LPN Programs in South Carolina
While most industries have been shrinking in the US, the healthcare industry has seen a boom in recent years, in South Carolina and elsewhere. An aging population means that there’s been a growth in the demand for long term care and nursing home facilities, and that means that professionals like Licensed Practical Nurses are in demand in South Carolina and elsewhere.
Before you can launch a career in the industry, however, you need to know what you need to do to qualify and register as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in South Carolina.
Find the Right LPN Course in South Carolina
In South Carolina, and in other states, the first step for anyone who wants to become an LPN is to complete a state board of nursing approved training program.
These programs are typically nine months to one year long, and are offered by colleges, community colleges and technical and vocational schools. Most require a high school or GED, but some have more specific requirements too. Make sure that you meet all the requirements, and that the course you choose is accredited, before you sign up.
Understand the Curriculum for LPN Courses in South Carolina
LPN programs in South Carolina are designed to equip trainees to be ready to start work in a hospital, nursing home, private practice or elsewhere as an LPN, when they finish.
They therefore cover a wide range of practical and theoretical course modules, related to practical nursing. You will learn everything from patient care and basic nursing, to how to administer injections, take vitals and more. You’ll also study pharmacology, medical terminology and anatomy, and specific patient care theory and practice (caring for the aged, caring for infants and so on.)
There are practical, hands on clinical training modules, that you will complete under the supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or another medical professional, and classroom and lab studies.
Certification and Registration for LPN’s in South Carolina
Before you can work as an LPN in South Carolina, you need to pass the competency exam, and apply for licensing. Once that is done, you can legally use the title ‘Licensed Practical Nurse’, and accept any state or private LPN position in the state.
Earnings and Outlook for LPN’s in South Carolina
The estimated growth in demand for LPNs in South Carolina is expected to be nearly 10% between now and 2016, which makes this a relatively high growth career choice.
As far as earnings go, and bearing in mind the relatively minimal study period involved in qualifying as an LPN, you can expect to earn an average of around $37,000 as a Licensed Practical Nurse in South Carolina.
Accredited LPN Schools, Training Classes & Programs in South Carolina
Aiken Technical College
2276 Jefferson Davis Highway
P.O. Box 696
Aiken, SC 29802
(803) 593-9954 Ext. 1491
Students in the practical nursing program will study for about one year then sit the NCLEX-PN exams. This school offers a wide array of health care programs including an associates degree in nursing and a transition PN to RN program. Out of state students pay approximately 2 ½ times more on their tuition than in county and in state students. There are athletics programs, clubs and organizations on campus. Financial aid is available.
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Applied Technology Education Campus
874 Vocational Lane
Camden, SC 29020
(803) 425-8982
This licensed practical nursing program is offered as a day program from Mondays to Fridays. Juniors and seniors from the high school can enroll in the program so that they may graduate with a career and start their college education. The school offers athletic programs for students under 19 years old. This school system is a high school district and has a feeding program in place.
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Central Carolina Technical College
133 South Main Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 778-1961
There are several financial aid options to help you pay for college. These include Federal and State grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, lottery tuition assistance, scholarships and more. There is a tutoring service and a book store on campus and students may be able to access some of their course online. The gainful employment data shows that this school has a 100% job placement rate fro graduates of the LPN program.
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Cherokee Technology Center
3206 Cherokee Avenue
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 206-6022
This school has been around since 1967 and offers their practical nursing program in two phases; LPN I and LPN II. There are several clubs on campus that students might be interested in joining. Students can inquire about financial aid through the appropriate department. Counseling services are provided via the Guidance Counselor.
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Denmark Technical College
500 Soloman Blatt Blvd
P.O. Box 327
Denmark, SC 29042
(803) 793-5176
Federal Pell grants, Academic Competitive grants, FSEOG, work study programs, loans and State aids are available to students who qualify. Resources are in place fro career planning and counseling. Students enrolling in the LPN program need to speak with an admissions counselor. Out of state students pay double on their tuition than in state students.
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ECPI College of Technology
1001 Keys Drive #100
Greenville, SC 29615
(864) 288-2828
If you have a high school diploma or GED and you pass the admissions test you might well be on your LPN career path. This practical nursing program runs for 3 ½ semesters of classroom, clinical and lab instructions. There is a financial plan that you can work out with the school to help with your tuition. Other options include grants and scholarships.
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ECPI College of Technology
7410 Northside Drive, Suite #100
North Charleston, SC 29420
(843) 414-0350
There is a standard tuition fee for all students whether in state or out of state. Scholarships and grants are available financial aid options but students who don’t qualify can work out a financing plan with the school. It takes about one year to complete the licensed practical nursing program and admission are pretty simple.
