First, some facts. Of the Nursing graduates from South Dakota State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 16 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 91%, Nursing graduates from South Dakota State University have a substantially higher likelihood (+24%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 37% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Nursing graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Nursing. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONNeonatal Intensive Care NurseSanford Health Jun 2011 - Aug 2013 Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Aya healthcare Aug 2013 - Jun 2018 Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse Medical Solutions Apr 2018 - Jun 2018 Registered Nurse Mayo Clinic Aug 2019 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Looking at the career paths of graduates from South Dakota State University's Nursing program, it’s pretty clear that a lot of them tend to stick closely to traditional nursing roles. Many have taken up positions as Registered Nurses in various healthcare settings, like hospitals and clinics, which makes perfect sense since they’re directly applying the skills and knowledge learned during their degree. In fact, the vast majority of these jobs—like working as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, or Cardiac Care Unit Nurse—require specialized nursing competencies, which indicates that a Nursing degree is essential for these roles. It's safe to say that for those who took the more traditional nursing route, their job experiences are not just relevant but absolutely vital to their education.
However, there are some outliers in the mix. A few graduates have ventured into roles that delve into administrative or educational fields, such as Nursing Instructors or Nurse Managers. While these jobs can still benefit from their nursing background, they often shift focus toward management and oversight rather than direct patient care. Then there are those who have taken completely different paths, like working as an Independent Consultant for a skincare brand or a Covid Screening Monitor, where the connection to direct nursing practice is less pronounced. Overall, though, most of these graduates have managed to keep their careers closely tied to the core nursing skills they gained, which is a pretty positive outcome for a Nursing education.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Nursing graduates (this is across all Nursing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to South Dakota State University):
Graduates from South Dakota State University with a degree in Nursing have generally pursued solid and relevant career trajectories in the field of healthcare. For many of these graduates, their first job after graduation is typically as a Registered Nurse (RN) in a hospital or healthcare setting, which is a natural starting point for building their nursing careers. Over the first few years, they tend to continue gaining experience as RNs across various specializations, such as neonatal care, cardiac care, and trauma nursing. Many also venture into roles that involve teaching or clinical instruction, allowing them to contribute to the next generation of nurses.
Fast forward five or ten years down the line, and you’ll find that a good chunk of these graduates have taken steps into advanced practice roles. A number have transitioned into positions such as Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Resource Managers, or Nurse Managers, showcasing their growth and commitment to the nursing profession. Some have even taken on administrative roles, such as Director of Nursing or similar leadership positions, indicating a healthy progression in their careers. Overall, the landscape suggests that graduates from South Dakota State University are not only finding jobs in nursing but are also advancing successfully within the field, leading to fruitful and rewarding careers.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing can definitely be challenging, and that holds true for South Dakota State University as well. You'll be juggling quite a bit—intense coursework in subjects like anatomy and physiology, lots of hands-on clinical practice, and the pressure of mastering skills essential for patient care. It's definitely more demanding than an easier major, mostly because it’s not just about studying from books; you’ll also be in real-life situations where you have to think on your feet. But if you're passionate about helping others and willing to put in the effort, it can also be super rewarding!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Nursing.
So, looking at these nursing graduates from South Dakota State University, it seems like they've generally done pretty well for themselves in terms of income. Many of them started as registered nurses, which typically pays decent right out of the gate, especially in specialty areas like pediatrics and ICU. As they gained experience, they moved into higher-paying roles like nurse practitioners or management positions, where the salary can really jump up. Some even dabbled in aesthetics or consulting, which often bring in extra cash. Of course, starting salaries might have varied a bit back in 2010, but overall, it looks like most of these folks have been moving up the pay scale steadily, making a decent living as their careers progressed.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Nursing (this is across all Nursing graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to South Dakota State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Nursing (ordered by the average relevance score of their Nursing graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: