Trident Technical College Nursing

04/05/2026

Melanie Spada, RN, spring 2024 TTC Nursing Alumni, demonstrated outstanding critical thinking and patient advocacy skills, earning her a Good Catch Award at Trident Medical Center. While working in the ICU/PCU, Melanie identified a potentially compromised serum potassium sample, which had indeed hemolyzed, and initiated a recollection. Melanie, your prompt action averted potential harm to the patient and your TTC nursing faculty is incredibly proud of you!

04/04/2026

Melinda Capazzi, BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, a distinguished spring 2019 TTC nursing alumni, currently serves as a part-time simulation assistant at the TTC nursing simulation center. Additionally, Mrs. Capazzi is employed at Roper St. Francis in West Ashley's Intermediate Care unit, where she was nominated for the prestigious Nurse of the Year Award!

She is also set to complete her master's degree in nursing education on May 13, marking another achievement in her impressive journey!

03/31/2026

The TTC Faculty proudly celebrates Chelsea Lindsey, RN, as a distinguished nominee for the Rising Star Award of the Intermediate Care Unit at Roper St. Francis Berkeley Hospital. Chelsea embodies the highest standards of care as a graduate of the December 2023 nursing class. Congratulations, Chelsea! Your faculty is so proud of the exceptional nurse you are.

03/28/2026

27 Trident Technical College Nursing students assessed 38,000 runners as they “got over it” in the Cooper River Bridge Run! The students rendered aid to patients with twisted joints, dehydration, scraped skin, and other running injuries. This was the 5th largest Cooper River Bridge Run and next year is expected to be even bigger!

03/28/2026

🌟 Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Dawn Smalls, DNP, APRN,FNP-C🌟

The Trident Technical College Nursing Division proudly recognizes Dawn Smalls, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, for her dedication to patient care and professional excellence.

Dr. Smalls began her nursing career at Trident Technical College, earning her Practical Nursing diploma in 2014 and Associate in Applied Science in Nursing in 2015. She continued her education at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Summa Cum Laude) in 2016 and later earned both her Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2020.

She currently practices as a Nurse Practitioner in Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Medical University of South Carolina, where she evaluates and manages patients with complex gastrointestinal and liver conditions, including GERD, inflammatory bowel disease, cirrhosis, and NASH.

Before becoming a nurse practitioner, Dr. Smalls worked as a Registered Nurse in medical-surgical and digestive disease units, caring for patients with complex GI conditions and those recovering from major surgeries. She also served as a preceptor for nursing students, including students from Trident Technical College.

Dr. Smalls has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to excellence through several honors, including induction into Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and being appointed the clinician at Friendship AME Church, where she supports health initiatives within her community. The next health fair is scheduled May 16, 12:00pm-4:00pm.

👏 We are proud to celebrate Dr. Dawn Smalls, DNP, APRN, FNP-C whose journey from a Trident Technical College nursing student to doctoral-prepared nurse practitioner exemplifies dedication to lifelong learning and compassionate patient care!

03/13/2026

Dana Tokai, RN (in the pink shoes), a 2020 TTC Nursing alumni, played a pivotal role in a groundbreaking medical procedure as a team member of the first robotic kidney transplant surgery using the da Vinci robotic system. Dana, your TTC faculty are so proud of how far you are taking your career!

03/12/2026

Today is the LAST first day of class for these nursing students! 🎉 This group of students has successfully made it to their last nursing course, NUR219, and are expected to be pinned at the end of next month! Congratulations to you all! Soak in these last few weeks and finish strong! 💪

02/24/2026

We are thrilled to announce the TTC Nursing 2025 NCLEX results!

Our Registered Nursing graduates attained a pass rate of 96.22% (229 out of 238 students) on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for 2025. Meanwhile, our Practical Nursing graduates achieved a perfect score, resulting in a 100% pass rate, with all 34 graduates passing the exam.

These impressive outcomes reflect the dedication and persistence of our students, as well as the exceptional teaching expertise of our faculty nursing instructors.

Trident Technical College Nursing Students Surpass State and National Averages on Licensure Exam

02/15/2026

Congratulations Keisha O'Neil, MSN, RN, CBRN, CCRN, PCCN on winning the Vericel Burn Clinical Specialist of the Year Award!

Keisha O’Neil began her healthcare career in 2012 as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) on the Neurospine unit at St. Francis Hospital. After graduating from nursing school at Trident Technical College in 2013, she transitioned into a registered nurse role on the same unit, where she worked for just over three years. During her time on Neurospine, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2016 while also serving as a preceptor and charge nurse.

In 2016, Keisha transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Roper Mt. Pleasant, where she continued to grow professionally as a preceptor, charge nurse, and rapid response nurse. She later joined MUSC in 2018, working in the Surgical Trauma Burn ICU. In 2019, she was given the opportunity to join the burn team and play a key role in opening a new burn center. As part of this initiative, she was responsible for writing and developing the training curriculum used to educate all MUSC nurses who care for burn patients.
Keisha went on to serve as the Burn Program Coordinator, with a focus on staff education, training, and process improvement. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing Education in 2020. In 2025, she transitioned into the healthcare industry, joining Vericel, a biologics company dedicated to improving outcomes for burn patients—a mission closely aligned with her passion and experience. In addition to her clinical and industry work, Keisha taught as an adjunct instructor at Trident Technical College for several years and had the privilege of later working alongside some of the nursing students she once taught.

Congratulations on this extraordinary recognition for being a changemaker in the nursing profession! TTC Nursing is so proud that you received your foundational education at TTC!

02/12/2026

Spring 2019 alumni, Peyton Johnson, ADN, RN won a Daisy Award for showing extraordinary compassion and clinical skill to her patient! Peyton, we are so proud of you! 

02/09/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Mauch, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE has been selected as the new Dean of Nursing, effective today! Dr. Mauch brings more than 30 years of combined clinical, teaching, and administrative experience to her new role. She currently serves as department head in the Nursing Division, where she has also held roles as Interim Associate Dean and Nursing Instructor.

Dr. Mauch has an extensive background in higher education, dual-enrollment instruction, online graduate education, and health sciences curriculum development. Her teaching experience spans the full continuum of nursing education, including Practical Nursing (PN), Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Her clinical experience includes oncology, medical-surgical nursing, critical care, and perioperative services.

Dr. Mauch is a Certified Nurse Educator, holds an EdD in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, an MSN in Nursing Education from Old Dominion University, and a BSN from Lynchburg College. She is actively engaged in professional nursing organizations at both the state and national levels and serves as a Team Chair and Peer Evaluator for the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Above all, she is known for her student-centered leadership, collaborative approach, and deep commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals for success in a rapidly evolving workforce.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Mauch on her new role as the Dean of TTC Nursing!

02/09/2026

On the way to clinical, our nursing students were faced with an unexpected situation that required calm, teamwork, and quick thinking. Moments like these remind us that nursing education goes beyond the classroom—building compassion, critical thinking, and readiness for the unexpected. TTC Nursing is proud of our students for leading with professionalism and care!