BAYADA, ECPI University partner to alleviate nursing shortage with joint training, $355,000 in scholarships

BAYADA's investment will fund education for 35+ LPNs and RNs at ECPI University's Columbia campus

COLUMBIA, S.C., July 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BAYADA Home Health Care, the nation's largest independent, nonprofit home health care provider with a legacy of 50 years of compassionate, excellent, and reliable care, has granted ECPI University $355,000 to help combat the nursing shortage in South Carolina.

The state is hurtling toward the fourth largest shortage of registered nurses in the US, with over 19% of positions unfilled by 2037, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration.

BAYADA and ECPI University have joined forces to educate and train aspiring nurses with a new scholarship program. Nursing students at ECPI University's Columbus campus who work 20 hours per week at BAYADA are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in scholarship funds toward their pursuit of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) certifications through BAYADA's Advance to LPN Scholarship Program.

While engaging in nursing coursework at ECPI University, students can expect to gain paid, hands-on home care experience in personal care and companionship at BAYADA, offering household support for seniors and adults who require assistance to enjoy independent, safe, and fulfilling lives.

"This partnership is about building a stronger community," said Shawn Keith, Director of BAYADA's Columbia office. "We're fostering job creation and career growth while helping alleviate the local nursing shortage. Ultimately, we're working to ensure that more people can receive the care they need in the place they most want to be—home."

Since 2011, ECPI University has helped strengthen the Columbia region's nursing workforce through accelerated, hands-on education that combines classroom learning, clinical training, and personalized support.

The campus offers a 15-month Practical Nursing diploma and an 18-month Associate Degree in Nursing, preparing students to sit for the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN licensure exams.

ECPI University has launched the careers of hundreds of nurses in the Midlands, many of whom serve patients in hospitals, clinics, and home health settings across the region.

"We're honored to collaborate with BAYADA to expand access to nursing education," said Matthew Stein, Campus President at ECPI Columbia. "This partnership reflects a shared commitment to developing skilled, career-ready nurses—and it speaks to the difference ECPI graduates are making across the Greater Columbia community."

The scholarship funds from BAYADA were sourced entirely from COVID-19 public stimulus dollars for caregivers and clinicians.

Current and prospective students can learn more about the scholarship program by visiting this page.

ABOUT BAYADA
Celebrating 50 years of care that comes from the heart, BAYADA Home Health Care is the nation's largest independent, nonprofit home health care provider with over 370 locations across the United States and in Germany, India, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Korea.

Since 1975, BAYADA has been earning the public trust by helping people stay safe at home and by caring for them with compassion, excellence, and reliability, the core values expressed in its statement of purpose, The BAYADA Way®. 

BAYADA is proud to support clients of all ages and abilities with a full range of personalized nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, hospice, and personal care services. Always anticipating future trends, BAYADA is building a movement of stakeholders to transform home health care so millions can receive the essential services they need.

ABOUT ECPI University 
Founded in 1966, ECPI University is a regionally accredited institution offering career-focused degree programs in technology, health science, business, criminal justice, and culinary arts. ECPI University is headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has 18 campuses in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, and Texas. With accelerated learning and hands-on education, ECPI University has prepared more than 75,000 graduates for the real world through industry-driven curricula and strong employer partnerships.

Media Contacts: 
Brooke West Johnson
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Madison Dudley
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SOURCE ECPI University; BAYADA