BSN Programs in South Dakota

By EveryNurse Staff on June 14, 2021

BSN Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota is an excellent place to learn and practice nursing, having an ever-increasing demand for qualified nurses. Men and women who want to secure a bright future and a fulfilling career can do so by earning their Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing, which gives them the ability to gain licensure as a registered nurse in the state of South Dakota. This also paves the way for graduate-level degrees allowing nurses to take on advanced roles and teach or manage in the healthcare industry. South Dakota offers up a handful of excellent nursing programs across the state.

Schools With BSN Programs in South Dakota

  • The nursing program at South Dakota State University offers three different BSN options: the standard route, the one-year accelerated BSN degree, and the online option. Those who want to take the accelerated option can do so in Sioux Falls or Aberdeen, provided they have already earned a Bachelor’s degree in another field. The standard BSN option requires four years to complete and is available on Brookings, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls campuses. Those who want to take the online option must have an Associate’s degree or diploma in nursing.
  • Men and women in or around Vermillion can take advantage of the BSN program at the  University of South Dakota which is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing. This program is a four-year program that combines classroom instruction from highly qualified faculty members, simulation classrooms featuring state-of-the-art equipment, and clinical education experiences in a variety of partnering healthcare facilities.
  • Located in Yankton, Mount Marty College offers up an excellent BSN program developed on the basis of holistic care and traditional nursing theory. In addition to the four-year traditional BSN program, students can gain their BSN degree through the LPN and ADN to BSN bridge program. This program is designed for registered and licensed practical nurses who want to earn their Bachelor’s degree to further their education and job prospects. Coursework for the bridge program is available in a hybrid format; primarily online with occasional face-to-face meetings.
  • Dakota Wesleyan University’s nursing program allows individuals to earn their BSN through the traditional program or through the RN to BSN bridge program. The traditional program is a four-year program, and during the first two years, students will gather general education credits. After those are complete, students can progress into the core nursing curriculum. With the RN to BSN program, individuals learn the nursing portion of their education online, which is more flexible than campus-based classes. Those who complete the programs will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN examination.

South Dakota BSN Checklist

  • Enroll in an accredited BSN program in South Dakota and earn your degree.
  • Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
  • Apply for your Registered Nurse (RN) license through the South Dakota Board of Nursing and include the required $100 fee.
  • Maintain your license by renewing every 2 years and including the $90 renewal fee.

South Dakota Nurse Salary & Job Outlook

Potential employers reviewing registered nurse applications often tend to select those who have earned their Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing over those who have only an Associate’s Degree or diploma in nursing. BSN holders also tend to earn a higher salary than their counterparts without a BSN degree. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the annual median salary for registered nurses in the state of South Dakota is $53,050. This is only slightly lower than the national average for this particular career.

Additional South Dakota Program Rankings

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