Alumnus talks about his journey from engineering to anesthesia

When Jeff Boswell first started college, nursing wasn’t even on his radar. Growing up in Irmo, South Carolina, he began his collegiate journey at USC Columbia as an engineering major.

“I did that for several years before realizing I had little to no interest in being an engineer,” he recalled with a laugh. “I had a good friend and neighbor who was a nurse anesthetist, and after a few conversations, he encouraged me to see if that might be something I’d enjoy.”

Boswell stated that his interest in the medical field peaked after being heavy influenced by his best friend.  “I saw a lot of things that fascinated me and realized this was something I wanted to pursue.”

Determined to change his path, an advisor suggested Boswell look at USCA’s School of Nursing. That advice proved to be pivotal. Boswell transferred to USCA and earned his associate degree in nursing in May 1997. He quickly began working in the Intensive Care Unit at Aiken Regional Medical Center, where he would later meet his wife. The two married in 1998 and began building their future together. “We knew where we wanted to go,” Jeff said. “So I worked for several years while finishing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which I completed in December 2001.”

The following month, Boswell began his studies in anesthesia at the USC School of Medicine’s Nurse Anesthesia program. He and his wife moved to Lexington, S.C. during that time, and by May 2004, Boswell graduated as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Soon after, they returned to Aiken, where he accepted a position at Aiken Regional Medical Center.

Over the next two decades, Boswell steadily advanced in his career. He became Chief Cardiac Anesthetist in 2009, Chief CRNA in 2016, and by 2023, Director of Anesthesia Services at Aiken Regional. Along the way, he also earned his Doctorate in Anesthesia from Midwestern University in 2021.

His passion for the field now extends into education as well. “Since 2023, I’ve been serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor at the USC School of Medicine’s Nurse Anesthesia program,” Boswell said. “It’s been incredibly rewarding to mentor students who are walking a similar path to the one I once took.”

When reflecting on how USCA’s School of Nursing shaped his career, Boswell points to the independence and initiative he developed there. “One of the biggest things I learned was how to think and function independently,” he explained. “To not expect to be spoon-fed information, but to do the hard work, research, ask questions and advocate for myself.”

He also fondly remembers the strong relationships he built with faculty members. “Those close connections were invaluable,” he said. “Now that I’m on the other side as a faculty member myself, I really understand the importance of those relationships in helping students grasp complex concepts.”

Boswell’s time at USCA also intersected with an important milestone in the school’s history. As president of the USC Student Nurses Association, he was present when the School of Nursing was officially named the Alan Miller School of Nursing. “I even had the opportunity to meet Mr. Miller when he came down to dedicate the building,” Boswell recalled.

Recently, the School of Nursing celebrated 25 years of its Bachelor of Nursing program. Boswell’s journey stands as a testament that with hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. 

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.