Although the Institute of Medicine has called for more highly educated nurses in the workforce, advanced practice nurses in South Dakota face some challenges. For instance, although nurse practitioners earn about $82,000 per year, most practice only in collaboration with physicians. The Nurse Practitioners Association of South Dakota is working to enhance educational opportunities and supports legislative efforts to incorporate NPs into more varied roles. Their efforts are paying off - there's been a 14 percent increase in the state's NP supply in the past few years.
There has also been a slight increase in the number of CRNAs, according to the South Dakota Board of Nursing, but the number of certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists is decreasing. The demand for all advanced practice nurses is likely to increase in coming years. For more information, check out the Nurse Practitioner Association of South Dakota and the South Dakota Nurses Association.
Programs to consider:
Mount Marty College (Yankton, SD). MMC is ramping up their MSN offerings with options such as specialized advanced practice choices and a concentration in public health leadership.
South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD). SDSU's nursing department has been around since 1935. Their MSN program offers concentrations in education and administration.
