CHARLESTON, S.C.
(WCIV) – Charleston
Southern made the first steps toward increasing enrollment in and expanding its
nursing school at a groundbreaking on Friday.
The 16,000-square-foot expansion to the Derry Patterson Wingo School of
Nursing will make room for a variety of teaching labs, an interactive space for
students as well as more classrooms and faculty offices.
"The expansion of the Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing will allow the
program to admit more of our qualified applicants and provide them with
state-of-the-art learning resources," said Dr. Tara Hulsey, dean of the nursing
program.
According to a statement released by Charleston
Southern, the school of nursing has a 96 percent six-year pass rate on the
national exam, the highest rate of all accredited BNS programs in the state, Hulsey
said.
"The nursing alumni and faculty set the stage that the expectations are high
for us," said Elizabeth Ash, a senior nursing major from Summerville. "Our
professors constantly push us to do well."
Natasha Lewis, a senior nursing major from Summerville, is excited about the
chance for additional nursing students to study at CSU.
"It's exciting to watch the program grow," she said. "We will be able to
look back with admiration after we graduate."
The expansion is expected to be completed by the fall of next year. Once it's
completed, the bachelor of science in nursing program will admit 80 students
per year. Currently, the program admits 40 students per year.
