USCB awarded $3.8 million grant to expand nursing workforce
The University of South Carolina Beaufort has been awarded a four-year, $3.8 million federal grant to help tackle the state’s critical nursing shortage, a challenge that health experts warn will worsen as South Carolina’s population continues to age.
The funding, provided through the Health Resources and Services Administration, will support a multi-pronged effort to recruit and retain nursing students, strengthen clinical instruction, and expand workforce placement in acute and long-term care settings. A particular focus will be placed on preparing nurses to serve in rural and underserved communities, where shortages are often most severe.
“With this significant grant, USCB is well-positioned to help meet South Carolina’s future nursing needs,” said Lynne Hutchison, a professor and director of the project. “We are taking a multi-pronged approach to recruit diverse nursing students, train and retain them to graduation, and promote their entry into the healthcare workforce.”
Under the initiative, the university plans to support up to 64 nursing students each year. Student-focused strategies will include greater financial assistance, expanded tutoring services, peer mentoring from upperclassmen, and workshops designed to build academic and professional skills. The program will also offer a 12-month transition-to-practice component, designed to ease the shift from classroom instruction to patient care.
Local health care providers are key partners in the project. Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Novant Health and Friends of Caroline Hospice will work with USCB to provide clinical training opportunities and expand access to hands-on experience.
Dr. Kim Dudas, interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, said the federal award highlights the university’s track record in preparing nurses for the workforce. “We deeply appreciate HRSA’s recognition of the strengths of USCB’s nursing program in awarding this grant, especially in light of the highly competitive federal grant environment,” she said.
South Carolina is projected to face a 20% shortfall in registered nurses by 2036, according to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. The shortage is tied to several factors, including the retirement of older nurses, limited nursing faculty, and growing health care demands from an aging population. The South Carolina Institute of Medicine and Public Health estimates that more than 1 million state residents will be 65 or older by 2030.
The shortage has real implications for patient care. Hospitals and long-term care facilities across the state report challenges in staffing shifts, meeting patient needs and preventing burnout among existing nurses. Rural areas are especially vulnerable, with fewer providers and greater difficulty attracting new graduates.
University leaders said the HRSA funding will allow USCB to directly address these challenges by widening the pipeline of qualified nurses and supporting them beyond graduation. More information about USCB’s nursing program is available at www.uscb.edu.
