South Carolina RN to BSN Online Programs: Best for 2024
Find examples of the best RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina and the benefits of attending them. From better pay to better patient outcomes, these programs prepare you to achieve it all.
As a nurse, you are on the front lines of the healthcare field helping patients of all ages and conditions find both immediate and long-term relief. You may have entered the healthcare industry because you found it rewarding to help those in need and see tangible results for your efforts. Or, you may have been motivated by the promise of a paycheck that reflected your experience and credentials, opportunities for growth, and job security.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, which is faster than average for most careers. Over the next decade, this will amount to approximately 193,100 openings for registered nurses per year. And earning a BSN in South Carolina can give you the competitive edge and impressive credentials you need to land one of them. So, if you’re looking to elevate your career, enrolling in an online RN to BSN program could be the best and most convenient option for you. That’s why we’ve developed the following in-depth guide to take the guesswork out of finding an online BSN degree and so you can better understand the advantages and benefits it has to offer.
Spotlight Schools: RN to BSN Online Programs in SC
Looking for a BSN in South Carolina, particularly an online BSN, means you have lots of options, from hybrid programs in your hometown to reputable, fully online programs offered through colleges all over the state. Here is a look at some of today’s highest quality RN to BSN programs in South Carolina.
Medical University of South Carolina
The Medical University of South Carolina’s RN to BSN degree program is 100% remote. Depending on whether students attend part or full-time, this program can take either 12 or 24 months to complete. The program is designed for students with an associate degree and those either already working as RNs or on track to do so.
To be admitted into the program, students must possess an active, unencumbered RN license, an associate degree, and a minimum of 60 semester hours. Successful applicants typically have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and a grade of “C” or better in all required prerequisite courses. Admitted students pay $120 per credit hour for online courses.
The Medical University of South Carolina strives to provide students with personalized learning experiences that make the development of students’ unique skills and experiences a priority. The curriculum aims to enable students to focus on their strengths while minimizing weaknesses to become more well-rounded nurses prepared to pass the NCLEX exam and provide more comprehensive care to patients.
Newberry College
Newberry College offers a fully remote, 32-credit RN to BSN Online program that can be completed in as few as 12 months. Part-time students can graduate in six semesters and full-time students in just three semesters.
The RN to BSN Online curriculum includes courses in nursing leadership, pathophysiology, and health assessments across the lifespan. Students also take a course entitled Bridging to Generalist Nursing Practice for RNs that prepares RNs for the responsibilities their roles as BSN-prepared nurses will entail.
Students admitted into the program must be licensed and employed as RNs and have an associate degree. Students must also have earned a “C” or better in all prerequisite courses. Newberry College students pay $395 per credit hour in tuition and roughly $100-$300 per semester for books and materials. Eligible students can take advantage of Newberry College’s student financial aid programs to help offset the cost of attendance.
The Department of Nursing operates on a fixed schedule, meaning every course is offered only once per year. Students are expected to find the best way to fit the required courses into their schedules.
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina offers an RN to BSN program for registered nurses interested in advancing professionally, enhancing their leadership skills, and increasing their marketability. This program’s didactic coursework is offered 100% online and is designed to prepare nurses to lead the future of the nursing sector.
Offered asynchronously, courses include weekly content introduction videos from professors and cover subjects in nursing care of the older adult; application of pathophysiology and pharmacology; emerging issues in health care; and nursing leadership and management, among others. Students enrolled in the University of South Carolina’s online RN to BSN program can also take advantage of academic coaching services, peer tutoring, the student success center, the campus library, and the career center.
Prospective students must meet a number of admission requirements, including a cumulative GPA of 3.00 to be accepted to the program, however those with GPAs between 2.8 and 2.99 in previous college courses may still be accepted on a conditional basis if they have not yet completed more than 100 hours of prior collegiate coursework. They maintain this conditional status until they have completed the first nine required credit hours with at least a “B” average.
FAQs for RN to BSN Online Programs in South Carolina
Enrolling in an online program, especially one in a hands-on field like healthcare, can be intimidating. Even if you have earned an online degree in the past, you likely have questions about admissions, graduation, and everything in between. That’s why we’ve compiled and answered some of the most common FAQs about earning an RN to BSN online in South Carolina.
How will an RN-to-BSN program in South Carolina prepare me for more opportunities?
Given how complex and technology-driven the healthcare system is becoming, nurses must continue to grow to maintain and thrive in their positions for the long-term. Earning a BSN in South Carolina makes nurses more well-rounded and effective in their positions and ensures they have the tools to develop better problem-solving, communication, and critical-thinking skills. Earning a BSN also enables graduates to make more money and enjoy greater opportunities in various healthcare settings.
How long is an RN to BSN program in South Carolina?
The amount of time it takes to complete an RN to BSN program online in SC varies depending on how many required courses you have already taken and whether you are attending school full or part-time. Generally speaking, it takes between 12 to 24 months to complete a South Carolina RN to BSN program online.
How much do RN to BSN programs in South Carolina cost?
