Claire Ketcham
Instructor
Nursing Programs
HSIM 105B
Claire Ketcham, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, is a nursing instructor at Southeast Technical
College, where she began teaching in 2026. She brings more than six years of nursing
experience including in surgical, surgical trauma, endoscopy, ambulatory care and
nursing leadership.
Claire began her nursing career at Sanford USD Medical Center, where she worked as
a surgical trauma nurse and later served as a crisis nurse, gaining experience caring
for complex and high-acuity patients. She later transitioned to the ambulatory setting
at Allure Health, where she advanced into a nurse manager role and gained experience
in team leadership, clinic operations, policy development, and the start-up of an
elective infusion center.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of South Dakota
in 2020 and her Master of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in Nursing Administration
from South Dakota State University in 2026. She is also board certified in medical-surgical
nursing.
In 2023, Claire joined Avera McKennan, working in endoscopy and caring for patients
throughout the admission, procedural, and recovery phases of gastrointestinal care.
She continues to practice as a registered nurse at Avera on a PRN basis, allowing
her to remain connected to current bedside nursing practice while teaching future
nurses.
As an instructor, Claire enjoys bringing real-world clinical experiences into the
classroom and helping students connect nursing concepts to the realities of patient
care. She is especially passionate about preparing practical nursing students to become
safe, compassionate, confident members of the healthcare team. Outside of nursing
and education, Claire enjoys spending time with her husband and family, being involved
in the Sioux Falls community, and continuing to grow as a nurse, educator, and leader.
As an instructor, Claire enjoys bringing real-world clinical experiences into the
classroom and helping students connect nursing concepts to the realities of patient
care. She is especially passionate about preparing practical nursing students to become
safe, compassionate, confident members of the healthcare team. Outside of nursing
and education, Claire enjoys spending time with her husband and family, being involved
in the Sioux Falls community, and continuing to grow as a nurse, educator, and leader.
Education
- Master of Nursing Administration, South Dakota State University – Brookings, S.D.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of South Dakota – Vermillion, S.D.
- MEDSURG-BC Certification, ANCC