As we close the door on 2020, we give our entire community thanks for your ongoing support and collaboration with the College of Nursing. 2020 has been a memorable year in so many ways – but especially as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Nurses’ resilience, compassion, and expertise have been guiding beacons for the entire world this past year. Our leadership, heroism, and advocacy have been recognized, and we will use these strengths as we enter the new year with new hope and gratitude.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!

Jeannette Andrews, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Dean & Helen Gurley Wolford Professor of Nursing

January: 

• The college welcomed students back for the spring 2020 semester.
• The college kicked off the Year of the Nurse and Midwife with a reception in our lobby.
• Ranking announced: No. 1 in the nation among public universities (No. 2 overall) for our online graduate nursing program, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual online rankings. 

February: 

• The college hosted an Alumni Event at the UofSC men's basketball game. 
• 144 students participated in the college spring job fair. Students had the opportunity to engage with 37 agencies from across the southeast.  
• College faculty attended the AACN 2020 Doctoral Education conference in Washington, DC. 
• In celebration of African American History Month, we spoke with alumni, students, and faculty to discuss barriers, successes, and more in the African American nursing community.
• The college unveiled the new building expansion vision to top donors. 

March:

• PhD student, Kayla Everhart became the first College of Nursing student to receive UofSC's SPARC grant funding. 
• Nurse Practioner exchange students visited the college from Holland. 
• The college hosted the 2020 Carolina Clinical Excellence conference in partnership with the Nursing Practice Council & The Capitol NP Group. 
• Face to face instruction is suspended to COVID-19 on March 23rd .
• Dean Andrews released a statement of support and encouragement regarding COVID. 
•  The simulation lab donated masks, isolation gowns, and other essential medical supplies to our partners at Prisma Health-Midlands.

April:

• Dr. Kate Jones penned an inspiring and emotional essay on how the world is seeing nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Our December 2019 cohort received a 100% NCLEX pass rate.
• College alumni traveled to NY and NJ to assist in densely populated COVID hospitals. 
• Virtual simulation kept nursing students on track for graduation.

May:

• President Caslen saluted the Gamecock Nursing Nation during Nurses Week. 
• College faculty sent a message of congratulations to our May graduates. 
• UofSC Lancaster celebrated its largest number of graduates in the Bachelor of Science Nursing program. 
• Nine DNP students defended their doctoral defenses. 

June:

• BSN student, Alexis Satterwhite, shared her experience volunteering with Prisma Health-Midlands during COVID-19. 
• As part of UofSC's three-phased return plan, nursing students were some of the first students to return to campus. 
• The college hosted our first ever virtual stethoscope ceremony to welcome students to upper division. 
• The college honored Cancer Survivors Day with an article that celebrated two college cancer survivors. 

July:

• Upper division students began clincials - " I never expected to enter clinicals in the middle of a pandemic, but even as so many uncertainties remain, nursing at its core stays the same. I get to continue to advocate and care for my patients and, hopefully as a result of this virus, I'll see and contribute to advances in healthcare in real time.” - Elena Mulligan
• The graduate program hosted FNP grad students for on-campus (optional) immersions. 
• Graduate students received their white coats.
• The college's Carolina Cares Cupboard served 19 students since COVID began in March. 

August:

• The college celebrated the class of 2020 at the UofSC virtual commencement. 
• UofSC welcomed back students to campus for the fall 2020 semester. 
• 16 freshmen students began the Nursing Smart Start Program, in partnership with the UofSC Honors College. 
• Ranking announced: the college was awarded the prestigious distinction as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence.
• Seven DNP students defended their doctoral defenses. 

September: 

• Researchers in the college, in collaboration with the UofSC Artificial Intelligence Institute, developed the Health-e Gamecock mobile health application (app) to monitor specific symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. 
• Ranking announced: UofSC Nursing is in the TOP one percentile in the country with our NCLEX pass rates for 2019 and 2020. 
• Applications for the new MEPN program opened.

October:

• Over 100 luminaria bearing names to remember and honor those who have battled cancer were lit by a small group of students and faculty at the dome at the college of Nursing in support of the American Cancer Society. 
• The college celebrated Homecoming  with a  Gamecock door decorating contest. 
• Nursing students partnered with Student Health Services on campus to administer flu shots to students and employees. 
• The 2020 College of Nursing magazine launched. 
• Dr. Corettta Jenerette was selected for the 2020 Class of Fellows of the National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education.

November:

• UofSC Nursing, Clemson Nursing, and MUSC launched a DEI series focusing on pressing diversity issues and topics. 
• Dr. Cheedy JaJa was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN). 
• The college in partnership with the College of Education and the School of Medicine launched a mental health series: Calming the Choas Around Us
• The class of December 2020 celebrated their graduation with a parade and pinning ceremony- streamed for family and friends to watch. 

December:

• Tools for Schools fundraising initiative raised $9,500.
• The college helps 4 families through the Families Helping Families program. 
• The college hosted a virtual convoction for the class of 2020. 
• 6 DNP students and 1 PhD student defended their doctoral defenses. 
• The first cohort of Smart Start students graduated in partnershpip with the UofSC Honor's College. 
•  The college of Nursing Clinical Simulation Lab was granted accreditation by the Society for Simulation in (SSH) and the Council for Accreditation of Health Simulation Programs.
• Dr. Joy Deupree was elected as a Friends of National Institute of Nursing Research Ambassador.