Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Nursing Department


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Dr. Anne Pithan, Interim Chair
1400 W. 22nd Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
Tel: (605) 357-1553
Fax: (605) 357-1528

nursing@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/nursing

Associate Chair-Academics

Dr. Anne Kleinhesselink, Associate Chair for Academics and Director for the Vermillion site
414 East Clark Street
Lee Med 310
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-658-5600
FAX: 605-658-3301

Student Services

Dr. Emily Smith, Student Services Director
1525 South Euclid
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
TEL: 605-357-1574
FAX: 605-782-3219

Vermillion

Dr. Anne Kleinhesselink, Academic Program Site Director
414 East Clark Street
Lee Med 310
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-658-5600
FAX: 605-658-3301

Pierre

Dr. Lisa Feller, Avera Director for USD Nursing in Pierre
Capital City Campus
925 East Sioux Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
TEL: 605-494-3800
FAX: 605-773-6771

Rapid City

Dr. Dawn Warren, Academic Program Site Director
Health Sciences Building
1011 11th Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
TEL: 605-791-6340
FAX: 605-394-5473

Sioux Falls

Chris Tesch Interim Director
Sanford Education Center
1525 South Euclid
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
TEL: 605-357-1570
FAX: 605-782-3219

RN-BSN

Anne Kleinhesselink, Interim Academic Program Site Director
1400 West 22nd Street
Sioux Falls, SD 57105
TEL: 605 357-1553
FAX: 605-357-1548

FACULTY

Associate Professor:

Dr. Lisa Feller - Pierre

Assistant Professor:

Dr. Anne Kleinhesselink - Vermillion
Dr. Sabina Kupershmidt - Research & IPE
Dr. Kimberly Nerud - RN-BSN, Watertown
Dr. Jean Yockey - Vermillion
Dr. Susan Strobel - Vermillion

Lecturer:

Dr. Cheryl Fischbach - RN-BSN
Dr. Tamela Kisner - Rapid City
Dr. Amy Smith - RN-BSN
Dr. Emily Smith - Sioux Falls
Dr. Anne Pithan - Vermillion
Dr. Dawn Warren - Rapid City

Instructors:

Mary Adebayo - Sioux Falls
Valerie Anderson - Rapid City
Pam Banks - Vermillion
Traci Barnable - Sioux Falls
Natalie Board - Vermillion
Heather Casper-McLay - Sioux Falls
Laney Clark - Rapid City
Kelli Ebbesen - Sioux Falls
Helene Hegge - Vermillion
Allison Heitmann - Sioux Falls
Nicole Holmberg - Sioux Falls
Amy Hunsley-McTighe - Pierre
Michelle Knuppe - Sioux Falls
Lori Koenecke - Pierre
Erica Larson - Sioux Falls
Michelle Lichtenberg - Vermillion
Tony Long - Rapid City
Regan Luken - Vermillion 
Sara Madden - Rapid City 
Carolyn Nelson - Vermillion
Jeanna Pankratz - Vermillion
Jeannie Rossow - Sioux Falls
Sarah Stokke - Sioux Falls
Barb Stolle - Simulator Coordinator, Vermillion
Christine Tesch - Sioux Falls
Cathy Tierney - Vermillion
Natalie Van Drongelen - Vermillion
Lisa Varenhorst - Sioux Falls
Heidi Waters - Vermillion

Advisors:

Kelli Ebbesen - Sioux Falls
Helene Hegge - Vermillion
Lori Koenecke - Pierre
Tony Long - Rapid City
Regan Luken - Vermillion 
Sara Madden - Rapid City
Kimberly Nerud - RN-BSN
Kelli Ebbesen - Sioux Falls

MAJORS:

Nursing, BSN (4-year)

The BSN program is a 4-year track that prepares students for licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN). Students complete two years of general education pre-requisites to include two nursing courses as a foundation for acceptance into the nursing major. Refer to the 4-year program guide found on the nursing website for a listing of the pre-requisite coursework www.usd.edu/nursing. Students apply to the major in the fourth semester of their four-year program of study. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN).

Graduates of the BSN program are prepared to work in a variety of clinical and community settings. Graduates are prepared as life-long learners for graduate-level education, continuing clinical competency, and professional development throughout their professional lives.

