Pacer Goes to Heart of Pandemic

Aiken, SC (10/16/2020) — The rigors of the University of South Carolina Aiken nursing program helped prepare one alumnus for the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Forrest Ayers had a rewarding job in Aiken Regional Medical Center's Emergency Department since he graduated in December of 2017. But once the coronavirus hit New York City, making it the nation's pandemic epicenter, Ayers volunteered to head to the Big Apple.

"I am going to New York to meet one of the many demands necessary to prevent more people from dying," he said just days before leaving Aiken early in the pandemic.

"For me, it is a moral dilemma to sit here in Aiken and wait and see if the COVID-19 pandemic gets worse here when I know people are dying right now in New York because there are not enough nurses and other healthcare personnel.

"They are asking for assistance, and I have never been the person to say 'no' to someone who needs help."

Helping people has been his mantra since he was in high school. While at South Aiken, he was involved in a tragic car wreck, which almost killed someone.

"I ran over to the other vehicle to check on the passengers. I watched an innocent man gasping for air, while his wife was in shock and stared in complete disbelief at the unfolding events," Ayers recalled. "I'll never forget that moment.

"It was at that moment that I decided I wanted to help people. I never thought that a single action could be so impactful, but it has really molded me into the person I am today."

While that seminal event defined his future, the School of Nursing developed his skill and professional acumen. He credits the faculty for setting him up for success and the ability to achieve his goal of helping people.

"I always felt that my nursing professors were dedicated to my success," the Pacer alum said. "It was the kind of dedication that you only can receive when there are not 100+ students in a lecture hall.

"They took the time to get to know me and always expressed concern when I struggled. Their guidance and mentorship were invaluable."

Ayers says he misses being able to speak his mentors daily. He adds, though, that he is "blessed" that some faculty still reach out to him to see how and what he's doing.

In addition to learning the specifics of his chosen career, Ayers says that he learned several intangible lessons while at UofSC Aiken. He says these crucial lessons have been invaluable in the hospital, where the hours are long, and the pace is grueling. Specifically, while on campus, he says he learned three valuable lessons:

1. To be a leader and not a follower;
2. Do not try to be the best. Always try to be better. "Being the best" is relative.
3. It is easier to get help if you seek it out.

UofSC Aiken is lauded for its high-impact practices that complement in-class learning. In the School of Nursing, this includes state-of-the-art simulation labs, clinicals, and other realistic environments. Ayers said this approach worked well for him, and he encourages current students to pursue experiential knowledge.

"The best experiences in furthering my education outside of school came from working directly in patient care," he said.

"If you want to be more prepared after graduation, I recommend you apply for a nursing externship or become a care team technician."

The university's nursing program has a reputation for being one of the most rigorous, but it's also one of the most effective. The School of Nursing now boasts that December 2019 graduates earned a 100 percent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. This professional examination is the final step for the school of nursing graduates to become licensed registered nurses.

"You have received a superior nursing education," Ayers shares with members of the Class of 2020.

"Your professors have done everything they can to prepare you for this moment. You have done everything possible to prepare yourself for this moment. You will [graduate], pass NCLEX, and pursue your nursing career at the hospital of your choice. "

While he warns newly minted nurses that they will most likely feel overwhelmed, unprepared and uncertain about their new roles and responsibilities, he encourages them to stand confident on the firm foundation built while at UofSC Aiken.

"Welcome this feeling and embrace it because we all feel it when we first start," he said.

"The best defense against these feelings is to strive to be better and to learn from the mistakes that are sure to come."

Both real-world lessons and those gleaned from the desks in the School of Nursing continue to serve Ayers, whether in his hometown of Aiken or NYC.

"The satisfaction of knowing that your actions are helping sustain someone's life is invaluable. Nothing to me is more rewarding."

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