Local colleges want to boost nursing student enrollments

March 5, 2005

By TASHA STEIMER
Index-Journal staff writer

Area colleges are working toward increasing enrollment in their nursing programs to help fill a looming nationwide shortage.
Nationally, numbers of nurses have crept up for the last two years. There were 993 more South Carolina nurses working in 2003, compared with 2002. And many hospitals are attracting nurses with improved working conditions and pay.
But large numbers of nurses are nearing retirement age, raising questions about who will care for 76 million baby boomers.
Lex Walters, president of Piedmont Tech, said the college is trying to meet the demand by expanding the number of sessions it offers.
“With the population getting older and the ‘baby boomers’ getting to retiring age, we’re anticipating a dramatic increase in the need for many health science professionals,” he said. “We tried to address the need at Piedmont and we’ve doubled the number of students in our nursing program for (licensed practical nursing) LPN.”
Walters said the school has four sessions of the program with 35 students enrolled in each session.
“We also received approval from the State Board of Nursing this year to begin a new section of our associate nursing degree program that prepares students to be registered nurses (RNs),” he said. “We should be able to increase the number of students by one-third in that program.”
Betsy McDowell, professor and chairwoman of the Nursing Department at Lander University, said the school has also had a steady increase during the past few years in the numbers of students enrolling in nursing programs.
“We had 273 students registered in pre-nursing, nursing and the program for RNs last fall,” she said. “There were 203 students in the fall of 2003 so we increased by 70 students in one year.”
McDowell said 100 percent of students graduating from the nursing program last year passed the licensing exam on the first try.
“No other four-year nursing program in the state had 100 percent of students pass, and we know it helps to have the RN license right from the beginning,” she said. “We’re very proud of our past rate.”
McDowell said 98 percent of students cumulatively have passed the exam in the past four years. Even when students are attracted to the nursing profession, there aren’t always enough people to teach them.
South Carolina has nine bachelor of science nursing degree programs, 13 associate degree programs, 23 practical nursing programs, three master’s programs and two doctoral programs.
Statewide, there are about 32 faculty vacancies now and 62 more projected over the next five years, said Renatta Loquist, who directed a study by the Colleagues in Caring task force and is retired from the University of South Carolina College of Nursing.
“Each one of those faculty positions prevents eight students from getting into the system,” she said, and thousands are on waiting lists already.
Thus, almost 100 faculty vacancies means almost 800 potential nurses may end up doing something else.
Walters said the challenge for Piedmont Tech was finding additional space to meet the influx of students – both in the classroom and during clinical training.
“We work with the five regional hospitals to place students in acceptable clinical positions. Our goal over the next couple years is to have 100 LPNs and 100 RNs graduate each year,” he said. “Right now we’re about 85 percent toward our goal for the LPN program and about three-fourths in the RN (program). We think if we can do that, we can better serve the needs of our local health care agencies.”
Walters said the college’s programs also provide students with training to work in non-hospital settings such as nursing homes and in private practices.
McDowell said Lander is also exploring ways to increase the number of students in the program.
“We’re trying to find creative ways to increase the number of graduates each year, but we need to have adequate number of faculty,” she said. “We’re required by law to maintain certain student-to-teacher ratios, and we’re at full capacity with faculty we have now.”
Walters said the college works with regional hospitals and Lander through the Health Education Alliance (HEAL) – a board developed three years ago to discuss health care education and other issues.
“Administrators from five regional hospitals, presidents from Piedmont Tech and Lander University and other key personnel involved in the programs meet to identify the needs in the region and discuss what each agency needs,” he said. “Then we map out a plan to deal with those needs.”
Walters, who serves as chairman of the board, said directors from local education consortiums also participate in the regular meetings.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Greenwood-area women gather to celebrate World Day of Prayer

March 5, 2005

By SHAVONNE POTTS
Index-Journal staff writer

At a time when prayer has been banned from many public places, area women were glad to gather to pray Friday, if not but for a moment during the World Day of Prayer.
Carolyn Lowry of Greenwood is involved in a prayer ministry at her church and said people have grown closer by being a part of the ministry.
“When we gather together, we take God with us. What better reason to get together,” she said. “We need him now in this country more than ever.”
Greenwood resident Earline Taylor agreed.
“Just knowing there’s freedom in America — we are so fortunate to live in America,” she said.
She said the event at First Presbyterian Church is about different faiths coming together to worship in freedom.
“God is good,” Taylor said.
There were women and men from different denominations who gathered for an hour to pray with one another. Event co-organizer Phyllis Zuehlke said the program had faded from existence in recent years.
“We felt this day and age if ever we needed to get together and pray it is now,” she said.
Ida Smith attended the prayer services years ago and was delighted to hear that they were starting again.
“When I saw it in the paper, I was so blessed,” Smith said.
Friend Johnnie Posey said the service was inspirational.
“It was most needed,” Posey said.
The World Day of Prayer was launched in 1887 when the wife of a Presbyterian minister asked the women of her church to come together for a day of prayer. The event began to take root worldwide in the early part of the 20th century.
The World Day of Prayer is an international movement of Christian women from many faith traditions. The annual observance is celebrated in more than 170 countries.
Henrietta Morton also helped organize the day of prayer at First Presbyterian.
Next year’s World Day of Prayer will be March 3 at Main Street United Methodist Church.

