12 Best ADN Programs in South Carolina – (2-Year Nursing Programs)
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH (Introduction), and Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org (School Profiles)
ADN programs in South Carolina focus on patient care and best nursing practices so you can qualify to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Once you attain your RN licensure in South Carolina, you’ll start earning a salary, which for ADN-prepared registered nurses in the Palmetto State comes to $74,330 a year. Pretty good after only two years of school! Healthcare employers will be eager to work with you; in fact, employment opportunities for ADN-educated RNs in South Carolina are expected to increase by 12 percent in just one decade. Could this be the right professional choice for you? Find out by reading the guide below to the 10 best ADN programs in South Carolina.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ADN PROGRAMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA (ONLINE AND CAMPUS)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 12 best nursing schools for ADN programs in South Carolina. You can complete most of these programs in 2 years.
1. Greenville Technical College - Greenville
Program Details: The associate degree in nursing at Greenville Technical College is a blend of general education and nursing courses. Among the best ADN programs in South Carolina, the program is on-campus and offered in a student-centric environment. The coursework comprises 68 credits and covers topics such as anatomy & physiology, general psychology, pharmacological therapies, microbiology, mental health nursing, health promotion, and management of care.
Why Choose This Program
• Greenville Technical College’s ADN program is not only high quality but also quite affordable.• Greenville Technical College’s ADN students are provided with learning opportunities at its advanced simulation lab.
• Greenville Technical College’s ADN program offers students flexible course schedules. This ADN program in South Carolina easily allows working students to juggle a job while completing their nursing education.
2. Aiken Technical College - Graniteville
Program Details: Aiken Technical College produces high-quality nursing graduates who are prepared to provide safe and competent patient care. The program emphasizes vital skills such as critical thinking, clinical competence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based practice. This 2-year nursing program in South Carolina is a 68-credit coursework that covers a wide range of topics such as anatomy & physiology, fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, microbiology, psychiatric nursing, and other basic and advanced concepts in nursing.
Why Choose This Program
• Aiken Technical College is one of the reputable two-year institutions, having more than 50 years of experience in training highly skilled professionals.• Aiken Technical College boasts of a faculty that has experience in nursing practice and education.
• Aiken Technical College fosters community engagement. ADN students are provided with service learning opportunities at a variety of healthcare organizations.
3. Trident Technical College - Charleston
Program Details: If you are keen on obtaining your associate degree in nursing from one of the best ADN programs in South Carolina, then Trident Technical College’s ADN program is an excellent choice. The program is a 65-credit coursework that leads to the NCLEX-RN exam. The program covers topics such as anatomy & physiology, microbiology, basic nursing skills, pharmacology, patient-centered nursing care, health promotion, complex health problems, nursing management & leadership, and human growth & development.
Why Choose This Program
• Trident Technical College’s ADN students practice clinical skills in its new 90,000-square-foot advanced simulation lab. The center replicates a hospital environment and provides students with practice experiences in a variety of patient care scenarios.• Trident Technical College’s ADN program is offered sequentially. In this sense, the program first starts with practical nursing courses, followed by the ADN courses. This allows students to work after passing the LPN licensure exam while completing the remaining ADN courses.
• Trident Technical College is well-known for its nursing education and is also one of the largest producers of nurses in the Lowcountry.
4. Tri-County Technical College - Pendleton
Program Details: If you want to gain the skills and knowledge to become a registered nurse, then enrolling in Tri-County Technical College’s ADN program is a great idea. This 2-year nursing program in South Carolina is designed to prepare you for the complex challenges of direct patient care. The program is a 68-credit coursework that comprises topics such as anatomy & physiology, basic nursing concepts, pharmacology, psychiatric & mental health nursing, microbiology, nursing care management, and advanced nursing concepts.
Why Choose This Program
• Tri-County Technical College’s ADN reports high pass rates on the NCLEX-RN exam. The pass rate is consistently higher than the national average. The program also boasts of an excellent placement rate, having the majority of graduates placed within six months of graduation.• Tri-County Technical College’s ADN program is known for offering great value. The program offers a lower tuition cost, compared to most other ADN programs in South Carolina.
