Study to Become an LPN or RN in South Carolina

Accredited Campuses and Board Approved Degree Programs for RNs and LPNs

South Carolina ranks pretty low on the patient-nurse ratio list—not a very good score. But in the last few years some contradictory messages about the nursing profession have clogged the media pipes:

there’s a big nursing shortage
students are on waitlists at nursing schools
some hospitals are not hiring new nurses

Those severely opposing indicators are reflective of the disjointedness of the economy as it dovetails with healthcare. However, regardless of the above there may be no better time to go to school for nursing than right now.

Even though there are nursing schools with waitlists, there are also many without. So don’t stop at your first choice. Metro areas and major hospitals, like those in Charleston, hire many of the state’s nurses, but don’t overlook the excellent job opps in smaller communities where bustling regional hospitals serve large patient bases, community health clinics in rural areas of the state, outpatient surgical centers, and even doctor’s offices.

Strategies for Cracking the Nursing Field in SC

Keep in mind that the nursing profession is solid in South Carolina, but in economic recession variables such as nurses delaying retirement and even retired nurses returning to practice could hack deeply into the need for new nurses, short-term. This doesn’t mean nursing is a dead-end. On the contrary, there is no more bullet-proof career: excellent salary and bonus potential, and enviable career mobility.

Excellent opportunities for nursing include specialties like Nurse Educator, Nurse Anesthetist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nurse Practitioner. These latter few Advanced Practice specializations offer RNs independence from physicians—they are in high demand especially in smaller communities where full-time physicians would be costly and largely unnecessary.
Rural communities dot the state from Lowcountry to PeeDee region. The list of nursing schools includes many of the state’s technical colleges that work closely with rural communities to prepare practical nurses and LPNs for the many jobs in smaller nursing facilities. Look for minority scholarships and a few distance education opportunities.
Travel nursing positions are also common in SC, especially in the larger hospitals. Even if you’re a working RN in the state you may qualify for a travel assignment if you play your cards right.

Resources

The SC Board of Nursing directs and regulates the practice of nursing, at all levels of licensure, in the state. Use this resource for information on the following:

Licensure requirements, fees, and competencies for RNs and LPNs
Credentials for foreign nurses working in SC
List of Board Approved nursing programs in the state
Continuing Education requirements
and more

The South Carolina Nurses Association is a popular organization that provides a united voice for state employed RNs. As a member you qualify for CE programs, conferences, inside job postings and other benefits critical to a professional RN.

Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Incentives for SC Nurses

Always explore your options for financial assistance, especially when applying for nursing school. Short-tem and long-term programs are often available from sources within your state, for example:

Healthcare employers often use loan repayment incentives when posting nursing jobs
Many employers offer nurses tuition reimbursement benefits
Look for hospitals that provide lucrative signing bonuses for new grads

List of Accredited Campus-Based Nursing Schools in South Carolina