CE154334

Community project funding/Congressionally directed spending - construction - The construction of the Claflin University Public Health Center will address the critical needs for nursing in our state, especially in rural areas where there is the greatest need.

South Carolina ranks among the top four states in the nation with the highest shortage of nurses per capita.

It is estimated that by 2030, the state will have a shortage of up to 10,000 nurses, according to www.registerednursing.org.

This shortage is more alarming in rural areas located in the Lower Savannah region.

While the number of registered nurses in the state grew by 21% between 2010 and 2020, rural areas statewide experienced a decrease of 27%.

In addition, many nurses are retiring early due to heavy demands in the profession.

This initiative will help to address this crucial shortage by creating a viable pipeline of qualified nurses.

This initiative addresses one of Claflin University’s key strategic goals of designing and implementing a state-of-the-art nursing and public health center to help tackle the daunting nursing shortage in the state of South Carolina.

This clinical facility will enhance teaching and learning and provide functional instructional capabilities, modern faculty offices, and research spaces.

Students, faculty, and the community will benefit from the educational programs offered because this new center will include the relocation of Claflin’s Student Health Center.

Today’s and future students are the main stakeholders for Claflin University’s first-ever nursing and public health center designed for nursing clinical simulation education.

In planning this center, the university sought to create engaging learning spaces that students need for clinical practice.

Because nursing schools with capacity are needed to confront the regional nursing shortage, funding for this building will increase the number of nurses needed to accommodate nursing needs for the state, especially for the rural populations of South Carolina.

This initiative aims to increase baccalaureate registered nurses, nursing leaders, and family nurse practitioner workforce in South Carolina’s rural areas and provide greater student access to healthcare.

This new facility and associated features will allow Claflin to grow the nursing workforce by increasing nurse clinicians' recruitment, education, and graduation to deliver community-based nursing care in rural South Carolina.

Moreover, it will help Claflin to promote enhanced healthcare for our students by providing access to primary care through our Student Health Center and set the stage for future community engagement to improve overall health in rural South Carolina.

Claflin University

NOT APPLICABLE

93.493 - Congressional Directives

HRSA Office of Federal Assistance Management (OFAM) [HHS - HRSA]

Orangeburg, South Carolina United States

City-Wide

HRSA-24-110