LPN to RN Online Programs in SC: Browsing Top Schools
If you’re ready to take on a more advanced nursing role in the South Carolina healthcare system, one of the quickest ways to level up your career is to enroll in a LPN to RN bridge program. In this guide, we spotlight South Carolina’s best bridge programs, explain their common components, and showcase how becoming an RN can increase your salary and professional responsibilities. Take your first step toward becoming an RN today!
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Exploring Online LPN to RN Degrees in South Carolina
Although there is some overlap between the job responsibilities of licensed practical nurses and registered nurses, an LPN to RN bridge program prepares students to work with more autonomy and take on more responsibilities. LPN programs address many of the same topics you’ll learn in an RN program, but an online bridge program offers these particular benefits:
- In-depth education: Lets you dig deeper into nursing, building on the knowledge you already have from your prior LPN program
- Designed for working LPNs: Built to assist you in balancing your education with your full-time nursing job
- Schedule flexibility: Flexible class times, including nights and weekends
- Online components: Hybrid learning opportunities (mix of online and in-person learning activities)
Though many LPN to RN programs include online elements, they are never 100% online as you’re still required to complete clinical rotations in person near campus or in your local area.
Explore these spotlight LPN to RN programs in South Carolina for an idea of what to expect should you decide to embark on this educational path.
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College offers an LPN to Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) flex program that’s perfect for current LPNs. To be admitted to this competitive program, students must provide proof of current, active LPN licensure.
Students are awarded advanced placement (15 credits) for meeting the following criteria:
- Existing GPA of at least 3.0
- Completion of all general education courses
- Completion of NUR 201 (Transition Nursing), the first course of the program study sequence, with at least an 80%
This program is delivered in a hybrid format—lectures are online, but students must attend labs and clinicals in person. The flex track allows students to complete their studies in three semesters, which is two fewer than the length of the full ADN program.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $210-$341/credit hour (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- Active and unencumbered LPN license
- Pass the ATI Proctored Fundamentals and Proctored Dosage Calculations test
- Transcript of all past coursework
- Completion of prerequisites
- Complete criminal background check
- CPR Certification
Curriculum:
- Transition Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Family Centered Nursing
- Complex Health Problems
- Management of Patient Care
- Nursing Seminar
Aiken Technical College
The LPN to ADN transition program at Aiken Technical College enables LPNs with valid credentials to finish their associate degree in three semesters. For flexibility, the program is offered in both the daytime and the evening.
For added flexibility, class lectures can be completed online, though labs and clinical components require in-person attendance. Aiken’s nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
By the time students graduate, they are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, which the school boasts a high pass rate for and offers study materials for nursing students.
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $196-$308/credit hour (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- Active and unencumbered LPN license
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 on all previous coursework
- Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and the ATI PN comprehensive predictor exam
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Pharmacology
- Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing
- Nursing Concepts & Clinical Practice
- Transition Nursing
- Nursing Care of Children
- Concepts Clinical Practice
Williamsburg Technical College
Williamsburg Technical College offers its LPN to RN Transition program to practical nurses with valid active licenses. The program’s courses span three semesters, and students must earn at least 79% in nursing courses.
Historically, the nursing program’s NCLEX-RN pass rates have been impressively high. In fact, in 2020, the program celebrated its fourth consecutive year of having a 100 percent pass rate.
While Williamsburg offers quality education, it isn’t the most flexible program. All nursing courses must be completed on-campus, though some general education and prerequisites are available online. Students also complete clinical hours at a nearby healthcare facility.
Duration: 3 semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $179-$342/credit hour (residency dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- Active and unencumbered LPN license
- Graduated from an approved Practical Nursing program
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on all previous coursework
- Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) Nursing Entrance Exam
- Official transcripts from any former education program
Curriculum:
- Pharmacologic Basics in Nursing Practice
- Complex Health Problems
- Mental Health Nursing
- Trends and Issues
- Family Centered Nursing
- Advanced Nursing Concepts
- Transitions
Addressing FAQs About LPN to RN Online Programs
The spotlights above are excellent examples of what individual bridge programs look like, but they probably don’t answer every question out there. If you’re still wondering how much LPN to RN programs cost, the benefits of becoming an RN versus an LPN, and how long it takes to become a RN in South Carolina, continue reading.
What are the admission requirements for an LPN to RN program in South Carolina?
All LPN to RN programs in South Carolina require students to hold valid licensure as a practical nurse. Some programs, such as the one at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, require a minimum cumulative GPA from prior college studies.
Another common requirement is entrance exams. For instance, Williamsburg Technical College requires students to pass the TEAS.
Finally, most programs specify that students should complete prerequisite general education courses prior to admission. But if you are concerned about prerequisites, there are programs outside of the state that have no prerequisite requirements.
Can I get my LPN to RN online in South Carolina?
Because the state RN licensure process requires a set number of clinical hours, there are no fully online LPN to RN programs in South Carolina. That said, many excellent hybrid options exist. Generally, this type of program allows students to independently complete items like tests, quizzes, assignments, and even discussions online.
However, students must attend labs and clinicals in person and may also be required to show up for other specified meetings. This type of program makes it more convenient to fit academics into a busy schedule because, as long as assignment deadlines are met, learners can move at their own pace.
How much does an LPN to RN cost in South Carolina?
Most LPN-RN programs in South Carolina have different tuition rates based on students’ county of residence. That is, the rate for in-county students is lower than the rate for out-of-county students.
For example, the total tuition cost for an in-county student attending Williamsburg Technical College is $6,802, while an out-of-county student would pay $6,992.
To make a bridge program even more affordable, consider different financial aid options, like student loans, nursing scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement programs.
How long does an LPN to RN program take in South Carolina?
Most programs in South Carolina can be completed in about three semesters, which is about one year. However, since all associate degree nursing programs require general education courses, programs will take longer for students who have not finished their prerequisites before applying.
One major advantage of LPN-RN transition programs is that they are much shorter than generic ADN programs. This is because past nursing experience and education allows LPN-RN students to complete their degrees at an accelerated pace.
Expert Insight
Also remember that you can earn a bachelor of science in nursing through an LPN to BSN program. This will extend the time it takes to finish, but you’ll enjoy higher earnings and job opportunities with a bachelor’s. In fact, employers are more likely to hire you with a bachelor’s over an RN with an associate degree.
How do I become an RN in South Carolina?
All registered nurses in South Carolina must be licensed by the state’s board of nursing. To be eligible, students must complete the following:
- Attend a board-approved nursing school
- Complete a set number of clinical training hours
- Pass the NCLEX-RN exam
Student must also fill out an application, which has an application fee of around $100. The exact fee depends on the type of license someone is applying for, as the state offers a few different types of RN licenses.
South Carolina LPN vs. RN Earnings & Employment Comparison
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | LPNs/LVNs | $50,370 | $61,820 | $76,420 |
| RNs | $66,860 | $82,360 | $106,520 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | RNs | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 | |
| South Carolina | RNs | 45,140 | 49,610 | 4,470 | 9.90% | 2,990 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 9,300 | 10,500 | 1,200 | 12.90% | 870 |
Source: Projections Central
