Some projections predict that the United States will face a shortage of over 120,000 physicians by 2030; 3,230 of these are predicted to be in the state of South Carolina. Currently, 41 counties in the state are designated as health professional shortage areas, meaning there are 3,500 or more patients for every one provider.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) can help step in to fill these gaps. In South Carolina, NPs have restricted practice, which means that they must work under the supervision of a physician. But these collaborative relationships still allow them a lot of autonomy in how they can help their patients.
If you’re interested in becoming an NP, here are some of the programs available in the Palmetto State. There are multiple options available, including doctorate programs.
Program Overview:
Anderson University was founded in 1848 as one of the country’s first institutions of higher learning for women. Today, the College of Health Professions offers a number of programs, including two NP options. Students in these programs can gain hands-on experience in the school’s Center for Medical Simulations to prepare for clinical experiences and their future careers. This simulated hospital uses interactive, cutting-edge technology to simulate various conditions in different types of patients.
Students wishing to pursue advanced degrees at Anderson University have two options, an MSN track and a DNP track. Both hybrid programs allow students to complete most classes remotely while only coming to campus a few times throughout the program. Master’s students attend in-person learning for two or three days a semester to interact with classmates and faculty and learn and practice hands-on skills. This program is 47 credits with 600 clinical hours and can be completed in four semesters.
Students in the DNP program are required to come to campus two to three days a semester at the beginning of the program but this may decrease after the first four semesters. This program is 73 credits with 600 clinical hours and is completed in nine semesters.
Program Overview:
Founded in 1889, Clemson University is located in Upstate South Carolina, about halfway between Atlanta, GA, and Charlotte, NC. The School of Nursing in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences offers multiple NP programs, including both master’s and doctorate-level degrees. Students here have access to the school’s Clinical Learning and Research Center, which includes the Clinical Learning Laboratory and Simulation Center.
Clemson offers five NP tracks, two MSN programs (FNP and AGNP) and three DNP programs (FNP, AGNP, PNP). All programs are hybrid, with online courses, on-campus requirements, and in-person clinical experiences. Master’s programs are offered through Clemson’s satellite campus in Greenville, on the campus of Prisma Health. DNP tracks are full-time, 74 credit programs with 1,000 clinical hours.
Program Overview:
Francis Marion University was founded in 1970 and is located in Florence in the northeast part of the state, about 80 miles east of Columbia. The school’s Department of Nursing boasts a 100% pass rate and employment rate for recent graduates of its DNP programs.
If you’re interested in becoming a family nurse practitioner, Francis Marion allows you to pursue a doctorate whether you currently hold a BSN or an MSN. The BSN to DNP program has 70 credit hours and 1,080 clinical hours and has online and in-person classes. Hybrid courses require students to be on campus no more than two days a semester. Note that students in this program do not have the option to opt-out and take the FNP certification exam after completing master’s level courses.
The MSN to DNP option is 30 credit hours and a minimum of 360 clinical hours with all classes being online. The program is designed to be completed in one calendar year, but students can work with their faculty advisor to develop a part-time plan of study if necessary.
Program Overview:
The College of Nursing as the Medical University of South Carolina is the country’s second-oldest nursing school. It was founded in 1882, offering a diploma program that was later phased out when it established a bachelor’s program in 1966, expanding to master’s level education options in 1979.
MUSC offers multiple options for nurses who already hold a BSN and wish to become FNPs, AGNPs, or PNPs, more than any other school in the state. MUSC offers MSN and DNP programs in each specialty (FNP, AGNP, and PNP). BSN to MSN tracks are 60 credits and can be completed in two or three years; they offer completely online programs with in-person clinical hours.
DNP programs are also online with in-person clinical. These 76-credit programs can be completed in three or four years or eight to 11 semesters.
Program Overview:
USC was founded in 1801, survived the Civil War, and flourished. In 190, it achieved university status and continued to advance and grow. Today, the College of Nursing offers innovative learning opportunities for students with the opening of the University of South Carolina and Lexington Medical Center’s satellite clinical education building, where future nurses and NPs get hands-on training using cutting-edge technology, including an immersive simulation center, collaboration spaces, and private study spaces. The school’s AGNP program boasts a 100% certification exam pass rate.
USC offers two NP programs for nurses wishing to pursue careers as either FNPs or AGNPs. Both programs are flexible, with online coursework, on-campus immersions, and in-person clinicals. The FNP program consists of 47 credits, 672 clinical hours, and on-campus immersions in the fourth, fifth, and seventh semesters. The AGNP program has 46 credits, 672 clinical hours, and on-campus immersions in the fourth and seventh semesters.
NP Programs in Other States
Georgia
North Carolina
Florida
Tennessee
Virginia
Alabama