Sioux Falls Nursing Excellence

We are deeply committed to investing in educational and leadership programs that empower registered nurses (RNs) to step into future leadership roles. Our belief in promoting from within drives us to nurture and support the growth of our nursing team. 

Grow, Succeed, Advance
There are countless opportunities for nurses to grow and prepare for career advancement, all while continuing to excel in their current roles. Through shared governance, we offer a range of councils, teams, and committees where nurses can get involved and make a meaningful impact. These groups bring together staff who are passionate about addressing the challenges and opportunities within health care. By participating in local councils, our nurses have the chance to collaborate with colleagues from diverse disciplines across the region, all united by a shared commitment to improving care and making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Nurse Internship Program
The Student Nurse Internship Program is a hands-on, 10-week paid internship that expands clinical skills and knowledge under the guidance of an experienced nurse preceptor.

Nurse Residency Program
The Sanford Health Nurse Residency Program (NRP) is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs. All new RN graduates that are hired into a facility with the program are enrolled.

The program provides nurse residents with strategies for personal growth and well-being while also helping them develop clinical judgment and leadership skills.

Continuing Education
We offer a variety of in-person and virtual continuing education credits and educational offerings that cover many specialties. Many are free or offered at reduced costs for employees. 

Sanford Health partners with Elsevier, a global leader in advanced informed and decision support for science and health care, to offer ClinicalKey for Nursing. 

• ClinicalKey is a clinical search engine that supports clinical decisions by making it easy to find fast, concise answers and deep access to evidence whenever, wherever nurses need it. 
• Elsevier Clinical Skills and Elsevier ClinicalKey are resources that are available 24/7. 
• 2,000 evidence-based skills and over 1,800 continuing education credits are readily available at no cost to employees. 

Additionally, CNA, LPN and RN sponsorships, annual scholarships and an employee assistance program are available to assist current and future nursing staff with furthering their education. Learn more about scholarships.

Specialty Certifications
Sanford Health is committed to assisting our nurses with achieving their national certification and recertification by providing preparation courses and assisting with associated costs. Additional information on certification can be found on the following websites:

• Certification through ANCC
• Certifications/board specialty
• List of nursing certifications
• Certification Reimbursement

Leadership Opportunities
We are always seeking passionate nurses to step into key leadership roles, and we provide continuous opportunities for leadership training, mentoring, coaching and precepting at every stage of a Sanford nurse’s career. 

The Sanford Leader program is designed to empower current and emerging nurse leaders with skills and insights to lead with confidence. Rooted in three core principles - leading self, leading others, and leading mission - the Sanford Leader is a journey of personal and professional growth. 

Sanford World Clinic Global Nurse Mentor Program
The Sanford World Clinic Global Nurse Mentor Program is an opportunity to impact care across the globe by participating in a shared learning experience with one of our international partners. 

With a growing variety of needs within the organization, Sanford Health offers more flexible scheduling options than ever. We collaborate with our nurses to develop family-friendly schedules that allow everyone to thrive in both their professional and personal lives. Many units offer self-scheduling led by nursing staff. 

Nurse assignments at SMC are determined using several factors including:

• Patient acuity
• Volumes, resources across interdisciplinary care team and capacity
• Type of department (ICU, Med/Surg, Peds, etc.)

There are a variety of shared governance councils in place at SMC that are used as an avenue to promote flexible schedules and options for work-life balance. Examples are the Night Nursing Council, Work Life Balance Council, and various unit-based councils. Sanford leaders and frontline nurses work side-by-side to develop staffing and scheduling plans for every unit, with patient safety and quality always at the forefront.

We take immense pride in acknowledging the invaluable contributions of our nurses. To show our appreciation, we offer not only competitive wages but also comprehensive benefits. By recognizing and rewarding their hard work, we strive to create a culture where our nurses feel valued and empowered to continue making a significant impact on the lives of our patients.

Wages

• The average hourly base rate for RNs at Sanford USD Medical Center is comparable to the average hourly base rate of RNs across the North Central Region of the United States. 


