WILLISTON, N.D. - WSC's Student Nursing Organization (SNO) has decorated and donated two bras for Williston's fourth annual Bras for a Cause event held 4 p.m. Saturday, November 12, at the New Armory.

The local non-profit organization, Bras for a Cause, seeks to assist people in the Williston area who are battling cancer by raising money through its annual live and silent auction.  

WSC's SNO has 27 members from both Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) programs.  

Both programs prepare students with the education to successfully complete the Dakota Nursing Program (DNP) requirements. Upon graduation students must pass NCLEX board exams to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/Practical Nursing) or a Registered Nurses (RN/Associate Degree Nursing).  

Currently, 2016 ADN Graduates are at a 100% pass rate.  

Two members from each area of study (ADN & PN) make up the leadership board:   Leslie Boldt, President (ADN); Marice Coughlin, Vice President (PN); Abigail Knudson, Secretary (ADN); and Tonya Degenstein, Treasurer (PN) meet monthly with the other members to discuss fundraising, charity, and volunteer opportunities.    

"When we met, one of our members Shanda Harstad mentioned that her friend helped start Bras for a Cause, and that it was an event in which we, as upcoming nurses, should participate," explained Boldt. "This topic is near and dear to our hearts-not only because we are women, but because we are training to be nurses who understand early intervention."  

Each nursing area made one of the two bras. The ADN bra was designed to promote early intervention while the PN promotes SNO.    "The volunteers who made each bra had free rein to decorate the bra as they saw fit," stated Coughlin. "We may come from different backgrounds in nursing school, but we were able to work together to help the community through this wonderful event."  

Over the years, WSC's nursing students have donated their time to the Williston community. SNO officers decide on the year's activities such as charity walks, fundraising events and holiday goodie boxes.    

SNO currently is accepting orders for its annual goodie boxes until November 30. Due to high demand, these orders are filled on a first-come first-serve basis. Goodie boxes will be distributed by December 12 of finals weeks and all money raised will go toward funding future SNO events.    

"SNO and its involvement in the community demonstrates how, as nurses, we will do more than just provide treatments to our patients," Harstad stated. "We can provide financial help too."  

If you are interested in opportunities for SNO please contact Leslie Boldt, SNO President leslie.boldt@willistonstate.edu or Marice Coughlin, SNO Vice President marice.k.coughlin@willistonstate.edu.

For more information on WSC, please visit www.willistonstate.edu, call 1.888.863.9455, or stop by 1410 University Avenue, Williston, ND.