Online Nursing Programs in South Dakota

There are five accredited colleges in South Dakota that offer online nursing programs. South Dakota State University offers an RN to BSN program and master’s in nursing degrees at an affordable cost. South Dakota nurses must renew their license annually, though no continuing education hours are required to do so. South Dakota is a compact state, enabling nurses who earn their license here to practice in any of the other compact states.

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Comprehensive List of Online Nursing Schools in South Dakota

School	Annual Tuition	NCLEX Pass Rate	Locations
# Dakota Wesleyan University	$28,750	100.0%	Mitchell
# Presentation College	$21,375	77.65%	Aberdeen
# South Dakota State University	$12,589	97.52%	Brookings
# University of Sioux Falls	$18,910	98.33%	Sioux Falls
# University of South Dakota	$12,807	94.59%	Vermillion

Becoming a Nurse in South Dakota

Aspiring nursing students can become nurses in the Mount Rushmore State by applying for licensure through the South Dakota Board of Nursing. Nursing schools in South Dakota offer the opportunity for students to become licensed as LPNs, RNs, APRNs, or registered as CNAs. Nursing programs in South Dakota must be approved by the state board in order for students to be able to apply for their licensure.

In South Dakota in 2017, there were 12,530 registered nurses, 470 nurse practitioners and 1,770 licensed practical nurses employed in the state. Also, RNs, NPs, and LPNs earn mean annual wages of $60,960, $103,080 and $39,420, respectively.

How to Get Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) Certification in South Dakota

South Dakota does not license certified nurse aides (or CNAs). However, South Dakota CNAs must be certified and registered with the SD Nursing Board's Certified Nurse Aide Registry. The individual must first complete a training program that is approved by the state nursing board. Afterward, the individual must pass a test with written and skill-based sections. Once they have passed the test, they will be able to register with the state nursing board as a nurse's aide.

Those who need to renew their registration with the nurse's aide registry must show that they received at least 12 hours of board-required and approved training every year and that they worked as a CNA for at least 12 hours in the past two years for monetary compensation. CNAs may renew their registration online if they have met these requirements.

How to Get a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) License in South Dakota

Like with RN licenses, South Dakota nursing licenses for licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, are obtained either by endorsement or by examination. South Dakota LPN licenses for new nurses are awarded after individuals have finished their nursing education in a program approved by the board and after the individuals have taken their NCLEX-PN exam.

The fee for one's application for an LPN license is $100, and the individual must submit to a background check and provide their proof of completion of a board-approved education program. After taking and passing the NCLEX-PN — the fee for which is $200 — individuals will be eligible to receive their LPN license. LPNs must renew their licenses every two years to stay in good standing with the board. LPN license renewals cost $115, and the board will only allow individuals to renew active licenses.

How to Get a Registered Nursing (RN) License in South Dakota

South Dakota nursing licenses can be obtained in a number of different ways and with different areas of focus. Those who want to become registered nurses, or RNs, can get their South Dakota RN licenses through the South Dakota Board of Nursing. They may either apply for a license by examination or by endorsement, which is an option if they already have an RN license in another state.

Those who apply by examination must fill out an online application and pay a fee of $100. They must also submit to a background check and provide proof of graduation from an approved nursing education program. Finally, the student must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), the fee for which is $200, due at registration.

Those who hold South Dakota RN licenses are required to renew every two years, and while they do not have to complete continuing education units, they will need to verify that they worked at least 140 hours during a 12-month period that falls in the last six years. The fee for license renewal is $115.

How to Get an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) License in South Dakota

The South Dakota Board of Nursing issues four different types of APRN licenses for four specialties: certified nurse midwife (CNM), certified nurse practitioner (CNP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and clinical nurse specialist (CNS). Nurses who are applying for an APRN license must already have a valid RN license in South Dakota. They must also have a master's degree or higher from an approved nursing program in their specialty. In order to apply for a South Dakota APRN license, candidates must have national certification from the appropriate certifying board for their specialty.

Prospective APRNs must complete the application form for the appropriate speciality and send it to the board of nursing with a $100 application fee. They must also submit to a criminal background check. Finally, they must request that an official copy of their transcripts from their graduate or postgraduate nursing program be sent to the board.

APRNs must pay a fee of $95 in order to renew their licenses.