• Additional premiums and incentives that stack on top of this base rate are offered for nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call shifts.


• SMC continues to make meaningful investments in base hourly rates to not only ensure starting pay is competitive but also improve base hourly rates overall.


• Sanford military employees may be eligible for compensation during participation in deployments, presidential recall to active duty, national or state emergencies, annual encampment, or training in the National Guard or military reserves not to exceed a period of 12 months.

Benefits

• Sanford USD Medical Center nurses are eligible for benefits if they work 60+ hours per two-week pay period. Nurses working between 40-59 hours per pay period are eligible for part-time benefits.


• SMC nurses are eligible for health, dental and vision insurance, as well as long-term disability and many other optional benefits.


• The Total Rewards Dashboard is a resource that provides real-time access to your Total Rewards needs, all in one easy-to-use location. The dashboard provides employees with a personalized report of their Total Rewards package, as well as access to their benefit booklets and plan documents. 


• Access the Total Rewards Dashboard and click the benefits tab for personalized benefit booklet and plan documents.

Sanford Health embraces innovative solutions to address workforce challenges and alleviate administrative burdens, so our nurses can focus on caring for our patients and residents. Sanford continues to aggressively recruit and hire nurses to not only fill open positions but also address the growing needs of the Sioux Falls area and projected health care needs of an aging population.

• SMC continues a multi-faceted approach to improve the talent pipeline. This includes partnerships with higher education organizations such as the University of South Dakota, South Dakota State University, Augustana University and the University of Sioux Falls for internships, scholarships, and residencies. SMC, in partnership with local technical schools, has also created LPN sponsorships to support the ambulatory care model.


• Aspire by Sanford reaches approximately 15,000 students annually in the Sioux Falls region through their K-12 career exploration programs and camps. One of the programs offered is high school internships. High school clinical-certified interns come to Sanford as certified nursing assistants. They are placed in nursing assistant positions based on the department/clinic need, personal interest and their stated availability.


• Sanford partnered with local organizations to implement a Classroom to Careers (C2C) program for Sioux Falls high school students. Our goal is to make post-secondary education a reality for underserved, low income, and/or ethnically diverse students. Students earn dual credit, which is paid for by Sanford. Courses are taught by Southeast Technical College (STC) instructors, and funding includes a coordinator to work with students on post-secondary career plans.


• Augustana University has partnered with Sanford to create the Sanford Health Nursing Scholarship Program — an effort to provide Augustana nursing students with a pathway into the nursing profession at Sanford Health. As the only university in South Dakota to earn a Holistic Nursing Program endorsement, the Augustana nursing program has been a regional leader in preparing nurses for more than 80 years.


• Sanford is exploring alternative pipelines by recruiting nurses from around the world to meet our staffing needs now and into the future. These internationally educated nurses are employed by Sanford and are not contract staff. They receive the same pay and benefits as all other Sanford nurses. 


• When necessary to support patient volumes, SMC will increase nurse travelers. To eliminate agency expense and to provide opportunities for existing employees, Sanford recently launched a new internal travel agency, Solutions by Sanford. 


• Additional recruiting efforts include but are not limited to:
  • Expanded social media engagement, including LinkedIn and Facebook
  • Resume mining on Indeed and SeekOut to generate additional leads.
  • Increased presence on free job boards, including Handshake, College Central and Featured Jobs
  • Hosting events to attract local candidates and providing the opportunity to connect with local leaders face to face.

We are on a journey that celebrates and amplifies the unique talents, experiences, and perspectives of our employees, as well as the patients, residents, and communities we serve. By embracing these differences, we are not only strengthening our organization but also working together to make this a truly great place to work.

Employee Experience Survey
Part of building a great culture is listening to our people and responding to their feedback. Employees participate in an Employee Experience Survey twice per year. By sharing their voice, they are helping to drive positive changes within our organization. 

