South University names Laurie Harden program director
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Columbia named Laurie Harden, RN, MN, as the program director for the university’s new baccalaureate nursing program. Harden joined South University in August of this year as a Nursing Instructor and brought with her 19 years of teaching experience from Central Carolina Technical College, where she held positions of increasing responsibility and most recently the position of Dean of Health Sciences. Prior to joining higher education, she spent 14 years in nursing practice throughout South Carolina.
“Our professional nursing program is taking off,” said Anne Patton, president of South University in Columbia. “Ms. Harden brings such talent and experience with her that I am certain the students will find a high-quality, program that prepares them to become leaders in nursing.”
As program director for South University’s nursing program, Ms. Harden is responsible for leading the nursing program faculty and ensuring the quality of instruction meets South University’s high standards. The university’s College of Nursing received approval by the South Carolina State Board of Nursing to admit the university’s first nursing class in South Carolina in the Spring of 2009.
“Ms. Harden has the full support and resources of the College of Nursing,” said Acting Dean for the College of Nursing, Dan Coble, R.N., Ph.D. “South University’s nursing program is over 10 years old, but every time we launch the program at another campus, we have the opportunity to enrich our curriculum, to reach more students and to change more lives.”
Along with her extensive work experience, Laurie Harden has been recognized with several awards including the South Carolina Technical Institute College System Educator of the Year in the Administration/Manager category for the 2005-2006 year and the Teaching Award for the National Institute for State and Organizational Development in 1993. Recently, she submitted a grant proposal to the Duke Endowment.
About the Nursing Program
In the nursing laboratory, classroom and clinical experiences, students first must master the fundamentals of nursing and complete the basic medical-surgical courses. Building upon those skills, the students complete specialty courses such as obstetrics, pediatrics and critical care.
The final quarter of the program prepares students for their transition to the nursing profession. Students practice leadership and management skills by choosing a clinical placement in an area of interest from one of a many healthcare facilities available in the local community. During this time, students work with a registered nurse preceptor on a one-to-one basis to prepare for entry into practice and complete comprehensive testing to assure competency and safe practice.
Further information on South University is available at: www.southuniversity.edu.