond, a new faculty pipeline program launched last year. The Nursing Pipeline Faculty Fellow Program, which is funded by a grant from the BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina Foundation, has enabled new faculty to be hired. To date, four doctoral students have been accepted into the fellowship program and hired as faculty clinical instructors. They receive mentorship, teaching and research preparation to increase their readiness to become future faculty. After completion, the fellow is eligible to apply to be an assistant professor in the College of Nursing. You're one year into the program. How's it going? Jennifer Beecroft: The program is going very well! I have been able to teach several courses from MedSurgical, Acute Care of Adults in the MEPN program to Foundations of Nursing in the undergraduate program. I love the hands-on experience and the ability to evolve and refine my teaching skills. It has been nice to be paired with a different coinstructor each semester because it allows me to see different perspectives and approaches to teaching. I have enjoyed all the faculty members I get to work with. Everyone reminds me of being back at a hospital on the floor with their great teamwork. Teaching takes a village, and it is awesome to have such a supportive group of faculty members who help each other no matter what.
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FACULTY AWARDS
“Teaching takes a village, and it is awesome to have such a supportive group of faculty members who help each other no matter what.” JENNIFER BEECROFT Why did you apply to the program? Sarah Clement: My entire goal with getting my DNP was to eventually teach at a collegiate level. New nurses hold a special place in my heart, so being able to reach them and teach them as they are just starting out is the dream. As a Gamecock alumnae and South Carolina native, USC was the ultimate career goal, but it seemed out of reach, truthfully. Moving from a leadership position in the hospital to a teaching position at USC seemed like it wouldn’t be feasible, at least not anytime in the next decade of my career. But in my first semester of my DNP program, the Pipeline Program was announced and applications opened. I thought “This is my chance!” I applied, and the rest is history.
Did you know? Currently, the College of Nursing has 160 faculty members who shape the future of nursing in our state every day. And 30 percent of those faculty members hold national distinguished fellowships. Congratulations to the following faculty members on their recent achievements.
Karen Kane McDonnell, PhD, RN Cindy L. Corbett, PhD, RN, FAAN SNRS Leadership in Research Award
Rachel L. Onello, PhD, RN, CHSE, CNE, CNE-cl, CNL
Cornell University New York Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award
Bernadine M. Pinto, PhD, FAPA, FSBM, FABMR
Academy of Nursing Education 2023 Class Fellow
Society for Health Psychology 2023 Excellence in Health Psychology Research Award
Allison Sweeney, PhD
Mike Wirth, PhD, MSPH
Society of Behavioral Medicine’s 2023 Early Career Investigator Award
Norman J. Arnold Alumni Medal from the Arnold School of Public Health
What does your typical day look like in the program? Katharine Harding: It’s been a joy to be a part of the College of Nursing. Everyone is so welcoming and supportive. Each day in the program is different, which is exciting. Most days, you are working with your assigned course faculty mentor who helps facilitate learning experiences in the classroom, lab and online course management. Other days, you are collaborating with your primary program mentor who shares resources and supports your professional scholarly development and growth within the faculty role.
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Creative partnerships key to addressing nursing shortage We all know the statistics: South Carolina has the lowest nurse-to-population ratio in the United States and is expected to have 10,000 nursing vacancies by 2030. Additionally, nurses trained during the pandemic are experiencing faster burnout than ever before. And while it can seem overwhelming at times, we have reason to be hopeful — because there are solutions within our reach. At the University of South Carolina, we have found that those solutions begin with creative partnerships. By connecting with hospitals and state and community organizations, we’ve gained a more holistic understanding of what our state needs and have taken action toward transformation. While commitment, shared vision and understanding of goals and resources are all important factors for these partnerships to succeed, they must also be rooted in a deep understanding of the needs of nursing students as well as South Carolina’s workforce and the communities we serve. Below are just a few of our key partnerships. Each one helps the university graduate 900 nursing students a year systemwide. With 70 percent of Columbia graduates choosing to stay in South Carolina, our hope is that these creative partnerships can be modeled across the state, increasing equity and access for patients while reducing burnout and shortages.
CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS
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These creative partnerships are an opportunity to form new relationships, engage with diverse teams — and, most importantly, meet South Carolina's health care needs. DEAN JEANNETTE ANDREWS
Building for the future
Securing the pipeline
In February, USC and Lexington Medical Center broke ground on a new 52,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art nursing simulation center and teaching space to provide clinical training for the university’s growing nursing student population. With this new space on the hospital’s campus, the university will graduate 400 “net new” nurses per year in the Midlands — an 80 percent increase annually. This will include 300 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates and 100 Master’s Entry into Practice graduates each year by 2027. USC and Lexington Medical Center are not only partnering to produce new nurses, but also preparing innovations in curriculum to inform competencies for new graduates which will better facilitate their transition into practice.
In addition to industry and nonprofit organizations, legislators are important partners in addressing South Carolina’s health care needs. Funds approved by the General Assembly in 2022 and 2023 can be used to improve pay for nurse faculty in South Carolina’s public colleges, universities and technical colleges, while the balance of the funds provide scholarships or tuition reimbursement for graduate-level students in nurse education. This $10 million annual investment will expand the pipeline of nurses that South Carolina needs in the years to come. Another key but often overlooked aspect of addressing our state’s nursing shortage is the need to increase the number of faculty to teach our growing student population. Supported by the BlueCross® BlueShield® of South Carolina Foundation, USC Columbia’s Pipeline Faculty Fellow Program helps doctoral students who aspire to a career in academia transition into nursing faculty positions. Participants are employed as faculty fellows for one to two years to gain experience with teaching and mentoring students, scholarship and service, with the expectation that they will assume a faculty position after completion of their doctoral program.
Increasing specialized training access Initiated by Prisma Health in partnership with USC, the READI 2 Work program for undergraduate nursing students prepares a competent and quality future workforce at Prisma Health. Offering training opportunities at Prisma outside the nursing curriculum, pre-licensure students in this program gain enhanced preparation for their future roles as registered nurses. After the success of the initial pilot program, the initiative was extended to four other nursing programs across the state and multiple sites at Prisma Health Midlands and Upstate. To address the immediate need for skilled caregivers, the South Carolina Nursing Assistant program, Palmetto Caregivers, boosts workforce readiness by placing certified nursing assistants in long-term nursing facilities after receiving a free, six-eight-week training program through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Additionally, USC’s Center for Nursing Leadership and SC DHEC have teamed up with the SC Association for School Nurses to provide leadership development and training for school nurses in public schools statewide.
Reducing barriers Recruiting, training and supporting underrepresented nurses creates a future workforce that can better anticipate, understand and address the needs of all South Carolinians. The Strengthening Achievement and Nursing Diversity for South Carolina (StAND-UP: SC) academy and conference prepares diverse and underrepresented nursing students to address ongoing health conditions caused by a patient’s physical, social and economic environments. Funded by the CDC and SC DHEC, the program leads the way in improving health outcomes and equity for all citizens in the Palmetto state. As the University of South Carolina strives to develop the nursing leaders of tomorrow, we will continue to develop creative partnerships with diverse stakeholders that serve the needs of our students as well as enhance the college’s ability to address the state’s nursing workforce shortage. These creative partnerships are an opportunity to form new relationships, engage with diverse teams — and, most importantly, meet South Carolina’s health care needs. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is an independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.
Jeannette O. Andrews, PhD, RN, FAAN Dean and Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing College of Nursing, University of South Carolina
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
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Student Nurses Association: Q&A with Ryan Fox
FALL 2022 AWARDS Academic Excellence Award Katelyn Blackwell Undergraduate Nursing Impact Award Veronica Vodola
This fall, we caught up with Ryan Fox, president of USC's Student Nurses Association and Council of State Presidents Chair of the National Student Nurses Association. Here's what the second-year MEPN student had to say.
Outstanding Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Award Genna Rivers
What is the SNA?
Outstanding Leadership Award Reagan Conn
Fox: The mission of the Student Nurses Association as a university organization is to “promote professionalism and leadership in nursing while advocating for wellness for all people in our USC community and beyond.”
Outstanding Undergraduate Community Service Award Erika Felder
As a contributor to the State and National Student Nurses Associations, we participate in initiatives and pursue leadership at the school, state, and national levels every year. SNA also participates in volunteer and community outreach opportunities throughout the semester.
