USC Aiken's School of Nursing Starts a Colorful New Campaign

Aiken, SC (10/11/2022) — Notice something new as you enter the main entrance of the University of South Carolina Aiken next to the School of Nursing? USC Aiken's School of Nursing started a new initiative on campus to raise awareness for health, wellness and social matters. An initiative they hope catches the eyes of many students, faculty, staff and community members.

The school will display colorful pinwheels along the building's walkway as a way to represent and bring awareness to health, wellness and social matters throughout the year. The colors will change each month to highlight a different issue.

As we entered the month of October, the gold pinwheels representing childhood cancer awareness for September were switched to pink ribbons and signs to represent breast cancer awareness.

Other health issues to be represented by the pinwheels are diabetes, heart health, child abuse and mental health.

The Alan B. Miller School of Nursing building is located near the intersection of Trolley Line Road and University Parkway and the decorations along the walkway are visible from both the parking lot and the road. Members of the Student Nurses' Association will maintain the pinwheels and switch out the colors each month.

The School of Nursing currently has around 325 students enrolled in their program. This includes students enrolled in USC Aiken's online RN-BSN program and those at the Union and Sumter campuses.

For students on the traditional nursing track, USC Aiken offers a unique five-semester program that allows students to focus on applying what they learn in class without rushing through the coursework.

Once students are accepted to the program, they are provided with a faculty mentor to serve as a professional and holistic mentor throughout their time in the program. Students meet with their mentors during the school year to review their progress and identify any areas needing improvement.

This year, the School of Nursing welcomed six new faculty members.

"I would put our faculty up against any other in the country," said Thayer McGahee, dean of the nursing school. "Our instructors are incredible teachers and clinicians."

Many faculty members are still actively involved in clinical work and incorporate their experiences into their teaching. These real-life examples, along with lectures, allow students to see how the skills they are learning will be important for their future careers.

In addition to incredibly qualified instructors, the school has a semester-long NCLEX review built into one of the courses that students are required to take. This course includes a three-day live review that students must attend to pass the course.

"I chose USCA's nursing program because of its long-standing reputation for excellence in preparing students for the NCLEX exam as well as a well-rounded education for a successful career in nursing," said Kristen Alexander, a nursing student at USC Aiken.

In 2021, USC Aiken boasted a 92% NCLEX pass rate.

Upon graduating, 90% of USC Aiken nursing students have job offers while the remaining students typically receive offers within three to six months of passing their boards.

In December 2022, USC Aiken's School of Nursing expects to graduate 43 traditional students.

For more information about the USC Aiken School of Nursing, please visit School of Nursing (usca.edu).

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