Once again, it depends. An online RN to BSN degree in South Carolinamay be more expensive ifyou are attending a private institution versus a public institution, or if you are enrolled in a traditional program versus an online or hybrid program. On average, though, RN to BN programs can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $6,500 per semester. Upstate University of South Carolina, for instance, charges $5,604 per semester for full-time RN to BSN students. Given this variety, it’s important that you take the time to research the costs of the programs that interest you before you enroll.
Is there financial aid available to South Carolina RN to BSN students?
Yes. If you are attending an online RN to BSN program in South Carolina, you have several financial aid options.You can apply for FAFSA, grants, scholarships, student loans, and even work-study programs, to name a few. The type and amount of aid available to you depends on your academic history, financial status, previous awards, and other eligibility factors. An excellent place to start researching these options in depth is the FAFSA website.
What requirements must I meet to apply for admission to RN to BSN programs in South Carolina?
Most RN to BSN programs in South Carolina require applicants to possess an associate degree, an active RN license, and a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0 GPA in all collegiate courses. Other requirements depend on the institution; for instance, many require students to demonstrate excellence in English and writing.
What should I look for in an RN to BSN degree program in South Carolina?
When searching for an RN to BSN program, accreditation is far and away one of the most important things to look for. If your school is not accredited, you may struggle to receive financial and and find work in the nursing field after graduation. You should also research schools’ NCLEX pass rates, the cost of tuition, the program’s delivery format (fully remote, traditional, or hybrid), and the number of clinical hours required, as well as any specific factors that matter to or interest you.
From RN to BSN: Benefits for South Carolina Nurses
Although RNs aren’t required to earn BSNs before beginning their careers, doing so provides nurses with benefits RNs with only associate degrees don’t have. Read on to get a better idea of what the the most benefits of graduating from an RN to BSN program in South Carolina are and the impact they can have on your career.
Better Patient Outcomes
Earning a BSN will inevitably make you a more well-rounded nurse, which in turn can lead to better outcomes for your patients. This is because nurses with BSNs typically have better communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, enabling them to be more effective in treating patients from all backgrounds.
Career Advancement
Earning a BSN can also play a significant role in your career advancement. Rather than being limited to RN positions in healthcare settings, you will be qualified to take on positions as insurance specialists, health coaches, health educators, medical writers, pharmaceutical sales representatives, baccalaureate-prepared nurses, medical researchers, and more. It also puts you in a position to pursue additional education, including nurse practitioner and DNP programs.
Enhanced Clinical Skills
Earning a BSN helps enhance your clinical skills by teaching concepts in greater depth than they were taught to you during your associate degree program. As a result, you are likely to become more confident in your nursing abilities overall, making you both more prepared and more effective.
Expanded Knowledge Base
BSN programs typically provide students with the knowledge required to become effective leaders in addition to more profound clinical knowledge. This includes everything from enhanced communication to creative problem-solving and more. Students also dive deeper into topics they may not have covered in as much depth in their associate degree programs, like nutrition, pharmacology, patient health assessments, and more.
Higher Earning Potential
Earning a BSN increases your earning potential significantly. The amount graduates make obviously depends in part on their experience, but on average, nurses in South Carolina with BSNs earn around $5,000 more annually than those with associate degrees. So whether you’re applying for entry, mid, or senior-level positions, a BSN will help you make more money from the get go.
Personal Growth and Satisfaction
On a more personal level, earning a BSN can give you a sense of satisfaction and help you to grow as a person as well as a nurse. In addition to setting yourself up for a greater earning potential, earning a BSN can earn you additional respect, authority, and satisfaction in whatever position you assume.
Advantages of Online RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina
Enrolling in an online RN to BSN program in South Carolina has many advantages and provides you with the same credentials as those who opt for traditional programs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top benefits of enrolling in an online RN to BSN program instead of a traditional one.
Affordability
Most online programs are more affordable than traditional ones. Sometimes, this is because the actual cost of online courses is lower than their in-person counterparts. Even when the cost per credit remains the same, you can save money by eliminating transportation, parking, and realistically, fast food costs associated with getting to and from campus at all hours of the day and night. Finally, students enrolled in self-paced online RN to BSN programs in South Carolina can advance more quickly through, and consequently pay less for, many of their courses.
Flexibility and Convenience
Another great benefit of enrolling in an online RN to BSN program is that it provides an excellent level of flexibility and convenience. Students can set their own learning schedules and study in the most convenient locations without disrupting their pre-existing responsibilities.
Self-Paced and Asynchronous Learning
Enrolling in an online RN to BSN program allows for asynchronous learning. This means that you can decide where and how you want to learn. Moreover, you can learn at your own pace, so if you need to spend more time on some lessons than others, you can do so without disrupting, or being disrupted by, your peers.
Access to a Wide Range of Programs
Pursuing an RN to BSN degree online gives you access to a much wider array of programs. Whether you want to attend school completely online in a hybrid format, all options are available right at your fingertips. Additionally, you can choose from public, private, and strictly online institutions located near your home on the other side of the state.