We’re consistently scoring far above the health care industry benchmark based on health care organizations on Peakon. Two categories where we score above benchmark include meaningful work and inclusiveness. We appreciate that employees feel they are accepted at Sanford Health and bring value to those we serve and the organization.

Well-being
We know the well-being of our team matters. That’s why Sanford Health offers our employees and their families access to a variety of resources for extra support whenever it is needed. Taking time to focus on the six dimensions of well-being (physical, emotional, spiritual, professional, financial, social) allows employees and their families to thrive in all areas of life.

In partnership with VITAL WorkLife, Sanford's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides access to free counseling, coaching and support services available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Counselors are available for face-to-face or virtual counseling allowing for up to six sessions per incident. 

Nurses and family members can access these services at their convenience, including in-the-moment support, phone consultations, face-to-face counseling, nurse peer coaching, educator peer coaching, legal and financial services, and identity theft prevention and support. 

Workplace Violence Prevention
Sanford Health believes our hospitals and clinics should be places of safety and healing for caregivers, patients, and visitors. Sanford USD Medical Center continually collaborates with nurses on preventive measures to reduce the potential for workplace violence. Focus areas include environmental controls, patient and visitor screening processes, and staff training.

Resources to Support Safe, Quality and Highly Reliable Patient Care
In response to our nurses’ feedback, Sanford USD Medical Center has implemented several changes and resources to support safe patient care including:

• Rescue RN with Rapid Response including Behavioral Health Response Team coverage 24/7.
• Automatic paging to Rescue nurse with Vital Sign MEWS scores.
• House Crisis Nurse 7 days a week.
• Patient Placement and Central Staffing available 24/7. 
• Security Officers in house 24/7 with dedicated support directly in the Emergency Department (ED) at all times 
• Easy Lobby check in system to control access for staff safety.
• Patient Transport Team for procedures, scans, discharges, and admissions from ED.
• Additional support for staff from IV/PICC Team, Lift Team and Campus Assessment Team.
• Artisight/Virtual Nursing pilot – a technology system that uses computer-vision and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the care of patients and environment for frontline staff.

Military and Veterans Services
Sanford Health is actively recruiting past and current military members to its nursing ranks and other positions. From differential pay to educational scholarships and more, the organization strives to be an employer and provider of choice for veterans. View a full list of benefits and featured career opportunities for veterans and military service members.

Professional development grants are now available for veteran employees. Grants are up to $3,000 annually, and recipients can receive up to $12,000 in their lifetime. Grant funds may be used for professional development opportunities such as academic classes, certifications, professional courses, or training. 

The Sanford Health Military and Veteran Scholarship honors those who have furthered their own progress and enriched the lives of others, especially in service, academics, and community involvement. Four $5,000 scholarships are awarded annually to veterans, Guard/Reserve members or active-duty military service members who have demonstrated leadership and commitment in their community.

Sanford Health continues to be recognized nationally for its commitment to veterans and their families. For the fifth year in a row, Sanford Health landed in the top 10 on the 2024 Military Friendly® Employer list and 2024 Military Spouse Friendly Employer list.

Sanford Health ranked No. 3 as a Top Military Friendly® employer, up from No. 5 in 2023 and No. 4 as a top Military Friendly® Spouse Employer, up from No. 6 in 2023. More than 1,500 organizations competed for the Military Friendly® designation.

Sanford Health recognized by Becker’s as a top place to work
For the third year in a row, Sanford Health has been named to the list of Becker’s Healthcare 150 top places to work. 

According to Becker’s, the health systems and companies included on this list are committed to supporting their teams through comprehensive benefits, opportunities for both personal and professional growth, inclusive and empowering work environments, and resources that promote a healthy work-life balance. Many also extend their positive impact beyond the workplace, engaging in community service and championing social responsibility.

