RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) – The West River Health Science Center celebrated a major milestone this year, graduating 122 registered nurses during its first full year of operation.
The nursing pathway partnership between Black Hills State University and South Dakota State University was expanded with a $2 million investment from Monument Health in 2022. Of the 122 graduates, 62 have committed to joining Monument Health.
Across four regional nursing programs, 195 new nurses are entering the workforce this academic year, with at least 87 planning to work for Monument Health. Those graduates come from South Dakota State University, Dakota Wesleyan University and Western Dakota Technical College.
Monument Health leaders say scholarships and education partnerships have been key to building a stronger nursing workforce in western South Dakota. This year, 32 nursing students at SDSU and DWU received Monument Health scholarships, while 21 WDT graduates completed the Build Dakota Scholarship program.
The pipeline starts even earlier. About 80 high school students participated in Monument Health’s Certified Nursing Assistant pathway this school year. Sixty-two students tested for certification this spring, and 44 passed on their first attempt, a pass rate more than 10% higher than last year.
Monument Health is also developing a new Career Development and Planning Center that will include a student float pool designed to help accommodate school schedules while giving students hands-on experience in health care settings.
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