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Top South Carolina RN to BSN Programs

As the healthcare system in this country undergoes massive changes, nurses are being asked to increase their educational credentials in addition to taking on more duties and responsibilities. With this in mind, ADN-educated registered nurses looking ahead to the future are headed back to school to earn their BSN degrees. Not only do BSN-educated nurses earn 16 percent more than their ADN-educated counterparts, having a BSN degree makes it easier to advance within the field. While nurses head back to school in droves, colleges and have made it easier than ever before for RNs to earn a BSN degree. These days one can earn their BSN degree entirely online, while continuing to work full-time. To find a school and program that fits your needs in South Carolina, we've compiled a list of the top RN to BSN programs in the state.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in South Carolina

Picking which RN to BSN program to attend is a serious decision. Keep the following in mind as you research programs in South Carolina:

  • Data on program acceptance and completion
  • Tuition costs
  • Program accreditation
  • Program philosophy and outcomes
  • Financial assistance and scholarship opportunities
  • Percentage of students who found jobs after graduation
  • Cohort sizes
  • Internship/externship opportunities

Testing and Certification

Due to the fact that RNs who hold ADN degrees have already passed the NCLEX-RN for licensure, no additional licensing exams are needed upon the culmination of the RN to BSN degree program.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in South Carolina

1. University of South Carolina Upstate

Originally established in 1967 as the University of South Carolina Spartanburg, the University of South Carolina Upstate is a public university situated in the city of Spartanburg. USCU offers licensed RNs the ability to earn their BSN degree in one calendar year of full-time study. The program’s rigorous yet flexible online format utilizes virtual clinicals so that the full entire degree can be earned online. Although students can earn their degrees entirely online, they have the option of attending traditional in-class courses at the university. The 32 semester credit hour program can be completed in 12 months if the student is attending full-time and 24 months if the student is attending part-time. New cohorts are admitted at the beginning of fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Spartanburg Medical Center
  • Spartanburg Regional Heart Center
  • Spartanburg Area Mental Health

Tuition:

Students who enroll in the University of South Carolina Upstate's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $14,944 plus additional fees.

2. Francis Marion University

Founded in 1970, Florence Marion University is a public liberal arts university that's located just outside of east Florence, South Carolina. FMU offers a 30 semester unit, online RN to BSN track that is designed to prepare working registered nurses for the demands of today's modern healthcare setting. If taken on a full-time basis, students can complete the entire program in just 11 months. Once enrolled in FMU's RN to BSN program, students take courses like Health Assessment and Promotion in Nursing Practice, Research in Practice, and Population-Focused Nursing Care, just to name a few. New students are admitted into the program every fall and spring semester.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • McLeod Regional Medical Center
  • MUSC Health Florence Medical Center
  • Regency Florence

Tuition:

Students who enroll in Florence Marion University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $11,200 plus additional fees.

3. Clemson University

Originally established 1889, Clemson University - the state's second-largest university in student population - is a research university that's located in the city of Clemson, South Carolina. CU offers an online, 32 semester credit hour bridge RN-to-BSN track that can be completed in just 12 months of full-time study. The program places a heavy emphasis on critical thinking, ethical decision making, and community and family nursing. The curriculum includes courses like Healthcare Genetics, Leadership and Management in Nursing, Pathophysiology for Healthcare Professionals, and more.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • AnMed Health
  • Oconee Memorial Hospital
  • Joseph F. Sullivan Center

Tuition:

Students who enroll in Clemson's University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $13,982 plus additional fees.

4. Anderson University

First established in 1911, Anderson University - the successor to Johnson University, which was founded in 1848 by local Baptist leaders - is a private university located in Anderson, South Carolina. AU's online RN to BSN program is composed of 28 credit hours and can be completed by most students who study full-time in just 9 months. Enrolled students take courses in Nursing Research in Practice, Pathophysiology for Practicing Nursing, and Community Health for Practicing Nurses, among others.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Anderson Free Clinic
  • Fresenius Medical Care at Anderson Area Medical Center

Tuition:

Students who enroll in Anderson University RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $12,880 plus additional fees.

5. Claflin University

Founded in 1869 after the American Civil War by northern missionaries for the education of freedmen and their children, Claflin University is a historically black private university that's located in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Claflin University offers a 30 semester credit hour RN to BSN program which seeks to cultivate practical wisdom, judgment, knowledge, skills, leadership qualities, and the character required for nurses working in the modern age. The program's coursework can be completed online and is delivered in two 8-week sessions in the fall and spring semesters, with one 8-week session conducted in the summer. New cohorts are admitted three times each year.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • The Regional Medical Center
  • RMC Primary Care
  • Singleton Health Center

Tuition:

Students who enroll in Claflin University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $13,770 plus additional fees.