Online RN to BSN Programs in South Dakota

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in South Dakota

1. South Dakota State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 10 Months (Full-Time); 15+ Months (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

SDSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN comes from a regional powerhouse. The College of Nursing (CON) produces around 1/3 of newly licensed RNs in South Dakota and it has a long track record of quality. It runs a Rural Nurse Fellow Program for BSN-level nursing students. It plays host to the Native American Nursing Education Center (NANEC). It achieves excellent NCLEX & APRN pass rates. And it offers a number of nursing scholarships.

2. University of South Dakota

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 3 Semesters (Full-Time); 4+ Semesters (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

USD’s 100% Online RN to BSN is cohort-based—you’ll move through the program with the support of your fellow students. You can also choose your own time-frame: Accelerated (3 semesters), Traditional (4 semesters), or Progressive (one course per semester). USD’s Department of Nursing is backed by the School of Health Sciences and its reputation for outreach & interdisciplinary training.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in South Dakota

South Dakota is not a cheap state for Online RN to BSN students. Total tuition costs at USD and SDSU usually exceed $12,000. Presentation College charges even more. You’ll find cheaper options in neighboring states (e.g. Minnesota) and our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in South Dakota

To qualify for our Fastest rankings, South Dakota Online RN to BSN programs had to be less than 3 semesters/1 year in length. If you’re interested in self-paced options, be sure to check out our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. South Dakota State University

• Program: Online RN to BSN
• RN to BSN Credits: 30
• Length: 10 Months (Full-Time); 15+ Months (Part-Time)
• Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes

On a full-time schedule, SDSU’s 100% Online RN to BSN can be completed in 10 months (e.g. 12 credits every semester). Fewer than 12 credits would mean 15+ months. One thing to note—although the RN to BSN core curriculum is 24 credits, you need to tackle an additional 6 credits of electives to achieve the 30 credits required for program completion.

RN to BSN Scholarships in South Dakota

RN to BSN Requirements in South Dakota

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. South Dakota universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. If you’re still waiting to sit the NCLEX exam, you may have a little leeway. Schools will often grant you conditional acceptance while you wait for results.

• Have questions about state RN licensure? Talk to the South Dakota Board of Nursing (SDBON).
• Wondering about program quality? Check out the SDBON Annual Report of Nursing Education Programs. It contains all kinds of stats on NDBON-approved programs, including NCLEX pass rates, faculty data, graduation data, and a whole lot more.

State Authorization: Do you live out-of-state? It looks like South Dakota schools are happy to accept RNs from any NC-SARA area, but it never hurts to check with the RN to BSN program coordinator. Online programs are often subject to state authorization rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in South Dakota Available?

• Yes. USD and SDSU’s programs are designed to be 100% online, with no campus requirements. However, you’ll still be expected to complete clinical practicums in your local area.
• PC’s Online BSN Completion has some in-person elements. Skills check-offs are completed at the Avera Simulation Center and the Community Health Theory and Clinical course involves 30 hours on campus.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” South Dakota Online RN to BSN Program?

Not really. Because of accreditation rules, CCNE-accredited Online RN to BSN programs invariably contain on-the-ground practicums. However, these clinical experiences can be completed in your home community and/or workplace.

BSN-level practicums will primarily be focused on public & community health and leadership training. For example, PC’s Online BSN Completion contains a Community Health Theory and Clinical (90 hours) and a Leadership Theory and Clinical (45 hours).

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for South Dakota Online RN to BSN Programs?

Check with the RN to BSN program coordinator.

• When we looked at prerequisites for SDSU and USD, we saw that they included a Mathematics course (SGR Goal #5), but this doesn’t necessarily have to be statistics. Even if you do need stats, you should be able to take it as a “co-requisite.”
• Statistics is required for PC’s Online BSN Completion program. You will also need to have certain religious prerequisites.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in South Dakota?

Yes. If you’re interested in graduate work—but you need a BSN for employment purposes—check out SDSU’s Online RN to MSN pathway! In this scenario:

• Eligible RN to BSN students can request approval to substitute 2 graduate-level nursing courses during their bachelor’s degree.
• Formal application to the Graduate Program is made in the final spring semester of the BSN.
• Keep in mind that this pathway requires completion of an approved statistics course within 5 years of enrollment in Nurse 626 – Research in Nursing & Healthcare.

Want even more choice? Explore the online offerings in our state-by-state listings of RN to BSN to MSN Programs.