SPARTANBURG -- A new program is aimed at solving a nursing shortage in some Upstate counties by increasing the number of nursing graduates from two Spartanburg County schools.

Spartanburg Technical College and the University of South Carolina Spartanburg announced a nursing consortium Wednesday.

The schools will work together to raise money to allow them to expand their nursing classes over the next five years.

"We'll be able, over time, to graduate twice the number of nurses we've been producing in the past," USCS Chancellor John Stockwell told WYFF News 4's Myra Ruiz. "[Right now] we turn away about the same number of students we accept."

In 2003, 220 nursing students are expected to graduate from the two schools. Officials hope to increase that number to 443 in five years.

"We feel that this program will, in essence, put a shield around Spartanburg from the national shortage. It will protect the community's healthcare here in Spartanburg," Spartanburg Regional Vice President of Nursing Cathi Whelchel said.

Officials hope this program will provide nurses to five Upstate hospitals in Spartanburg, Union, and Cherokee counties.

Spartanburg Technical College will offer the one-year licensed practical nursing (LPN) program and a two-year associate's degree nursing (ADN) program.

The Mary Black School of Nursing at USCS will discontinue its ADN program in order to accomodate more students seeking a bachelor's of science in nursing.

USCS is also considering plans for a master's program in nursing.