Rural Health Works
Nursing Initiative
The Rural Health Works, Nursing Initiative program is funded through a Department of Labor H-1B Rural Healthcare Grant Program with the purpose of addressing healthcare workforce shortages in western SD. The program helps provide funding to support those upskilling into or within the nursing profession who intend to live and work in western SD upon completion of training. More details on program specifics can be found on this page including eligibility and funding details.
For questions on the program, please reach out to WestRiverSDAHEC@gmail.com.
For questions on the program, please reach out to WestRiverSDAHEC@gmail.com.
The nursing field is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling careers in healthcare. Nurses have the training and skill sets to deliver high-quality care to a wide variety of patients, while making a direct difference in clinical outcomes. In addition, they have to be adaptable and ready for whatever comes their way. For these reasons, it takes a special type of person to be a successful nurse. If you are interested in a nursing career, this program will help you every step of the way!
The Rural Health Works, Nursing Initiative Program is a grant-funded program through the Department of Labor, H1B Rural Health Grant Program. It is designed to assist those who are unemployed, underemployed, or incumbent workers upskill into or within the nursing field. The program helps provide financial support for students during their program. A limited number of funding opportunities are available and applicants must meet certain qualifications to apply. Please note, the application for the program is not available directly from our website as applicants must be referred in by a referral partner. Referral partners include many colleges, health care organizations, and community organizations in the Rapid City area.
SOUTH DAKOTA
WILL BE RANKED
3rd
IN TERMS OF
NURSING SHORTAGES IN
2030
THINGS TO CONSIDER:
- Do I have critical thinking skills?
- Do I have communication skills?
- Do I show empathy?
- Am I detailed oriented?
- Can I think on the “fly”?
- How capable am I under pressure?
- Which type of nurse should I be?
- Nurses can work a variety of shifts
- How attached I’ll get to my patients
- It is easy to forget about self-care
- Do you meet one of the following employment categories?
- unemployed
- underemployed (program of study will help you move up career-wise)
- incumbent (currently working for an organizaton where your program of study will help you move up within the organization)
- Wanting to work in the nursing workforce in western South Dakota upon graduation.
- 17 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in secondary school (high school) within a local educational agency.
- See the list of programs below to determine whether your current or intended program of study qualifies for funding. Applied Health Science and CNA applicants must apply prior to beginning their program of study. Nursing students should apply during their final semester of pre-nursing courses.
- Applicants must be referred to the application by a referral partner. Not sure if your organization or school is a referral partner? Please reach out to WestRiverSDAHEC@gmail.com for questions on finding a referral partner. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. LPN, RN, and BSN students should apply prior to beginning their technical/professional nursing courses, but after or during their final semester of pre-requisite coursework. You will need to show proof of nursing program acceptance to qualify.
- Required to complete a program advising session with the WRAHEC Program Coordinator a set number of times each semester depending on program of study
- Participant must sign a contract of success before being accepted into the program
- Must be referred into the program from one of our agency partners
- All tuition will be paid directly to the school in your name
NURSING ASSISTANT
- 8-week course at Monument Health
- Hybrid course with online and in-person learning
- 100% of tuition paid through the grant
- No out of pocket costs to complete program*
- Student support funds available for child care, transit, as well as the cost of the certification test
- New cohorts will start each month, beginning in February 2023 through December 2024, each consisting of eight students
- Upcoming starting dates:
- 09/19/24
- 10/17/24
- 11/14/24
- 12/19/24
- Do not need to have a HS Diploma or GED
- Upcoming starting dates:
- Must complete an Admissions Application choosing ‘Program Prep’ as their program (non-degree seeking)
- Must provide current immunization records
- Average salary $38,000/year**
- Lifetime earnings $1,899,790***
- Duties: bathe, dress, feed, measure vital signs, and listen to their patient’s needs
- Why be a CNA? Role can serve as a starting point for many types of nursing careers
LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSING
All scholarships awarded
- 2 Semesters of LPN Technical Courses to gain Diploma
- Programs at Western Dakota Tech
- 50% of tuition paid through the grant
- Potential remaining costs: $6500*
- Student support funds available for child care, transit, scrubs, cost of the certification test. etc.
- 0 slots of 68 total remaining
- Average salary $53,000/year**
- Lifetime earnings: $2,649,707***
- Duties: taking blood pressure, inserting catheters, starting IV drips, changing bandages, communicate with patients and family members to educate them about the care plan
- Why be a LPN? Upskill your opportunities from a CNA and can upskill to an RN
APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
All scholarships awarded
- 4 Semester Associates Degree program at Black Hills State University (either campus)
- 50% of Tuition Paid through the grant
- Potential remaining costs: $8250*
- Student support funds available for child care, transit, class supplies, etc.
- Scholarships will be limited to 16 people during the grant period 2021-2024 - 0 slots left!