Vikings rally for late win

Emerald scores 1 in 7th, 2 in 8th to beat Greenwood

March 5, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Special to The Index-Journal

The Emerald and Greenwood high school baseball teams must not have wanted “rivalry week” to end. So the two teams decided to play a little extra.
The Vikings slipped past the Eagles, 3-1, in eight innings Friday night at Greenwood High School. “What a great baseball game,” Emerald coach Chad Evans said. “That was a tough win for us.” The game was the cap on a week in which Emerald and Greenwood faced each other in several sports to kick off the spring sports season.
“It’s a big game no doubt,” said Evans. “Whenever you have two high schools in a town this size, the rivalry is going to be big. I was proud we could bring a win over to the Emerald side.”
The contest started off as a display of pitching and defense, as the teams were knotted at 0-0 through the first 3 1/2 innings. Greenwood drew first blood in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Emerald pitcher Brandon Miller, who hadn’t given up a hit to that point, walked two consecutive batters. With two outs, Eagles catcher Trey Wimmer stepped to the plate and ripped a 2-1 fastball into left field, scoring Kyle Behrendt and putting the Eagles up 1-0.
The score remained the same as the two teams toiled into the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh Emerald quickly loaded the bases after two walks by Greenwood pitcher Matt Titus and a single by Emerald’s Milton Brown. With one out in the inning Emerald catcher Wade Scott lifted a long fly ball into left field, scoring J.D. Scott on the sacrifice fly and tying the game 1-1.
Greenwood failed to score in the bottom of the inning and the teams headed into extra innings.
In the top of the eighth Emerald took advantage of a miscue by Greenwood third baseman Michael Stewart to take the lead. With runners on first and second, Emerald’s Blake Moore laid a bunt down the third baseline, which was scooped by Stewart. Stewart fired an errant throw wide of first base, and both Emerald runners came around to score, putting the Vikings on top 3-1.
Moore came on in relief of Miller in the bottom of the eighth and picked up the save for the Vikings, retiring the first three batters he faced.
Miller picked up the win for Emerald, pitching seven innings and giving up 1 run on just two hits with nine strikeouts. Titus was saddled with the loss for the Eagles.
“Miller has a lot of guts, especially for a tenth grader,” Evans said. “He is just determined to do well.”

Lady Bearcats aiming for crown

March 5, 2005

By BRIAN HOWARD
Assistant sports editor

Two down, two to go.
The Lander University women’s basketball team has won its first two games at the Peach Belt Conference Tournament in Augusta.
The Lady Bearcats, seeded No. 6 from the North Division, play Clayton College and State University at 2 p.m. today in the semifinals at the Christenberry Fieldhouse at Augusta State.
Lander (14-14) knocked off Georgia College Tuesday in the opening round. That victory was the first against a team ranked No. 8 in the South Atlantic Region. Thursday, the Lady Bearcats made it two straight against region opponents, beating USC Aiken, 71-62, in the quarterfinals.
The Lady Pacers entered the contest No. 7 in the region.
Today, Lander faces its third region-ranked opponent — the Lady Lakers. Clayton State captured the regular-season PBC title and are ranked No. 2 in the region.
Lander reached today’s semifinal by defeating the Lady Pacers, a team that swept the Lady Bearcats during the regular season. Natasha Hemphill paced Lander with 16 points, while Jacquay White had 12 points and eight rebounds.
The Lady Bearcats were 19 of 47 shooting, but difference in the contest was at the free-throw line. Lander was 29-42, while USC Aiken was 12-of-16.
The Lady Lakers (22-6) reached the semifinals after getting a bye in the first-round and beating North Florida, 89-72.
Jamika Hindsman scored 28 points to lead Clayton State to the win.
The Lady Lakers made 12 3-pointers in the game, setting a single-game team record for 3s. The effort broke the old mark of 11 set by Francis Marion against Columbus State in the 2000 PBC tournament.
That record lasted just one game as Kennesaw State drilled 13 3-pointers in its quarterfinals win against UNC Pembroke Thursday.
Besides Hindsman’s 28, she also finished with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Shelecy Harp and April Taylor each added 18 points.
The winner of today’s semifinals will meet either Kennesaw State or Columbus State in Sunday’s championship.

Opinion

School proposal inspires debates that are helpful

March 5, 2005

If nothing else, the “Put Parents in Charge” of schools proposal has drawn attention to the plight of public schools in South Carolina like nothing before has. Agree with its aims or disagree, it’s healthy to debate what’s needed in schools. Above all, it has encouraged more South Carolinians to really look at something they complain about but seldom take part in ….. looking for answers to schools’ problems.
It’s interesting to note that conflicting reports have come out about the costs of implementing such a proposal and the relative merits of PPIC compared to what we have. One study says it would have a negative impact. The other takes the opposite view.