• Tri-County Technical College’s ADN program is offered in small-sized classes where the student-to-faculty ratio facilitates close interaction.
5. Horry-Georgetown Technical College - Georgetown & Grand Strand
Program Details: Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s ADN program is designed for aspiring nurses who want to obtain a well-rounded skillset in nursing. The program combines classroom lectures with diverse clinical experiences to fully prepare graduates for the field of nursing. Among the reputable 2-year nursing programs in South Carolina, the program comprises a total of 68 credits. Students attend classes in subjects such as anatomy & physiology, microbiology, fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, basic & advanced nursing concepts, and issues in nursing.
Why Choose This Program
• Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s associate degree in nursing is offered in a supportive learning environment. ADN students benefit from small class sizes, personalized attention, and close interaction with instructors.• Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s ADN program can seamlessly be transferred to several reputed four-year institutions.
• Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s ADN program emphasizes clinical training and provides students with diverse clinical opportunities. Students apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world healthcare settings.
6. Fortis College - Columbia
Program Details: Fortis College’s associate degree in nursing combines theoretical learning with clinical training to prepare graduates for a successful career in nursing. Leading to the NCLEX-RN exam, the program requires the completion of around 70 credits. Graduates of this ADN program in South Carolina gain the proficiency to work in a variety of healthcare settings and nursing specialties. The ADN coursework typically covers a range of subjects in foundational science and core nursing courses. Some of the topics students learn include med-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, community health nursing, patient assessment, pharmacology, and nursing leadership and management.
Why Choose This Program
• Fortis College partners with Denver College of Nursing, allowing ADN students several opportunities to advance their nursing education and career.• Fortis College’s ADN program offers a blend of online and on-campus classes, allowing working students to take almost 50% of the coursework from anywhere.
• Fortis College offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities to reduce the cost of your nursing education.
7. Central Carolina Technical College - Sumter
Program Details: Central Carolina Technical College prepares registered nurses who are not only highly skilled but also competent in offering care to diverse patient populations. Another one of the best 2-year nursing programs in South Carolina, Central Carolina Technical College’s ADN program is a 66-credit coursework. The two-year program covers a range of topics such as anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, basic nursing concepts, microbiology, complex health problems, mental health nursing, and family-centered nursing. This 2-year RN program in South Carolina also teaches you the trends & issues in nursing and advanced nursing concepts.
Why Choose This Program
• Central Carolina Technical College’s ADN program offers excellent support services. Students have access to services such as tutoring, counseling, and career placement assistance.• Central Carolina Technical College’s ADN program facilitates a smooth transition to a BSN or MSN at some of the leading four-year institutions in the state.
• Central Carolina Technical College’s ADN program provides ample clinical experience. Students benefit from hands-on experiences in real-world healthcare settings.
8. Spartanburg Community College - Spartanburg
Program Details: Spartanburg Community College’s associate degree in nursing program offers admission on a selective basis. The program is a high-quality offering that prepares graduates to provide healing nursing care. Among the reputable ADN programs in South Carolina, Spartanburg Community College’s nursing program is a 68-credit program that focuses on health promotion and disease prevention. The core courses cover all important nursing topics such as health assessment, obstetrics, neonatal & women’s health, mental health nursing, nursing management & leadership, and general psychology.
Why Choose This Program
• Spartanburg Community College’s ADN program provides clinical learning opportunities in the lab throughout the program. If you choose this ADN program in South Carolina, you’ll simultaneously be able to apply your theoretical knowledge to practice.• Spartanburg Community College’s ADN students complete clinical rotations in different types of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, physician offices, etc.
• Spartanburg Community College’s ADN program is regarded as one of the more affordable ADN programs in the state.
