'Investing in Nursing Education'
Laurens, South Carolina – Here’s something that’s going to make a big impact! Prisma Health has pledged a whopping $1 million to the Piedmont Technical College (PTC) Foundation. This generous investment is aimed at enhancing nursing education and health sciences training on the PTC Laurens County campus. The initiative is designed to bolster the workforce pipeline, addressing the crucial shortages of nurses and healthcare professionals keenly felt in Laurens County and surrounding areas.
The details of this splendid three-year program will be officially announced by Prisma Health Chief Executive Officer Justin M. Benfield and PTC President Dr. Hope E. Rivers on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The big reveal will happen during the “Maximizing Our Future Upstate Summit” hosted by Ten at the Top at the Greenville Convention Center.
Dr. Hope E. Rivers shared her enthusiasm, “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to enhancing healthcare education in Laurens County.” She added that Prisma Health’s unwavering support would allow more students to gain essential knowledge and skills for future success.
Echoing these sentiments, CEO Justin M. Benfield stated, “Investing in nursing and health science education is an investment in the future health of our community. We are thrilled to collaborate with Piedmont Tech to develop a robust pipeline of skilled nurses and health sciences professionals who will serve the needs of Laurens County.”
What does this mean for students? Well, PTC students in the Prisma Health Laurens Nursing Ladder Initiative will have the chance to complete crucial credentials, culminating in an Associate Degree in Nursing. The $1 million funding will contribute to hiring three new staff positions and making essential facility updates on the PTC Laurens County Campus, aiming for completion by late 2025.
The facility updates will aim to recreate real-world clinical and laboratory environments, improving the learning experience. With expectations to enroll up to 60 students annually in the initial three years, this expansion also means better training opportunities for other healthcare-related programs such as radiology technician, lab technician, ultrasound, and medical assistants.
Jennifer Rogers, chief nursing officer for Prisma Health Laurens County Hospital, couldn’t be more delighted, sharing that “This collaboration is a tremendous win for improving local access to top-notch healthcare career training.” She is excited about attracting new students to healthcare and providing current team members with professional growth opportunities.
With expectations of rising enrollment and completion rates in each section of the nursing career ladder program, PTC President Dr. Keli Fewox confidently expressed, “Graduates who complete all levels of the career ladder will excel as registered nurses, equipped with both practical experience and advanced clinical knowledge.”
This collaboration directly tackles the forecasted shortage of registered nurses in South Carolina, where a recent report by the federal Health Services Administration warned of a significant deficit by 2036. By expanding educational opportunities, the partnership aims to produce more qualified nursing professionals, aiding in alleviating this impending crisis.
Piedmont Technical College (PTC) is a comprehensive two-year college providing hands-on training in advanced technologies and crucial skills highly sought after by regional employers. It serves over 8,000 students annually across multiple counties in South Carolina.
Prisma Health, the largest healthcare organization in South Carolina, is a private nonprofit with an extensive network of hospitals, beds, and clinicians. Serving nearly 1.5 million patients annually, Prisma Health is committed to improving health outcomes and advancing healthcare education throughout the state.
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