Outstanding Undergraduate Clinical Performance Award Riley Specht Outstanding Service to the College and/or University Award Aubrey Hetland
What is the Role of the Council of State Presidents Committee? Fox: The NSNA Council of State Presidents Planning Committee plans and conducts the Council of State Presidents (COSP) meeting at the MidYear Conference and Annual Convention. The members of the planning committee are state presidents elected at COSP. The COSP Committee's responsibility is to discuss the priorities of the association, activities for the year, accomplishments, problems and to share ideas. The committee allows for the interchange and consultation between state presidents, the NSNA Board of Directors and staff. Tell us about your most valuable learning experience as a MEPN student. Fox: I can say that every faculty member and clinical instructor has instilled in us that the information taught builds upon the next – day after day, course after course, patient after patient. While there are countless invaluable experiences and opportunities fostered throughout the program, this idea continues to drive my learning and future nursing practice. What are you most looking forward to as a nurse? How has the program shaped your view of the health care industry? Fox: The field of nursing is seemingly limitless in its ability to create opportunities. Realizing how vastly different my understanding of that from day one to now boggles my mind. Nurses can create their own unique paths at the bedside, in the community and beyond. It’s this continued evolution that I look forward to the most, and I’m grateful to be entering the field as a master’s prepared RN who’s equipped with the tools to explore nursing in such a way.
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STUDENT EXCELLENCE
SPRING 2023 AWARDS Academic Excellence Award Rachel Marie Barr
Claire Powers
Erin Brynn Carson
Kayla Marie Schoff
Claxton-Grace Caswell
Claire Stone
Bailey Goldschmidt
Roary Laine Weis
Jennifer Julia He
Sophia Young
Darby Killman Outstanding Undergraduate Clinical Performance Award Alexis Wack Outstanding Undergraduate Community Service Award Rebeccca Zeigler Outstanding Undergraduate Leadership Award Caroline Elizabeth Waxman Outstanding Research and Scholarship Award Madeline Mclnnis Outstanding Service to the College and University Award Hannah Sara Lutz
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PARTNERSHIPS
Lexington Medical Center hopes the Partners Programs inspires students to be passionate about careers in health care. MARQUITA GAINES
Field trips included a tour of the School of Medicine Columbia Ultrasound Institute, where students oohed and ahhed as they watched a demonstration of the ultrasound simulator before they got to practice with the technology themselves.
Summer Learning: SC high schoolers get a close look at health careers Nearly 70 rising high school seniors from across the Midlands invested part of their summer vacation toward gaining in-depth insights into health science careers thanks to a partnership of the College of Nursing, the School of Medicine Columbia and Lexington Medical Center. These Lexington and Richland county students applied for the Lexington Medical Center High School Partners Program by demonstrating a sincere interest in health care fields and working in hospital settings, knowing it would mean missing downtime at the beach or being able to sleep in late. Over a pair of three-week sessions in June and July, groups of more than 30 students rotated through clinical areas in the College of Nursing and School of Medicine Columbia. They learned
many aspects of nursing, as well as roles that included surgical technology, radiography and physical therapy. “The Partners Program is very handson and very educational,” says Janelle Martinez-Garcia of Lexington High. “They make sure you shadow a variety of techs, nurses and doctors, and they get to take you in on procedures. “Honestly, I would recommend the Partners Program to anyone who's looking forward to going into the medical field.” The curriculum is an example of innovative approaches to address South Carolina’s shortage of health care workers. Health institutions know there’s a need to foster early interest in these essential career fields, and the Partners Program drew interest from the region’s
geographical diversity of rural and urban areas. Students hailed from high schools that included Blythewood, Dreher, Gilbert, Lexington, Richland Northeast, River Bluff and Spring Hill. “Lexington Medical Center hopes the Partners Program inspires students to be passionate about careers in health care,” Lexington Medical Center workforce coordinator Marquita Gaines says. “One day when they finish their education, maybe they can return to Lexington Medical Center to take care of people in the Midlands for generations to come.” Starting with interactive morning workshops, students were exposed to day-to-day hospital operations. From administration to patient support roles, the students gathered a holistic view of how real-world medical professionals work together.