LPN’s have the opportunity for 7 credits by verification towards the total 120 credits.  Students may receive 3 theory credits for NURS 352, 1 lab credit for NURS 383, 2 clinical credits for NURS 320, and 1 clinical credit for NURS 321.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing at the University of South Dakota is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Both the four-year B.S.N. and the R.N.-B.S.N. tracks in the Bachelor of Science in nursing program are approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

B.S.N. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Preparation for admission: Students must complete foundational courses prior to admission to the Nursing major.  Students must consult with their Nursing advisor to develop a plan of study that meets the Regental, university, and department requirements for the degree.
     
  • Application for admission: Students must submit a nursing application by the application deadline; February 1st for fall semester and September 1st for spring semester.
     
  • Policies: Students are subject to University of South Dakota policies. It is the students’ responsibility to be knowledgeable of all policies and requirements. Policies and program requirements are found in the USD Undergraduate Catalog, the USD Student Handbook, and the Nursing Student Handbook.
     
  • Progression: Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all pre-requisite and nursing courses required for the nursing major. Students who withdraw, or earn a grade of less than a C, in a nursing course may not progress and may seek readmission to the program. If readmitted, students may repeat a nursing course in which they earned a W or a grade of less than C only once, and may repeat only one nursing course. Students must complete the program of study within three years
     
  • Graduation & Licensure: Following successful completion of the nursing major, the graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Admission or graduation from the nursing program does not guarantee obtaining a license to practice.

B.S.N. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the nursing major will be based on an objective evaluation that includes:

  1. Unconditional admission to USD.
  2. A minimum GPA of 2.7 in prerequisite BSN courses.
  3. A grade of C or higher in all pre-requisite coursework.
  4. Students who fail to obtain a C or higher in any of the prerequisite science courses (CHEM 106/106L; PHGY 220/220L; PHGY 230/230L; and MICRO 230/232) may repeat only one course once during a five-year period prior to admission into the nursing program.
  5. Students who fail to obtain a C or higher in the pre-requisite nursing courses (NURS 311 & NURS 315) may repeat only one of these courses one time.

  6. A minimum cumulative Health Educational Systems Inc. (HESI) admission exam score of 80%. Each individual HESI component score will be evaluated. Of the component scores, the reading component score will be given the highest emphasis. Applicant may re-test once in an admission cycle. Only current admission cycle HESI scores will be considered.
  7. A criminal background (CBC) and drug screening per Health Affairs policy.  CBC and drug screening will be performed only after the applicant has received notice of conditional acceptance and will be completed with direction from the Nursing program. An applicant with a felony will not be admitted to any USD nursing program and other convictions may result in denial of acceptance to the program and/or eligibility for Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. USD Nursing and clinical institutions reserve the right to refuse to accept a student based on CBC/drug screen results.

Students accepted to the nursing major are required to purchase a laptop computer and Microsoft Office software (Microsoft Office 365 is available at no charge through USD IT). BSN admission criteria https://www.usd.edu/health-sciences/nursing/bsn-admission-criteria.

The Nursing Department reserves the right to deny admission based on the best interest of the profession. Failure to disclose previous or pending convictions may lead to denial of admission. Falsification will be considered grounds for dismissal from the University of South Dakota Nursing Program. Admission or graduation from the nursing program does not guarantee obtaining a license to practice. Licensure requirements and subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the state boards regulating professional practice.

GUARANTEED ADMISSION TO THE BSN PROGRAM

Students admitted to the USD pre-nursing major may apply for guaranteed admission to the USD BSN program dependent on the following criteria:

  • ACT of 27 or higher
  • Maintenance of cumulative University GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Successful completion of pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade of C

Students receiving guaranteed admission to the BSN program must complete an application to the BSN program by the published deadline, CBC and drug screen, health physical, and immunizations. 

Nursing, BSN (RN-BSN)

The RN-BSN program is a BSN track for the licensed Registered Nurse (RN) who holds an associate degree or diploma in nursing. Completion of the BSN degree furthers the registered nurse’s professional development, and provides the foundation for continuing on to graduate studies such as advanced practice nursing. Many RNs who complete their BSN assume leadership positions in their facility or further their education at graduate level.

RN-BSN coursework is delivered online. Clinical practicum experiences are application based.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing at the University of South Dakota is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

Both the four-year B.S.N. and the R.N.-B.S.N. tracks in the Bachelor of Science in nursing program are approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

B.S.N. (RN-BSN) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Preparation for admission: Students must consult with their Nursing advisor to develop a plan of study that meets the Regental, university, and department requirements for the degree.
     
  • Application for admission: Students must submit a nursing application for fall or spring admission to the RN-BSN program.
     
