ABERDEEN, S.D. – Dr. Lyncee Monson has been hired as Associate Dean of Nursing to launch and direct the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at Northern State University.

“Dr. Monson is a welcomed addition to the College of Arts and Sciences. She brings a wealth of knowledge as a practitioner in the area as well as an educator at both a private and a public university,” said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Alyssa Kiesow.

Northern recently received approval from the South Dakota Board of Regents to start the bachelor’s degree program, in order to address the critical workforce needs in the community, region and state. The program also received approval from the South Dakota Board of Nursing.

“I am very excited that Northern has hired Dr. Monson as our Associate Dean of Nursing to launch our BSN program. She has deep experience in the nursing field, in both the clinical and educational areas. Dr. Monson has a passion for nursing education in Aberdeen and this region of the state, having most recently served as a faculty member and the site coordinator for the SDSU accelerated nursing program on Northern’s campus,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Mike Wanous.

Monson has 18 years of experience in academics and has been a nurse for 23 years. In addition to teaching, Monson works at Avera in the intensive care unit.

“I feel it is important to maintain an active practice to be an effective nurse leader and educator in a healthcare system that is continually changing,” Monson said.

Monson earned her Doctorate of Nursing in 2022 from Northern Kentucky University, her
Master of Science in Nursing in 2014 from Western Governor's University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001 from Presentation College. She is a registered nurse who holds certifications as both a certified critical care registered nurse and certified nurse educator.

Having lived in the Groton, S.D. area her whole life, Monson is invested in the region. She has two daughters, Hailey and Hannah. Hailey is following her mother’s footsteps and is currently studying nursing at SDSU. Hannah is a senior in high school and also plans to go into nursing.  

“This is a huge endeavor, but I enjoy confronting challenges with creative solutions, collaborative networking, and meticulous organization,” Monson said. “The goal is to build a robust program through a multistep approach— this includes the creation of an innovative and comprehensive curriculum that supports the values of this community, reflects the mission of Northern, and aligns with accreditation standards,” Monson said.

The new bachelor's degree will be housed in the soon-to-be-built Northern Business and Health Innovation Center. The BSN program will officially start Fall 2025, with the option for students to start their pre-nursing courses in Fall 2024.

“The next steps will also include finalizing the building project, organizing clinical placements, securing final approval from regulatory bodies, and assembling qualified faculty and staff,” Monson said.