Action Team 4:
Quality jobs
Developing good quality jobs and reviewing current practices, policies, and environmental strategies to promote employment standards for nursing.
Team Overview
Presider: Anne Pithan, DNP, RN, CENP, NE-BC, CMSRN, CNE – USD Department of Nursing
Purpose
Review current practices, policies, and environments to craft agreements across agencies on employment standards for nursing.
Goals
- Identify best practices for hiring and retaining nursing staff
- Understand strategies to keep nursing professionals engaged
- Create resources to support leadership and work-life balance
- Address retention barriers contributing to shortages
Target Audience
- Healthcare administrators
- HR professionals
- Nurse managers
- Regulators
- Systems developing retention initiatives
South Dakota Nursing Workforce Statistics
14.7%
Licensed RNs in S.D. who plan to retire
between Aug 2024 – Aug 2029
13.1%
SD’s projected percent of RN increase needed to meet demand
19,944
Number of actively licensed RNs in S.D.
As of Dec 2024
Resources & Toolkits
2025 SDNN Summit PANEL Thematic Summary
PANEL Thematic Summary Exploring the Voice of Nurses: Purpose, Pressure, and Possibility South Dakota Nursing Summit – PANEL Thematic SummaryExploring the Voice of Nurses: Purpose, Pressure, and Possibility 1. The CallingNursing is driven by purpose, compassion, and...
2025 SDNN Summit FOCUS AREAS Summary
FOCUS AREAS Summary: Workforce + Well-Being Insights | Synthesized by Focus Area LEADERSHIP Nurses seek visible, engaged, and authentic leaders who lead from within the team—present,approachable, and willing to “wear the scrubs.” Mid-level leadership strength is...
2024 SDNN Summit Information
Event Summary: USD Nursing proudly hosted the first-ever South Dakota Nursing Network (SDNN) Summit, a groundbreaking event aimed at strengthening the nursing workforce across the state. The summit brought together professionals from every corner of the nursing...
Best Practices for Quality Nursing Jobs
Supportive Work Environment
- Adequate staffing ratios on patient acuity
- Sufficient resources and equipment
- Interprofessional collaboration
- Manageable workloads
Meaningful Recognition
- Formal recognition programs
- Peer-to-peer recognition
- Career advancement opportunities
- Public acknowledgement of achievements
Professional Development
- Continuing education support
- Clear career pathways
- Leadership development programs
- Specialty certification assistance
Work-Life Balance
- Flexible scheduling options
- Self-scheduling opportunities
- Paid time off that can actually be used
- Wellness programs and support
Nursing Workforce Summit
Annual Event
2025 South Dakota Nursing Workforce Summit
The South Dakota Nursing Workforce Summit brings together healthcare leaders, educators, students, and providers to share data-driven strategies and improve employment outcomes across nursing.
Save the Date:
SDNN Summit 2026
- Dates Coming Soon
- USD School of Health Sciences, Sioux Falls, SD
Annual Event
2024 South Dakota Nursing Workforce Summit
The South Dakota Nursing Workforce Summit brings together healthcare leaders, educators, students, and providers to share data-driven strategies and improve employment outcomes across nursing.
Get involved with Action Team 4
Interested in supporting nursing student recruitment and helping develop resources for future nurses? Connect with us to learn more about how you can contribute to this important work.
Pictures & Updates
2024 Nursing Workforce Summit
2024 Nursing Workforce Summit
2024 Nursing Workforce Summit