Dakota Wesleyan to expand nursing program to Rapid City

By Mitchell Now November 29, 2023 8:38 am

Dakota Wesleyan University has announced it is expanding its nursing program to a new site in Rapid City. The expansion, which was approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing in August and by the university’s board of trustees in October, will begin in August 2024.

The Rapid City nursing program will offer an Associate of Science degree in nursing, with no LPN license required for enrollment. The program will be offered year-round for 24 months, and graduates will earn a two-year RN degree upon completion of the program and passing the required state licensing exam. Students may enter the program at any point in their career, whether they have healthcare experience or not.

DWU President Dan Kittle noted the great demand for nurses throughout our region and says Dakota Wesleyan University wants to be an active partner in meeting that need. He added that DWU developed a unique program as a response to requests from practitioners in the Rapid City area.

DWU Director of Nursing Dr. Penny Tilton noted the excellent relationships the university is developing with partners like Monument Health, Black Hills Surgical Hospital, and others.

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