South Dakota Nursing Colleges & Licenses
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“The nursing practice environment in South Dakota is unique due to its largely rural healthcare landscape, where nurses play a critical role in providing care to underserved communities, including a large Native American population.”
Calvin Hochstein, BSN, Critical Care Nurse, Avera Health (Sioux Falls)
Nursing has long been a well-respected profession. The 21st century is a time of immense change in the healthcare industry. Technological advancement, the Affordable Care Act, the aging Baby Boomer generation, the Covid-19 pandemic, and other factors have all contributed to rapid change in America’s healthcare industry.
An analysis of the composition of South Dakota’s nursing workforce, recent trends, and other related factors has prompted industry experts to issue a number of recommendations. These include developing an adequate supply of nurses, sustaining healthy and safe work environments, advocating for laws, using innovative efforts to boost the recruitment and retention of nurses, and improving compensation and benefits. Among the important findings of recent analysis is the recognition that traditional staffing models ought to be reimagined given the ever-evolving needs and circumstances of the healthcare industry.
South Dakota is engaging in many efforts to address the challenges to its nursing workforce. The state is benefiting from grant money provided by the United States Department of Labor. Such financial investment is serving as something of a stopgap to reduce the risk of the state’s nursing workforce issues escalating into a bigger crisis. Such funding supports workforce training programs to ultimately improve the size, skill, and resilience of the state’s nursing workforce. South Dakota’s nursing schools are working to improve the nursing workforce by expanding academic programs and enhancing their recruitment and retention efforts.
South Dakota’s pressing need for skilled nursing professionals makes the state a source of immense opportunity for newly trained nurses. Read on to discover South Dakota’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, salary expectations, and licensing requirements for nursing careers in this state.
Featured Online Nursing Programs
Meet the Expert: Calvin Hochstein, BSN
Calvin Hochstein is a critical care nurse in the intensive care unit at Avera Health in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He earned a BSN from the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences and Nursing Department.
Beyond his dedication to providing specialized care to critically ill patients, Hochstein is passionate about patient advocacy and nursing education. Throughout his career, he has embraced teaching roles, from mentoring first-semester nursing students during his education to precepting ICU students and serving as a clinical instructor for multiple nursing student groups at Avera Health. His commitment to guiding future nurses reflects his drive to give back to the profession and ensure high-quality learning experiences. He plans to further his career by pursuing education as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), continuously striving for excellence in patient care and professional development.
NursingColleges.com: What is unique about the nursing practice environment in South Dakota?
Hochstein: The nursing practice environment in South Dakota is unique due to its largely rural healthcare landscape, where nurses play a critical role in providing care to underserved communities, including a large Native American population. This presents an opportunity for nurses to engage in culturally competent care, promote health equity, and build meaningful relationships within diverse communities. Many hospitals emphasize holistic care, focusing on compassion and service.
Additionally, nurses in South Dakota often have greater autonomy, especially in rural settings. Being a nurse in Sioux Falls, I have the opportunity to practice at one of the largest hospitals in the state and have the privilege of caring for a diverse patient population with many different ailments.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to be a nurse in South Dakota?
Hochstein: Focus on how you make patients feel, not just the tasks you perform. In South Dakota, where many patients come from rural communities, they will remember your kindness, compassion, and how you make them feel heard and valued. Building trust and showing genuine care often have a greater impact than any medical skill alone. Patient advocacy is vital here, as many people—whether farmers or those from diverse backgrounds—may not fully understand the healthcare system or know how to speak up for themselves. As a nurse, you can be their voice, guide, and someone they can genuinely rely on.
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in South Dakota
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers three nursing degree programs, resulting in a bachelor of science in nursing award. USD Department of Nursing curricula are developed by the department’s vision of training nurses who will provide patients with quality, person-centered care defined by compassion, empathy, and effective communication between all those involved in patient care. Nursing students are trained to value excellence, professionalism, service, and collaboration. Applicants must be admitted to both USD and their nursing program of interest.