9. Piedmont Technical College - Greenwood
Program Details: Piedmont Technical College’s associate degree in nursing is a great stepping stone to a career as a registered nurse. The program equips graduates with the professional training required to provide care for individuals and families across their lifespan. This ADN program in South Carolina is competitive and is capped to a maximum of 32 students. The coursework comprises a total of 62 credits in general education and nursing core courses. The nursing core courses include topics such as the fundamentals of nursing, psychiatric & mental health nursing, nursing care of children, gerontological nursing, and nursing management & leadership.
Why Choose This Program
• The ADN program at Piedmont Technical College provides job-ready training. The curriculum is designed to equip graduates with skills that are in demand in the field of nursing.• Piedmont Technical College’s ADN program provides a solid foundation for university transfer. Also, the program provides a seamless transfer of ADN credits to several BSN and MSN programs in the state.
• Piedmont Technical College’s ADN program is led by a team of experienced faculty members. The faculty is committed to student success and provides them with valuable insights from their real-world practice experiences.
10. Florence-Darlington Technical College - Florence
Program Details: If you want to enroll in an ADN program in South Carolina that offers a fine balance of theoretical and practical training, then Florence-Darlington Technical College’s associate degree in nursing is an excellent choice. Leading to the NCLEX-RN exam, the program fully prepares graduates to work in a variety of healthcare settings. Comprising a total of 68 credits, the program emphasizes key competencies of patient-centered care, evidence-based knowledge, informatics, teamwork, and critical thinking.
Why Choose This Program
• Florence-Darlington Technical College’s ADN program boasts of a high pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam that surpasses the national average. The successful academic outcome indicates the thorough preparation that the program provides students.• Florence-Darlington Technical College’s ADN program consistently achieves high placement rates. An emphasis on practice skills ensures that ADN graduates are well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.
• Florence-Darlington Technical College’s ADN program provides a student-centered learning environment where personal and professional success is paramount. The college’s faculty and staff are dedicated to providing the necessary guidance to help students reach their goals.
11. Midlands Technical College - Columbia
Program Details: Midlands Technical College’s associate degree in nursing is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge in basic and advanced nursing concepts. Emphasizing holistic nursing care, the coursework covers essential topics such as anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, nursing theory, and nursing care of individuals and families across the lifespan. This 2-year RN program in South Carolina combines classroom lectures with clinical experiences in med-surgical nursing, maternal child nursing, mental health nursing, and community health nursing. Program graduates obtain proficiency in critical thinking, communication, and clinical reasoning.
Why Choose This Program
• Among the other 2-year RN programs in South Carolina, Midlands Technical College’s ADN program stands out for providing students with meaningful externship and internship opportunities. Students apply practical skills at a variety of healthcare affiliates.• Midlands Technical College’s ADN program integrates simulation practice into the curriculum. ADN students develop critical thinking and decision-making skills by gaining ample clinical practice in realistic patient scenarios.
• Midlands Technical College’s ADN program is not only affordable but also flexible to cater to the diverse needs of students.
12. Technical College of the Lowcountry - Beaufort
Program Details: The associate degree in nursing program at Technical College of the Lowcountry is a comprehensive curriculum that can be completed within two years of full-time study. Comprising a total of 68 credits, the program covers topics in general education, sciences, and nursing. This 2-year nursing program in South Carolina, typically includes 15 credits in general education, 23 credits in sciences, and 30 credits in nursing. Some of the important topics covered include pharmacology, health promotion, psychiatric & mental health nursing, issues in nursing, microbiology, and basic & advanced topics in nursing.
Why Choose This Program
• Technical College of the Lowcountry’s ADN program provides a high level of simulation practice. Students gain ample clinical training in a safe and controlled environment. In addition, ADN students of this 2-year RN program in South Carolina are also exposed to real-world clinical experiences at healthcare sites throughout Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties.• Technical College of the Lowcountry’s ADN program is community-directed. Graduates are prepared to meet the unique health needs and challenges of the local community.
• Technical College of the Lowcountry’s ADN program is affordable. Additionally, financial aid options are available to eligible students to further reduce the cost.
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