Education Opportunities

Education Opportunities | Associate Degree Nurse

"Growing Our Own" RN Program

WHAT: An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) offered online for employees and Society-approved health-care partners. The degree is awarded by The University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD.

AVAILABLE AREA: The program is available in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Wisconsin, and Idaho. Other states are being reviewed for expansion based on need and interest. *

* may not be available in all areas of each state.

BENEFITS:

• Offered on a part-time basis to allow staff to work, earn and learn
• Courses are offered on-line
• Clinical practice requirements are arranged with a cohort group in the student's region
• No waiting list once admitted to the nursing program and a cohort group is formed
• Program is nationally recognized

RECOGNITION/ACCREDITATION: The Department of Nursing has been awarded continuing accreditation by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) and is approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

Since 2004, The University of South Dakota (USD) Department of Nursing has been designated by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.

Individual state Boards of Nursing have approved the USD Program to deliver clinical education. Check with USD Nursing about availability in your state.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Click here for application procedure.

COST ESTIMATES: Tuition and fees are approved by the South Dakota Board of Regents effective each May. Employees are encouraged to talk to the advisor about tuition and fees and their administrator regarding Center support.

TIME TO EARN DEGREE: Typically a person with no previous college credit will earn the degree as a part-time student in four years. Transferable courses and licensure as a LPN may reduce the number of credits and time needed to complete the degree.

SCHOLARSHIP/LOANS: Employees are invited to visit with their center administrator about financial assistance that may be available through local resources or the Hoeger Scholarship and Center Education Program. Some states may offer scholarship/grant or loan assistance through the state Board of Nursing or another state government agency.

Contact learn@good-sam.com for an online listing of nursing scholarships.

SUPPORT SERVICES: "How to be a Successful Distance Learner" can be viewed at USD Continuing Education Web site.

ADVISOR: Please contact either Renee Adams at radams@usd.edu, 605.677.6224 or Dawn Manning at dmanning@usd.edu or 605.677.6881. Please identify that you are a Good Samaritan Society employee, your Center number and location.