Sisters pursue healthcare degrees at BHSU-Rapid City

McKayla and Brittney Stratmeyer standing together in front of BHSU-Rapid City
Sisters McKayla (left) and Brittney Stratmeyer of Rapid City are pursuing their healthcare and nursing degrees thanks to the applied health sciences program at BHSU-Rapid City.
Sisters McKayla and Brittney Stratmeyer are pursuing careers in healthcare thanks to the applied health sciences associate degree at Black Hills State University-Rapid City.

“I’ve always had a passion for the healthcare field,” says McKayla. “Initially I wanted to go into dental hygiene. Then I learned I could complete the whole nursing program here in Rapid City.”

McKayla graduated in 2018 with her associate’s degree in applied health sciences through BHSU-Rapid City. She now works at Rapid City Regional Hospital as a patient care champion on the heart and vascular floor.

“I feel like I got a good base in science classes at BHSU-Rapid City. That helped prepare me for the nursing courses,” says McKayla.

South Dakota State and the University of South Dakota offer nursing classes at BHSU-Rapid City. It was seamless for McKayla to enroll into a bachelor’s of nursing program, while continuing to take classes at a familiar location. She will graduate with her nursing degree this May and plans to continue working at Regional Health.

Brittney is following the same path as her sister. She appreciates being able to stay close to home and her family in Rapid City.

“This BHSU location makes it easy for students to stay here in Rapid and save time in commuting,” says Brittney.

Biology instructor at BHSU-Rapid City, Pam Arneson, has also been a big influence on Brittney. Brittney appreciates Arneson’s expertise in her field and how “she’s always there for you if you need to ask questions.”

The support they will have from eachother will undoubtedly help these new healthcare professionals along their parallel career paths.

“My sister has been a big inspiration to me, guiding my college experience,” says Brittney. “She’s been a role model and someone to look up to in nursing.”

About Applied Health Sciences at BHSU
The associate degree in Applied Health Sciences is the perfect fit for students working toward careers in healthcare including registered nurses, medical technologists, and other high demand health professionals. BHSU has a long history of preparing students for admission into nursing programs. The associate degree in Applied Health Sciences offers students all the general education and core classes required for admission into nursing programs at South Dakota State University and The University of South Dakota, as well as for other bachelor degree-level healthcare programs. The entire program is available on campus in Spearfish and at BHSU-Rapid City. Graduates with the two-year associate degree may also choose to continue at BHSU and complete a bachelor’s degree program in biology or other related field. Learn more at www.BHSU.edu/AppliedHealthSciences