South Carolina – In a significant move to address the critical nursing shortage in the local area, Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is gearing up to launch a new four-year undergraduate nursing program. The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and the South Carolina Board of Nursing have recently given their stamp of approval for this Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which is scheduled to begin in the Fall 2024 semester.
South Carolina experiences shortage of for trained nursing professionals
This announcement comes at a crucial time as the region grapples with a dire need for trained nursing professionals. Until now, CCU has offered pathways for registered nurses to further their education through a combination of coursework at CCU and Horry-Georgetown Technical College. However, starting next fall, students will have the opportunity to complete all four years of their nursing education directly at CCU. Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to take the registered nurse license exam, paving the way for a new generation of healthcare professionals ready to tackle the challenges of the medical field.
Wanda Dooley, CCU’s director of nursing, emphasized that the new program is a testament to the university’s commitment to addressing local workforce needs and the critical nursing shortage affecting the region.
“The addition of a four-year degree program in nursing to the CMC College of Health and Human Performance recognizes the need for bachelor’s-prepared registered nurses to support the growing needs of the community,” Dooley said to WMBF. “This program will prepare our students to become leaders in the ever-changing healthcare environment.”
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Colleen McGlone, Ph.D., Dean of the Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance at CCU, pointed out that the nursing shortage is expected to worsen as the population ages and the current nursing workforce moves towards retirement. She expressed pride in the university’s dedication to workforce preparation.
“I am very proud of our nursing faculty, who worked tirelessly for the last year to create what will become a signature program for our college and university,” McGlone said to WMBF.
The new nursing program is a significant addition to the Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance and is anticipated to become a hallmark of both the college and the university. It aims to welcome up to 32 students in its inaugural fall semester, with the first cohort expected to graduate in May 2027. Further enrollment information will be made available on Coastal’s website later this month, offering prospective students the chance to be part of this groundbreaking initiative.
As CCU continues to offer its current nursing program alongside the new four-year degree, the university is poised to make a substantial contribution to the healthcare sector by equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in nursing careers and address the critical shortage in the region.
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