Licensed Nursing Education

"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.

VIDEO TESTIMONIALS :
Click here to hear GSS employees tell about this program!

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.

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.

CENTER SUPPORT: This program receives no state funding to offset costs not covered by tuition and fees. Instead those costs must be subsidized by the employer. Click here to learn about the employer subsidy.

TIME TO EARN DEGREE: Typically a person with no previous college credit will earn the degree as a part-time student in four years, spending four semesters completing pre-requisite courses and four semesters in the clinical nursing program. Transferable courses may reduce the number of pre-requisite credits needed to complete the degree. LPNs may complete the clinical nursing program in two semesters, once pre-requisites are completed.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Click here for application procedure.

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.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES: A variety of resources for students is available at the following:
USD Continuing Education Web site. Resources include advising, bookstore, business office, computer support, and academic preparation such as, "Tips for Online Learning Success."

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