As a provider of highly specialized services, SMC offers Centers of Excellence in heart and vascular, children’s services, cancer, neuroscience, orthopedics and sports medicine, and women’s health. It also serves as the primary teaching hospital for the Sanford USD School of Medicine, located at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

• SMC is a verified Level I Adult and Level II Pediatric Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons. It is the only verified Pediatric Trauma Center in South Dakota. When every second counts, we’re here to provide the highest level of care to our patients.


• Sanford Children’s Castle of Care serves pediatric patients in a five-state area and through Sanford World Clinics, which comprise 133 health facilities in ten countries. State-of-the-art neonatal intensive care and pediatric intensive care units offer 24/7 care by local specialists.


• Sanford Heart Hospital is a state-of-the-art hospital offering highly advanced, integrated, and personalized heart care from more than 750 experienced heart specialists and staff. All services for heart patients — emergency care, outpatient testing, surgery, rehab, catheterization, and consultation — are consolidated into one building attached to the medical center, allowing for easy access.


• Sanford Orthopedic and Sports Medicine has a depth of services and specialties to treat sprains, strains, tears, breaks, joint pain, and concussions. We have more than 45 expert providers with extensive experience in diagnosis, surgery, and nonsurgical treatments. Sanford is a regional leader in sports medicine and works with over 125 club, high school, collegiate and semiprofessional athletic teams.


• Sanford’s Cancer Center and Edith Sanford Breast Center combine to form a unique beacon of expert cancer and breast care throughout the region. It features a space that supports advanced cancer care and breast care delivery models of the future, encompassing the whole person built on a foundation of distinguished research and supporting team-based care.


• Sanford Women’s offers state-of-the-art obstetric and gynecological care for women of all ages in several locations throughout a four-state area. Care is provided by specialists in OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine, urogynecology, fertility and reproductive medicine, low intervention birth and more. Sanford Women’s Plaza is a unique destination that provides women with a variety of health options in one location.


• Sanford Health is embedding the latest in genomic medicine into primary care through Imagenetics. This program provides clinicians with unprecedented patient-specific information to better identify effective medications and risk for inherited disease to design a care plan for the future. Through a national partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Sanford Health is bringing free pharmacogenetic testing to 250,000 veterans across the country.


• The behavioral and mental health provider team at SMC continues to grow. The Psychiatry and Psychology Clinic currently has 25 providers, including five physicians (two adult psychiatrists and three child and adolescent psychiatrists), six APPs, six psychologists and eight behavioral health therapists. The region has 24 Integrated Health Therapists (IHT) within primary locations, including seven primary care clinics in Sioux Falls, two covering specialty clinics, one covering oncology, 11 at network sites and three behavioral health therapists (BHTs) embedded in primary care locations in Sioux Falls.


• We recently ushered in a new chapter for our virtual care initiative with the grand opening of the state-of-the-art Virtual Care Center in Sioux Falls. This center is a symbol of our dedication to expanding access, improving patient experience, training the next generation of clinicians, and advancing innovation for the benefit of our patients, residents, and health plan members.

Sanford USD Medical Center has received many national quality and safety awards. These recognitions demonstrate the medical center’s value to rural communities in the region as well as Sanford Health’s overall commitment to achieving higher quality care and better patient outcomes.

Sanford USD Medical Center and Clinics Achieve 5th Magnet Designation
Sanford USD Medical Center and clinics in Sioux Falls attained Magnet recognition for the fifth straight time. Sanford is one of less than 60 hospitals to achieve this five-time distinction- a testament to our continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice. 

Sanford Health Sioux Falls ranked best hospital in South Dakota
For the fourth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for 2024-2025 ranked Sanford USD Medical Center the No. 1 hospital in South Dakota.

Sanford USD Medical Center makes World’s Best Hospitals list
Sanford USD Medical Center has been awarded on Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Hospitals 2024. Newsweek’s list of World’s Best Hospitals 2024. In addition, the medical center in Sioux Falls was also named a global leader for Infection Prevention. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

Sanford USD Medical Center awarded several recognitions by Newsweek
Sanford USD Medical Center has received recognition by Newsweek as part of its Best Hospitals 2024 rankings. The annual list recognizes the institutions that have achieved the highest reputations by delivering quality care with outstanding results. 

