South Dakota Nursing Schools and Allied Health Programs
The health care industry in South Dakota serves a multi-state region that includes rural Find
Schools
Now Minnesota, South and North Dakota and Montana. Nursing workforce needs in this region are driven by a rural, aging citizenry that includes a significant American Indian population, the largest minority group in South Dakota. Current, conservative estimates still predict that in the next decade the U.S. will begin to experience one of the worst shortages of registered nurses in the nation's history. Unlike nurse shortages in the past, a rapidly aging population, a subsequent increased demand for RNs, plus an aging nursing workforce drive this nurse shortage, unparalleled in American nursing. One of the reasons for the increasing shortage is that, as the current nurse workforce ages, a growing proportion of those nurses will begin to retire, with a sharp increase around the year 2015. South Dakota's elderly population will double by 2020, creating huge demands for both highly skilled nurses and allied health professionals. Rapid changes in health care and technology require the nursing profession to continually expand its role.Educators and health planners see the growing demand for nurses not only as a need for additional personnel but also for additional education, with more nurses prepared in baccalaureate programs that emphasize leadership, patient education, case management, and care across a variety of acute care and outpatient settings. Nurse Educators, BSN prepared nurses, home health nurses, and all advanced practice specialties -clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives, and nurse anesthetists-are in high demand - especially in rural areas.
In order to meet the increasingly complex demands of today's health care environment, many healthcare agencies prefer or require a minimum of a bachelor's degree for their nursing staff, so now is the perfect time for LPN's to enroll in an online LPN to RN program, or LPN to BSN degree program, for RN's to take an online RN-BSN degree completion program, or RN to MSN bridge program, and for BSN nurses to earn a MS in Nursing degree.
Average Nursing Base Salaries:
| Nursing Assistant: $21,880- $26,692 | Licensed Practical Nurse: $32,730 - $39,441 |
| RN Staff Nurse: $50,955- $61,854 | Nurse Practitioner: $69,313 - $81,698 |
Find Nursing Schools and Allied Health Programs For South Dakota
Browse accredited nursing schools and allied health programs that accept students from South Dakota, then request free information from any or all schools offering programs that match your needs:
National American University
Campus
Since its beginnings in 1941, National American University has been a cornerstone of higher education, keeping pace with the ever-changing advancements of technology, while holding onto core values that provide a caring and supportive environment for all students.
Programs:- Medical Assisting
- Sioux Falls
Globe University/MSB
Campus
Globe University is focused on providing students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials they need to reach their personal and professional goals.
Programs:- AAS in Medical Assistant
- Sioux Falls