- Must be intending to attend either SDSU or USD BSN Programs in Rapid City
- Average salary: $85,000/year**(after attaining BSN and RN licensure--additional costs associated with the BSN programs are estimated at $25,000)
- Lifetime earnings: $4,249,531***
- Why? Some employers (especially hospitals) prefer RNs to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and you are interested in starting the process
REGISTERED NURSE ADN
All scholarships awarded
- Associates Degrees in Nursing
- AAS Degree from Western Dakota Tech: 2 Semesters of Technical Nursing courses (+1 Semester of Prerequisites required but not included in the program funding)
- Associates of Arts Degree in Nursing from Oglala Lakota College: 4 Semesters of Technical Nursing courses (+2 Semesters of Prerequisites required but not included in the program funding)
- 50% of Tuition Paid through the grant
- Potential remaining costs: $5700*
- Student support funds available for child care, transit, scrubs, class supplies, cost of the NCLEX--RN
- 0 of 24 total slots left!
- Average salary: $70,000/year**
- Lifetime earnings $3,227,810***
- Why the RN Associates Degree? You’ve loved being an LPN and/or are excited to become an RN, but do not feel the necessity to hold a BSN
EMT
All scholarships awarded
- One semester course at WDT
- Condensed course available in June 2024
- 50% of tuition paid through the grant
- Potential remaining costs: $1000*
- Student support funds available for child care, transit, scrubs, cost of the certification test. etc.
- 0 slots of 20 total remaining
- Average salary: $37,270/year**
- Lifetime earnings: $1,863,294***
- Duties: analyze and treat medical and trauma emergencies within the EMT scope of practice; use instrumentation, equipment, and supplies utilized in the prehospital environment at the EMT level
- Why be an EMT? The job outlook for EMTs & Paramedics, from 2020-30, is 11% (faster than average). EMT training will also prepare you for an advanced degree as a Paramedic.
REGISTERED NURSE BSN
All scholarships awarded
- 4-5 Semester, Bachelor Degree program at either SDSU or USD Nursing programs in Rapid City (4 semesters of prerequisites, or holding an AHS degree required but not included in the program funding)
- 50% of Tuition Paid through the grant
- Potential remaining costs: $12,500*
- Stipends available for child care, transit, scrubs, class supplies, cost of the NCLEX--RN
- Grants will be limited to 16 people during the course of the grant period 2021-2024 - filled up
- Must have provisional acceptance into one of the BSN programs
- Average salary: $85,000/year**
- Lifetime earnings: $4,249,531***
- Why the BSN? Some employers (especially hospitals) prefer RNs to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
REGISTERED NURSE TO BSN
All scholarships awarded
- 3, 4, 8 Semesters (design your own pace), Online Bachelor Degree program through either SDSU or USD Nursing programs (4 semesters of prerequisites, or holding an AHS degree required but not included in the program funding)
- 50% of Tuition Paid through the grant
- Potential remaining costs: $5000*
- Stipends available for child care, transit, scrubs, class supplies, cost of the NCLEX--RN
- Grants will be limited to 16 people during the course of the grant period 2021-2024 - filled up
- Must have provisional acceptance into one of the BSN programs
- Average salary: $85,000/year**
- Lifetime earnings: $4,249,531***
- Who? You are currently an RN who would like to earn your BSN to increase your upward mobility at your workplace
- Why the BSN? Some employers (especially hospitals) prefer RNs to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree
*Students may be eligible for federal financial aid or other scholarships to help cover these remaining costs
**Average salary in western South Dakota
***Estimated lifetime earnings over 35 years, using 2% cost of living raises each year
Candidates qualify for only 1 of the outlined programs over the course of the 4 year grant.
Student support funds can be requested for the following:
- Transit
- Childcare
- Out of pocket supplies for classes
- Test costs (paid 1 time per type of test)
- Travel costs associated with testing
- Licensure application costs
The WDT LPN Program has pre-requisites before enrolling into the first “technical nursing” semester.
- 1 Semester of General Education Courses (funding not applicable)
- Application for Admission to the Practical Nursing program
- Current CNA Certification or completion of HC124/HC126 (funding not applicable)
- Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS test) $70 (can receive 1 time stipend)
- Immunization Records
- CPR Certification $89 (can receive 1 time stipend)
- Driver’s License
- Background Check $50 (can receive 1 time stipend)
- Drug Test $40 (can receive 1 time stipend)
RN Programs have pre-requisites before enrolling in their professional nursing programs. This list is not indicative to every program but is to make participants aware of some of the types of requirements and to thoroughly research before applying to any of the listed RN programs. These requirements may change at any time.
- General Education and Pre-Nursing Courses (funding not applicable)
- College Transcripts
- Application for Admission to the Registered Nursing Program
- Current LPN License in SD
- Documentation: 750 hours as LPN
- HESI RN Entrance LPN-AND Exam $60 (can receive 1 time stipend)
- Immunization Records
- CPR Certification $89 (can receive 1 time stipend)
- Driver’s License
- Background Check $50 (can receive 1 time stipend)
- Drug Test $40 (can receive 1 time stipend)