South Dakota RN Programs

Earn your ADN degree or BSN degree at a South Dakota college

How to Become a Registered Nurse in South Dakota

The fastest growing career fields available in the United States right now are found predominantly within the healthcare industry. With a large portion of the population approaching old age, medical systems across the country are being pushed to the breaking point. The average RN salary in South Dakota is $60,550 a year, or $32 an hour.

Healthcare is facing a number of shortages, but none is more critical than the shortage of qualified Registered Nurses (RNs). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated in 2008 that the industry would need upwards of 750,000 new RNs by 2018. Residents of South Dakota have a great opportunity to become an RN by completing one of the state’s numerous RN programs.

Before deciding on a program, individuals should inquire about the school’s accreditation standing. There are a handful of regional accreditation boards throughout the U.S., but the most important accreditation comes from the following national nursing education organizations:

• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC)
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

There are three major types of RN programs available in South Dakota. These programs include the following:

• Diploma/Certificate
• Associate’s degree
• Bachelor’s degree

South Dakota RN programs offered at the diploma or certificate level are known as practical programs in the state. These programs offer the fastest track to a nursing career. Practical programs in South Dakota typically include one year of coursework and an additional clinical practice rotation. There are six practical programs available in South Dakota, but only four of them have the full approval of the Board of Nursing. Of those four, only one has national accreditation.

The majority of RN programs in South Dakota are offered at the Associate and Baccalaureate levels. Associate’s programs take one to two years to complete, but can take as many as three years depending upon prerequisite coursework. The prerequisite courses required for Associate’s programs can differ from school to school, making it important to research any program before applying.

Baccalaureate programs provide the greatest depth of education. Baccalaureate RN programs in South Dakota take four to five years to complete and include general education courses, specialized nursing courses, and a clinical practice rotation.

The biggest difference between Associate and Baccalaureate is the approach. Associate’s programs prefer to emphasize hands on learning while Bachelor’s programs focus on research and nursing theory. South Dakota schools offer nine Associate’s programs and 12 Baccalaureate programs.

Upon completing any of these RN programs in South Dakota, individuals are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). The computer based exam is required in order to obtain a license to practice. In addition to completing the exam, students are required by South Dakota to submit to a criminal background check.

With nursing set to explode in the coming decade, there is no better time to complete an RN program. Doing so will put any student in a great position to nab a high paying and stable job.

Associates Degree RN Programs in South Dakota

Resources for Nurses and Nursing Students in South Dakota

South Dakota Board of Nursing
South Dakota Nurses Association
South Dakota School Nurses Association
South Dakota Nurses Foundation Fund Scholarship
SD Dept of Education Scholarships
South Dakota HOSA Scholarships

Accredited South Dakota RN Schools

See our complete list of qualified RN nursing education programs in the state of South Dakota. The schools listed here offer pre-licensure nursing programs that meet the registered nursing education requirements set forth by the South Dakota State Board of Nursing. Although the schools listed on this page are accredited by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and approved by the state of South Dakota, they might not be accredited by national organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Individuals should check to see if the state-approved nursing school they are considering also enjoys national accreditation status if they are seeking a school with both accreditations.