The three weeks culminated with a visit to the College of Nursing’s Center for Simulation and Experiential Learning (SAEL). The students met with faculty and staff who led demonstrations in four styles of simulation suites. The students first gathered in a main classroom where a wall was adorned with a word cloud containing dozens of inspirational descriptions of the college’s mission. Among the standout words were “Compassionate,” “Healing,” “Integrity” and “Transformative.” Also greeting the students were a variety of “manikins.” These were high tech human-shaped machines who could blink their eyes and breathe and had artificial vital signs to monitor. The afternoon’s intensive itinerary included being divided into groups that rotated between stations that focused on lifesaving skills, patient monitoring, pre- and postnatal care and hygiene, along with bedside emotional support. The students took turns: • Assessing vital signs on a manikin, such as pulse locations and diagnosing sounds from the heart, lungs and bowel
• Demonstrating CPR protocol, where a manikin in a hospital bed could be attempted to be revived • Attempting their handwashing techniques, where students were invited to see how thoroughly they could scrub with germ-fighting gel. An ultraviolet flashlight in a darkened room was where they tested how well they did (or didn’t, in many cases) remove contaminants between fingers and underneath their nails. • Monitoring a birthing station, where a mother manikin was administered an epidural to deliver a manikin bundle of joy Through these interactions, the nursing faculty became impressed with the students’ knowledge and enthusiasm. As student after student at the CPR station proficiently and with little instruction climbed on the hospital bed to perform the correct chest compressions, Pipeline Faculty Fellow Sarah Clement remarked, “I don’t think I’ve had a group do this right, right off the bat.” The session ended with students asking questions of the College of Nursing instructors. Beyond the typical college application process, students wanted to know how USC nursing students would receive training in the future. They were enticed with descriptions of the new facilities scheduled to be ready in 2024 that will double the STEM-teaching space.
Aniya Wilson of Blythewood High said her biggest surprise of the program was “getting to deliver a baby, because it's really fun. It made me interested in possibly doing labor and delivery. I definitely want to work with something that has to do with children. “This has been an amazing experience. It's made me happy and made me sure that I want to be in health care, and I want to do something to help people.”
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SPOTLIGHTS
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LUCY MARION
KAYLA LAMPE
EBONY TOUSSAINT
MIA BARRON
AMY BALLOU
SHERENE CHAVOUS
Alumna
Alumna
Graduate student
Graduate student
Graduate student
Staff member
Alumni Lucy N. Marion, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAANP Friends and colleagues remember Marion as a dedicated nursing professional who made an impact throughout her 60-year career. Her passion for caregiving and thirst for nursing knowledge greatly influenced USC nursing education during her 25 years at the university from 1968 to 1993. The former Dean Emeriti of the Augusta University College of Nursing, Marion emphasized that legacies evolve from goals and achievements, not planned outcomes. “Any failures will teach you more than successes,” Marion said. “Embrace as you go!” The Marion estate generously donated funds for a new clinical education building at Lexington Medical Center’s main campus, set to open in Fall 2024. Kayla Lampe, ’16 BSN A dedicated ER nurse and accomplished runner, Lampe ranked among the top 25 women finishers at the 2022 New York City Marathon and qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trial in 2020. As a USC student athlete, she placed 17th in the NCAA 10,000m and was named second team All-SEC in the 5,000m Indoor in 2013.
Balancing her nursing career with her passion for running, Lampe excels in time management, a skill that’s crucial in the unpredictable ER environment. Running serves as her stress relief and self-care, allowing her to perform at her best in her job and races. Lampe has worked in ERs including Bryn Mawr Hospital in Pennsylvania and Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts. She is pursuing her next travel nursing assignment in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Grad students Ebony Toussaint, MEPN candidate Originally a political science graduate, Toussaint shifted gears to pursue a Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing degree. Determined to contribute to the global fight against infectious diseases, her research focuses on vaccine-preventable diseases. She recently visited Montreal, Canada, to present at the International Congress of Nursing. Recognized as an Emerging Diversity Leader within the Interdisciplinary Research Group on Nursing Issues (IRGNI) in Academy Health, she is determined to break down barriers and ensure that everyone has a voice in health care.
Recognized with a New Investigator Award at the 14th annual James E. Clyburn Health Equity Lecture, she’s also creating an international team to establish a nursing student-run clinic at USC that bridges global nursing practices. Mia Barron, PhD Candidate A former research nurse and support coordinator at the Medical University of South Carolina, Barron has more than two decades of nursing experience. As a second-year PhD student, she’s committed to enhancing communication among African Americans with lupus. Working to bridge gaps in patient-clinician communication, her research is supported by the Lupus Foundation of America’s 2023 Gina M. Finzi Memorial Student Summer Fellowship Program, which is awarded to four students nationwide. Through the Center for Simulation and Experiential Learning, she’s able to study the communication dynamics between nursing students and patient simulators. These interactions help identify effective strategies for improving adherence to lupus treatments among individuals from racially disadvantaged groups. Amy Ballou, PhD Candidate Ballou nursing journey began by working weekends as a nurse tech in oncology. Developing a deep appreciation for the field, she went on to earn an MSN in Acute Care and transitioned to
oncology hematology for five years. Eager to provide the best care for terminally ill cancer patients, she then earned a DNP, focusing on evidence-based depression screening. Ballou’s career interests shifted toward research when she joined the Cancer Prevention Control Research Network. Currently pursuing a PhD, she received an ONS Research Doctoral Scholarship for her work exploring the link between early onset cancers and lifestyle, environment and health disparities in South Carolina. Driven to make a lasting impact on cancer patients’ lives, her goal is to become an oncology hematology nurse scientist.
