It is estimated the Hot Springs program could accept up to 12 students the first year. The courses and a hands-on learning lab will be provided at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice S.D. State Veteran’s Home at 2500 Minnekahta Ave.
Pending approval by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Hot Springs will be WDTC’s third satellite location for WDTC’s Practical Nursing program. It is currently offered at the main campus in Rapid City with satellite locations in Whitewood (started in 2021) and Philip (2023).
“We have a great opportunity to bring our accredited and highly sought-after Practical Nursing program to Hot Springs. We already have many students from this community at our main campus. By providing the nursing courses closer to where they live, we can reduce their travel, costs, and assist potential nurses in training and finding employment in their local health care facilities,” said WDTC Nursing Program Director Kristen Hybertson, MSN, RN. “WDTC strives to bring quality nursing education to rural communities in Western South Dakota and Hot Springs has been extremely welcoming and supportive of our endeavor to offer our Practical Nursing program in the Southern Hills. The State Veterans Home has provided a wonderful space to house our classroom and nursing lab and we have a variety of clinical opportunities in the area for our students.”
WDTC President Ann Bolman, Ed.D., credits the WDTC Board for its support of college program course location expansion. She thanks Board Member Andrea Powers, who is the Executive Director of the Southern Hills Economic Development Corp, for helping to pave the way to provide the Practical Nursing program in Hot Springs. Dr. Bolman also thanks the Hot Springs community for its tremendous support.
“We're excited to offer our Practical Nursing program for those in Hot Springs in the surrounding area. We are dedicated to preparing our students for success and to meeting the region's workforce needs,” Dr. Bolman said. “We have amazing health care provider partnerships in Hot Springs and there are fantastic employment opportunities for our nursing graduates there.”
Several prerequisite courses must be completed before a student can start the Practical Nursing courses in Hot Springs next Fall.
“Prerequisite courses can be taken Spring Semester 2024, starting Jan. 8, 2024, or Summer Semester 2024. Students can apply and register for Spring 2024 classes now,” Hybertson said. “There are multiple scholarship opportunities, so make sure to check those out as well for Fall 2024!”
Those interested in the Hot Spring Practical Nursing program are encouraged to call the Nursing Program office at (605) 718-2914 or email Nursing@wdt.edu. You can also call WDTC Admissions at (605) 718-2565 or email Admissions@wdt.edu.
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PHOTO CUTLINE:
Back Row: L-R: Jeremy Schultes, CEO/Administrator of Fall River Health Services; Bob Nelson, Hot Springs Mayor; Kelly Cape, Southern Hills Economic Development Corporation; Dick Johnson, WDTC Board of Trustees Vice-Chair; Jacki Conlon, Hot Springs Ambulance Service; Linda Rabe, WDTC Board of Trustees; Curt Pochardt; WDTC Board of Trustees Chair; Tom Brunner, WDTC Board of Trustees; Dr. Steve Willard, WDTC Board of Trustees; Chuck Johnson, Veterans Homes Superintendent; Kristen Hybertson, WDTC Director of Nursing; Dennis Fischer, Hot Springs Schools Superintendent; Natalie Hooper, Veterans Home Director of Nursing; and Lynn Kendall, WDTC Board of Trustees.
Front Row: L-R: Barb Miller, SHEDCO; Nora Leinen, WDT Foundation Director; Debbie Toms, WDTC Vice President for Data Strategy and Enrollment Management; Ann Bolman, Ed.D., WDTC President; Andrea Powers, WDTC Board of Trustees and Executive Director of the Southern Hills Economic Development Corp.; Christine Goldsmith, WDTC Vice President for Finance and Operations; Tiffany Howe, WDTC Vice President for Teaching and Learning; and Amiee Brown, Veterans Home Assistant Director of Nursing.
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About Western Dakota Technical College
Western Dakota Technical College (WDTC) was established in 1968 and is the only technical college serving the western South Dakota region.
WDTC offers more than 40 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction and Manufacturing, Energy and Environmental Technologies, Health Sciences, Legal and Public Services, and Transportation Technologies.
Ninety-nine percent of Western Dakota Technical College's most recent graduates are working, continuing their education, or are enlisted in the military per the WDTC 2022 Placement Report. There were 320 respondents out of 342 graduates surveyed. [*Placement information is derived from graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, placement surveys started six months after graduation, and the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation. Overall placement rate is figured by: (responding graduates employed, continuing education, or in military service)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment). The number of program graduates are unduplicated by CIP code.]
Western Dakota Technical College faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, Western Dakota Tech students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.
For information about WDTC, call (800) 544-8765 or (605) 718-2565 or send an email to Admissions@wdt.edu. Visit us on the web at wdt.edu.
