Nursing Education Program Resources

Faculty-to-Student Ratio

Nursing education programs must maintain a faculty-to-student ratio in clinical facilities that does not exceed one instructor to eight students.

Review the RN Survey Visit Procedure Manual and the RN Survey Visit Report to learn about South Dakota's requirements for approval of a registered nurse education program.
Review the PN Survey Visit Procedure Manual and the PN Survey Visit Report to learn about South Dakota's requirements for approval of a practical nurse education program.

The South Dakota Board of Nursing does not approve out-of-state (OOS) LPN, RN, or APRN nursing education programs.
Agreements for placement of students in direct care clinical settings located in South Dakota are between the OOS program and the South Dakota clinical practice site / agency and nurse preceptor.
It is expected that the OOS nursing program has one faculty member who holds a South Dakota RN nursing license, or has a privilege to practice in South Dakota on a multistate compact license, to oversee the nursing student(s).
OOS APRN programs must:
- Have a faculty member, who holds a SD APRN license in the same role and focus area as the student(s), to provide oversight of the student(s).
- Prepare students to meet the eligibility criteria to sit for a nationally approved APRN certification exam for licensure in the APRN role and focus area.
- Hold accreditation with a national accrediting body for the APRN role and focus area; the accrediting body must be approved by the US Department of Education.

Visit the South Dakota Center for Nursing Workforce to review the Annual Nursing Education Report.

Visit NCSBN to find national information on nursing education.