News Summary
Lander University in Greenwood, SC, broke ground on a new nursing facility on May 6, 2025, coinciding with National Nurses Day. This facility aims to enhance resources for nursing students while addressing the state’s healthcare professional shortage. The project is supported by funding from the South Carolina General Assembly and federal contributions. The facility will feature simulation labs and classrooms, increasing capacity for nursing education on campus. It is set to open in Fall 2026, signaling the university’s commitment to improving healthcare education.
Greenwood, South Carolina — Lander University celebrated the official groundbreaking of a new nursing facility on May 6, 2025, coinciding with National Nurses Day. This initiative aims to enhance educational resources for aspiring nurses and addresses the pressing need for healthcare professionals in South Carolina.
The upcoming facility will be strategically located on Lander’s campus and will provide a range of essential amenities for nursing students, including:
– Simulation laboratories
– Classrooms
– Laboratory monitoring rooms
– Collaborative study spaces and huddle areas
The construction of this facility is aligned with South Carolina’s growing demand for qualified nursing professionals. As the state grapples with a shortage of healthcare workers, the new building is a critical step towards bolstering the nursing workforce.
Funding for the project was initially secured from the South Carolina General Assembly in 2021. This was supplemented by additional federal funding in 2024, which will be utilized for outfitting the new nursing building with advanced interactive classroom technology and state-of-the-art simulation equipment. This comprehensive support showcases a commitment to healthcare education development.
Once completed, the new nursing facility will become the third dedicated nursing space on Lander’s campus, joining Barratt Hall and the Self Regional Healthcare Nursing Skills Simulation Center. The partnership between Lander University and Self Regional Healthcare has been vital to nursing education through various initiatives, including the Self Scholars Program, which recognizes and supports high-performing nursing students.
Statistics indicate that a significant percentage of Lander University’s nursing graduates are expected to join Self Regional Healthcare’s workforce. Specifically, 43% of the nursing students graduating in the spring of 2025 are anticipated to start their careers with the healthcare provider, further strengthening the collaboration between the two institutions.
Lander University President Richard Cosentino emphasized the importance of the new nursing facility in meeting the healthcare workforce demands within the state. The long-standing partnership between Lander and Self Regional Healthcare, which has spanned over 70 years, has focused on advancing nursing education and ensuring that students are well-prepared for their careers in the healthcare sector.
Dr. Matt Logan, CEO of Self Regional Healthcare, expressed that the establishment of this new building represents an essential opportunity for both educational development and essential healthcare training, rather than merely serving as a physical space for learning.
The new nursing building is anticipated to open in Fall 2026, with construction expected to be completed by December 2025. The facility will cover approximately 14,000 square feet and will house five simulation labs and two classrooms, each capable of accommodating up to 60 students. This increased capacity and advanced resources will help transform the educational landscape for nursing students at Lander University.
Nursing students have expressed enthusiasm for the prospects the new facility will bring. For instance, students like Kathryn Lee have voiced excitement about the additional space and improved resources, recognizing the significant benefits for their learning and practical training as they prepare to enter the nursing profession. In addition, nursing lecturers, such as Lori Stone, have identified the simulation labs as an invaluable asset, providing a realistic and risk-free environment for students to practice their skills.
This initiative not only represents a physical enhancement of Lander University’s educational infrastructure but also reflects a broader commitment to enhancing healthcare education and responsiveness to the region’s healthcare challenges.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- GOLaurens: Lander University Nursing Expansion
- Wikipedia: Nursing Education
- Index Journal: Lander’s Sim Lab Takes Nursing Beyond the Textbook
- Google Search: Lander University Nursing Building
- GOLaurens: Lander University to Hold Groundbreaking for New Nursing Building
- Google Scholar: Lander University Nursing
- My Clinton News: The Nightingale Pledge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nursing
- GOLaurens: Lander University Commencement Set for December 12
- Google News: Lander University Graduates
