12 Top Accelerated Nursing Programs in South Carolina-Guide

If you care about becoming a nurse in the United States quickly, then there are schools to study accelerated nursing programs, get your license, and practice as a professional nurse. We will tell you why.

Accelerated BSN programs in South Carolina are among some of the best nursing programs in the country, if not the best. The state is home to hundreds of hospitals and healthcare facilities, making it an excellent place for nursing students to pursue their degrees.

The accelerated bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) program gives you everything you need to enter the field with a high-paying job and lifelong career opportunities. However, not every school offers this type of program (despite the high number of nursing schools in South Carolina) and many have different requirements for admission.

This article will go over everything you need to know about earning your accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing while living (and probably working) in South Carolina. Read on to find out about the accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina.

Overview

When you think of the state of South Carolina, what do you see? Maybe you picture beautiful beaches and oceanfront homes.

You might imagine a place filled with history or just one big city. Whatever your initial thoughts are about the Palmetto State, it’s likely that they’re not completely accurate—and if you’re interested in studying nursing there, it’s important to get a clear picture of what life is like for nurses in their state.

Here’s some information about South Carolina:

  • It’s ranked as the 23rd largest state in the United States (in terms of population size), with over 5 million people living there at the time of this writing. About 37.4 percent of this population is said to be over 50 years of age, meaning that the state has a strong need for healthcare givers.

  • South Carolina has a life expectancy of 77 years (from years), ranking the state a decent 43rd in the U.S.

  • Columbia has been its capital since 1786, the same year it was founded.

  • Charleston is its largest city and home to some of America’s most famous landmarks.

  • There are 25 state-approved nursing schools in South Carolina offering various program degrees – like ADN, traditional BSN, and accelerated BSN degrees.

  • Among these 25 nursing schools, only 12 of them offer accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina; RN-BSN programs; or Concurrent Nursing Programs.

About Nursing in South Carolina

South Carolina is a great place to live and work. In fact, South Carolina is one of the most popular states for nurses. In addition to beautiful weather, South Carolina has a large number of hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

The state also has a large population of individuals over the age of 50 who may require long-term care or assistance from nurses in their homes. According to statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are currently 46,160 active nurses in the state (including RNs, LPNs, or APRNs) practicing in the state, with a location quotient of 1.03; which is a decent allocation of the healthcare personnel compared to California’s 0.91.

With so many nursing opportunities available in South Carolina it’s no wonder so many people choose this region as their home state.

Why Should I Complete an Accelerated Nursing Program in South Carolina?

South Carolina is a great place to live, work and raise a family. The state has an excellent quality of life with low cost of living, historical places, beautiful beaches, and mountains lining the coast.

But sadly, South Carolina isn’t a very safe place to live in, as it is ranked as one of the top five cities with high property-crime rates.

However, on the bright side, the capital city of Columbia provides easy access to world-class medical facilities while being surrounded by beautiful rural communities where you can enjoy quiet living.

There are many reasons why you should complete an accelerated nursing program in South Carolina:

  • Nurses in South Carolina make a decent income in the state.

  • In South Carolina, there is lesser competition and decent demand for nurses who intend to practice their profession in the state.

  • The opportunity to advance your career quickly is enabled in South Carolina, due to the high percentage of the elderly in the state.

  • Accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina are affordable when compared to some other states in the U.S.

  • The state has a variety of beautiful natural areas including beaches, mountains, and rivers.

Cons of Living and Working in South Carolina

  • Charleston, the biggest city in South Carolina, is known to be a violent city rife with different police cases of aggravated assault, property theft, and whatnot.

    Despite having a low cost of living, anybody planning to live and work in South Carolina may have to think twice about the higher-than-average crime rate in the state, sadly.

List of Schools Offering Accelerated BSN Programs in South Carolina

The following are the number of top schools offering accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina.

The metric for ranking this list took into perspective the reputation, the NCLEX-RN pass rate, and review of each school mentioned, and weighted on an average.

Without further ado, let’s learn about these accelerated BSN programs in South Carolina:

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston

The Medical University of South Carolina is a public research institution with two locations: one in Charleston and another in the capital city, Columbia. The Nursing School at MUSC is located in downtown Charleston, making it an ideal option for students who want to stay close to home while attending school.

The school offers both baccalaureate and master’s degrees in nursing as well as RN-to-BSN programs for registered nurses looking to further their education. There are also several dual degree options—combining medicine with nursing or other disciplines such as business or psychology—that allow students to complete their studies over six years rather than four or five.

MUSC offers a 2-year accelerated nursing program in South Carolina that rivals most of the other programs in the rest of the country. It has been said to be the best accelerated nursing program in the region, as testified by past students who have now gone on to work in reputable healthcare firms. MUSC’s standard is evident – which makes it by far, the best accelerated nursing program in South Carolina; and also, the school has an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 98.59%, the highest in the state.

View the program.

Charleston Southern University, North Charleston

The second school on the list offering an accelerated nursing program in South Carolina is the Charleston Southern University.

This accelerated nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The program can be completed in 16 months, which means it takes less than two years to earn both an RN and BSN from Charleston Southern University. If you’re looking for a high-quality education that will take less than two years, this could be your best choice.

The nursing program at is designed for students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The curriculum combines courses from the traditional BSN program with 12 hours of approved arts and sciences electives. Students can earn their BSN in as few as 16 months, which means you’ll be ready to sit for your RN licensure exam sooner than most other programs.

View the program.

Aiken Technical College, Graniteville

If you’re looking for a BSN program that gets you in and out in as little time as possible, Aiken Technical College’s Accelerated BSN program might be the perfect choice. The school offers an 18-month accelerated track with a clinical experience component on campus.

The admission requirements include having a minimum GPA of 3.0 and completion of the prerequisites for the program (which vary by student). Students who are accepted into this accelerated track must complete their coursework within three calendar years from the date of acceptance or else they will be required to reapply through regular admissions channels at their next available opportunity.

View the program.

Clemson University, Clemson

The program at Clemson University is a solid one, with an accelerated BSN completion program that takes about 16 months to complete. It’s available for both full-time and part-time students.

The curriculum is designed to provide clinical experiences in rural, urban and community health settings as well as those at hospitals or healthcare facilities in the region where you live (the greater Greenville area). There are also opportunities for clinical rotations outside of South Carolina if desired.

The accelerated BSN program is designed to be a seamless transition for students who have already earned their bachelor’s degree in another area of study. It’s an excellent option if you want to become a nurse without having to spend years earning your BSN the traditional way.

View the program.

Anderson University, Anderson

Anderson University is another popular choice for accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina.

Anderson University’s accelerated nursing program is designed to give students the skills they need to be prepared for the field in just two years—and we offer a variety of flexible schedules so you can fit your studies into your busy life.

In just two years, you’ll gain all the skills and knowledge you need to become a registered nurse (RN). You’ll learn everything from anatomy and physiology to advanced clinical practice techniques, as well as how to work with patients from diverse backgrounds.

AU also prioritizes teaching its students how to use evidence-based practices and provide you with opportunities for hands-on experience at hospitals around the area. And among many other benefits, AU’s Accelerated Nursing Program is quite affordable.

View the program.

Chamberlain University, Charlotte

Chamberlain University is a private institution located in Charlotte, South Carolina. The university was founded in 1896 as the first four-year college for women in South Carolina. Today, it has more than 2,600 students and is one of the top 25 largest universities in North America.

The institution offers accelerated nursing programs at its campuses in Charlotte and Columbia. These accelerated nursing programs allow students to earn their bachelor’s degrees after just two years of study if they already hold an associate’s degree or certificate from an accredited program.

View the program

University of South Carolina, Columbia

The University of South Carolina, Columbia is a public research university that offers an online accelerated RN-BSN program on its main campus and at the Sumter campus. Students can complete this 13-month program in as few as 16 months if they don’t have any prerequisites to fulfill.

