Nursing Schools in South Carolina

There are a number of opportunities for nursing professionals in South Carolina. According to a report released by the state Department of Commerce and the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for Licensed Practitioner Nurses (LPN) and Registered Nurses(RN) will go up by 19% and 25% respectively during 2008 to 2018.

Nursing Programs
If you are planning to study nursing, there are various degree options that you can pursue including:

• Entry Level Programs

LPN Programs

Associate degree of Science in Nursing (ASN)

Bachelor degree of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Direct entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

• Transition Programs

LPN to RN programs (ASN)/ (BSN)

RN to BSN programs

• Graduate Programs

MSN

PHD in Nursing Programs

Nurse Practitioner Programs  

Online Programs
A number of institutes in South Carolina offer online programs that'll let you enjoy the freedom of studying from the convenience of your home. You'll be able to hold down your part time job and set your own study schedule. However you should make sure that the online programs are accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)

Program Curriculum
Although the courses vary across level of study and the institutes, here is a list of example courses that you may come across in a nursing program in SC:

• Acute Care Nursing of Adults
• Advanced Pathophysiology for Nurses
• Clinical Reasoning
• Family and Community Health Nursing
• Introduction to Biostatistics

Nursing Grants And Scholarships

You can find a number of different sources of funding to help you with the cost of a nursing degree. These include:

• South Carolina Nurses Foundation, Inc. Scholarships
• Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission
• The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship

Licensure Requirements
Once you've attained a degree from a nursing school in South Carolina, you'll have to be licensed before you can start practicing as a professional nurse. The state is a part of the 'nurse licensure compact'. If you move to South Carolina from a compact state, you won't be required to obtain a licensee but if you move from a non compact state you can get a license through endorsement.  You should have completed an approved nursing program and be able to show proof of licensure in another state. Fresh graduates, on the other hand need to pass an exam before they can apply for a license.

Depending on whether you want to become a  Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN) or Registered Nurse(RN), you'll be required to take either National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) or (NCLEX-RN). You'll need to complete 30 board-approved continuing education hours and fulfill any other state requirements in order for your license to be renewed every two years.

Employment Outlook:
Nurses are generally employed in industries like:

• Nursing Care Facilities
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
• Home Health Care Services
• Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly
• Outpatient Care Center

According to the state specific data released by Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2012, LPNs earned a mean annual wage of $39,050 whereas RNs could make an average of $58,940 per year.