Nursing Degree Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota employed currently has just over 11,000 nurses employed in a state with a population of over 800,000. This shortage of nurses is evident throughout the country, and there are more jobs available than there are nurses to fill them. The trend is expected to continue, making nursing one of the fastest growing industries in which to find employment. For South Dakota, this is no exception, and if you are considering a career change, or entering the workforce, you may wish to consider the nursing field.
Even entry level nurses in the state get paid close to $26 an hour. The average salary for Registered Nurses in South Dakota is around $57,000 a year, which is higher than the state median income. This not only makes nursing a secure job, but also a lucrative job, especially when compared to the lower cost of living. As an entry level profession, it is a good way to build a future for yourself and your community.
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The nursing camp at South Dakota State University showcases the College of Nursing.
Featured South Dakota Nursing School
South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University has been expanding its school of nursing to offer incentives for more Registered Nurses and healthcare professionals in the job force. An extensive range of programs cover several levels of higher education, allowing not only for better training and a greater knowledge base for students, but also for the inspiration of leaders in the field. With affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees, the career opportunities and possibilities for professional advancement become greater.
The following degree programs are available:
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• RN to BSN
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice
• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
South Dakota State University is only $139 per credit hour for state residents, which translates to $14,460 a year. Even non-state residents have a low rate at $209 per credit hour and around $16,000 per year. Financial aid is also available through student loans, school based grants and scholarships, and even work study programs, making nursing education in South Dakota an attractive option.
South Dakota State University Overview
Campus: Brookings, South Dakota
Type: Public, non-profit
Accreditation: Regionally Accredited by Institution of Higher Learning and State Boards of Nursing.
GRE/GMAT Required: Yes.
Minimum Time Commitment: Four years for undergraduate, and at least two years for graduate.
On Campus Requirement: Variable.
Programs: BSN, RN/BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD.
School Site: Tuition, Financial Aid, Admissions
Where to Earn Your Nursing Degree in South Dakota
South Dakota has many schools that offer nursing courses. An overview of institutions and programs may be seen below.
Online Nursing
Description
Chamberlain College of Nursing
RN to BSN Online Option
This online degree program allows you to earn your BSN in just three semesters, and you do not need to drive to class.
Doctor of Nursing Practice DNP
You can earn your DNP mostly online in as few as five semesters. Choose from Advanced Practice Leadership, or Healthcare Systems Leadership.
MSN Family Nurse Pracitioner
Earn your MSN in as little as two years online, so that you can become a nurse practitioner, which is one of the most in demand professions today.
University of Cincinnati
MSN Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
In this speciality, you will focus your career on women’s health, so that you can serve women’s health care needs in a diverse range of settings.
MSN Nursing Administration
Earn your MSN in the field of nursing administration online, so that you can develop the skills that you need to manage an entire hospital nursing department.
MSN Nurse Midwifery
This two year MSN program will give you the skills and knowledge to become an expert in women’s health.
MSN Adult Gero Clincial Nurse Specialist
You will learn how to improve the quality of care and health outcomes for a variety of adult patients in a diverse health care setting.
MSN Adult Gero Primary Care NP
This online two year degree speciality for your MSN will give you the skills to develop an exciting career in hospital based nursing.
Campus Nursing
Description
Augustana College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This four year program prepares you to become a Registered Nurse. It is based on campus, but offers options to study abroad and learn about other healthcare systems and techniques. The comprehensive program combines theory and experience to offer you a deep understanding of the nursing practice from a variety of perspectives.
Dakota Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The four year registered nursing degree will teach you the fundamentals of nursing theory and ethics, but also give you intensive practicum through hands on experiences in simulated labs and with clinical rounds. This program covers general education as well as the nursing specialty. One of the focuses of this program is to train RNs to become leaders in their field, and involvement with the public will extend beyond the community to state and national levels, to prepare you for administration and management.
Mount Marty College
Master of Science in Adult Geriatric Nursing
The Master in Adult and Geriatric Nursing will allow you to work in elder homes and other institutions on a leadership level. Courses include learning about effective care implementation and designing comprehensive wellness plans for patients, as well as overseeing other nurses.
Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing
This graduate course allows you to work as a counselor and social worker in public health settings. The program includes classroom study and clinical rounds as well as a research thesis that focuses on study and learning from existing theories on care.
Master of Science in Public Health Nursing
This program is designed to hone your leadership skill and allow you to take positions in public health programs and government health departments. You will be able to take on greater administrative responsibilities and learn about managing and inspiring other. The course is campus based, and usually takes between two to four years to complete.
Oglala Lakota College
Associate Degree in Nursing
This two year degree program will prepare you to become a Registered Nurse trough campus classes and practical applications in public health settings. This course is very focused on cultural sensitivity and integrative care that considers holistic aspects of nursing. It will teach you how to use all the tools within the healthcare system to better serve your patients and how to work in various community settings.
Presentation College
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
The four year traditional Bachelor Program is offered on campus, and allows you gain extensive experiential training while working toward becoming a Registered Nurse. The accredited program will prepare you for your licensing exam and for the workforce so that you may be effective in the healthcare setting.
RN to BSN
This two year program allows you to study on campus as well as online as you complete your undergraduate degree. There is a strong focus on behavioral factors in health and you will be able to explore nursing from a psychological perspective.
Sisseton Wahpeton College
Associate Degree in Applied Science
This nursing course can run between 18 months and two years depending upon your enrollment level. It is accredited by the state board of nursing and will prepare you for your licensing exam to become registered nurse. Campus classes and community outreach clinical round will enhance your training and will teach you about a variety of healthcare settings.
South Dakota State University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This program may be completed in three different options to suit your individual schedule and timeline. The traditional option is a four year, on campus program that covers general education and the nursing specialty. The accelerated program requires a pre-requisite Bachelor Degree in any field, with one year of on campus practical training in nursing techniques. The last option is an online study program that can take as long or as short as you need.
RN to BSN
This is an online learning course that allows you to progress from an Associate Degree to a Bachelor Degree while still maintaining your work schedule. The shift in degrees will offer you a greater choice of jobs and higher wages.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
The DNP program is a three year program that is focused on the clinical aspects of Practical Nursing. It allows you to expand your scope of practice and work more effectively in community health settings, as well as learn how to design and implement health interventions.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
This is a 60 credit program that can take four to eight years to complete, and is focused on research aspects of nursing and healthcare. It is an intensive course that will prepare you for work in labs and in academics, but will also raise your earning power and knowledge base.
University of Sioux Falls
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
This program is available in an accelerated or traditional form. The accelerated version requires an Associate of Bachelor pre-requisite and can take as little as eight semesters. The traditional path is a four year degree that incorporates general education with a nursing specialty to prepare you for a career as a Registered Nurse.
References:
http://www.sdstate.edu/nurs/
http://www.usiouxfalls.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2609
http://www.mtmc.edu/nursing/graduate.aspx
http://www.augie.edu/academics/nursing
http://www.dwu.edu/nursing
http://www.presentation.edu/academic-programs/nursing/
http://www.olc.edu/
http://www.swc.tc/