Nursing Department

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June Larson, Chairperson
243 Julian Hall
(605) 677-5006
Web Address: www.usd.edu/nursing
Email Address: nursing@usd.edu

Robin Brown, Director
Watertown Campus
Lake Area Technical Institute
PO Box 730
230 11th Street, NE
Watertown, SD 57201-0730
TEL: 605-882-5284, ext. 282
FAX: 605-882-6299

Kathy Magorian, Director
Vermillion Campus
414 East Clark Street
212 Julian Hall
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-677-5251
FAX: 605-677-5886

Lisa Feller, Director
Pierre Campus
Capital University Center
809 East Dakota
Pierre, SD 57501
TEL: 605-773-6725
FAX: 605-773-6771

Cathy Eddy, Director
Rapid City Campus
Health Sciences Center
1011 11th Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
TEL: 605-394-5396
FAX: 605-394-5473

Linda Benedict, Director
Sioux Falls Campus
Health Science Center
2300 N Career Ave, Suite 260
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
TEL: 605-782-3213
FAX: 605-782-3219

Kathy Manning, Director
Distance/ELGSS
414 East Clark Street
313 Julian Hall
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-677-6224
FAX: 605-677-5886

Lorall Karpuk, Director
E-Learning
414 E. Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-202-0684
FAX: 605-677-5886

Student Services:

Jennie Holland – Sioux Falls
Dawn Manning, RN – Distance
Barbara Corio, RN - Vermillion
Carol Geyer, RN – Rapid City
Sandy Teigen – Rapid City

 FACULTY:

Professor:

June Larson, RN - Vermillion

Associate Professors:

Catherine Eddy, RN – Rapid City
Katherine Jorgensen, RN – Vermillion
Lorall Karpuk, RN – Distance
Peggy Larsen, RN - Vermillion
Cindy Mulder, RN – Sioux Falls
Diana Twidwell, RN – Rapid City

Assistant Professors:

Linda Benedict, RN - Sioux Falls
Robin Brown, RN – Watertown
Julia Dangel, RN - Sioux Falls
Nancy Denker, RN - Distance
Carol Dreke, RN - Sioux Falls
Connie Evenson, RN - Sioux Falls
Eleanor Falkingham, RN - Watertown
Lisa Feller, RN – Pierre
Cheryl Fischbach, RN – Watertown
Michelle Gierach, RN - Sioux Falls
Amy Hunsley-McTighe, RN – Pierre
M Catherine Hutchinson, RN – Rapid City
Dyla Jensen, RN - Rapid City
Heidi Johnson-Anderson, RN - Rapid City
Tamela Kisner, RN – Rapid City
Lori Koenecke, RN - Pierre
Kathy Manning, RN – Distance
Kimberly Nerud, RN - Watertown
Bridget Nichols, RN – Sioux Falls
Stephanie Orth, RN – Rapid City
Annette Ray, RN – Pierre
Susan Reinhart, RN - Rapid City
Heidi Schmidt, RN – Watertown
Dawn Warren, RN - Rapid City
Rebecca Wolff, RN - Vermillion
Jean Yockey, RN - Vermillion

Instructors:

Robin Arends, RN – Vermillion
Carol Geyer, RN – Rapid City
Tracee Hofer, RN – Sioux Falls
Kathy Johnson, RN - Sioux Falls
Regan Luken, RN – Vermillion
Katherine Logan, RN – Rapid City
Traci McDonald, RN -Distance
Christine Tesch, RN – Sioux Falls

MAJOR: NURSING, A.S.

The Associate Degree Nursing Program was established at The University of South Dakota in the fall of 1962. The program is offered on the main university campus in Vermillion and at four outreach campuses: Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, and Watertown (LPN’s only), and a Distance program. The University of South Dakota Nursing Program has been approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing since July 1966. The Nursing Program has had full accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) since 1975. Information concerning the program may be obtained from the NLNAC, 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006 (212-363-5555).

The Associate of Science nursing program provides students with a curriculum composed of both nursing and general education courses in a university setting. Students may complete support courses prior to entering the clinical nursing courses. The health care system requires both a liberal arts education that fosters the cultural, social, and intellectual development of the individual and knowledge specific to nursing. Professional nursing practice requires critical thinking, decision-making, interpersonal skills, and competency in technical nursing skills. Nursing courses present theories of the art and science of nursing through classroom, web-based courses and clinical experiences. Nursing content is sequenced from simple to complex. Clinical experiences include all major specialty areas and take place in a variety of health care agencies. Knowledge from other disciplines is integrated into the nursing student’s learning experiences. Personal growth and professional responsibility are developed as students gain experience in independent and collaborative nursing roles. The graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse (RN) after completion of graduation requirements and upon recommendation by the faculty of the Department of Nursing. The nursing program holds the designation of a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence in Nursing Education for creating environments that enhance student learning and professional development.

REQUIRED TESTING

Regental Proficiency Examination

Associate degree students must take the examination once they have passed 32 credit hours.

At the time of admission to a South Dakota Board of Regents university, it is expected that students will have basic keyboarding skills and have had experience in using computer word-processing, database and spreadsheet packages and in using the Internet or other wide area networks. These expectations may be met by high school course work or demonstrated by some other means.

