Colleagues in Caring site: South Dakota

Contact person and email address: Marge Hegge, margaret_hegge@sdstate.edu

URL for recruitment initiatives:

Recruitment initiative:
Working with high school counselors.
Distribute materials on career specialties including nursing informatics for the "wire" generation, information on advanced practice nursing, and on RNs. Also promote nursing articulation between LPN and RN programs. Distribute newsletter to counselors in middle and high schools in state.

Timeframe/Target population:
Ongoing/high school students.

Recruitment initiative:
Focus on Native American recruitment
Native American nurse, Cecelia Fire Thunder, has been speaking on radio show on the Pine Ridge Reservation in Lakota and English on the importance of nursing and caring for own people. Also speaking to young people around the state.

Timeframe/Target population:
Ongoing, weekly radio programs/Native Americans. Elementary, middle school, high school students. Certified nursing assistants in long-term care facilities.

Partners/Funders for both initiatives:
South Dakota Nurses Association, South Dakota Colleagues in Caring, Augustana College, Sioux Valley Hospitals, Avera Health, School nurse Association, Home Health Association, SD Association of Health Organizations, Department of Health, South Dakota LPN Association, Indian Health Service, and Good Samaritan Society.

Message:
Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow

Evaluation of effectiveness:
Increase in enrollments in nursing programs in SD.
Increase in phone contacts.

Lessons learned:
Many of our guidance counselors are directing students into medical assistant programs.

Resources available:
Publication: Nursing Education Opportunities in South Dakota