New Partnership with Upstate AHEC and Clemson University to Provide Education Opportunities to Nursing Faculty

From left to right: (Seated) Clemson nursing faculty

members Assistant Dean Barbara Hoskins, Office of 

Distance Education; Associate Professor Ann Wetsel;

and Associate Professor and Graduate Program

Coordinator Stephanie Davis. (Standing) Upstate

AHEC Center Director Fay Brown and Upstate AHEC 

Distance Learning Director Jennifer Walker

Upstate AHEC and Clemson University School of Nursing are partnering to help prepare nurse educators for the future. The Preparing Nurse Educators for the Future partnership, underwritten by a grant from Johnson & Johnson, will facilitate development of distance learning modules to assist college and university nursing educators in staff development and continuing education.  The modules will also benefit nurses who plan to become college or university educators.

The partnership will enhance the ability of Clemson nursing faculty members to develop and teach online courses through AHEC U, Upstate AHEC’s online distance learning program.  Modules currently in development by the Clemson University School of Nursing faculty will address curriculum development and current issues and research in teaching and learning, featuring a variety of classroom and clinical teaching and learning styles.  An educational technology course will allow nurse educators to master technology in order to create an optimal learning environment. 

The partnership will prepare practitioners from various backgrounds at the baccalaureate and graduate levels and will promote a collaborative environment for scholarship and research.  It will help educate innovative nurse leaders with diverse experiences who focus on the healthcare and quality of life of South Carolinians.  Additionally, the partnership seeks to promote and sustain cultural diversity among faculty, students and staff within a professional educational setting. 

The continuing education courses will be offered online beginning this fall to nurse educators throughout South Carolina. For more information, contact Clemson University Graduate Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Nursing Stephanie Davis, PhD, at 864-656-2588, or Upstate AHEC Director of Distance Learning Jennifer Walker, MSN, at 864-349-1160.