ADMISSION POLICIES

1. Admission to the Department of Nursing will be based on an objective evaluation that includes the following: ACT/SAT score, high school and post-high school academic record, student’s GPA, Assessment Tests, LPN GAP Test, personal references, and work experience in the health field.
2. A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 is required for all post-high school course work.
3. An applicant must possess certain abilities and skills in the areas of intellect, sensory function, communication, fine and gross motor function, and behavior for admission to the nursing program.
4. Students are required to purchase a specific computer ordered through USD.
5. The University of South Dakota requires background checks as part of conditional admission to all health profession programs. The Nursing Department reserves the right to deny admission based on the best interest of the profession. If an applicant or enrolled student has been convicted of a crime or if legal charges are pending, an investigation will be conducted. Felony convictions may result in denial of acceptance to the program and/or eligibility for Registered Nurse (RN) licensure. Drug screening checks may be required for licensure and/or clinical placement.
6. Students are admitted to a specific nursing program campus. Transfer to another campus will occur only under special circumstances and upon approval and recommendation of the Statewide Student Committee.
7. All admitted students are subject to the University of South Dakota policies. It is the students’ responsibility to be knowledgeable of all policies and requirements. Policies and requirements are found in the USD Undergraduate Catalogue, the USD Student Handbook, and the Nursing Student Handbook.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

APPLY TO USD
The USD application can be found online at www.usd.edu/future or by contacting the Office of Admissions at 1-877-269-6837 or 605-677-5434.

In order to be considered for the USD Nursing Program, you must be accepted to USD by January 1st if you are applying for the fall admission to nursing classes OR July 1st if you are applying for spring admission to nursing classes.

APPLY TO NURSING
The USD Nursing application can be found at the Nursing Program website: www.usd.edu/nursing.

Your application file is complete when all of the following items are received:

1. USD Nursing Application
2. Transcripts:
   1. Current USD students may print a “Course Listing” from Web Advisor
   2. Students not enrolled at USD must supply unofficial transcripts from ALL previous colleges attended.
3. Plan of Study
4. Physical and Mental Requirements Form
5. Written Personal Statement
6. Three Reference Forms

Applicants who wish to be considered for the USD Nursing Program must take the nursing entrance exam (ATI). Applicants will be notified of testing dates and fee.

Nursing Application Deadlines:
The deadlines for complete application files to be considered for admission are:

For Fall Admission:

February 1     Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, or Distance/ELGSS
April 1           Watertown (LPN’s only)

For Spring Admission:

August 1       Rapid City or Sioux Falls (Internet Option Only)

Enrollment at each campus is limited. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis. You will be notified in writing by the Department of Nursing regarding your admission status.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

The transfer student shall meet University and Department of Nursing admission requirements. The number of advanced standing nursing credits that are accepted for graduation is determined on an individual basis. A letter of reference from former schools is required if clinical nursing courses have been completed.

CLEP EXAMINATIONS

A total of ten support course credits may be earned by CLEP examination, including the following: ENGL 101, PSYC 101, and MATH 102.

LICENSURE

Following successful completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing, the graduate is eligible to write the registered nurse licensing exam. Felony convictions may result in denial of eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse.  

AMERICAN NURSES’ ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS FOR NURSES

All students are expected to adhere to the principles of the American Nurses’ Association Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretative Statements (2005). This code describes a standard of professional behavior expected throughout the nursing program. The faculty and administration of the Department of Nursing reserve the right to dismiss a student not only for academic failure, but also for unethical, dishonest, illegal or other conduct that is inconsistent with the Code for Nurses.

SOUTH DAKOTA STUDENT NURSE’S ASSOCIATION

All students in the Department of Nursing are encouraged to be members of the South Dakota Student Nurse’s Association. Activities include participation at local, state, and national levels. These activities reflect commitment to the profession of nursing and to the responsibility for health care of people in all walks of life.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Marilyn Abraham Scholarship (Second level nursing student in good standing)
Phillip Bernard Scholarship (Second level nursing student)
Faithe Family Scholarship (Second level nursing student)
Doris Evelyn Lillibridge Scholarship (Nursing students in good standing)
Florence Nightingale Scholarship (Second level nursing students in good standing)
Elizabeth Adams Rosenbaum Scholarship (Nursing students in good standing)
Dorothy Schurrer Scholarship (LPN student in good standing, Watertown campus)
Louisa Irene Scott Scholarship (Second level nursing student in good standing)
Norma Stratton Scholarship (Second level nursing student in good standing)
Ben Suga Scholarship (Second level nursing student in good standing)
John T. Vucurevich Academic Scholarship (Nursing students with highest GPA)
John T. Vucurevich Endowment Scholarship (Nursing students who demonstrate need)
John T. Vucurevich Career Mobility Scholarship (Nursing students who demonstrate upward mobility in healthcare)
John T. Vucurevich Community Service Scholarship (Nursing student interested in community betterment)
John T. Vucurevich Clinical Excellence Scholarship (Second level nursing students who demonstrate exceptional clinical performance)
Roanne Weaver Scholarship (LPN student in good standing, Sioux Falls campus)
Robert and Marian Wendel Scholarship (Second level nursing students)
Judith West Scholarship (Second level nursing student active in the professional association)
LuLu Wheeler Scholarship (Second level nursing students)
Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students

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