Nursing Department

Debra Leners, Chairperson
243 Julian Hall
(605) 677-5006
nursing@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/nursing

Vermillion Campus

Kathy Magorian, Director
414 East Clark Street
Julian Hall 211
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-677-5251
FAX: 605-677-5886

Pierre Campus

Lisa Feller, Director
Capital University Center
925 East Sioux Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501
TEL: 605-773-6725
FAX: 605-773-6771

Rapid City Campus

Ellie Brooks, Director
Health Sciences Building
1011 11th Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
TEL: 605-394-5396
FAX: 605-394-5473

Sioux Falls Campus

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

Watertown Campus

Robin Brown, Director
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

GSS Distance

Kathy Manning, Director
414 East Clark Street
Julian Hall 313
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-677-6224
FAX: 605-677-5021

E-Learning

414 E. Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
TEL: 605-202-0684
FAX: 605-677-5021

FACULTY:

Professors:

Debra A. Leners - Program Chairperson

Associate Professors:

Linda Benedict - Sioux Falls
Ellie Brooks - Rapid City
Robin Brown - Watertown
Connie Evenson - Sioux Falls
Lisa Feller - Pierre
Katherine Jorgensen - Vermillion
Lorall Karpuk - GSS Distance
Cindy Mulder - Sioux Falls
Susan Reinhart - Rapid City
Heidi Schmidt - Watertown
Dawn Warren - Rapid City
Jean Yockey - Vermillion

Assistant Professors:

Nancy Denker - GSS Distance
Carol Dreke - Sioux Falls
Doreen Endres-Watertown
Cheryl Fischbach - Watertown
Michelle Gierach - Sioux Falls
Tracee Hofer - Sioux Falls
Amy Hunsley-McTighe - Pierre
Heidi Johnson-Anderson - Rapid City
Kathy Johnson - Sioux Falls
Tamela Kisner - Rapid City
Lori Koenecke - Pierre
Regan Luken - Vermillion
Kathy Magorian - Vermillion
Dawn Manning - GSS Distance
Kathy Manning - GSS Distance
Traci McDonald - GSS Distance
Kimberly Nerud - Watertown
Bridget Nichols - Sioux Falls
Stephanie Orth - Rapid City
Audrey Poor Bear - Vermillion
Annette Ray - Pierre
Julie Symes - Rapid City
Rebecca Wolff - Vermillion

Instructors:

Anne Kleinhesselink - Sioux Falls
Michelle Lichtenberg - Vermillion
Katherine Logan - Rapid City
Vicki Owen - Rapid City
Christine Tesch - Sioux Falls

Student Services:

Barbara Corio - Vermillion
Jennie Holland - Sioux Falls
Dawn Manning - GSS Distance
Sandy Teigen - Rapid City

MAJOR:

Nursing, A.S.

The Department of Nursing prepares the student for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a variety of practice areas. Nursing of today encompasses the best of nursing traditions and adds new perspectives and opportunities. Today’s nurses are highly skilled professional women and men whose decision-making skills and expert nursing care are an essential part of the health care team.

The University of South Dakota is designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education (2004-2010) by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The Nursing Department promotes excellence in education and practices in nursing and inspires students to become life-long learners who contribute to their respective discipline and profession while enhancing their communities.

Technological innovation includes nursing simulation experiences on nursing mannequins, an online virtual lab and use of a tablet PC in the classroom. Clinical experiences include all major specialty areas and take place in a variety of health care agencies.

The nursing program is offered on the main university campus in Vermillion and at four campuses across the state including Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Watertown. In addition to the traditional RN track, a LPN to RN track is offered to currently licensed LPN’s at all campuses. The Watertown campus accepts only LPN’s. The nursing program also offers a GSS Distance program in partnership with Good Samaritan Society (GSS) for their employees.

The University of South Dakota Nursing Program has been approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing since July 1966 and 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, 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (404-975-5000).

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Students must be admitted into the nursing major to enroll in the nursing courses. Students may complete support courses prior to entering or concurrent with the nursing courses.

Students must consult with their advisors before completing their schedules regarding departmental and nondepartmental requirements.

A separate application and acceptance process is required for the student to enter the clinical nursing courses. Forms for applying to the clinical program and information about application procedures can be obtained online at www.usd.edu/nursing under Academic & Admissions. The deadlines for complete nursing application files to be considered for admission are:

                Fall Admission:
                                February 1:         Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Vermillion, Distance
                                April 1:                  Watertown (LPN’s only)

Spring Admission:
August 1: Rapid City and Sioux Falls

Enrollment at each campus is limited. Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space available basis.

Progression: The student must earn a “C” as a minimum grade in all courses required for the nursing major. A minimum of “C” is required in all nursing courses to progress to the sequential nursing courses.

Missed or Repeated Courses: A failure or withdrawal in a nursing course requires a written request for readmission to the Nursing Program. A break in the usual curricular pattern means completion of the nursing curriculum may take more than the two years.

Policy: Departmental policy mandates the program of study must be completed within five years from the time the student was enrolled in the first clinical nursing course.

Transfer Students: The number of transfer 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. The transfer student shall meet University and Department of Nursing admission requirements.

Graduation & Licensure: Following successful completion of the Associate Degree in Nursing, 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. Felony and other convictions may result in denial of eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse. Licensure requirements and subsequent procedures are the exclusive right and responsibility of the state boards regulating professional practice.

ADMISSION POLICIES

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, personal references, and work experience in the health field.
A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 is required for all post-high school course work.
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.
Students are required to purchase a specific computer ordered through USD. (my U.Portal < Academics < Health Sciences Supplemental Information < Nursing < Computer Requirements)
The University of South Dakota requires criminal background and drug screening checks as part of conditional admission to all health profession programs. Background checks and drug screening will be performed only after the applicant has received notice of conditional acceptance and will be completed through Verified Credentials, Inc. Felony and/or 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.
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 Nursing Student Affairs Committee.
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.

LPN TO RN UPWARD MOBILITY

Admission is limited to currently licensed LPNs or graduate practical nurses with license pending.

The LPN to RN student must complete all general education courses (30 credits), NURS 282 (8 credits), NURS 204 (1 credits), NURS 283 (1 credit), and NURS 286 (9 credits) and 17 transfer credits are granted for LPN license for a total of 65 credits.

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

Endowed scholarships are awarded by faculty to students accepted and enrolled in the nursing major. Students must be in good standing and meet the requirements of the specific scholarship criteria.

FIRST and SECOND LEVEL NURSING STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIPS:

Doris Erickson Lillibridge Scholarship
Elizabeth Adams Rosenbaum Scholarship
John T. Vucurevich Academic Scholarship
John T. Vucurevich Endowment Scholarship
John T. Vucurevich Career Mobility Scholarship
John T. Vucurevich Community Service Scholarship
Keo Rose Weeger Scholarship
Scholarship for Disadvantaged Students

SECOND LEVEL NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS:

Marilyn Abraham Scholarship
Phillip Bernard Scholarship
Faithe Family Scholarship
Alice Bremer Jopling Scholarship
Marian Meyer Scholarship
Florence Nightingale Scholarship
Louisa Irene Scott Scholarship
Norma Stratton Scholarship
Ben Suga Scholarship
Sharon Taylor Scholarship
John T. Vucurevich Clinical Excellence Scholarship
Robert and Marian Wendel Scholarship
Judith West Scholarship
LuLu Wheeler Scholarship

LPN STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS:

Dorothy Schurrer Scholarship
Roanne Weaver Scholarship