Nursing Students Associate of ND names WSC’s Grinnell as nurse of the year
Posted: Feb 13 2014
WILLISTON, N.D. - Congratulations to Williston State College's Megan Grinnell (LPN) for winning Student Nurse of the Year. Grinnell was awarded this honor at the annual state Nursing Students Association of North Dakota (NSAND) convention on Jan. 31 - Feb. 1, 2014 in Jamestown, ND.
In order to be eligible to compete at the state level, Grinnell was selected by her fellow classmates and WSC instructors (located at Minot site) to advance to the state competition. She was judged on the following criteria based on her application and interviews with the judges:
· Leadership
· Professionalism
· Personal Accountability
· Commitment to Nursing
· Commitment to Professional Growth.
· Involvement in the College of Nursing
· Involvement in Nursing Student Association
· Ability to Serve as a Role Model for Future Nurses
Along with this honor, Grinnell will be a member of the 2014 NSAND Board of Directors. She is also the current President of the local WSC chapter and in the past has served as the Vice President. Other responsibilities will include aiding in the recruitment for North Dakota's nursing schools and being an ambassador for the nursing profession. She has and continues to be a leader in organizing her local chapter's community and fund-raising activities. In addition to being a current nursing student in the WSC AAS in Nursing Program, Megan works part-time in Minot's Trinity Emergency and Trauma Center as an ER Technician.
When asked about her experiences in her current positions as an LPN/ ER technician and a nursing student, Grinnell commented, "I've been surrounded by the best people in every field throughout my life. As a student at Williston State College-Minot, I learn from the best instructors. As an ER technician at Trinity's Emergency and Trauma Center, I'm learning from very experienced and talented nurses and colleagues."
Megan also strives to use evidence-based practice as a nursing student and in her present position as an LPN/ER Technician. She defines Evidence-Based Practice as "utilizing proven research findings by implementing it into our nursing practice. Evidenced-Based Practice increases the quality of patient care as well as provides the most cost efficient nursing care possible for our patients."
She believes "nurses need to make it a priority in their practice to stay current with new research and practices as we are always trying to improve the quality of care our patients receive. Nurses need to be reviewing their facility's current policies and procedures to determine if there is a better practice that can be implemented to improve patient outcomes."
When asked how she prevents burnout while working, being a student, and meeting all the demands of her personal life she stated, "I have several family members working in health care. I always have someone that understands the stressors and emotions that I'm experiencing. My nursing instructors are truly committed to seeing us succeed in the nursing program and I know they are just a phone call or email away. I recommend as students/nurses we take advantage of the outlets that are offered to us, from clergy services, our colleagues, to study groups, tutoring, or just taking a break to refocus, regroup, and remember to care for yourself. I'm not afraid to ask for help or speak up if I don't understand."
Her future career plans involve taking her RN-NCLEX exam this summer, continuing her education to earn her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, and working in Trinity's Emergency and Trauma Center as an RN. In addition she plans to become certified in ACLS, PALS, and TNCC.
For more information about Grinnell's award and the WSC Minot nursing site, contact Rhoda Owens at 701.852.2267 or Rhoda.owens@willistonstate.edu For general information about the WSC nursing program, please contact Kari Lesmeister at 701.774.4290 or kari.lesmeister@willistonstate.edu For all other information regarding Williston State, visit willistonstate.edu, call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.
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