AUTHORS OF THOSE conflicting reports have outstanding academic and economic credentials. They also make good cases for each side. So which is the average South Carolina taxpayer supposed to believe?
One thing we do know, however. South Carolina spends a big part of its budget on education, year in, year out. Over the last 40 or more years, the state has increased school funding by leaps and bounds. Still, we rank last in almost all national test categories. We also have the highest dropout rate among all states. And, according to state figures, more than half of all children who enter the 9th grade do not go on to graduate.

THERE ARE OTHER facts and figures thrown around by both sides of the controversy. It’s clear, without question, that we are not getting as much as we should for the money spent. Furthermore, that has a negative impact on the economy, jobs, tax revenues and several other areas of everyday life in the Palmetto State.
Whether for or against, it would seem, then, that the Put Parents in Charge proposal by Governor Mark Sanford has already had a positive impact by getting people involved. Unless someone rocks the boat once in a while, nothing gets done. And who among us would agree that improvement is not needed in public education?

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Rosa Smith Boyd

Services for Rosa Smith Boyd are 1:30 p.m. Monday at Springfield Baptist Church, Laurens Highway, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Andy Young, assisted by the Rev. Norris Turner. The body will be placed in the church at 12:30. Burial is in The Evening Star.
Pallbearers are Melvin Brooks, Johnny Coleman, Kevin Edwards, Reggie Edwards, Demetrius Jenkins, Victory Mills, Michael Ross and Wayne Ross.
Flower bearers are Jasmine Bates, LaPorsha Boyd, Oceanna Boyd, Christi Carson, LaShonda Cummings, Martha A. Foggie, Grace Greene, Pamela Greene, Vickie Nicolls, Bobbye Parks and Doris Sanders.
Visitation is 6-7 Sunday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
The family is at the home, 312 Hackett St.
Survivors include three grandchildren reared in the home, Rosa A. Boyd and Karen J. Boyd Tatum, both of Greenwood and Derrick L. Boyd of Hephzibah, Ga.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Ronnie Harmon

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Ronald Davis Harmon Sr., 54, of Hicks Street, husband of Peggy Harmon, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2005 at St. Joseph Hospital in Augusta.
A native of Augusta, he was a son of the late C.C. Harmon and Mamie Ruth Redd. He worked 23 years at Sibley Mill, most recently as a supervisor, and was a self-employed painter. He attended Story Mill Road Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Ronald “Ron” D. Harmon Jr. and Richard Darrell Harmon; two daughters, Reba Desireé Harmon and Rhonda Denise Harmon; two brothers, Chandler Harmon and Ebbie Doolittle; and three grandchildren.
Services were 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at Hatcher, Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors, conducted by Pastor Terence McLaughlin. Burial was in Westview Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Reid Willis, Mike Doolittle, Joe Pardue, Eddie Fagean, Travis Fagean, Thomas Lemacks and William Doolittle.
Memorials may be made to the Reba Harmon Scholarship Fund. c/o Regions Bank, 2507 Peach Orchard Road, Augusta, GA 30906.
Hatcher, Chance & Hydrick Funeral Directors was in charge.

Dorothy Latimer Lewis

WARE SHOALS — Services for Dorothy Latimer Lewis are 3 p.m. Sunday at Good Hope Baptist Church, Hodges, conducted by the Rev. Stanley Haltiwanger, assisted by the Rev. Linda Posley and Evangelist Florence Sheppard. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are grandsons, Harold Boyd, James Patton, Victor Leverett, Phillip Lewis, Alton Evans, John Minyard and Emmanual Todd.
Flower bearers are church Sisters Gladys Anderson, Estelle Anderson, Tommie Wall, Vivian Hodges, Linda Black, Diane Bussey, Bonnie Makins and Detroush Holloway.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
The family is at the home, of 126 Sanders Road.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.

Bruce McMahan

GREENWOOD – Bruce Robinson McMahan, 92, resident of 310 Janeway, husband of Flossie Edwards McMahan, died Friday, March 4, 2005, at Magnolia Manor.
Born June 16, 1912, in Newport, Tennessee, he was a son of the late Sam and Elizabeth Giles McMahan. He was a retired Senior Master Sergeant with the US Air Force after 30 years service. He served in both World War II and the Korean Conflict.
After his retirement from the Air Force he worked as the manager for Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company in Greenwood and then as a sales representative for Ben Milton Chevrolet and later for Greenwood Nissan.
A member of Main Street United Methodist Church, he was also a member of Greenwood Masonic Lodge #91, A.F.M., the Hejaz Shrine, VFW and the American Legion Post #20.
Surviving in addition to his wife are one daughter, Mrs. Jim (Jean) Brown of Hodges; one sister, Margaret M. Jenkins of Hartford, Tennessee; one granddaughter, Robin Harbaugh of Greensboro, NC; one great-granddaughter, Shelby Harbaugh and one great-grandson, Wyatt Harbaugh.
Graveside services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. Jim Dennis officiating.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Jean Brown, 105 Reid Court, Dalewood Estates in Hodges and will receive friends following the graveside service in the family room of Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, Upstate SC Chapter, 521 McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC 29621.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE McMAHAN FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY