Registered nurses (RNs) play a critical role in providing and coordinating patient care. A registered nurse has a broad range of healthcare responsibilities. These include performing physical exams and health histories; administering medications, treatments, and wound care; consulting with physicians and other healthcare personnel; supervising licensed practical nurses and certified nursing assistants; and providing health advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
Becoming a registered nurse
Prospective RNs have two types of prelicensure programs from which to choose. One option is a two-year associate’s degree, which can be obtained at a variety of vocational, career, and community colleges. The other option is a four-year bachelor’s degree program at a college or university. South Carolina offers 30 prelicensure programs in all. Candidates must also pass the NCLEX-RN national examination to gain licensure.
Although either type of program will prepare students to pass the licensure exam, it is important to consider the costs and benefits of a two-year degree versus a four-year degree. There are certainly costs associated with longer schooling, such as longer time out of the workforce and greater student debt. However, a bachelor’s degree also confers many benefits. These include a well-rounded education, more clinical field practice, a competitive advantage in the nursing job market, and opportunities for higher education and management roles.
Job prospects
Of the approximately 70,000 nurses employed in South Carolina, nearly 42,000 are registered nurses. These RNs are employed at a breadth of healthcare institutions across the state including Trident Medical Center, the Department of Veterans Affair, and Carolinas Healthcare System. South Carolina’s RNs have a median annual salary of $58,220. Employment and salaries are expected to rise in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nursing is among the top ten occupations by job growth.
To provide a roadmap for South Carolina’s aspiring nurses, we’ve identified below the top RN prelicensure programs throughout the state.