MSU’s Focus on Healthcare: Association supports future ND nurses
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This is the second in a series about Minot State University’s focus on healthcare.
The Nursing Students Association of North Dakota (NSAND) provides nursing students with opportunities to develop leadership skills, advocate for the nursing profession and become involved in their communities while completing their education.
The student-led organization works with nursing programs across the state, including Minot State University, to connect students with professional development and volunteer opportunities. MSU is home to two of the association’s board members.
April Lawrence, consultant co-director for NSAND and senior at MSU, said the association works alongside nursing programs to give students opportunities to develop leadership skills before entering the profession.
"At the local level, the nursing student association works with the program to offer leadership opportunities to our students," Lawrence said. "As bachelor-prepared nursing students coming out of these programs, we’re expected to step into some of those leadership roles after graduation, so we give them the opportunity to take those steps into leadership through volunteerism in the community."
Students also are encouraged to take on leadership positions within the association through its board, which is filled through student elections at its annual conference.
Lawrence said serving on the board gives students an opportunity to learn about issues affecting the nursing profession and to step into a role that is bigger than themselves.
The association also emphasizes the importance of student representation. Lawrence said having a student-led board allows members to understand the demands nursing students face while organizing opportunities around their schedules.
"I think it’s really important to have a student-led board because nobody understands students better than students," Lawrence said. "We understand that this is a rigorous program, so we’re trying to find those volunteer opportunities and community opportunities that work around our very busy clinical and class schedule. We also have a pretty big variety of students in different phases of life that also sit on our board."
In addition to leadership opportunities, the association connects nursing students with peer mentors to provide support throughout their education as the program can be rigorous.
"Once they get into our program, all students are set up with a mentor, a peer mentor who is at minimum just one cohort ahead of them," Lawrence said. "They’ve been through what they’re going through now and can offer guidance and support in those areas that they might need it. That is something we do really well. Making sure that you have at least one person you can reach out to that’s been there and still in the program."
The association also works to connect with students before they enter nursing programs. Kim Tiedman, NSAND faculty adviser and Minot State nursing instructor, said introducing pre-nursing students to those already enrolled can help make the transition into nursing school less intimidating.
Tiedman said MSU’s nursing students have maintained high pass rates, exceeding national averages in some areas. She said encouragement from current students can help prospective nursing students understand the demands of the program and feel more confident about pursuing the field.
"We set the bar up high and they reach way above that," Tiedman said. "They get the pre-nursing students involved too so it’s not so scary. You guys are doing and managing it with jobs and things like that. It can be done. It’s busy like Lawrence said, but giving them encouragement and pumping them up a little bit so they’re not worried and nervous is what they try to do."
Beyond student support, NSAND provides opportunities for members to participate in community service projects throughout the state. Lawrence said the association works with other nursing organizations to organize volunteer efforts and provide health-related services.
The association also monitors legislation and government policies that could affect nurses, nursing students and educational programs.
Peyton Halverson, publicity and communications co-director for NSAND and a senior at MSU, said a designated board member provides updates on state and federal legislation during monthly meetings.
"We have a board member that specifically is tasked with keeping an eye on state legislators and also national legislators to see what’s going on and what’s affecting nurses and nursing students," Halverson said. "For example, this last meeting he shared on a bill that impacts funding for nursing schools and scholarships for nurses. That is also an important role."
Tiedman said staying informed about legislation helps students understand how professional organizations can support nurses throughout their careers.
"It’s important to let them know the value of being a part of a professional organization because students will graduate and they might not join the North Dakota Nurses Association or the American Nursing Association," Tiedman said. "There’s all these specialty ones too, but it’s important to keep your thumb on what’s happening because eventually everything does affect us at some point."
Lawrence said students also have opportunities to bring new ideas and projects to their nursing programs. At MSU, she helped introduce an in-person orientation for incoming students that includes department tours, visits to simulation labs and a question-and-answer panel with students from different stages of the nursing program.
She said the orientation is intended to give incoming students a realistic understanding of the program while introducing them to the people and resources available to support them.
Lawrence said the one piece of advice she'd give to prospective and current nursing students to become involved in their programs and communities.
"Get involved," Lawrence said. "Nursing school, I can’t promise it will be easy, but it might make it feel a little easier if you get involved. That’s how you’re going to make connections around the community, in the program; it’s to get involved. Don’t be afraid of your professors. Make friends. You’ve made it this far. You’ve gotten into the program. There’s no need to compete anymore. These are the people going through it with you, so make friends with your classmates."