Innovating Nursing Education for Workforce Impact: A Simulation, Technology, & Teaching Enhancement Initiative - The University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) School of Nursing (SON) seeks $1.97 million in HRSA funding to expand nursing education capacity through simulation lab modernization, classroom technology enhancements, and additional faculty support. As a public, comprehensive institution within the University of South Carolina System, USCA serves approximately 4,200 students through more than 60 undergraduate and graduate programs. As a critical access institution for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and surrounding rural communities, USCA serves a diverse student population, including first-generation, Pell-eligible, rural, and underrepresented students. The SON prepares 456 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students through rigorous workforce-focused education and more than 700 clinical hours, demonstrating strong outcomes with 97–100% first-time NCLEX® pass rates, 84–87% graduation rates, and 100% graduate employment or continued education within six months. The nursing workforce shortage remains a critical challenge across the US and SC due to an aging workforce, increasing retirements, and growing healthcare demands. South Carolina is projected to experience a shortage of approximately 10,400 nurses by 2030, highlighting the urgent need to expand access to high-quality prelicensure nursing education and prepare a skilled nursing workforce. USCA will address this challenge by increasing educational capacity, strengthening evidence-based learning opportunities, and preparing graduates to meet healthcare workforce needs. This project will enhance SON capacity through strategic investments in simulation infrastructure, technology-enabled classrooms, and faculty resources. Funding will support high-fidelity simulation equipment, audiovisual (AV) technology upgrades, refreshed study spaces, enhanced high-impact teaching practices, and faculty development. These improvements will create contemporary learning environments that reflect modern healthcare practice while enhancing students’ clinical judgment, critical thinking, decision-making, and workforce readiness. Project goals include increasing high-fidelity simulation experiences by 50%, achieving at least 85% student-reported confidence and preparedness following simulation activities, increasing graduation rates by 5%, reducing drop, withdraw, and failure (DWF) rates in foundational nursing courses by 25%, and maintaining first-time NCLEX® pass rates at least 5% above state and national averages. Additional faculty and simulation support will maximize use of enhanced resources, expand program capacity, and sustain high-quality nursing education. Through this investment, USCA will strengthen nursing education infrastructure, improve access to innovative learning experiences, and prepare a diverse pipeline of highly qualified nurses equipped to address current and future healthcare workforce needs in South Carolina and beyond.
