The Partnership for Education and Clinical Excellence (PEACE) will prepare more registered nurses with bachelor's degrees for the Midlands. The partnership includes the USC College of Nursing, Midlands Technical College Nursing Program, Palmetto Baptist Hospital, Palmetto Richland Hospital, Providence Hospitals, and the Lexington Medical Center. The Dorn VA Medical Center also will provide support for students in their clinical experiences.

Palmetto Baptist, Palmetto Richland, Providence Hospitals, and the Lexington Medical Center will collectively contribute approximately $1 million over the three-year project.

"This partnership targets the nursing shortage in South Carolina with a viable plan to increase the number of registered nurses with BSN and higher degrees," said Mary Ann Parsons, dean of USC's College of Nursing. "The plan is an innovative approach to addressing the nursing shortage, and USC is grateful for the leadership shown by each of these institutions."

Registered nurses with bachelor's degrees will be prepared for roles as direct-care providers, patient-care coordinators, and case managers. They also will be prepared for master's and doctoral programs to become faculty in practical, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate nursing programs. Among the PEACE objectives:

• By sharing master's-prepared nurses in faculty and clinical practice roles among the USC nursing program, Palmetto Baptist Hospital, Palmetto Richland Hospital, Providence Hospitals, Lexington Medical Center, and the Dorn VA Medical Center, USC will graduate 112 registered nurses a year, an increase of 16 nurses annually.
  
• Participating hospitals will support two full-time USC undergraduate nursing faculty members for three years.
  
• The College of Nursing faculty will contribute to the agencies by sharing faculty research to include participation of nursing staff in the Faculty Research Brown Bags and the Summer Research Camp, offer research-focused activities, and assist agencies in achieving the goal of magnet status.
  

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