USD’s three nursing programs are a traditional BSN program, an LPN to BSN program, and an online RN-to-BSN program. The traditional BSN program is a four-year program composed of 26 credits of department-specified general education courses, six credits of general education credits, 20 credits of foundational courses, 59 credits of core nursing courses and nine credits of elective courses. The LPN-to-BSN degree option features a curriculum nearly identical to the traditional BSN program. The RN-to-BSN program is available only online and is comprised of 35 credits of coursework consistent with that found within an associate of science in nursing degree program, nursing core coursework, required nondepartmental courses, program-specific general education requirements, university-specified general education requirements, and electives.
USD’s nursing programs are designed to meet professional licensure or certification requirements. The USD Department of Nursing adheres to federal regulations that necessitate only admitting students in states where its programs will meet the educational requirements necessary for professional licensure in those states. Applicants will be asked to provide information regarding their location to enable USD to determine applicants’ admission eligibility.
- Location: Vermillion, SD; BSN and LPN-to-BSN programs are also available in Sioux Falls, SD
- Duration: Three to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) designed to prepare graduates to practice in a variety of care settings as well as provide a solid foundation for graduate nursing education. The curriculum is composed of university core coursework, courses in the social, physical and biological sciences, and nursing major professional program courses. Graduates will have a foundation of professional knowledge, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and leadership skills necessary to provide quality care as well as improve health outcomes at a population level. The curriculum consists of classroom and online coursework as well as simulation laboratory and clinical learning experiences.
SDSU offers two BSN degree tracks. One is a standard BSN track that may be completed in a traditional or accelerated study pace. The other option is an RN to BSN program for RNs with nursing knowledge commensurate with associate degrees in nursing. The BSN program requires 120 credits, composed of 32 credits of general education requirements, 16 credits of pre-nursing coursework, 62 credits of nursing major courses, and 10 credits of electives.
The critical care skills nurses offer necessitate nursing students to have a high level of English language fluency. The College of Nursing requires all students who meet the definition of a student with English as a second language to complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or another permissible substitute. Satisfactory minimum language proficiency scores required by the College of Nursing are higher than those required by SDSU. These scores must be submitted before an applicant will be accepted into the professional nursing program.
- Location: Brookings, SD; additional campuses in Rapid City and Sioux Falls
- Duration: Four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) Arlene Gates Department of Nursing provides undergraduate nursing programs to prepare its students for meaningful careers in professional nursing. The vision of the DWU nursing department is to develop and grow nursing programs to advance professional nursing practice in its vicinity and elsewhere. Degree programs are provided in an atmosphere defined by Christian values and designed in alignment with the values of human dignity, integrity, autonomy, altruism, and social justice. Degree program learning outcomes are guided by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s core competencies for professional nursing education.
The DWU bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program requires completion of approximately 120 credit hours. DWU also offers a BSN program for existing licensed practical nurses. The LPN-to-BSN program is an accelerated program composed of in-person and online classes featuring small class sizes. Students may automatically transfer up to 30 credits from their LPN degree.
The nursing department boasts a 100 percent job placement success rate and a high success rate for graduates’ first time taking the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses. Students benefit from access to various clinical training placements in settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, community agencies, and more.
- Location: Mitchell, SD
- Duration: 28 months to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Augustana University (AU) nursing program is the only South Dakota nursing program to hold a holistic nursing program endorsement. The mission of the AU nursing program is to create transformational leaders who will effectively work in the evolving practice environments typical of the healthcare industry in the 21st century.
AU nursing students may choose from the 47-credit accelerated BSN degree and a three-year traditional program known as the “Degree in 3” program. The accelerated program consists of two fall semesters, a January interim term (J-Term), one spring semester, and one summer session. Full-time students may complete this program in 16 months. The accelerated program targets students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing discipline who wish to embark on a nursing career. “Degree in 3” nursing students may finish their studies in three years by completing coursework in J-Terms and summer sessions as necessary.
AU nursing degree programs feature an interactive learning environment, weekly clinical experiences in Sioux Falls, and leadership practica designed to develop multiple skills critical to providing quality healthcare. Graduates are well prepared to work in various specialties, including surgery, obstetrics, cardiology, pulmonology, pediatrics, trauma, oncology, and more in settings such as hospitals, community health settings, nursing homes, and nursing schools.
