Powerhouse in nursing leadership, Tina Ralyea brings decades of experience - and a systems mindset - to lead the University of South Carolina College of Nursing Center for Nursing Leadership.
As a young nurse clinician in an intensive care unit, Ralyea couldn’t have imagined leading teams of nurses across hospital systems, or directing a statewide center dedicated to developing the next generation of nurse leaders. At the time, she was focused on caring for critically ill patients, sharpening her clinical skills, and quickly learning her “why”.
Even then, Ralyea was drawn to the bigger picture. “Everybody on the team contributes to the patient, making sure you understand the processes that they’re doing and the why for the outcome,” she says. “So, when you build a strong team that’s focused on their why, you really make a difference with the patients.”
Emphasizing the why has guided Ralyea throughout her nursing career that now spans more than 35 years. This fall, she takes on a new challenge as the CNL’s director.
From the bedside to the boardroom
Ralyea’s career began with a diploma in nursing from Millard Fillmore Professional School of Nursing in New York. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, followed by a master’s degree as a nurse practitioner in adult health from Daemen University. Those credentials opened doors to practice in intensive care and step-down units, where she thrived in high-pressure environments.
Still, Ralyea saw opportunities for improvement extending beyond the bedside. Her strong leadership skills were soon recognized and quickly advanced her into administrative and executive roles. While working in these new positions, she pursued a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Administration to complement her clinical background with business and management expertise. Later, she earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice, rounding out a rich and layered academic journey.
Building experience across roles
Over the years, Ralyea’s career journey has covered clinical practice, hospital administration, research and academia. Most recently, she served as Prisma Health Midlands Chief Nursing Officer, managing four hospitals (Prisma Health Baptist Hospital, Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital, Prisma Health Richland Hospital, and Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital) and leading teams to improve health care outcomes and patient experience. Here, she focused on developing nurse leadership talent. Ralyea’s research and projects have always been grounded in practice. One of her initiatives included hospital discharge standardization to ensure patients and families were more engaged and better prepared to manage care at home.
Ralyea has also spent significant time in university classrooms, sharing her expertise in health care finance, ethics, evidence-based practice and leadership. “I really enjoy witnessing that lightbulb moment when students recognize the value of what they've learned and apply it in a meaningful way” she says. “As an educator that makes me most happy and proud.”
Strengthening the Pipeline
Ralyea is eager to bring her systems mindset and decades of experience to the university. Beyond administrative and teaching roles, she has invested heavily in the broader nursing profession, serving on numerous national and state boards and committees, including the International Clinical Nurse Leader Association, the Commission of Nurse Certification, and the South Carolina American College Healthcare Executives.
Established in 2004, the College of Nursing’s CNL plays a vital role in developing nurse leaders who will influence policy, lead organizations, and innovate patient care. It specializes in career development programs like the Amy V. Cockcroft Fellowship. A 2025 fellowship graduate, Ralyea will continue the center’s work in building relationships with other nursing leaders across South Carolina.
USC Nursing continues to advance its role as the Palmetto State’s hub for nurse leaders.
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Ralyea has joined our team as the new leader
of the Center for Nursing Leadership and a distinguished faculty member in our nurse
leadership degree programs. With a proven track record of excellence and a wealth
of leadership experience, Dr. Ralyea brings unmatched expertise to these mission-critical
initiatives—driving innovation, empowering future nurse leaders, and advancing the
strategic vision of our college.
