South Carolina is a beautiful state filled with history and southern hospitality. Whether you already live in South Carolina or are considering moving there, if you are looking to become a CRNA, you have some options for schooling in South Carolina.
The state of South Carolina is home to two different CRNA programs. The Medical University of South Carolina, located in Charleston, offers a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice or Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia Degree. University of South Carolina and Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, located in Columbia, offers a Master of Nurse Anesthesia degree. While there are only two options for in-state schools, if you live in South Carolina you could also look at the nearby states of Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia which house some additional CRNA schools and programs.
Making the decision to pursue a career as a CRNA is a big choice. There are many different things to consider when starting the process towards becoming a CRNA. This article will provide some information about the basic requirements for becoming a CRNAs and the process that you may undergo to become a CRNA. It will also provide you with some general information about being a CRNA in South Carolina.
What does it take to be a CRNA?
Certified Nurse Anesthetists are highly trained advanced practice nurses. To become a CRNA, one first needs to have a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing and be a registered nurse. Some CRNA schools will accept RNs with an associate’s degree, but many require a bachelor’s degree. If you already work as a RN, you have completed the first step towards becoming a CRNA.
The next step is finding a CRNA school you can attend and applying for admission. As an RN, you may work alongside CRNAs. If you do, it may be helpful to speak with them regarding their job duties and satisfaction in order to ensure a CRNA career is right for you. If you do not know any CRNAs directly, you can also find a CRNA to job shadow before you begin to pursue CRNA schooling. Once you have confirmed that you would like to pursue a CRNA degree, you can begin the application process. The general application requirements for CRNA school are as follows:
- A BSN degree in nursing (some schools only accept nursing degrees and some will consider applicants with associate’s degrees)
- A current RN license
- One year of experience (or more) as a RN in a critical care environment (some schools require 2 years of critical care experience)
If you meet the above requirements, you could potentially apply to CRNA schools. Each school has individual admission requirements in addition to the above list. It is important to find the admission guidelines for the individual schools you plan to apply to.
After getting accepted into CRNA school and completing the program of study, the final step in becoming a CRNA is to pass the NCE. Once you have passed the NCE, you are officially able to work as a CRNA.
CRNAs in South Carolina
It is difficult to predict the future salary for any one CRNA, but there is some data available from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the average salary of CRNAs in South Carolina. As of January 2024, the annual yearly salary for a CRNA practicing in South Carolina was $159,430. The annual mean wage range for South Carolina CRNAs was $159,250-$168,150. CRNAs in South Carolina work in a variety of medical facilities. They can work anywhere that pain management or anesthetics are needed. This can include places such as hospitals, medical centers, ambulatory surgery centers, dental offices, plastic surgery centers, and podiatrist’s offices. CRNAs work in rural areas and also in urban locations. The job duties of a CRNA can vary depending on the facility and location. There is not one “typical” CRNA position and working as a CRNA in South Carolina may look very different for each individual. A CRNA career can be a challenging one, but also very rewarding experience.
CRNA Schools in South Carolina
Medical University of South Carolina Anesthesia for Nurses Program
151-B Rutledge Avenue MSC 962
Charleston, SC 29425
- Degree Type Offered: Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (Completion) or Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (Entry Level)
- Program Duration: MSNA- 28 months, DNP- Unknown
- Start Month: MSNA- August, DNP- January
- Number of Clinical Sites: MSNA- 18, DNP- Unknown
University of South Carolina PRMH Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia
15 Medical Park, Suite 221
Columbia, SC 29203-6897
- Degree Type Offered: Master of Nurse Anesthesia
- Program Duration: 27 months
- Start Month: January
- Number of Clinical Sites: 15