The mission of the South Dakota Board of Nursing is to safeguard life, health, and the public welfare, and to protect citizens from unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of nursing education programs and nursing practices, in accordance with The Nurse Practice Act, South Dakota Codified Law Chapter 36-9: Registered and Practical Nurses, and South Dakota Codified Law.36-9A: Certified Nurse Practitioners and certified Nurse Midwives. http://doh.sd.gov/boards/nursing/ (accessed on 22.04.2009) and http://doh.sd.gov/Boards/Nursing/nurseact.aspx (accessed on 22.04.2009)