Staff Sherene Chavous, Outstanding Staff Member Nominated by colleagues who have experienced her remarkable work as Student Services Coordinator, Chavous embodies the College of Nursing’s mission and the Carolinian Creed. Excelling in her role, she ensures timely mail and supply delivery and serves as the welcoming face of Student Affairs by actively engaging with students, faculty and staff. Chavous’ years of service make her a valued member of our community. Her enthusiastic support at college events reflects CON’s values of care and commitment, while her personable approach ensures efficiency and problem solving.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
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"School nursing enhances academics by aiding students in managing chronic illnesses, mental health, and public health initiatives like immunization compliance,” says Vicki Ladd, DHEC State School Nurse Consultant. “Dean Jeannette Andrews, USC College of Nursing and S.C. Association of School Nurses are key partners in our School Nurse Leadership Program, offering essential leadership development, education sector management training and peer support."
School Nurse Leadership program develops crucial skills The University of South Carolina College of Nursing, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Environmental Control, S.C. Department of Education and S.C. Nurses Association, has crafted a tailored curriculum that addresses the needs of school nursing.
“School nurses play an important role in supporting the health and well-being of our most precious treasure, our children,” says Reveille CEO Carolyn Swinton. “This cohort is engaged, committed and ready to embark on a transformational journey to becoming exceptional nurse leaders.”
The focus is on leadership and management skills for seamless integration into K-12 education.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, all South Carolina public school districts had lead nurses, but many juggled multiple school responsibilities alongside their essential student care duties.
While educator leadership programs abound, it's crucial to highlight the scarcity of programs targeting school nurses in this context. This initiative bridges nursing and education, offering in-person workshops for 16 dedicated nurses to develop leadership skills and confidence while fostering a supportive peer network. Explore more The state’s first public school nurse leadership development program is facilitated by Reveille Executive Coaching and Consulting Services.
Innovative opportunities for state schools were introduced thanks to COVID Public Health Workforce Development funds allocated by DHEC. This included a retention bonus program for dedicated school nurses who served during the pandemic's challenges. Lead nurses were also invited to transition into full-time administrative roles, empowering them to provide vital training, assess nursing teams' skills, enhance school health policies and more. Thirty school districts embraced this program, committing to sending their lead nurses for specialized leadership training.
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More solutions Additionally, virtual sessions co-presented by esteemed district nursing directors and administrators cover other educational aspects, such as transportation and special education. “The College of Nursing strongly believes that partnered approaches to solutions facing our state’s nurses and the patients and communities we serve are vital to making a positive and sustainable impact,” says USC College of Nursing Dean Jeannette Andrews. “This alliance with school nurse leaders, DHEC and the Department of Education is a prime exemplar of what’s possible in our state.”
ALUMNI AWARDS
Nursing alumni are care providers, educators, administrators, lawmakers and game-changers. Each fall, the college recognizes alumni committed to service and nursing excellence. From early-career practitioners to established nursing leaders, the Outstanding Alumni Award winners exemplify the College of Nursing’s values and mission.
Creighlyn Price, BSN ‘22 Price is drawn to service. As an undergrad, she balanced her nursing coursework while volunteering as a mentor for the Multicultural Assistance Peer Program and as a site leader for Service Saturday.
For 2023, Kelly Russin (BSN ’10, MSN ’18 and DPN ’21) received the Outstanding Nurse Alumni Award. The award is given to a graduate whose first degree from the college was earned before 2010 or who has more than 10 years’ experience.
Earning the Outstanding Undergraduate Leadership Award for the BSN program, she also graduated with leadership distinction in professional and civic engagement in 2022. Price currently works as a pediatric nurse at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital in Columbia and as an assistant cheerleading coach at Chester High School.