AU recently offered six Augustana nursing students the opportunity to complete a semester of study abroad in Costa Rica in early 2024. This immersion learning experience was facilitated by the AU associate professor of nursing, Dr. Michelle Gierach. Costa Rica was a preferred study abroad choice based on criteria including closeness to the United States, safety, cost, and local infrastructure. AU and the university’s International Programs Office are deliberating on how to grow this partnership.
Nursing students interested in the issue of global health and studying abroad as a way of further enhancing their skills may thus find AU to be of particular interest.
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Duration: Sixteen months to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The University of Sioux Falls (USF) is a private, Christian university dedicated to inculcating Christian values of love, compassion and leadership. USF students and faculty cumulative and share an atmosphere of fellowship, community, support and service. This same ethos characterizes the USF School of Nursing. Students may choose from three bachelor of science in nursing degree program options. These options are a traditional BSN track, an accelerated program and the LPN to BSN program.
The traditional BSN degree is a four-year program. Graduates are well trained in evidence-based practice, clinical judgment skills, interprofessional collaboration, and the application of nursing knowledge within various practice settings. USF nursing program graduates are trained to embody Christian values within the nursing profession.
The accelerated program is an intensive program offered in just sixteen months. Students begin developing clinical experience in all nursing practice specialties across the human lifespan in their very first semester. Simulation technology is an integral part of student learning. Students must have prerequisite coursework experience in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and nutrition.
The LPN-to-BSN track is a 98-credit-hour program that may be completed in seven semesters over 28 months. This track is designed for current licensed practical nurses (LPNs) who want to enhance their skills and thereby advance their careers by obtaining a BSN. All theory courses are offered online to enable participation by working students. Graduates can take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse (RN).
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Duration: Sixteen months to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in South Dakota
Augustana University (AU) has been a regional leader in preparing nursing professionals for more than 80 years. AU offers both a master of science in nursing (MSN) and a post-graduate certificate. Though these programs are offered online, students must still attend two immersion sessions on the Sioux Falls campus during their studies. Such immersion experiences facilitate hands-on learning and vital relationship-building with student colleagues and faculty.
Degree program students choose from two specialty tracks. AU is the first university in South Dakota to offer these particular track options to nursing students. These tracks are adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AG-ACNP) and adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist (AG-CNS).
The AG-ACNP track prepares students to provide in-patient care for teenage and adult patients who have complex, acute medical conditions. Clinical training experience may be accrued in critical care units and various specialty areas.
The AG-CNS track prepares students for leadership roles where they will positively impact patient outcomes. AG-CNS graduates work with adult and geriatric patients. A CNS is also skilled in educating and supporting nurses, leading systems-level practice changes, and following evidence-based care standards to produce the best possible patient outcomes. Graduates of both tracks are prepared to take their corresponding certification exams.
- Location: Sioux Falls, SD
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Mount Marty University, based in the former capital of the Dakota Territory, is an institution of higher education of the Catholic Benedictine liberal arts tradition. Academic programs prepare students not just for success in the modern workplace but also to value personal growth and service to others. Benedictine values of awareness of God, community, hospitality, and an enthusiasm for both service and learning provide the foundation for the university’s academic atmosphere.
Mount Marty University has long been known for its nursing education programming excellence. For example, in 1971, Mount Marty became the first school in the entire United States to offer a bachelor’s degree in nurse anesthesia. Mount Marty is also dedicated to improving rural health. Given that rural healthcare is currently an urgent matter of national significance, nurses seeking to create careers in rural health may find Mount Marty University’s programs particularly interesting.
Mount Marty offers two master of science in nursing (MSN) degree programs for nurse practitioners. These are in the specializations of family nurse practitioner (FNP) and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP). FNPs focus on health promotion and disease prevention for their patients in primary care settings. PMHNPs are clinical experts skilled in caring for individual patients, families, groups and whole communities. Like FNPs, PMHNP graduates also work in health promotion and disease prevention.
Graduates are well-trained to offer their skills in alignment with Benedictine values. Students with an MSN can pursue a post-graduate certificate in either of these specializations. Both degree programs require 50 credit hours of coursework, which typically can be completed in six semesters. The FNP program requires 780 clinical training hours, while the PMHNP program requires 750 clinical hours.
