Practical Nursing Programs in South Dakota

Becoming an LPN in South Dakota is a rewarding and efficient way to enter the booming nursing field. LPN programs in South Dakota take about one year to complete and prepare students for the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). Licensure in the state of South Dakota requires completion of a South Dakota Board of Nursing approved practical nursing program, which means to be sure that the program you enroll in is approved. A list of approved LPN programs in South Dakota can be found below.

LPN school admission requirements will vary by institution, but some commonly encountered requirements include holding a high school diploma or GED, being at least 18 years of age, passing a background check and an entrance exam. Check with the LPN school’s admission department prior to applying to get school specific admission requirements and make sure you qualify. Again, a list of LPN schools in South Dakota and their contact information can be found below.

Typical theory and clinical curriculum that an LPN student will be exposed to in a practical nursing program includes adult health nursing, mental health nursing, geriatric nursing, maternal and child nursing, psychiatric nursing and community health nursing. Students divide time between classroom, lab and clinical instruction. After graduation an LPN program graduate will apply for licensure with the state of South Dakota and register for the NCLEX-PN exam that is required for LPN licensure in South Dakota. Successfully passing the NCLEX-PN and approval of the licensing application by the South Dakota Board of Nursing entitles you to use the title LPN in South Dakota.

LPN Salary, Job Outlook and Employers

The South Dakota Department of Labor released their March, 2010 salary data recently. An LPN in South Dakota reportedly makes an average annual salary of $33,693 and an average hourly wage of $16.19. Of course these numbers will be impacted by work experience, type of facility and geographic location, so take these numbers for what they are, an average. You will need to weigh the cost of an LPN program, which can be anywhere from $3,500 to over $5,000 and what potential earnings and job growth opportunities are out there. Fortunately, the LPN profession looks to have nice growth projections as does the health care sector in general. According to the South Dakota Department of Labor, job growth for LPNs in South Dakota is projected at 13.5% through 2016.

Some places that LPNs have found work in the past include the Department of Veterans Affairs, the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls, Sanford Health in Sioux Falls, Golden Living Centers, Regional Health and Maxim Healthcare Solutions (staffing). These are good places to start a job search as well as keep an eye on for future job opportunities.

Many LPNs can continue their education and become Registered Nurses through LPN to BSN or LPN to ADN bridge programs. BSN educated nurses frequently make more money than LPNs and have greater career mobility. Just another factor to consider when making your decision.

Another popular option for those interested in entering the South Dakota health care sector is Medical Assisting. Medical Assistants make similar salaries and have similar job growth projections. Check out the Medical Assisting programs in South Dakota.

Approved LPN Programs in SD

(Source: South Dakota Board of Nursing – Approved LPN Programs in South Dakota)

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