Dickinson State University (DSU) nursing students recently attended Nurses Day at the Legislature, an annual event held at the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck.
Over 30 DSU nursing students, along with two nursing faculty members, participated in this educational experience. Students had the opportunity to learn from keynote speakers, including Senator Kristin Roers, Representative Karen Rohr, and Marnier Walth, Head of Legislative Affairs at Sanford Health.
Governor Kelly Armstrong officially welcomed attendees and engaged with the DSU nursing
students, taking time to meet individually with the group. He spoke with students
about the significance of their role in the healthcare system and the importance of
their involvement in shaping future health policies. Throughout the event, Governor
Armstrong demonstrated a strong interest in the nursing profession and its impact
on public health. He also posed for group photos with the students, encouraging them
to remain engaged in both their studies and the legislative process.
The event provided valuable insights for DSU nursing students. They observed House and Senate voting and met with three members of the North Dakota Board of Nursing, who shared their expertise on the profession and the legislative process.
“Nurses can impact health policy. Legislation that affects public health, workplace regulations, patient and staffing ratios, and other crucial topics is essential for student nurses to understand, especially during the North Dakota legislative session,” said Collette Christoffers, Associate Professor and Nursing Co-Director. “Experiencing how the legislative session operates, learning about the bills being presented, and seeing the State Capitol and Heritage Center firsthand are excellent ways for nursing students to see the concepts we discuss in class come to life.”
This experience underscores the importance of connecting classroom learning with real-world application. By engaging directly with policymakers and observing the legislative process, DSU nursing students gained a deeper understanding of how nursing professionals can influence health policy and contribute to the betterment of public health.