Presentation College in South Dakota Nursing Program Review

Presentation College (PC), founded in 1951, specializes in providing education in the healthcare field, within the context of the Catholic-Christian tradition. On its main campus in Aberdeen, South Dakota, as well as on its campuses in Eagle Butte, South Dakota and Fairmont, Minnesota, Presentation College prepares students for careers in many of the allied health professions, nursing, business, education, and social work. Nursing is one of the college’s main areas of focus; it offers an associate degree in nursing and a baccalaureate degree in nursing, with special tracks to accommodate incoming students with different levels of education.

The nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Associate Degree in Nursing

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is offered on the Aberdeen campus and the Eagle Butte campus. It starts each fall, and requires five semesters of full-time study to complete (including one summer semester). Students must earn at least sixty-nine credits, and complete general education classes, nursing classes, and clinical rotations. After completing the ADN program, a graduate will receive an Associate of Science in Nursing degree. This makes her eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCELX-RN).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree prepares a student for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN), and also gives him the background he needs for further, graduate-level nursing education. Presentation College’s BSN program takes four years to complete, on a full-time basis. Students can complete the BSN program in Aberdeen or in Fairmont, Minnesota. They must start in the fall, and earn at least 127 credits in order to graduate. Completing the BSN program prepares a student for the NCLEX-RN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN Completion

As part of the Presentation College Virtual Online division, a graduate of an associate degree in nursing program can complete the BSN curriculum. To do so, she needs to earn a total of 121 credits. Presentation College will accept up to sixty-nine credits from her associate degree, allowing her to complete the remaining credits and earn her BSN in as little as four consecutive semesters (sixteen months).  The classes are offered completely online, and a student in the RN to BSN completion program can schedule clinical rotations in a facility that is in her area (South Dakota, North Dakota, or Minnesota).

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – LPN to BSN Completion

Also through the Virtual Online division, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can complete the BSN curriculum. He can complete all the coursework online, but must travel to one of the Presentation College virtual sites for clinical practice; he can go to Aberdeen, South Dakota; Fairmont, Minnesota; or Fargo, North Dakota. Depending on the LPN’s previous education, the length of the program can vary. An LPN who is a graduate of a one-year certificate program will typically need at least six semesters to complete the BSN program. An LPN who has completed a two-year associate degree program may be able to complete it in four semesters. In total, he must earn 127 credits in order to graduate.

Contact:
Presentation College
1500 North Main Street,
Aberdeen, SD 57401