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Florence-Darlington Technical College
320 West Cheves Street, P.O. Box 100548
Florence, SC 29502
(843) 661-8324
Financial aid options include Pell grants, FSEOG, Federal work study, Federal loans, an SC need based grant and subsidized Stafford loans among many others. The licensed practical nursing program takes on three semesters of studies. There is a bookstore, counseling center, students success center and other resources available to students.
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Horry-Georgetown Technical College – Grand Strand Campus
743 Hemlock Avenue
Myrtle Beach, SC 29557
(843) 477-0808
The practical nursing program is a three semester program and students can advance into the associates degree nursing program. Financial aid is available via grants, scholarships, lottery tuition assistance, subsidized / unsubsidized loans and tuition deferment. Out of county and out of State students pay more on tuition than in county students.
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Marion County Technical Education Center
2697 East Hwy 76, P.O. Box 890
Marion, SC 29571
(843) 423-9800
The licensed practical nursing program is the only program taught at this school. There are 1496 hours of instructions in clinical, classroom and labs training. There are no credits awarded per course but 15 transferable credits are awarded upon completion. Students can use these credits to enter into any RN program at any college. Financial aid options are available.
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Midlands Technical College
1260 Lexington Avenue, P.O. Box 2408
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 822-3334
This LPN program is completed in less than one year and requires credit hours to graduate. There are several financial aid options which include Federal work study, Pell grants, lottery funded tuition assistance, Veteran’s benefits, scholarships, loans and State based grants. Students services include a library, bookstore and employment resources.
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Northeastern Technical College
1201 Chesterfield Highway
P.O. Drawer 1007
Cheraw, SC 29520
(843) 921-6900
The school’s career center assists student with planning their career path, career development and aptitude tests. Students must complete 48 credit hours over a three semester period in order to graduate from the LPN program. The financial aid options available are Federal aids, State aid, the college foundation scholarships, loans and many more.
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Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College
3250 Saint Matthews Road
Orangeburg, SC 29118
(803) 535-1354
All students in the LPN program must submit to a criminal background check. Students with a criminal record except for traffic violations and drivers license disciplinary actions, will not be eligible to sit the NCLEX-PN exams. The practical nursing program is studied over a three semester period and requires 48 credits to graduate. Financial aid, library and a book store are available to students.
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Piedmont Technical College
620 North Emerald Street, P.O. Box 1467
Greenwood, SC 29648
(864) 941-8724
Some prerequisite courses are required before entry into the three semester licensed practical nursing program. Total credits to complete this program is 32 semester hours. Students are required to submit to a drug screen and a criminal background check. They must also be CPR certified and provide health and immunizations records. Financial assistance is available to students who qualify.
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Technical College of the Lowcountry
921 Ribaut Road, P.O. Box 1288
Beaufort, SC 29901
(843) 525-8267
Students are advised to complete the FAFSA form and submit with their college application. There are several aids available including grants, loans, veterans benefits, scholarships and more from State, Federal and foundations programs. The LPN program is completed in three semesters and students must speak with an advisor prior to enrollment. Out of country students pay more on tuition than residents.
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Tri-County Technical College
7900 Highway 76, P.O. Box 587
Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 646-1343
Two full semester and a term is all it takes to complete this licensed practical nursing program. Students are awarded a diploma upon completion. Athletics, clubs and organizations are available for students to participate in. Their career services assists students with career assessment, guidance, job placement and internships. A store is available on campus where students can purchase their books and school supplies at a subsidized cost. Financial aid is available; apply early.
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Trident Technical College
7000 Rivers Avenue, P.O. Box 118067
Charleston, SC 29423
(843) 574-6138
This school offer continuing education, high school programs and distance education. Students entering the practical nursing program must hold a pre-nursing certificate. The program takes one year to complete. Housing is provided and international students are welcome to apply. There is a counseling and career development center on campus. Financial aid options are available.
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Williamsburg Technical College
601 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-4110
There is a dual enrollment program available for high school students to start their college education. Minimum age for admissions into the licensed practical nursing program is 16 -17 years. Admission is on a first qualified for accepted basis. Te program is 40 weeks long and students from other practical nursing programs can transfer in so long as they meet the admissions criteria. Tuition is standard for all students.
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York Technical College
452 South Anderson Road
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 981-7067
Students can speak with an advisor about their admissions or if they are transferring from another school. Financial aid is available to help pay for college. Some of these include the state lottery tuition assistance, scholarships among others. The college’s foundation also assist students with paying for their education. The current pass rate for graduates from the practical nursing program doing the NCLEX-PN exams is over 96%.
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