The Dickinson State University (DSU) Department of Nursing held its annual Student Nurse of the Year (SNOY) Banquet Thursday, Nov. 30. The ceremony reflected on the academic year in the Department of Nursing, looked ahead to the future plans for the Nursing Student Association (NSA), and introduced the audience to the three Student Nurse of the Year finalists. The event wrapped up with the naming of Sydney Mosset as the 2023 Student Nurse of the Year.
“The Department of Nursing faculty wants to congratulate Sydney Mosset on her well-deserved title as our Student Nurse of the Year,” stated Teresa Bren, associate professor of nursing. “We wish her the best of luck as she competes with the other ND NSA chapter SNOY candidates at the Nursing Student Association of North Dakota Convention in January!”
The SNOY Selection Committee consisted of three judges: Pastor Joel Prange, missionary pastor of Amazing Grace; Tara Zettel, a registered nurse and executive director of Connect Medical Clinic; and Jo Ann Lindemann, oncology/hematology nurse practitioner with over 29 years of health care service. The committee was charged with selecting an awardee from the finalists. The individual selected should be an outstanding junior nursing student, display dedication to the nursing profession, and promote high-quality patient care.
The three 2023 finalists were Dakota Auck, Mattie Mastel, and Sydney Mosset.
- Auck, originally from Hobsen, Montana, knew from a young age that she wanted a healthcare career, and her visit during a volleyball recruit trip solidified her choice to study nursing at DSU. Maintaining a strong academic standing, Auck takes pride in her grades, while working on the Medical Surgical unit at CHI St. Alexius, reinforcing her dedication to the nursing profession. Auck envisions working as an ICU nurse after graduation, believing the experience will shape her into a well-rounded healthcare professional. Her long-term goals include furthering her education to become a nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner.
- Mastel, raised on a small ranch, shares her journey into nursing, inspired by experiences with an elderly lady in her community and her sister's congenital heart defect. At age 11, she witnessed the compassionate care provided by hospice nurses to a woman she considered a grandmother, shaping her desire to become a nurse. Throughout high school, she continued to cultivate her passion, caring for others, and gaining insights into her sister's medical journey. Mastel’s initial goal was to become a geriatrics or hospice nurse, but her perspectives evolved through family experiences and clinical exposure. She now envisions working in an ICU or cardiac unit but remains open to exploring other specialties during her bachelor's program.
- Mosset, originally from Hazen, North Dakota, recounts her journey from a highly active high school student involved in sports, clubs, and rodeo, to her unexpected entry into nursing. Despite excelling in various activities, Mosset initially resisted the idea of attending college, fearing it would interrupt her rodeo career. However, influenced by her family's teaching background and her own desire, she ultimately chose to pursue nursing at Dickinson State. Looking forward, Sydney envisions working in the emergency department or ICU after graduation, with aspirations to become a nurse practitioner in the future. She plans to take a break from formal education to gain practical experience to help her career in healthcare.
Mosset, in her role as Student Nurse of the Year, will assume leadership of the Nursing Student Association. Part of these responsibilities include representing the students of the Department of Nursing, organizing activities such as food and blood drives, and creating or participating in community health events. The 2022 Student Nurse of the Year, Erica Martinez-Meza, welcomed the 2023 SNOY, “Sydney has demonstrated unparalleled dedication, outstanding leadership, and a profound commitment to the nursing profession.”
To view the SNOY photo album, please click here.