Creighlyn Price (BSN ‘22) received the Outstanding Young Nurse Alumni Award. The award is given to a graduate whose first degree from the college was earned between 2010 and present and who has 10 years or less experience. Carrie James (BSN ’71) received the Outstanding Legacy Nurse Alumni award for her commitment to vulnerable patient populations and future nurses.
OUTSTANDING NURSE ALUMNI AWARD
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ALUMNI AWARDS
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She plans to pursue her certification in pediatric nursing as well as a Master of Science in Nursing, with the goal of training and mentoring future nurses.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG NURSE ALUMNI
Kelly Russin, BSN ‘10, MSN ‘18, DNP ‘21
Carrie James, BSN ‘71
The first member of her family to attend a four-year college, Russin landed her dream job as a labor and delivery nurse at Lexington Medical Center after graduation. Four years into her nursing career, she took over the Perinatal Loss Program at Lexington Medical and began teaching nurses how to care for patients during difficult times.
James, one of the first African American BSN graduates from the University of South Carolina, has dedicated her career to pediatric nursing, education and patient advocacy.
Her love of teaching brought her back to the classroom as an adjunct professor at USC. After earning her MSN in HealthCare Leadership in 2018, Russin went on to teach at a small LPN school and continued her own education by earning a DNP in Executive Leadership in 2021.
She is a tenured associate professor at South Carolina State University and shows her dedication to her students with her involvement in the wellness program at the Brooks Health Center, the W.K. Kellogg African American Public Health Fellowship and Development Program, and her work with Habitat for Humanity at SCSU and other HBCU institutions.
A proud member of the Gamecock family, she currently serves as the Director of Simulation at USC Aiken.
James has had an outstanding career and continues to commit her time and expertise to vulnerable patient populations and future nurses.
OUTSTANDING LEGACY NURSE ALUMNI
STUDENT EXCELLENCE
BY THE NUMBERS #1
Top 1%
in the country NCLEX pass rates
2023 US News & World Report Graduate Online Programs three consecutive years
10,938+ Alumni in
2
National League of Nursing Center of Excellence in Nursing Education Designations
2,157
Students
49 States 96-100%
ANCC pass rate for new nurse practitioner graduates
160
of USC Nursing Faculty hold distinguished national fellowships
$17 million
Top choice for nursing students in South Carolina
Faculty
Top 20s
in NIH funding among U.S. Colleges of Nursing
grant funding in the past 3 years
8
Endowed Professorships
$789,834
in scholarships, traineeships, departmental support awarded to
414
students in Summer 2022 - Spring 2023
98%
Full-time faculty doctorally prepared and/or enrolled in doctoral programs
Welcome New Faculty
Welcome New Staff
• Cheryl Addy, Interim Department Chair, Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science
• Heather Adams, Administrative Coordinator, Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science
• Stephanie Armstrong, Associate Professor, Professional Nursing Practice
• Mary Cha Brabham, First Year Advisor
• Anfel Crews, Assistant Professor, Professional Nursing Practice • Jennifer May, Assistant Professor, Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science • Danielle Simmons, Assistant Professor, Advanced Professional Nursing Practice & Leadership • Curisa Tucker, Assistant Professor, Biobehavioral Health & Nursing Science
30%
st
1
Nursing Honors Program in South Carolina
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA / 23
FACULTY AND STAFF
• Ayzia Taylor, Pipeline Faculty Fellow
• Chantelle Cayruth, First Year Advisor • Latecia Cobbs, First Year Advisor • Tanika Hughes, Human Resources Manager • Jay Davis, Assistant Dean for Finance and Operations
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #766 Columbia, SC
1601 Greene Street Columbia, SC 29208
Support the next generation of nurses Karen Worthy is committed to improving health care everywhere. A five-time USC graduate and longtime nurse educator, she also serves as the president of Columbia’s Sigma Theta Tau Alpha Xi chapter. Dedicated to transforming the health care system by supporting the next generation of student nurses, Worthy and Alpha Xi have been proud supporters of the innovative partnership between Lexington Medical Center and the College of Nursing.
Recognizing USC’s academic and clinical excellence, Alpha Xi’s financial contribution will enhance learning opportunities for gamecock nurses in a new state-of-the-art classroom, starting in 2024. “This naming opportunity directly aligns with Sigma and Alpha Xi’s mission,” says Worthy. “We are dedicated to the advancement of knowledge, teaching, learning, and service through the cultivation of communities of practice, education, and research.”
Behold the Remarkable we