Students will take a variety of courses during their time in this accelerated nursing program including clinical skills, leadership and management, health assessment, community health nursing and caregiving.

View the program.

South University, Columbia

South University, Columbia is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school offers a variety of online degree programs, including an accelerated BSN program, accelerated MSN program and accelerated MS in Nursing Leadership program.

View the program.

ECPI University, Charlotte

ECPI University offers an accelerated BSN program in in multiple campuses in the U.S., including Charlotte, NC. The program is designed to be completed in 30 months and can be completed online or on campus at the main campus that is located in Virginia Beach, VA.

Each cohort of students will have a cohort advisor who will guide them through the program and help them achieve their desired career goals. Students are able to take advantage of many resources available on campus such as career services, health care simulation labs, library resources, tutoring center and more.

The only downside to this program is the relative longer duration; there are far batter options for accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina that can be completed in a shorter time.

View the program.

Fortis College, Columbia

Fortis College is a private for-profit school that awards degrees up to the level of Associate’s. It has an open admissions policy, which means that any student who has earned a high school diploma or equivalent can apply for admission.

In order to complete the accelerated nursing program at Fortis College, students must take either the ASN or RN-BSN program first, followed by one year in their chosen field of study and then taking classes in their major area as they work toward earning their bachelor’s degree.

The accelerated nursing programs are designed specifically for working adults who want to become nurses within two years. Students have access to hands-on learning experiences through clinical rotations with partnering hospitals throughout South Carolina and other states across the country.

View the program.

Limestone College, Greenville

Limestone College is a private liberal arts college located in Gaffney, South Carolina. It was founded as a women’s college and became coeducational in 1971. The school was established by the Baptist Convention of South Carolina on October 7, 1878 as Saluda Female College and later renamed to Limestone College in 1884.

It has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees since 1916, bachelor’s degrees since 1940, master’s degrees since 1981, and doctoral degrees since 2002.

The school is known for its academic programs including nursing, education, and business. Limestone College is a member of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.

View the program.

Forrest College, Anderson

Forrest College is an accredited, private, non-profit Christian institution of higher learning. The college offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Forrest College offers accelerated nursing programs.

The accelerated nursing program offered by Forrest College is a Nursing Assistant/Pre-licensure program that includes clinical rotations at local hospitals in the area. It is a decent choice for students who only want to give nursing a trial to se if they are compatible with it, but don’t want any commitment yet.

View the program.

Entrance Requirements for South Carolina Accelerated Nursing Programs

There are a few things that you’ll need to consider before applying to an accelerated nursing program in South Carolina. While the requirements vary slightly by school, they all require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and most programs require applicants to have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test.

Many schools also require applicants to have passed their licensing examination prior to starting classes in order to be eligible for admission into the program, so it’s important that you check with each individual school’s website before applying.

Some schools may also require specific coursework prerequisites such as biology and chemistry, while others may ask for recommendations from previous instructors or supervisors who can attest as your work ethic and ability level as potential nurses.

Prerequisites

The basic prerequisites for accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina are:

  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher (some may require 3.0).

Any other prerequisite demanded by your school of choice will be made known to you.

Coursework Information

The accelerated BSN program is a full-time program that allows students to complete the RN to BSN degree in 12-18 months. The accelerated BSN program is designed to help you earn your bachelor’s degree in nursing in a shorter period of time than traditional programs.

