How We Rank the Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in South Dakota
Choosing a nursing program requires more than a glance at the school’s reputation or curriculum. By encompassing a broad spectrum of factors such as tuition costs, student/faculty ratio, programs offered, NCLEX passing rates, 3rd party rankings and accreditation, you can refine your starting point about what program best suits your career aspirations.
This is our comprehensive evaluation approach, which empowers you to make a strategic decision for the nursing program you decide to attend. First, we assemble a list of all accredited nursing schools offering MBA programs in South Dakota, and then rank them based on our methodology and the following factors:
- Program quality and desirability: tuition costs, student/faculty ratio, programs offered, NCLEX passing rates, 3rd party rankings and accreditation CCNE or ACEN accreditation: 50%
- RNCaree.org’s editorial ranking of the nursing school’s reputation: 10%
- The affordability of the programs offered by the nursing school: 20%
- The NCLEX passing rate as it reflects on the overall program quality: 20%
Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in South Dakota
#1 in South Dakota
South Dakota State University
1004 Campanile Ave, Brookings, SD - 57007-1898
(800) 952-3541
- Programs: CNL, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, Doctor of Nursing, MSN, MSN to DNP, Ph.D., Post Master's NP Certificate
University Information
Total Faculty: 676
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $9,299
Book and Supplies: $1,200
Percent Received Aid: 95%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,603
Percent Admitted: 89%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 44%
Graduation Rate: 59%
Highlights for NP Students
- Diverse Campuses: Nursing programs are offered on four distinct campuses in South Dakota, presenting unique learning environments.
- Real-World Experience: Gain practical knowledge from professors who've had firsthand nursing experience.
- Highly Accredited: The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has accredited the College's wide range of nursing programs, from baccalaureate to doctor of nursing practice.
- Cutting-Edge Simulation: Experience a realistic learning atmosphere in the Healthcare Simulation Center, accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.
- Continuing Development: SDSU College of Nursing is a recognized provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credential Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
- Nationally Recognized: U.S. News & World Report and Study.com have both acknowledged the excellence of the Doctor of Nursing Practice and nurse practitioner programs.
- Community Impact: Benefit from the Population Health Evaluation Center, which partners with clients to improve public health, education, and well-being in communities, especially rural Midwestern ones.
About South Dakota State University's Nursing School
South Dakota State University (SDSU), a land-grant research institution in Brookings, holds the distinction of being the oldest continually operating university in the state since its foundation in 1881. The university's College of Nursing stands out with its blend of theory and practice. This balance is achieved by professors who bring rich, firsthand knowledge into the classroom, ensuring that students receive a practical and impactful education. Also, with programs offered across four South Dakota campuses, students enjoy a wide array of environments to cultivate their nursing skills.
Accreditations from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, and the American Nurses Credential Center’s Commission on Accreditation testify to the program's high standards and dedication to nursing excellence. The College has also received national recognition, being ranked by both U.S. News & World Report and Study.com for its Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.
A notable feature of the college is the Population Health Evaluation Center which specializes in program evaluation and assessment services. This center accentuates the College's commitment to improving health and quality of life, especially in rural Midwestern communities. As a result, students can directly impact and uplift the communities they serve.
About South Dakota State University's NP Programs
Postgraduate Certificates in Nursing
Concentrations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
SDSU's esteemed postgraduate certificates empower nurses to ascend to advanced practice roles. With collaborations spanning over 200 established partnerships in regional clinical settings, the school guarantees an enriched learning environment. The Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate encompasses online coursework, with selective on-campus visits. Graduates are equipped to deliver patient care across all age groups, emphasizing rural healthcare. The flexible course framework accommodates prior graduate courses, and successful graduates can seek certification from either ANCC or AANPCB.
The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate ensures graduates' proficiency in addressing a broad spectrum of mental health needs in both rural and urban settings. This program, predominantly online, gears students towards the ANCC certification exam post-completion. The Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate enriches nurses with skills tailored to adults and the elderly, specifically in acute, chronic, and critical conditions. Graduates can subsequently pursue the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certification.
