Augustana University has partnered with Sanford Health to create the Sanford Health Nursing Scholarship Program — an effort to provide even more Augustana nursing students with a pathway into the nursing profession within the Sanford Health System.
“We have a long-standing relationship with the clinical facilities in Sioux Falls. This is another example of how we work together to support the health care workforce needs of the region,” said Director of the Augustana Nursing Program Dr. Lynn White. “This partnership will help Augustana welcome additional students into the nursing program. These students will go on to become transformational leaders who will leave a lasting impact on the patients and communities they care for.”
As part of a 1-year pilot, the program will award as many as 32 scholarships to students, both in the accelerated nursing and traditional Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) programs. Augustana's partnership with Sanford Health will award $10,000 to students in the 16-month accelerated program and $20,000 to students in the 4-year BSN program. Upon acceptance into the Augustana Nursing Program, students receiving this scholarship must commit to an employment agreement with Sanford Health for two years following graduation and will perform their clinicals within the Sanford Health System.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for registered nurses (RNs) is projected to grow 6% from 2021-31 — nearly as fast as the average for all occupations. On average, more than 203,000 openings for RNs are projected over the course of the decade.
As the only university in South Dakota to earn a Holistic Nursing Program endorsement, the Augustana Nursing Program has been a regional leader in preparing nurses for more than 80 years. Most recently, Augustana’s Class of 2021 nursing graduates achieved a 97.3% pass rate when taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) — the highest pass rate of all programs in South Dakota.
To learn more about Augustana’s accelerated nursing and BSN programs, visit augie.edu/nursing.