2023 - Best Nursing Schools in South Dakota

Overview of Nursing Schools in South Dakota

About Nursing Schools in South Dakota

Nursing is one of the most noble, if not the most noble; professions one can get involved in. Registered nurses are constantly seeking advanced degrees and almost half have already pursued higher education. These statistics are not surprising. There is a national push for registered nurses to obtain a bachelor’s degree or higher. This will help them to be prepared for the constantly evolving health care industry. There are many programs for nurses to choose and they are designed with a sense of flexibility to meet the scheduling needs of busy, working nurses. There are programs online as well as in the traditional campus setting.

In our South Dakota RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key South Dakota RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of South Dakota, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

South Dakota RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Compare RN Programs	ADN	BSN
Number of Nursing Programs	5	9
Average NCLEX Passing Rate	47.40%	55.85%
NCLEX Passing Rate Range	32.10% to 62.70%	26.09% to 65.00%

Nursing Programs Offered by South Dakota Nursing Schools

• Registered Nursing: 12
• Family Nurse Practitioner: 2
• CNL: 1
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner: 1
• Nursing Administration: 1
• Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: 1
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
• Practical Nursing: 1
• Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner: 1

South Dakota Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types

• South Dakota State University: 6
• Dakota Wesleyan University: 3
• Mount Marty College: 2
• Southeast Technical Institute: 2
• Augustana University: 1
• National American University: 1
• Presentation College: 1
• University of South Dakota: 1
• National American University-Sioux Falls: 1
• Oglala Lakota College: 1

Best Ranked RN Programs in South Dakota

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both South Dakota and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 2 ADN degree programs and 7 BSN degree programs in South Dakota. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in South Dakota to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in South Dakota

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in South Dakota

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in South Dakota offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

South Dakota  RN Licensing Requirements

South Dakota State Board of Nursing
4305 South Louise Ave., Suite 201
Sioux Falls, SD 57106-3115
(605) 362-2760

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $100
License renewal, RN: $90

Continuing education requirements:
None

RN Licensure by Exams

After completing an approved nursing program, the candidates will be required to have a background check done and apply to the South Dakota Board. Following this step, the candidate will register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX exam and have the director certify the education. There is a $100 application fee and a $200 fee for the exam registration. If a candidate wishes to work under a temporary permit, he/she will be responsible for an additional $25 fee. These candidates must work under direct supervision of a registered nurse. Candidates will be able to schedule the exam when eligibility has been determined and authorization to test has been received. There is a 90-day window in which the exam can be scheduled. Candidates will be able to retake the exam after submitting a retake application but the temporary permit will become void.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Nurses who obtained licensure in one of the other 50 states may be able to obtain licensure by endorsement in the state of South Dakota. The candidate will need to submit transcripts and license verification. The candidate will also need to verify employment. Candidates who have not worked 480 hours in the most recent six years or 140 in the last year will be required to complete a refresher course. If the aforementioned requirements are met, the candidate will be required to submit a photocopy of a current license along with the application and fees.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Nurses who completed their education in Canada (with the exception of Quebec) and met requirements similar to a nursing program in the United States will be able to apply for licensure by exam. Applicants will need a social security number along with a CGFNX certification before applying for the NCLEX exam.

RN Salaries in South Dakota

Registered nurses in South Dakota have a wide array of career options available to them. There are 60 state hospitals and 115 skilled nursing facilities within the state of South Dakota. Additional practice opportunities present themselves as nurses pursue higher education such as management and administrative roles. The top hospital in the state is Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. This is a hospital that job seekers are encouraged to pursue in terms of a career.

South Dakota Registered Nursing Salaries

There are more registered nurses in Sioux Falls than any other metropolitan area in the state of South Dakota. However, registered nurses in Rapid City see a higher hourly mean wage and annual median wage than those in any other metropolitan area.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.