College of Nursing Department of Undergraduate Nursing PreNursing Handbook

Section I: Getting a Start

Introduction

Welcome to the College of Nursing.  On behalf of the administration, faculty, and staff, we want to express our sincere desire to help you achieve your goal of becoming a registered professional nurse. We wish you the best as you begin your career preparation at South Dakota State University.

As a student enrolled in pre-nursing, you are a part of the College of Nursing as well as the total university community, with rights and responsibilities inherent in that capacity.  These rights and responsibilities are stated in The University Student Code Book.  To prepare for entrance into the nursing major, there are requirements and relevant information that you will need to know. This handbook provides you with that information.  Please retain this book until you are admitted to the nursing major.

You will be assigned an Academic Advisor as you enter the university or when you go through university orientation.  It is expected that you will be in contact with the advisor on a regular basis as you proceed through the three pre-nursing semesters. If you do not know who your advisor is, please contact Nursing Student Services at (605-688-4106 or 1-888-216-9806).  Once you are admitted to the major, your advisor will change to a major faculty advisor in the Undergraduate Nursing Department.

Professional nurses need to know how to communicate and network within the profession.  The Nursing Student Association promotes professional communication, networking, and contacts that will serve you throughout your professional lifetime.  Each student is encouraged to become an active member of the South Dakota State University Nursing Student Association from the time they are a freshman until graduation.  It is an opportunity to become involved in local, state, and national nursing issues.

Gloria Craig, Ed.D, RN
Department Head, Nursing Student Services

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Important Information

Advisor for Pre-Nursing Students: _____________________________________

Advisor’s Office location and phone number:  ____________________________

Nursing Student Services Office:  NFA 131, Ruby Telkamp, Secretary, Phone:  (605) 688-4106

Dean:  Dr. Roberta K. Olson, Deans Office:  NFA 255, Phone:  (605) 688-5178

Department Head for Undergraduate Nursing:  Dr. Janet Lord, NFA 327, Phone:  (605) 688-6153

Department Head for Nursing Student Services:  Dr. Gloria P. Craig, NFA 131, Phone: (605) 688-4106

Career and Academic Planning (CAP) Center:  Dean, Gail Tideman, Medary Commons 123, Phone:  (605) 688-4153

Financial Aid Office:  Mr. Jay Larsen, Department Head, Administration Building (AD) 106, Phone:  (605) 688-4695

Registrar/Records Office: Dr. Matt Aschenbrener, Assistant Dean of Student Services and Registrar, AD 208, Phone:  (605) 688-4470

Other Names/Addresses/Phone Numbers:

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Resources for Help

Resources that the student can access:

1. CAP Center, located in Medary Commons, provides counseling on such academic matters as career exploration, test anxiety, and resume writing.  The CAP Center also houses the Job Service for the university.

2. Counseling on mental health issues is available through Counseling Center by calling (605) 688-6146.

3. Students Health Center appointments, including immunizations needed for the nursing major, call (605) 688-5588.

4. English Writing Center is available to students needing assistance in writing, during the Fall/Spring semesters.  An appointment is necessary, call (605) 688-6559.  The Center is open 9am-5pm, M-F.

5. Dean of Student Affairs:  Dr. Marysz Rames, (605) 688-4493.  If you are ill for an extended period of time or need to be gone for a family emergency, this office will notify your professors of your absence.

6. Religious Student Centers close to campus:

a. Catholic Campus Parish, (605) 692-9461
1321 8th Street
b. WELS Lutheran Student Center, Lutheran Wisconsin Synod,
(605) 692-2201
919 9th Avenue
c. United Methodist Student Center, (605) 692-8991
802 11th Avenue

 *For churches please see the Brookings Telephone Book.

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Early Registration Procedures

Early Registration for the next semester:

1. Pick up an SDSU Course Schedule at the Information Exchange in the University Student Union.  Schedules are usually available two to three weeks prior to early registration dates or approximately middle of March for Summer and Fall schedules and middle of November for Spring schedules.
2. Stop by your advisor’s office and sign up on the group advising schedule sheets, noting the time and place of the meeting.  If you have questions you consider private, you can sign up on the advisor’s weekly schedule on the door.
3. Plan out your schedule using the form in the Course Schedule book, using the schedule of courses and your curriculum sequence sheet.
4. Come to the group-advising meeting ready to discuss your academic plans and progress.  Be sure to bring your schedule book and your planned schedule.

Your advisor will provide you with your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and pre-registration dates for early telephone registration.

Your PIN number is new each semester; the PIN number from last semester will not work for the new semester.

5. Follow the directions in the SDSU Course Schedule book to register by telephone and to adjust your schedule.
6. If you have a difficulty with telephone registration call the Registrar’s Office.  If you have questions about academic progression, ask your advisor.

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