USC, Lexington Medical Center open innovative facility to train nurses – USC News & Events

The University of South Carolina and Lexington Medical Center opened a new 52,000-square-foot
facility to train the next generation of nurses during a ribbon cutting ceremony Monday
(Aug. 12).

Located on Lexington Medical Center’s West Columbia campus, the satellite clinical
education building will be used primarily for clinical training of the university’s
third- and fourth-year nursing bachelor’s students as well as master’s program students. 

Cutting-edge technology and flexible spaces offer USC’s growing nursing student population
an elevated educational experience and better prepares them to transition into practice.

South Carolina is expected to have more than 10,000 nursing vacancies by 2030 and
has one of the highest projected shortages in the United States. This public-private
partnership expands the College of Nursing’s training capabilities and creates opportunities
for reducing nursing workforce shortages. 

On average, the university awards 900 nursing degrees per year systemwide. Within
five years after opening, the new facility will help train and graduate 400 nurses
per year in the Midlands — an 80% increase.  

“We’re proud to partner with the University of South Carolina to directly address
the nursing shortage in our state,” says Tod Augsburger, Lexington Medical Center
president and CEO. “We are looking forward to growing the pipeline of skilled nurses
for our organization and the state while continuing our mission to provide quality
health services that meet the needs of our communities.”

Under the partnership, Lexington Medical Center funded the new facility and is providing
clinical instructors. Students will benefit from an immersive simulation center, state-of-the-art
clinical education and collaboration spaces and private study spaces. 

“We’re demonstrating our commitment toward a future that will attract the most promising
and talented student and faculty minds.”

Close proximity to the hospital offers students a wide range of interprofessional
education training as well as opportunities for clinical immersion for nurse practitioner
students.

“Today, we see our college transformed,” College of Nursing Dean Jeannette Andrews
says. “Our new satellite campus and its cutting-edge technology will elevate what
our students can experience. We’re demonstrating our commitment toward a future that
will attract the most promising and talented student and faculty minds.”

The University of South Carolina’s nationally ranked College of Nursing has a multi-pronged
mission of teaching, research, practice, service and policy. As the state’s first
nationally accredited nursing program, the college has graduated more than 12,000
nurses since 1957 and continues to attract, retain, train and grow the workforce.
A national leader in exam passage rates, the college’s graduates are prepared to address
local and regional health needs while improving the accessibility of quality health
care.