CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW) — Coastal Carolina is set to offer a four-year nursing program starting this fall after winning approval from state regulators last month.
“The addition of a four-year degree program in nursing … recognizes the need for bachelor’s prepared nurses to support the growing needs of the community,” CCU nursing director Wanda Dooley said in a news release. “This program will prepare our students to become leaders in the ever-changing healthcare environment.”
CCU will accept up to 32 students in the inaugural group this fall with an projected May 2027 graduation date. Sara Hottinger, CCU’s interim provost, told lawmakers in January that class sizes could expand to 48 from a field of 1,400 applicants.
Students who move through the program will also be eligible to complete the National Council Licensure Examination.
Colleen McGlone, dean of CCU’s College of Health and Human Performance, said the program comes as a regional nursing shortage is expected to worsen along with South Carolina’s aging population.