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College of Nursing

The College of Nursing provides a strong academic program, professors with firsthand knowledge and a realistic learning environment for future nurses. Its outstanding nursing programs are offered on four campuses in South Dakota.

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Degrees and Programs

High school seniors may have the option to make their future worry-free by applying for the direct admit program. Registered nurses who have an associate degree in nursing can take the fast track by applying for the RN to B.S.N. or RN to M.S.N.

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Fast Facts

Pre-nursing student enrollment

472
*As reported by SDSU College of Nursing, Nursing Student Services Office, 2023

Undergraduate student enrollment

619

*Students in the nursing major; As reported by SDSU College of Nursing, Nursing Student Services Office, 2023

Graduate student enrollment

133
*As reported by SDSU College of Nursing, Nursing Student Services Office, 2023

2022-2023 Recipients/scholarship amount awarded

206/$837,285
*As reported by SDSU College of Nursing, Nursing Student Services Office, 2023

2023 NCLEX-RN pass rate first-time takers*

94.33%
*Students who tested in 2023. See NCLEX-RN pass rate for prior years; As reported by NCLEX® Program Report, 2023-2024.

2023 APRN pass rate

100%
*As reported by American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board, 2023-2024

Admitted Student Statistics >>

College of Nursing News

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A rendering of the exterior of the SDSU Metro Center on Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls.

Avera gift to SDSU to expand health care education, workforce

In an effort to support health sciences and future workforce building, Avera has made a generous gift to the South Dakota State University Foundation of its property at 33rd Street and Minnesota Avenue, expanding SDSU’s presence in Sioux Falls and providing a permanent home for its Sioux Falls-based programs in nursing and pharmacy at the SDSU Metro Center.
Patricia Groves

Groves to deliver Dean’s Distinguished Lecture on hospital safety communication

Patient safety is one of the most critical aspects in nursing, with many factors playing a role in preventing harm and reducing risks. Those factors are the topic of this year’s South Dakota State University College of Nursing Dean’s Distinguished Lecture. Patricia Groves, an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa, will present her lecture “Hospital Safety Communication: Working Together to Create Patient Safety and Sense of Security” at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 18, in the University Student Union’s Volstorff Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

A message from Dean Krogh

As we welcome the blooming of spring (and the melting of snow), it brings me great joy to reflect on the remarkable achievements and growth within the SDSU College of Nursing. The past months have been filled with milestones and successes that truly underscore our commitment to excellence in education, research and practice.