Pickens County Journalism Since 1999
Southern Wesleyan University starts renovations on Terry Hall for a nursing skills and simulation laboratory
Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) has begun renovations to update Terry Hall into a state-of-the-art nursing lab and training facility. The renovated space will feature interactive simulation lab, skills training areas, and hands-on learning spaces designed to prepare future nurses with the skills needed to meet South Carolina’s growing healthcare demands.
Following their annual meeting, the SWU Board of Trustees toured Terry Hall to view the renovation in progress. Their visit included a time of prayer over the building, the faculty and future students, and that future healthcare programs will be an impactful addition to the University and surrounding Upstate area. They also wrote scripture on the exposed framework and studs, a tradition at SWU with any new construction or renovations.
A fundraising campaign supporting this initiative has begun and will fund:
- Renovation of Terry Hall into a modern School of Nursing with interactive labs designed to look and feel like real healthcare environments.
- Acquisition of advanced training equipment, including patient simulators, diagnostic tools, and patient assessment instruments.
- Curriculum development aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing standards and the South Carolina Board of Nursing requirements.
- Student scholarships to prepare the next generation of compassionate, Christ-centered nurses.
Future nursing students will complete rotations in hospitals, community clinics, and rural health settings through partnerships with regional healthcare leaders such as Prisma Health, AnMed, and many other regional providers.
The program is also aligned with AnMed’s new 150,000-square-foot hospital scheduled to open in Central in 2027, giving students local access to a modern healthcare facility.
Meeting a Critical Need
South Carolina faces a shortage of more than 10,000 registered Nurses, with over 3,000 openings projected annually. SWU will help address this urgent need while offering students a meaningful career path in high-demand fields.