Concentrations:
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The DNP program at SDSU is meticulously curated to produce Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) primed for leadership roles, with an underlined focus on rural and underserved communities. The graduates not only excel in direct patient care but also in evidence-based practice. The University's impressive array of over 200 collaborations ensures that students gain substantial experience from professionals deeply invested in their educational journey.
For the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration, graduates can pursue ANCC certification. The program's coursework, predominantly online, includes a substantial 1,000-hour clinical practice preceptorship. Potential candidates have multiple program pathways, whether transitioning from a B.S.N. or M.S. to a DNP as a PMHNP.
The Family Nurse Practitioner concentration, on the other hand, emphasizes primary care across lifespans. With the majority of the coursework available online, the program offers flexibility and tailoring options to suit individual needs. Graduates can choose between ANCC or AANPCB certification, with different pathways outlined for B.S.N. and M.S. degree holders transitioning to a DNP as a FNP.
#2 in South Dakota
Mount Marty College
- 1105 W. 8th Street, Yankton, SD - 57078-3724
- (605) 668-1545
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
University Information
- Total Faculty: 45
- In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,200
- Book and Supplies: N/A
- Percent Received Aid: 97%
- Average Grant or Scholarship: $18,750
- Percent Admitted: 78%
- Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 28%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
Highlights for NP Students
- Holistic Training: MMU Nursing program integrates Catholic, Benedictine values ensuring comprehensive nursing expertise.
- Dedicated Faculty: A small student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 means personalized mentoring and guidance.
- Hands-On Experience: Begin clinical rotations in the second year, gaining five full semesters of direct patient care.
- Diverse Clinical Rotations: Experience varied settings like pediatrics, women’s health, mental health, community health, and more.
- State-of-the-Art Simulation: Engage in high-fidelity simulations at MMU's advanced simulation center.
- Early Engagement: Unique early clinical rotation opportunities at renowned locations such as Avera Majestic Bluffs and Yankton Medical Clinic.
About Mount Marty College's Nursing School
Mount Marty University, located in Yankton, South Dakota, is a private Benedictine institution committed to holistic academic and personal excellence. At the heart of this esteemed institution lies the nursing program. The program has grown to provide the region's best nursing education since the Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing was founded in 1905.
Rooted deeply in a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts setting, the nursing program fosters character development and professional expertise. The program’s small student-to-faculty ratio ensures that students are valued, nurtured, and mentored. The early clinical rotations provided to students—a rarity in many nursing programs—further support this individualized approach. T With rotations in acclaimed locations across South Dakota and Nebraska, students face real-world scenarios, confronting problems with creative solutions. Backing up these rotations is MMU's state-of-the-art simulation center,.
But MMU's commitment to its students doesn't stop with just clinical training. With a 95% employment rate within six months of graduation, the program truly prepares its graduates for the real world. This commitment extends to MMU's Center for Academic Excellence, ensuring every student has the academic and personal support they need.
About Mount Marty College's NP Programs
Master of Science in Nursing
Concentrations:
Mount Marty University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with a distinct, values-driven approach. Those who embark on the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration not only gain the clinical expertise to promote health and manage the disease but also learn the essence of care through compassion, understanding, and a spirit of service—traits rooted in Mount Marty's Catholic Benedictine values. This program emphasizes a holistic approach, focusing on both care and cure. The six-semester accredited program blends online and on-campus learning, allowing most students to continue working as they pursue their studies. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to sit for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) certification examinations.
Furthermore, both these MSN tracks are available as post-masters certificates, widening the opportunities for nurses who've already achieved a master’s degree but seek specialized certification. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education has recognized and accredited Mount Marty University's extensive MSN programs, underscoring their dedication to excellence in nursing education.
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Best Nurse Practitioner Programs Near Me
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Best Nurse Practitioner (NP) Methodology
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After graduating with a degree in English Literature from UCLA, Jeff published four editions of the World Wide Web Yellow Pages by Barnes and Noble, and several editions of the Best of the Web. He’s worked as an executive at both startup and mature companies including CareerPath.com and Microsoft. With nearly three decades of publishing and business development expertise, he now puts that experience to use operating RNCareers.org to help future nursing students get reliable information on registered nursing careers.
