Multiple institutions collaborate to create new nursing education program in Rapid City

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - South Dakota is facing labor shortages in a few different industries, but one stands out: health care. Monument Health and other hospitals in the Black Hills area have struggled to employ enough people to care for the injured and ill.

“Our nurses were working extra shifts to take care of patients in our communities,” said Monument Health President & CEO Paulette Davidson. “They were working overtime, and it was pretty clear things were not going to get better.”

To find a solution to this problem, Monument Health will be working with Black Hills State University, South Dakota State University, and West River Area Health Education Center to develop a new nursing program at BHSU’s Rapid City campus. A groundbreaking ceremony took place Friday to launch the construction of new facilities at the campus specifically dedicated to nursing education.

“What we needed was a new facility that could really attract students,” said SDSU President Barry Dunn. “The facilities we’ve had were really kind of cobbled together and not appropriate for the challenge we have.”

Classes are expected to begin in the new facility next fall. Students who enroll will be able to get an associate’s degree from BHSU and a bachelor’s degree from SDSU.

Copyright 2024 KEVN. All rights reserved.