  • Policies: Students are subject to University of South Dakota policies. It is the students’ responsibility to be knowledgeable of all policies and requirements. Policies and program requirements are found in the USD Undergraduate Catalog, the USD Student Handbook, and the Nursing Student Handbook.
     
  • Progression: Students must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all support coursework and nursing courses required for the nursing major. Students who withdraw, or earn a grade of less than a C, in a nursing course may not progress and may seek readmission to the program. If readmitted, students may repeat a nursing course in which they earned a W or a grade of less than C only once, and may repeat only one nursing course. Students must complete the program of study within five years
     
  • Graduation: Students must complete 120 credit hours of required coursework for the major. 

 

Students must be admitted into the RN-BSN program to enroll in the RN-BSN Nursing courses. Students may complete support courses prior to entering or concurrent with the nursing courses.

Prior to enrolling in any coursework, students should consult the RN-BSN advisor regarding departmental and non-departmental requirements.

For RN-BSN application process, refer to USD Nursing webpage. Application deadlines, forms and processes may be electronically access through the USD Nursing webpage.  

Admission to the RN-BSN program is a competitive process.

Progression:  The student must earn a “C” as a minimum grade in all courses required for the nursing curriculum. If a minimum grade of “C” is not earned the student may not progress. Students progress at a pace to ensure program completion within 5 years.

Licensure: All applicants to the RN-BSN program are required to be licensed as a Registered Nurse.

B.S.N. (RN-BSN) ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admission to the nursing major will be based on an objective evaluation that includes:

  1. Unconditional admission to USD.
  2. Graduate of a state board of nursing-approved program. Students who do not graduate from an ACEN or NLNAC accredited program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
  3. Active, unencumbered RN license to practice nursing.
  4. A grade of C or higher in all support coursework.
  5. A criminal background (CBC) and drug screening per Health Affairs policy.  CBC and drug screening will be performed only after the applicant has received notice of conditional acceptance and will be completed with direction from the Nursing program. An applicant with a felony will not be admitted to any USD nursing program and other convictions may result in denial of acceptance to the program and/or eligibility for Registered Nurse (RN) licensure.

The Nursing Department reserves the right to deny admission based on the best interest of the profession. Failure to disclose previous or pending convictions may lead to denial of admission. Falsification will be considered grounds for dismissal from the University of South Dakota Nursing Program. Admission or graduation from the nursing program does not guarantee obtaining a license to practice. Licensure requirements and subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the state boards regulating professional practice.

SOUTH DAKOTA STUDENT NURSES ASSOCIATION

All students in the Department of Nursing are encouraged to join South Dakota Student Nurses Association. Activities include participation at local, state, and national levels. These activities reflect commitment to the nursing profession of nursing.

Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing

Omega Beta Chapter

Students demonstrating academic excellence will be invited to join the USTTI Omega Beta chapter.  Through your membership, you will discover communities of practice and common interest that will open doors and provide meaningful professional experiences.  You will have the opportunity to grow, develop, and contribute to the nursing profession through honor, community, service, and knowledge.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Nursing scholarships funds are variable and come from a variety of donors. As funds are available, scholarships awarded to qualifying students and enrolled in the nursing major. Students in good standing must apply and meet the criteria for a specific scholarship. Selection process is competitive.

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see School of Health Sciences  for school level scholarships.

NURSING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:

  • Violet Quinn Scholarship for Nursing
  • Ben T. Suga Scholarship
  • Carol A. & Arlin L. Houtkooper Nursing Scholarship
  • Doris Erickson Lillibridge Scholarship
  • Holmes-Taylor Scholarship
  • John T. Vucurevich Nursing Scholarship
  • John Vucurevich Rapid City Nursing
  • Keo Rose Weegar Nursing Scholarship
  • Louisa Irene Scott Scholarship
  • Lulu B. Wheeler-Nursing Scholarship
  • Marian Meyer Memorial Scholarship
  • Melissa L. & Kevin G. Garry BS Nursing Scholarship
  • Norma Stratton Nursing Scholarship
  • Nursing Department Scholarship Challenge
  • Nursing Memorial Scholarship
  • Orval J. Weegar Nursing Scholarship
  • Rapid City Student Nurses Association Scholarship for Upward Mobility Fund
  • Roanne Weaver-Nursing
  • Robert & Marian Wendel Scholarship
  • Rosenbaum Nursing Scholarship
  • Sharon Taylor Scholarship
  • The Alice Hobler Starting Over Scholarship

 

Programs

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