MUSC College of Nursing unveils cutting-edge learning hub General Detail

The renovated space will expand capacity to enroll more students to address the nursing shortage

CHARLESTON, S.C. (Feb. 14, 2025) - Leaders from the College of Nursing at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) gathered with MUSC Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a new hub dedicated to learning, innovation and collaboration. The renovated space, located on the first floor of the College of Nursing building, will allow the program to enroll and train 40 more undergraduate nursing students per year, preparing them with hands-on skills in realistic settings. 

“The reimagined first floor of the College of Nursing is not just a space. It is a commitment to our students, faculty and the communities we serve,” said Catherine Durham, DNP, APRN, FNP, FAAN, dean of the College of Nursing. “This hub for learning, innovation and collaboration will prepare our students to lead with confidence and compassion.”

The project highlights include:

• A cutting-edge skills lab with advanced nursing simulation capabilities for hands-on learning.
• A 1,700-square-foot lecture hall that converts into smaller meeting spaces.
• Community spaces: A welcoming lobby, multifunctional common area and consolidated Student Services offices designed for connection and convenience.
• State-of-the-art audiovisual technology that supports seamless in-person and remote learning experiences.

“I think that giving students a space like this common area where you have a comfortable, calming, relaxed atmosphere is so important, and this really showcases that,” said Eva Allen, a first-year student in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree program. “I think the renovation has broadened our capabilities for different types of learning.”

The first-floor renovation, which was a yearlong project, was designed to address the projected shortage of 13,000 nurses in South Carolina by 2036. “By expanding our capacity to enroll and train more students, the College of Nursing is playing a vital role in closing the workforce gap,” Durham said. “Our Experiential Learning Lab and advanced classroom technology will equip students with the hands-on skills they need to thrive.”

During the event, nursing students also demonstrated virtual reality technology that was recently introduced as part of an updated curriculum and advanced technology initiative. The Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation (IVRS) curriculum enhances clinical skills and decision-making. The College of Nursing’s ABSN program is among the first in South Carolina to implement an advanced simulation-based curriculum. 

 

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About MUSC 

 

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates over 3,100 students in six colleges and trains 950+ residents and fellows across its health system. MUSC leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health and research funding. For information on our academic programs, visit musc.edu.

 

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. In 2024, for the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org. MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $7.1 billion. The 31,000 MUSC members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, contract employees, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research, and patient care.