For proper understanding of what happens in an accelerated nursing program in South Carolina, here is the curriculum of Charleston Southern University:

FALL I

  • NURS 202 – Pathophysiology (4 hours)
  • NURS 203 – Health Assessment Lecture/Lab (4 hours)

8 credit hours

FALL II

  • NURS 218 – Fundamentals of Nursing for Accelerated BSN Lecture/Lab/Clinical (4 hours)
  • NURS 223 – Clinical Application of Pharmacological Concepts III (4 hours)

8 credit hours

SPRING I

  • NURS 231 – Adult Health I Lecture/Clinical (5 hours)
  • NURS 322 – Psychiatric/Mental Health Lecture/Clinical (4 hours)

9 credit hours

SPRING II

  • NURS 326 – Maternal/Child Lecture/Clinical (6 hours)
  • CHST 111 or CHST 112 – Old or New Testament (3 hours)

9 credit hours

SUMMER I

  • NURS 331 – Adult Health II Lecture/Clinical (5 hours)
  • CHST 111 or CHST 112 – Old or New Testament (3 hours)
  • NURS 325 – Gerontological Nursing (2 hours)

10 credit hours

SUMMER II

  • NURS 409 – Community Health Nursing Lecture/Clinical (4 hours)
  • NURS 405 Research (3 hours)

7 credit hours

FALL I

  • NURS 431 – Adult Health III Lecture/Clinical (4 hours)
  • NURS 407 – Leadership/Management for Accelerated BSN (4 hours)

8 credit hours

FALL II

  • NURS 432 – Adult Health IV Immersion Lecture/Clinical (5 hours)
  • NURS 429 – Capstone for Accelerated BSN (3 hours)

8 credit hours

Total credit hours required for graduation – 67

Tuition Information

The cost of tuition will vary depending on the program you choose. Most accelerated nursing programs are in-state, which means they will cost less than those that require clinicals and/or online classes.

Accelerated Nursing Programs in South CarolinaTuition Cost/periodNature of Program
Medical University of SC$17,397/year (in-state); $29,959/year (out-of-state)In-person
Charleston Southern University$650/credit hourIn-person
Aiken Technical College$26,130/yearIn-person
ECPI University-South Carolina$12,000In-person
Clemson School of Nursing$15,558/year (resident); $38,550/year(non-resident)In-person, online (hybrid)
Anderson University$830/credit hourIn-person
Fortis College$14,535/yearOnline
University of South Carolina$16,000/yearOnline
South UniversityN/AN/A
Chamberlain University$590/credit hourIn-person
Limestone College$26,300/yearHybrid
Forrest CollegeN/AIn-person

Salary of Nurses in South Carolina

The average salary of nurses in South Carolina is $69,580. This is significantly lower than the national median of $74,450, and dependent on job experience, location, and the employer.

However, being a state with a significant low cost of living, every dollar counts in South Carolina. And perhaps, this is enough good money to live comfortably in the state.

Steps for Becoming a Licensed Nurse in South Carolina

  • Complete an approved nursing program. Aspiring nurses must complete a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program.
  • Pass the NCLEX-RN exam. All South Carolina nurses are required to take and pass this comprehensive exam prior to receiving their license.
  • Apply for your license with the South Carolina Board of Nursing. To obtain your LPN license; to do this, you’ll need:

Key Takeaways

  • South Carolina is a great place to live, so if you’re considering an accelerated nursing program in the state, you can rest assured that your job prospects will be bright.
  • There are several accelerated nursing programs in South Carolina, each offering different benefits to suit your needs.
  • Whether you want to complete your entire degree at once or spend more time on campus, be sure to choose a program that makes sense for your lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

We hope that this guide has provided you with everything you need to find the perfect school for you.

If you’re still unsure about where to apply, there are many resources available to help guide your decision. The change of pace that comes with an accelerated program is a great way to shake up a stagnant nursing career and get yourself back on track towards achieving success in your field.

It’s also an excellent way to expand upon your existing knowledge base by gaining extra credentials or certifications. If this sounds like something that would benefit you as a nurse, then go ahead and take the leap into an accelerated program today.

Wrapping It Up

You might be surprised to learn that South Carolina is home to some of the best nursing programs in the country. The state has tens of colleges and universities, so you’ll have no problem finding a school near your home or work. But what about the accelerated nursing programs? How do you know which one is right for you? We’ve just answered them for you in this article.

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