In order to serve students who have a desire to enter the nursing profession, Newberry College is pleased to announce the beginning phase in the establishment of a Department of Nursing. The college will partner with Lexington Medical Center for the education and clinical training of students to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

The American Nurses Association estimates the nation will be short one million nurses by 2020. In South Carolina , there is a projected shortfall of over 12,000 additional RNs by 2020. Nationwide, the average nurse vacancy rate was 16.1 percent and the average turnover rate was 13.9% last year.

Newberry College , long recognized for its strong science and education departments, is in an ideal place to add nursing to its offerings. The College will begin enrolling freshmen/pre-nursing students in the fall of 2007.

The partnership is a "win-win" says Bill Stilwell, Chairman of the Lexington Medical Center Board of Trustees. " Newberry College 's efforts to educate area nurses will help all of us in the Midlands . We have strong alliances with existing nursing programs and look at this effort by Newberry College as a complimentary addition."

" Newberry College is grateful to Lexington Medical Center for assisting us in this exciting effort," said Billy Walker, Newberry College Board of Trustees Chairman. "Our students will be allowed to do their clinical learning at Lexington Medical Center , a critical component to the educational process," he said.