- Location: Yankton, SD
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
South Dakota State University (SDSU) offers nursing professionals master’s level degree programs designed for careers in nursing education, administration and direct patient care. SDSU’s three master of science in nursing (MSN) degree programs are the MSN in nurse administration, an MSN in nurse education and an RN to MSN program.
The MSN program in nurse administration is a well-established program founded in 1979. This specialization prepares graduates to fill leadership roles in healthcare agencies. This 31-credit-hour program features courses in topics such as the foundations of advanced nursing, concepts in health promotion and disease prevention, research in nursing, cultural humility in healthcare, and much more! Students benefit from the program’s established network of partnerships with hundreds of local and regional clinical settings. Graduates can seek many certifications, such as nurse executive and nurse manager.
The online MSN nurse educator program trains its students in the use of theories of teaching and learning in numerous settings and emphasizes the education of nurses. Graduates are skilled in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing education programs. Students must complete an on-site field practicum and have the option to complete a thesis. Graduates may seek certification as nurse educators.
The RN-to-MSN program is a fully online program. This program provides registered nurses with the additional education and experience necessary for career advancement. All courses are offered at least three times per year. Students may choose their own study pace. Coursework features topics including emerging issues in nursing, population health, quality improvement and safety, evidence-based practice, informatics, and palliative care nursing.
- Location: Brookings, SD
- Duration: Two to 4.5 years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nursing School Accreditation
Nursing school accreditation is a voluntary but important step programs take to demonstrate that nurses who complete their program have received a quality education. Two groups typically grant this approval: the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
In South Dakota, nursing program graduates obtain their licenses through the South Dakota Board of Nursing. Applicants must have satisfactorily completed an appropriately accredited nursing program to be eligible for licensure. Additional steps applicants will typically need to complete include passing a criminal background check, completing the South Dakota State Board of Nursing application for licensure, and passing the NCLEX exam.
South Dakota is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NCL) state. NCL membership allows nurses to obtain a multi-state license (MSL) and thereby practice in other NCL member states without being required to obtain additional licenses in those states. However, a nurse intent to make South Dakota their primary state of residency must seek licensure in South Dakota in order to practice in the state.
How Much Do Nurses Make in South Dakota?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of March 2025. Certified midwife salary data available from a Salary.com subpage.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 630,250 | 2,150 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,790 | $49,580 |
| 10th percentile | $45,670 | $38,660 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $49,610 |
| 90th percentile | $77,870 | $59,010 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,175,390 | 14,600 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $94,480 | $69,030 |
| 10th percentile | $63,720 | $54,780 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $67,030 |
| 90th percentile | $132,680 | $85,400 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 47,810 | 360 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $214,200 | $211,090 |
| 10th percentile | $139,980 | $183,460 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $212,650 | $210,390 |
| 90th percentile | >$239,200 | >$239,200 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 6,960 | |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $131,570 | |
| 10th percentile | $87,320 | $94,431 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,650 | $111,584 |
| 90th percentile | $177,530 | $140,008 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | South Dakota | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 280,140 | 920 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $128,490 | $120,980 |
| 10th percentile | $94,530 | $96,260 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,260 | $119,410 |
| 90th percentile | $168,030 | $149,650 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure in South Dakota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Department of Health Board of Nursing | LPN license requirements in the state of South Dakota include:
| LPNs in South Dakota must renew their license every two years. Along with an application and a fee, candidates must provide verification of employment in nursing for a minimum of 140 hours in any 12-month period during the previous 6 years or a total accumulation of 480 hours during this time |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure in South Dakota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Department of Health Board of Nursing |
To earn an RN license in the state of South Dakota, candidates must:
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Every two years RNs in South Dakota must renew their license. Along with an application and a $115 fee, candidates must provide verification of employment in nursing for a minimum of 140 hours in any 12-month period during the previous six years or a total accumulation of 480 hours during this time |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licensure in South Dakota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In South Dakota, a CNS must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a license:
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CNS licenses in South Dakota are renewed biennially and require a $95 renewal fee, as well as documentation of continuing education requirements set forth by the APRN certifying body. |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Licensure in South Dakota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Board of Nursing | In South Dakota, a CNM must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a license:
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Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensure in South Dakota
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
In South Dakota, a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a license:
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Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.