Nursing Department

Dr. Anne Pithan, Chair
414 East Clark Street
Lee Med 304
Vermillion, SD  57069
Tel: (605) 658-5610
Fax: (605) 658-3301
nursing@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/nursing

Associate Chair-Academics

Dr. Anne Kleinhesselink, Associate Chair for Academic Programs and Graduate Program Director
414 East Clark Street
Lee Med 326D
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-658-5600
FAX: 605-658-3301

Director of Regulatory Affairs 

Dr. Lisa Feller, Director of Regulatory Affairs
414 East Clark Street
Lee Med 303
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-658-5600 
FAX: 605-658-3301

Student Services Director 

Regan Luken, Student Services Director
414 East Clark St. 
Lee Med 306
TEL: 605-658-5605 

Vermillion

Helene Hegge, Academic Program Site Director
414 East Clark Street
Lee Med 317
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-658-5600
FAX: 605-658-3301

Sioux Falls

Amy Hunsley-McTighe, Academic Program Site Director
USD SF
4801 N Career Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
TEL: 605-658-5600
FAX: 605-658-3301

RN-BSN

Dawn Warren, RN-BSN Coordinator
414 East Clark Street
Lee Med 303
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605 658-5600
FAX: 605-658-3301

FACULTY

Associate Professor:

Dr. Lisa Feller - Sioux Falls

Assistant Professor:

Dr. Sabina Kupershmidt - Research & IPE
Dr. Jean Yockey - Vermillion
Dr. Tamara Keefner - Rapid City
Dr. Anne Kleinhesselink - Vermillion  
Dr. Anne Pithan - Vermillion

Assistant Professor of Practice:

Dr. Shauna Rich Jacobson, DNAP Director
Dr. Amanda Bainbridge, DNAP Assistant Director

Lecturer:

Dr. Cheryl Fischbach - Graduate Program Coordinator
Dr. Pam Kendall - Vermillion 
Dr. Michelle Lichtenberg - Vermillion
Dr. Dawn Warren - RN-BSN Coordinator
Dr. Jessica Warren - Vermillion 

Instructors:

Heather Casper-McLay - Sioux Falls
Kelli Ebbesen - Sioux Falls
Danielle Fleming - Vermillion
Katie Fransen - Vermillion
Helene Hegge - Vermillion
Nicole Holmberg - Sioux Falls
Amy Hunsley-McTighe - Sioux Falls
Dawn Koch - Vermillion
Regan Luken - Vermillion 
Anneka Mikel - Vermillion
Lori Munter - Vermillion
Robyn Page - Vermillion
Lesli Olson - Sioux Falls
Jeanna Pankratz - Vermillion
Robyn Rentschler - Vermillion
Jeannie Rossow - Sioux Falls
Barb Stolle - Simulator Coordinator, Vermillion
Lorie Truhe - Vermillion
Lisa Varenhorst - Sioux Falls
Heidi Waters - Vermillion

Advisors:

Kelli Ebbesen - Sioux Falls
Jeanna Pankratz - Vermillion
Katie Fransen - Vermillion
Michelle Seaton-Bertsch - RN-BSN
Lisa Varenhorst - Sioux Falls 
Cheryl Fischbach - Graduate Programs

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, and 3 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. Students who have failed the same NURS course twice are ineligible for readmission. 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

(LPN to BSN students follow this admissions process)

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. 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.
6. 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.

DIRECT 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 twice. Students who have failed the same NURS course twice are ineligible for readmission. 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.

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 are awarded to qualifying students who are 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.

Student Learning Outcomes for Nursing (B.S.N.)

1. Integrate leadership and communication (written, verbal, nonverbal and technological) skills to effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives within the context of Interprofessional team. 
2. Relate how policies, finance and regulatory environments shape responses to organizational, local, national, and global issues of equity, access, affordability and social justice in health care. 
3. Collaborate with other health care professionals for improving health through clinical prevention in national, international and global societies. 
4. Integrate evidence, clinical judgment, Interprofessional perspectives, and patient preferences in planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes of care. 
5. Manage holistic, safe patient-centered care that reflects an understanding of the arts and sciences in the nursing and medical management across the lifespan for individuals and populations in all health care settings. 
6. Demonstrate accountability for individual actions and behaviors, including civility, professional engagement, practice and lifelong learning.

Student Learning Outcomes for Nursing (L.P.N.-B.S.N.)

1. Integrate leadership and communication (written, verbal, nonverbal and technological) skills to effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives within the context of Interprofessional team. 
2. Relate how policies, finance and regulatory environments shape responses to organizational, local, national, and global issues of equity, access, affordability and social justice in health care. 
3. Collaborate with other health care professionals for improving health through clinical prevention in national, international and global societies. 
4. Integrate evidence, clinical judgment, Interprofessional perspectives, and patient preferences in planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes of care. 
5. Manage holistic, safe patient-centered care that reflects an understanding of the arts and sciences in the nursing and medical management across the lifespan for individuals and populations in all health care settings. 
6. Demonstrate accountability for individual actions and behaviors, including civility, professional engagement, practice and lifelong learning. 

Student Learning Outcomes for Nursing (R.N.-B.S.N.)

1. Integrate leadership and communication (written, verbal, nonverbal and technological) skills to effectively implement patient safety and quality improvement initiatives within the context of Interprofessional team. 
2. Relate how policies, finance and regulatory environments shape responses to organizational, local, national, and global issues of equity, access, affordability and social justice in health care. 
3. Collaborate with other health care professionals for improving health through clinical prevention in national, international and global societies. 
4. Integrate evidence, clinical judgment, Interprofessional perspectives, and patient preferences in planning, implementing, and evaluating outcomes of care. 
5. Manage holistic, safe patient-centered care that reflects an understanding of the arts and sciences in the nursing and medical management across the lifespan for individuals and populations in all health care settings. 
6. Demonstrate accountability for individual actions and behaviors, including civility, professional engagement, practice and lifelong learning.

Programs

• Nursing (B.S.N.)
• Nursing (L.P.N.-B.S.N.)
• Nursing (R.N.-B.S.N.)