University of South Alabama College of Nursing Faculty Member Selected for CAPES Academy
Posted on June 24, 2026 by Daniel Curtis
The University of South Alabama College of Nursing is proud to announce that Carol Pierce, MSN, RN, Instructor of Maternal Child Nursing, has been selected for the Academy for Clinical Instructor and Preceptor Excellence in the Southeast (CAPES) at Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.
Pierce was chosen as a member of the academy's final trainee cohort, joining a select group of nursing educators from across the Southeast who are committed to advancing clinical education and strengthening the nursing workforce. The year-long program, funded through a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is designed to prepare nurses to serve as exceptional clinical instructors and preceptors while increasing access to healthcare in medically underserved communities throughout the region.
As a CAPES Scholar, Pierce is currently participating in an intensive educational experience that includes advanced training in clinical instruction and preceptorship, mentorship and coaching from experienced nursing educators, academic and clinical shadowing opportunities, and professional development activities focused on evidence-based teaching practices and leadership in nursing education.
Since joining the University of South Alabama College of Nursing in 2019, Pierce has demonstrated a strong commitment to student success, innovative teaching, and advancing undergraduate pediatric nursing education. Pierce has also been actively engaged in simulation-based nursing education and scholarly dissemination. Her recent work has been presented at national and regional conferences, including the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), the International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH), and the Georgia Association for Nursing Education. Her collaborative scholarship focuses on improving clinical knowledge, assessment skills, and practice readiness among nursing students and novice nurses through innovative simulation experiences.
Upon completion, Pierce will join a growing network of nursing education leaders working to improve healthcare outcomes and strengthen the nursing workforce across the Southeast. Please join us in congratulating Carol Pierce on this outstanding achievement and well-deserved recognition.