Greenville, S.C. Receives $1 Million Investment to Enhance Nursing Education and Address Workforce Shortages

Greenville, S.C. Welcomes Exciting New Investment in Nursing Education

A bright and sunny outlook is on the horizon for students aspiring to enter the nursing field in Greenville, South Carolina. Prisma Health has announced a fantastic investment of $1 million aimed at bolstering nursing education and health sciences training through the Piedmont Technical College (PTC) Foundation. This initiative will primarily take place on the PTC Laurens County campus and seeks to tackle the growing shortages in nursing and healthcare professions not just in Laurens County but throughout the surrounding regions.

Details to Be Unveiled This Week

Mark your calendars! The official announcement will occur on Wednesday, September 11, during the “Maximizing Our Future Upstate Summit” at the Greenville Convention Center. Prisma Health’s Chief Executive Officer, Justin M. Benfield, along with PTC President Dr. Hope E. Rivers, will share more specifics about this innovative three-year program. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to enhancing healthcare education in Laurens County,” emphasized Dr. Rivers. “With Prisma Health’s generous support, this program will allow an increasing number of students to build foundational knowledge for future growth and success.”

A Win-Win for the Community

Mr. Benfield highlighted the significance of this investment, stating, “Investing in nursing and health science education is an investment in the future health of our community.” His excitement resonates as he envisions a robust pipeline of skilled nurses and health sciences professionals ready to meet the needs of local patients. The collaboration aims to create advanced learning environments, allowing students to gain real-world experience in clinical and laboratory settings.

A Step Toward Future Workforce Development

This initiative is part of Prisma Health’s broader efforts to support workforce development in South Carolina’s healthcare sector. The organization has fostered various academic partnerships and innovative programs across the state. These also include youth apprenticeships in nursing for college credit, MedEx Academy, and Project Search. The investment will undoubtedly pave the way for rewarding career paths across a variety of clinical and non-clinical jobs within healthcare.

A Closer Look at the Nursing Ladder Initiative

So, what can students expect from the new Prisma Health Laurens Nursing Ladder Initiative? The program will offer the chance to earn several credentials, ultimately leading to an Associate Degree in Nursing. These credentials include:

• Patient Care Technician (PCT) – One semester
• Practical Nursing (PN) – Three semesters
• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

The generous funding will also create three new staff positions at the PTC Laurens County Campus and support vital updates to its facilities. Anticipated completion for these updates is set for late 2025. Students can look forward to learning spaces replicated to reflect real-world clinical and lab environments, which is essential for their training.

Enhancing Enrollment and Career Opportunities

Initially, PTC plans to enroll up to 60 students each year during the program’s first three years. This new collaborative approach not only enhances nursing training but also opens doors to other healthcare-related certificate programs. These include tracks in radiology technician, lab technician, ultrasound, and medical assistants—all crucial roles in today’s healthcare system.

Making Healthcare Careers Accessible

The excitement continues with comments from Jennifer Rogers, Chief Nursing Officer for Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital. She stated, “This collaboration is a tremendous win for improving local access to top-notch healthcare career training.” This initiative encourages not just future students, but also current team members who wish to advance their careers without leaving Laurens.

A Response to a Looming Crisis

This investment comes at a critical time. A recent report from the federal Health Services Administration revealed that South Carolina may experience the seventh-largest shortage of registered nurses by 2036. By enhancing educational opportunities today, this partnership directly addresses the impending crisis and aims to produce more qualified nursing professionals for the future.

As the kickoff for this incredible opportunity approaches, the entire community is hopeful and eager to see how this collaboration will make a difference in local healthcare education and ultimately, in the health and well-being of the community.