Despite having almost 60,000 licensed registered nurses in South Carolina, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the US Department of Health and Human Services predicts South Carolina will fall short of demands by 2025. To meet expanding nursing needs, the state recently passed the Critical Needs Nursing Initiatives Act to provide funding for faculty procurement and nursing scholarship aid. Individuals who are considering a career in nursing, or looking to advance in the field, can use the following guide to find out about educational and licensure requirements in South Carolina.
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Top Online Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
The top nursing programs listed in this state's ranking were determined by comparison of three primary, equally-weighted criteria including
- Student-to-faculty ration
- In-state tuition
- Graduation rate
Additional details for each school were included:
- Count of programs available
- Public and not-for-profit schools
- Normalized on a 100 percent curve
The methodology used for tie-break is as follows...
- Ties are broken based on lowest average net price for full-time, first-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition (average cost of tuition and expenses after grants and scholarships).
- If necessary, the lowest in-state tuition rate is used as a second tie-break
Top Nursing Schools in South Carolina
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Francis Marion UniversityLocation
Florence, SC
Graduation Rate41%
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Lander UniversityLocation
Greenwood, SC
Graduation Rate45%
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University of South Carolina-AikenLocation
Aiken, SC
Graduation Rate39%
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Clemson UniversityLocation
Clemson, SC
Graduation Rate82%
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South Carolina State UniversityLocation
Orangeburg, SC
Graduation Rate38%
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University of South Carolina-ColumbiaLocation
Columbia, SC
Graduation Rate73%
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Coastal Carolina UniversityLocation
Conway, SC
Graduation Rate45%
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Newberry CollegeLocation
Newberry, SC
Graduation Rate41%
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Charleston Southern UniversityLocation
Charleston, SC
Graduation Rate34%
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University of South Carolina-UpstateLocation
Spartanburg, SC
Graduation Rate38%
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University of South Carolina-BeaufortLocation
Bluffton, SC
Graduation Rate26%
AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
Top Online Programs
Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level.
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Aiken Technical CollegeLocation
Graniteville, SC
Graduation Rate11%
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Northeastern Technical CollegeLocation
Cheraw, SC
Graduation Rate12%
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Tri-County Technical CollegeLocation
Pendleton, SC
Graduation Rate19%
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Horry-Georgetown Technical CollegeLocation
Conway, SC
Graduation Rate15%
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Greenville Technical CollegeLocation
Greenville, SC
Graduation Rate10%
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Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical CollegeLocation
Orangeburg, SC
Graduation Rate11%
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Central Carolina Technical CollegeLocation
Sumter, SC
Graduation Rate11%
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Spartanburg Community CollegeLocation
Spartanburg, SC
Graduation Rate12%
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Piedmont Technical CollegeLocation
Greenwood, SC
Graduation Rate16%
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University of South Carolina-LancasterLocation
Lancaster, SC
Graduation Rate19%
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Midlands Technical CollegeLocation
West Columbia, SC
Graduation Rate8%
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Technical College of the LowcountryLocation
Beaufort, SC
Graduation Rate10%
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York Technical CollegeLocation
Rock Hill, SC
Graduation Rate9%
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Trident Technical CollegeLocation
Charleston, SC
Graduation Rate10%
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Florence-Darlington Technical CollegeLocation
Florence, SC
Graduation Rate8%
Comparing Nursing Schools in South Carolina
With 30 state-approved undergraduate programs for individuals looking to become registered nurses, prospective students have no shortage of options available in South Carolina. Nurses who have been working in the field and are now considering an advanced role can also choose from several master’s and doctoral degree programs. Use the search tool below to locate an approved nursing school and program in South Carolina that’s matched to your specific needs.StateDegree LevelSchool TypeEnvironmentClear All Filters
South Carolina Licensure: How to Apply
The South Carolina Board of Nursing is the state’s Department of Labor agency charged with overseeing the licensing of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and advanced practice nurses. The board is also responsible for licensing renewals and overseeing the Nurse Licensure Compact agreement that allows nurses from other member states to transfer their licenses to South Carolina. Here you’ll find a list of requirements for those seeking a nursing license for the first time in South Carolina, as well as how to renew it when it is time.
