Emily Neshem, a 2017 Lewis and Clark-Berthold High School graduate, has been named Minot State University’s nurse of the year.

Students were initially nominated by faculty in the nursing department before interviewing with members of the Nursing Student Association on campus, according to information provided by MSU.

It was then narrowed down to the top three and Neshem was chosen as the winner.

“The two other nominees were my classmates; we were just all happy that we got nominated,” she said. “We really didn’t care who won or not.”

The nomination process — as well as the North Dakota state Nursing Student of the Year interview process — gave Neshem the opportunity to reflect on her time as a nursing student and learn more about herself.

“I learned a lot. I learned that it’s okay to give yourself a pat on the back and say that you did this. You did well, you earned it. It was very hard for me to make it about me, I’m not that type of person,” she said. “Nursing school is hard, and it was kinda nice to get that recognition from the staff and the students.”

Neshem joined the nursing program because of a test result, according to information provided by the university.

“I took a personality test in high school because I didn’t know what I wanted to be, and it said nursing,” Neshem said. “I have a lot of family members who are nurses so I started asking them about it, and I realized that nursing is just one name for so many different jobs you do under that scope. It’s amazing to see what jobs there are in nursing.”

Once her decision was made, Neshem never looked back.

“This was the right decision,” she said. “They always say you can change your major, but I never changed my major. I was stuck to this, and it’s been a lot of work, but it’s been worth it. I believe I made the right decision, and I feel like I’m destined to be a nurse.”

Neshem will graduate in May and will finish her internship at Trinity Health this summer. She is also the current vice president of the Nursing Student Association.

“I’ve just really enjoyed my time at Minot State. You get one-on-one time with your teachers, and all of my professors have been fantastic meeting with me, helping with things that I struggle with; they’re your cheerleaders. They want you to do well and enjoy the program,” she said. “It’s crazy that I’m almost at the end of it. I recommend Minot State nursing to anyone.

“It’s a really good program and really hands on and individualized. Your teachers want you to succeed, and that’s really the best part.”