Sanford USD Medical Center is the only hospital in South Dakota to be named to the following lists: America’s Best Cardiac Hospitals, America’s Best Children’s Hospitals and America’s Best Neurological Hospitals. The medical center was also recognized in two other categories, earning a spot on the list for America’s Best Cancer Hospitals and Pediatric Endocrinology. 

Sanford USD Medical Center recognized for stroke care by AHA
Sanford USD Medical Center has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

Sanford Health Sioux Falls recognized for Maternity Care
Sanford Health USD Medical Center has been recognized as a Blue Distinction Center+ for maternity care by Blue Cross Blue Shield. According to Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) and Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) for maternity care demonstrate expertise and a commitment to quality care for vaginal and cesarean section deliveries. These centers demonstrate better overall patient satisfaction and a lower percentage of early elective deliveries.

Sanford USD Medical Center is a top 100 hospital for GI care
Sanford USD Medical Center has been named one of top 100 hospitals for gastrointestinal (GI) care by Healthgrades, a leading health care comparison website. Sanford Health is the only hospital in South Dakota to receive the award and joins the ranks of other hospitals honored, including the Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, the University of Chicago, Barnes Jewish and more.

Sanford USD Medical Center receives Women’s Choice Awards
Sanford USD Medical Center has received multiple awards on the Women’s Choice Award 2025 Best Hospitals Award Report. The Women’s Choice Award for Best Hospitals™ is a credential that identifies the nation’s best hospitals based on robust criteria that includes relevant clinical performance, patient satisfaction and appropriate accreditations.

Sanford USD Medical Center receives Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification by DNV
The Sanford USD Medical Center has been designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) by DNV, an international accrediting organization. DNV stroke certification verifies that an organization’s stroke care programs are meeting or exceeding standards in the delivery of quality care. The designation was received after an annual two-day survey from DNV which focused on both clinical and non-clinical areas utilizing tracer methodologies as well as staff and patient interviews.

At the heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to making our communities stronger and healthier. Our care goes far beyond the walls of our medical centers and clinics—we are active, engaged and invested in the well-being of the communities we serve. By channeling substantial resources into creating more opportunities and improving health outcomes, we are working together to build a brighter, healthier future for all.

• With a focus on educational institutions ranging from kindergarten to college, health care access, quality initiatives, and social and community well-being programs, Sanford USD Medical Center makes significant contributions to local entities, including the YMCA, Junior Achievement, Sioux Empire United Way, and countless local non-profit and community-based organizations.


• SMC continues to invest in workforce development efforts with local organizations, including the Healthcare Occupational Students of America (HOSA), Junior Achievement and multiple university and K-12 partners, including Brandon, Harrisburg, Sioux Falls Christian, and many others across the state.


• SMC has a strategic alliance with many local colleges and universities including:
  • University of South Dakota
  • South Dakota State University
  • Northern State University
  • Southeast Technical College
  • Lake Area Technical College
  • The University of Sioux Falls
  • Augustana University


• SMC provides Child’s Voice services to children in eastern South Dakota. Our providers also see children from southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. We evaluate all children who are admitted to Sanford Children’s Hospital for maltreatment concerns. Child's Voice is one of three nationally accredited Children’s Advocacy Centers in South Dakota.

We are committed to extending care beyond our bricks and mortar. It is through this work that we identify unmet health needs in the community and strategically plan how to best address them. For more information, refer to the Sanford Health Community Health Needs Assessment Report and the Sanford Health Community Commitment Report 2025. 

“As nurses, we have been given a profound gift – the daily privilege of caring for others. In every interaction, we live our mission to care, comfort and cure – standing strong as fellow nurses bringing hope to our patients and shaping the heart of our communities. This is more than a profession; it’s a purpose.” 

– Kelly Hefti, Chief Nursing Officer, Sioux Falls