Mitchell Technical College Receives Grant to Expand Rural Nursing Education

Mitchell Technical College has received grant funding through South Dakota's Rural Health Transformation initiative to expand nursing education opportunities and help address workforce shortages in rural communities. Beginning in Fall 2027, new online pathways will combine flexible coursework with hands-on training at healthcare facilities near students' homes.

The expansion includes a two-year, part-time Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) pathway and a one-year Registered Nurse (RN) pathway with online coursework. The new pathways are expected to add capacity for at least 24 LPN students and approximately 36 RN students annually.

"For many people, the desire to become a nurse is there, but moving away or traveling regularly to campus simply isn't possible," said Carena Jarding, MTC nursing program director. "These pathways will give students the opportunity to pursue that goal while staying connected to their families, jobs, and communities."

The project supports the state's goal of strengthening rural healthcare through partnerships between education and industry. MTC will collaborate with Mobridge Regional Hospital, Sanford Chamberlain, and Monument Health, with plans to develop additional healthcare partnerships as the initiative grows.

Through a "Learn Here. Serve Here." model, students will complete online coursework through MTC while participating in clinical, laboratory, and simulation experiences at partner healthcare facilities. The approach is designed to make nursing education more accessible to students whose jobs, families, or other responsibilities limit their ability to relocate or regularly travel to campus.

"Strong rural communities depend on access to skilled healthcare professionals," said MTC President Theresa Kriese. "This investment allows Mitchell Tech to work alongside healthcare partners to expand educational opportunities and prepare more nurses to serve communities across South Dakota."

Grant funding will support additional nursing faculty, clinical adjunct instructors, and an assistant nursing program director, along with expanded simulation resources and high-fidelity training equipment. Rural partner sites will receive training resources consistent with those used on campus, giving students access to hands-on learning closer to home.

Local nurses will also help prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals by serving as clinical adjunct faculty and preceptors. By connecting students with rural healthcare teams throughout their education, the initiative aims to strengthen local workforce pipelines and encourage graduates to remain in the communities where they train.

"Our healthcare partners are central to making this model work," Jarding said. "Students will learn alongside local nurses, build relationships with care teams, and gain experience serving rural patients. Those connections can help students see a future for themselves in the communities that need them."

The project's goals include placing all participating students at rural clinical sites within 60 miles of their homes and providing 90% of clinical hours in rural or frontier healthcare facilities. Partner sites will also support continuing education and training opportunities for current healthcare professionals.

MTC's nursing programs bring a strong record of student achievement to the expansion. Both the LPN and RN programs achieved 100% NCLEX licensure examination pass rates in 2025. Approximately 90-95% of MTC nursing graduates remain in South Dakota, primarily serving rural communities.

The expansion builds on that foundation while responding to demand from prospective students and healthcare employers. MTC's existing nursing programs consistently operate at capacity, with waiting lists demonstrating the need for additional pathways.

The five-year initiative is designed to establish a sustainable model for rural nursing education through continued healthcare partnerships, tuition revenue, and investment in local training capacity.

For more information about Mitchell Technical College's nursing programs, visit mitchelltech.edu.