Requirements
- Complete a state-approved nursing education program
- Submit an application form along with the following items:
- Recent 2” x 2” passport-type photo that is signed and dated
- Copy of birth certificate or valid passport
- Copy of social security card, permanent resident card, or resident alien identification card
- Copy of documents for changes in name (if applicable)
- Provide dates of completion for all coursework completed at a nursing school in South Carolina
- Request official transcripts be sent directly from the awarding institution to the Board
- Register to take the NCLEX exam via Pearson VUE and pay a fee of $200
- Pay the $90 fee
- Once an Authorization to Test has been received from Pearson VUE, applicants must sign up for a testing time
- Submit to a criminal background check conducted by the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI
- Applicants hailing from a member-state of the National Licensure Compact (NLC) must apply for multistate licensure in their state. Those from a state that is not part of the NLC must apply for a single-state license.
Renewing A South Carolina License
South Carolina-based nurses are required to renew their license on every even-numbered year by midnight on April 30. Candidates for renewal must show they have completed 30 hours of approved continuing education credits during the previous two years. The fee to renew an RN license is $75.
If a nurse needs to reinstate or reactive his or her license, he or she must complete the appropriate application and pay $60 for reinstatement or $50 for reactivation. They will also need to complete a new criminal background check.
Advanced Practice Nurse Licenses in South Carolina
Many RNs in South Carolina choose to go back to school and earn additional certifications or licenses to work in a specialized area. These steps allow them to move into roles as nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or certified nurse-midwives. In order to be licensed as an APRN, nurses must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a current license in South Carolina
- Have a master’s degree or higher from an accredited nursing program in the specialty for which they are applying
- Hold national certification in the specialty
More information about earning and renewing an advanced practice nursing license is available at the South Carolina Board of Nursing.
South Carolina Salaries for RNs
According to the Office for Healthcare Workforce Analysis and Planning, the number of registered nurses in South Carolina has consistently grown since 1996, and this isn’t expected to change anytime soon. Nurses in the state are part of a flourishing industry, with attractive salaries and options for advancement. Review the following statistics to learn about the range of salaries and positions throughout the state.
Top-Paying Areas for RNs in South Carolina
| Area | Hourly Median Wage | Annual Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville | $30.86 | $64,180 |
| Florence | $30.15 | $62,710 |
| Low Country South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $28.96 | $60,240 |
| Greenville-Mauldin-Easley | $27.90 | $58,020 |
| Anderson | $26.92 | $56,000 |
| Columbia | $26.91 | $55,970 |
| Myrtle Beach-North Myrtle Beach-Conway | $26.81 | $55,760 |
| Pee Dee South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $26.73 | $55,590 |
| Upper Savannah South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $26.59 | $55,310 |
| Sumter | $26.23 | $54,570 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
South Carolina vs. National Numbers
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Salary
| Year | Annual salary(25th percentile) | Annual salary(median) | Annual salary(75th percentile) | Annual salary(25th percentile) | Annual salary(median) | Annual salary(75th percentile) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $48,690 | $58,350 | $69,930 | $0 | $54,620 | $66,640 | $81,080 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife | $56,810 | $80,970 | $99,670 | $0 | $82,580 | $96,970 | $114,090 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $132,800 | $150,280 | $179,960 | $0 | $132,380 | $153,780 | $181,860 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $77,700 | $88,390 | $99,200 | $0 | $82,720 | $95,350 | $113,470 |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014
Employment
TOTAL EMPLOYMENT (2014)
| Type | South Carolina | National |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 41,270 | 2,687,310 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife | 60 | 5,110 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 500 | 36,590 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1,260 | 122,050 |
2022 OCCUPATIONAL OUTLOOK
| Type | South Carolina | National |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 51,940 | 3,238,400 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife | 30 | 7,700 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 740 | 43,900 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1,730 | 147,300 |
AVG. ANNUAL OPENINGS (2012 – 2022)
| Type | South Carolina | National |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 1,670 | 105,260 |
| Certified Nurse Midwife | 0 | 290 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 20 | 1,560 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 70 | 5,850 |
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014 and Projections Central
Resources in South Carolina
South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Founded to promote continuing education among CRNAs in South Carolina, this organization also provides legal support and a voice in the legislature for nurses and their patients.
South Carolina Association of School Nurses
The South Carolina Association of School Nurses is a member organization for school nurses in South Carolina. Its mission is to promote and advance the quality of school health services and health education throughout the state.
South Carolina Nurses Association
The South Carolina Nurses Association is an affiliate of the American Nurses Association and is dedicated to furthering the careers of nurses in South Carolina and advocating for better health care policy.
South Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders
SCONL is an affiliate of the South Carolina Hospital Association and is open to all registered nurses in the state. The organization aims to improve nursing practices and create networking opportunities for its members.
Student Nurses’ Association of South Carolina
This pre-professional organization for nursing and pre-nursing students provides leadership experience, educational opportunities, networking events, and information about careers in nursing.