How to Become an LPN in South Dakota
Becoming an LPN in South Dakota is a process that will require a lot of work on your end but it is not one that is altogether impossible to get through. In truth, one of the hardest parts of becoming an LPN is finding the right information to help you along your path.
Once you have access to top-notch information on what to look for, the process becomes significantly easier for you to get through. Taking the time to learn all of the important facts around becoming an LPN in South Dakota is an important step to take.
Scope of LPN Work in South Dakota
In South Dakota, LPNs are allowed to perform a wide range of tasks that are reserved more for Registered Nurses in other states. Licensed Practical Nurses are expected to perform most of the same tasks that they are expected to perform in any other state as well. These tasks include taking care of the personal hygiene of patients, taking notes on patient condition during rounds and relaying any necessary information to the supervising nurse. However, LPNs in South Dakota are also able to do things that go beyond this basic set of responsibilities.
For example, they are allowed to provide medication to patients when advised to do so by a Registered Nurse or a doctor. LPNs are not allowed to promote or advise in treatments in the way more qualified healthcare employees are. However, they are allowed to start IVs and administer medications when they are directed to do so by a qualified nursing supervisor. Due to the greater level of responsibility provided to Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota, there is a higher level of training required.
South Dakota LPN Job Outlook
As with most other states in the US, the job outlook for people who want to be an LPN is looking very positive. This is true for almost any healthcare job out there and Licensed Practical Nurses are expected to find more and more opportunities as the years go on. What’s more, Licensed Practical Nurses in the state of South Dakota will find that their potential earnings are a little higher than the national average for others in their profession. Nurses that work in general practice clinics and emergent-care facilities will usually make more money than those who do not. Typical starting salaries for Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota start at around $34,000 a year.
LPN Education Requirements in South Dakota
Licensed Practical Nurses are required to go through a diploma program that is certified by the state before they can become licensed. The diploma program covers a wide range of courses including biology courses, ethics courses and a healthy amount of clinic hours. As with most state-certified LPN programs, clinic hours are mandatory and missing them can cause a student to fail their course of study. If students are working at another job during the mandated clinic hours, they must find a way to make it to the clinic hours. Most schools are not very flexible on when these hours can be conducted since they are generally set for “non-peak” hours when students won’t get in the way.
After students complete their course of study, they are expected to complete a licensing exam that covers a wide range of topics. The licensing exam is administered by the South Dakota Department of Health’s Nursing Board. Aside from taking the test, there is one other option for becoming licensed in South Dakota. South Dakota is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This means that LPNs can gain licensing via endorsement by other industry professionals.
LPN Schools in South Dakota
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Programs:
List of Approved SD Practical Nursing Schools
Lake Area Technical Institute LPN Course
1201 Arrow Avenue
P.O. Box 730
Watertown, SD 57201
(800) 657-4344
Mount Marty College LPN Training
1105 West 8th Street
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 668-1545
Sinte Gleska University LPN Program
101 Antelope Circle
Mission, SD 57555
(605) 856-8100
Sisseton Wahpeton College LPN Class
Agency Village Box 689
Sisseton, SD 57262
(605) 698-3966
Southeast Technical Institute
2320 N Career Ave
Sioux Falls, SD 57107
(605) 367-7624
Western Dakota Technical Institute
800 Mickelson Dr
Rapid City, SD 57703
(605) 394-4034
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