September 5, 2025

New Nursing Program Launches at USCB’s PATH Center

Beaufort, September 5, 2025

News Summary

The University of South Carolina-Beaufort has launched a new nursing program at the Beaufort Memorial PATH Career Development Center. The first cohort of 24 students began classes in August. The $2.8 million facility offers innovative training with simulation labs that replicate real hospital conditions. The program aims to address local nursing shortages and prepare students for the healthcare workforce, targeting the annual graduation of 72 nurses in the future.

Beaufort

A new nursing program at the University of South Carolina-Beaufort (USCB) has officially kicked off with the first cohort of 24 students starting classes at the Beaufort Memorial PATH Career Development Center on August 18, 2024. This initiative marks the first time USCB’s nursing program will utilize the PATH Center as a satellite location.

The PATH Center, a $2.8 million facility that spans 6,340 square feet, was opened in July 2024 and is located on the main campus of Beaufort Memorial Hospital. The center represents a collaborative effort, developed through partnerships among USCB, the City of Beaufort, Beaufort County, and the Beaufort Memorial Foundation.

This new educational facility is designed to provide hands-on training and classroom education for both current and future healthcare professionals. It features four state-of-the-art simulation labs that replicate the conditions of actual hospital rooms at Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Each lab is equipped with lifelike simulation manikins to allow students to practice crucial medical scenarios safely.

Innovative Training Opportunities

Recent simulations at the PATH Center enabled students to engage in various clinical scenarios, including managing pediatric respiratory emergencies, handling cardiac arrests, and executing rare surgical procedures under general anesthesia. These practical training experiences enhance the clinical skills of both nursing students and healthcare professionals.

The training environment fosters an effective learning atmosphere where students can develop their competencies utilizando cutting-edge simulation technology on-site. The collaboration with local healthcare institutions ensures that the nursing program meets community needs and addresses challenges, such as the significant nursing shortages that are currently affecting healthcare systems.

Strategic Community Development

Joy Solomon, the Director of Education and Workforce Development at Beaufort Memorial, noted that the partnership with the local university is a strategic response aimed at strengthening the community’s healthcare system. The innovation represented by the PATH Center is seen as a momentous step toward improving local healthcare education.

In addition to nursing training, the PATH Center will also provide professional development and certification testing for healthcare professionals through the PATH (People Achieving Their Highest) workforce development program. This element further complements the educational focus of the new facility.

Growing Future Nurse Graduates

Suzanne Wurster, Chair of the USCB nursing program, highlighted the program’s efforts to prepare students who may come in without prior hospital experience. Through this initiative, students will have access to opportunities involving standardized patients and simulation manikins, ensuring that they are well-equipped to enter the healthcare workforce upon graduation.

The inaugural cohort of students comes from Beaufort, Bluffton, and other surrounding areas, reinforcing the program’s commitment to training local individuals. USCB aims to expand the nursing program’s capacity, targeting the graduation of 72 nurses annually—more than doubling their current output of 42 graduates per year. This expansion responds to the anticipated growth needs within the community’s healthcare staffing.

The opening of the PATH Center represents a significant investment in local healthcare education and workforce development, positioning the region to better meet the healthcare demands of the future.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PATH Career Development Center?

The PATH Career Development Center is a $2.8 million facility that provides training and education for healthcare professionals, including nursing students from USCB.

When did the first cohort of nursing students start classes?

The first cohort of 24 nursing students began classes on August 18, 2024.

What facilities are available at the PATH Center?

The PATH Center features four simulation labs equipped with lifelike manikins to simulate real-life hospital scenarios.

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Key Features of the PATH Center Nursing Program

Feature	Description
Location	Main campus of Beaufort Memorial Hospital
Facility Cost	$2.8 million
Square Footage	6,340 square feet
Number of Students	Initially 24 nursing students
Annual Graduate Goals	Plan to graduate 72 nurses annually
Training Facilities	Four simulation labs replicating real hospital conditions

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Beaufort Memorial Hospital Opens PATH Career Development Center
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Beaufort County Enhances Healthcare with New VA Clinic and Hospital
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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

STAFF HERE BEAUFORT

The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.

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