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There are several pathways to becoming a nurse.  Depending on your interest in a specific type of nursing career, you can choose from a variety of programs in South Carolina to help you achieve your career goals.  For more information about the nursing programs in SC, you may visit the the SC Board of Nursing web site at http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Nursing/INDEX.ASP

Practical Nursing (LPN)
This program is one year in length and is offered in career/technology centers or in technical college settings. Upon graduation from the practical nursing program, the graduate is eligible to take the national licensure examination to become a licensed practical nurse.  The licensed practical nurse practices under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse, physician or dentist and cares for patients of all ages.  The LPN can be employed in a variety of health care settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices, and patients’ homes.
The LPN works with individual patients and can give medications, take blood pressures and provide other technical care, helping the registered nurse and the physician.  The starting salary range for a LPN is an average of $21,000 - $24,000 per year.

Associate Degree Registered Nurse (ADN)
This program is generally two years in length and is offered in South Carolina Technical Colleges.  Upon graduation from the Associate Degree Program, the graduate is eligible to take the national licensure examination to become a registered nurse.  The associate degree registered nurse administers patient-centered care to individuals and families in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, homes, schools, and other healthcare facilities.  They can care for patients of all ages in a variety of clinical specialties.  The ADN can administer medications and do complex treatments and can be a team leader in health care settings.  Many ADN-RNs continue their education and achieve a BSN or higher degree after they begin working.  The starting salary range for the ADN-RN is an average of $35,000 - $40,000 per year.

Bachelor’s Degree Registered Nurse (BSN)
This program is generally four years in length and is offered in South Carolina college and university settings.  Upon graduation from the bachelor’s program, the graduate is eligible to take the national licensure examination to become a registered nurse.  The bachelor’s degree registered nurse gives nursing care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, offices, clinics, homes, schools, industry, the military and can practice as a public health nurse.  BSN nurses can become teachers and managers, and can work with companies such as insurance and pharmaceutical.  BSN nurses can care for patients with complex health problems.  The starting salary range for BSN nurses is an average of $36,000 - $45,000.

Master’s Degree in Nursing (MSN)
Once a nurse has the BSN degree they can continue their education and get a Master’s Degree in Nursing.  The programs are generally one to two years in length.  Graduate study in nursing is designed to expand the nurse’s knowledge in a particular clinical area.  Some nurses become Nurse Practitioners.  The Nurse Practitioner can go into practice with a physician and see patients who are sick.  They can diagnose health problems and prescribe medications.  They can become Nurse Midwives and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists or Nurse Administrators in health care facilities.

Doctoral Degrees (PhD, DNP)
Doctoral programs in nursing prepare nurses to do nursing research and to become expert clinicians.  They can become teachers in colleges and university settings, health policy leaders, or can lead health care institutions in leadership positions.  The programs are generally four to five years in length.