It’s never too early to prepare for a career in Nursing.
What is Nursing?
The American Nurses Association (ANA) states Nursing integrates the art and science of caring and focuses on the protection, promotion, and optimization of health and human functioning; prevention of illness and injury; facilitation of healing; and alleviation of suffering through compassionate presence. Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations in recognition of the connection of all humanity.
What you can learn
In this camp experience, the USC College of Nursing faculty will help you develop the skills necessary to provide high quality patient‐centered health care, gain insight into careers available within nursing, and gain hands-on-experience with the kinds of challenges nurses face daily.
- Train in our new state-of-the-art Center for Simulation and Experiential Learning (SAEL), discovering techniques nurses use with their patients.
- Practice nursing skills such as hand hygiene, sterile technique, intravenous (IV) medications, injections, vital signs, assessments, practice using a stethoscope and other medical equipment, and many more real-life procedures.
- Tour a local hospital and see nurses at work!
Program Dates and Audience
- June 21-26, 2026 (Rising 9-12 grade students)
Program Fees
| Residential | Commuter | |
| Early Bird (1/28 - 2/28) | $1,150 | $675 |
| Regular (3/1 - 4/30) | $1,200 | $700 |
| Late (5/1 - 7/6) | $1,250 | $750 |
$25 supply fee
Meet Your Instructors
Kelly Russin, DNP, RNC-OB, CHSE
SAEL Center Director, Dr. Kelly Russin is a three-time graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Nursing including a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Executive Leadership, a Master of Science in Nursing Administration, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
As Director of the SAEL Center, Dr. Russin provides teaching and simulation training to Simulation Educators and Simulated Participants. She also teaches in the RN-BSN program and assists with other courses as needed. Dr. Russin maintains the college’s Simulation Accreditation through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and holds a National Certification in Simulation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and a National Certification in Nursing Obstetrics.
Karen Worthy, PhD, MPH, RN, CNE, CNEcl
Dr. Karen Worthy has a 23-year history in professional nursing working in various clinical specialties, including surgical services, intensive care units, medical-surgical units, and community health. Dr. Worthy has educated future nurses for 14 years and has been with the University of South Carolina College of Nursing since 2012. She is also one of the founding faculty members for the Adventures in Nursing program. Dr. Worthy is a Certified Nurse Educator and an Amy Cockcroft Fellow. Selected awards include the Southern Regional Educational Board [SREB] Pacesetter, UofSC Clinical Practice Teaching Award, UofSC College of Nursing Community Engagement Award, South Carolina Palmetto Gold, Sigma Theta Tau International [STTI] Alpha Xi Esther E. Starkey Award for Excellence in Nursing Education, and QSEN National Forum People’s Poster Choice Award.
Dr. Worthy is a five-time graduate of the University of South Carolina including a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a focus on leadership and policy (2015), Master of Science in Nursing (2006), Master in Public Health Administration (2006), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2000), and Associate of Science in Nursing (1997). Dr. Worthy also received a Certificate of Graduate Study in Higher Education Leadership (2011) from the University of South Carolina.