Tracie O’Donnell never imagined she would return to Dickinson State University (DSU) nearly three decades after graduating, not as a student, but as an educator. Her journey from nursing student to seasoned healthcare professional and now mentor to the next generation of nurses is a testament to her passion for education, community, and her alma mater.
A graduate of DSU’s nursing program in 1988, Tracie was part of the final cohort of two-year registered nurses. Reflecting on those days, she recalls, “We were a mix of high school graduates and LPNs looking to advance their careers. It was an intense program, especially being the first group to take the new NCLEX, but it prepared us well for the challenges ahead.”
Tracie’s dedication to learning didn’t stop there. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1991, which paved the way for a career that spanned numerous roles: from acute care and pediatrics to ER, home health, and clinic settings. Her career highlights include serving on an ICU flight crew for a major South Dakota hospital and starting the first public health and WIC program in Lusk, Wyoming. “Launching that program was a whirlwind,” she says. “The need was immense, and it was so rewarding to serve one of the least populated counties in the nation.”
In 1995, Tracie returned to Dickinson, where her connection to DSU deepened. She worked as the student health nurse while balancing roles as a local clinic nurse and head resident director of Delong Hall—a dormitory she had lived in three times: as a student, as a newlywed supporting her husband Thadd, and finally as an RD herself. “Those college students were lifesavers,” she laughs. “They helped babysit my daughter, Danielle, who, fittingly, is now an agriculture educator at DSU.”
Over the years, Tracie continued to build an impressive resume. She worked in home health for eight years, served as a family planning director for seven, and spent five years in hospital case management. Along the way, she discovered her love for teaching, spending seven years as a health careers instructor for RACTC, where she partnered with DSU to bring cutting-edge technology into classrooms across ten schools. Her efforts garnered national recognition, and her ability to collaborate with community members became a hallmark of her work.
After stepping away from healthcare in 2019 to care for her parents, Tracie felt the pull of education once more. In 2024, she found herself back on DSU’s campus—this time as an educator in the nursing program. “Walking into the classroom as faculty was surreal,” she shares. “I’ve always been devoted to higher education, and stepping into this role felt like coming full circle.”
Tracie’s excitement about the program is palpable, especially when discussing DSU’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab. “The technology available to our students is incredible,” she says. “It’s an invaluable tool for preparing critical thinkers and respectful, compassionate nurses. Our goal isn’t just to produce nurses; it’s to produce the best nurses—those who will serve rural communities where they’re needed most.”
Her passion for DSU and its mission is unwavering. “I love my university, and I love these students. I’m so proud to be part of a program that’s heading in the right direction. Offering a bachelor’s degree will be so beneficial for our community. We need nurses across the state and beyond, and DSU is leading the way.”
For Tracie O’Donnell, coming back to DSU is more than a career move—it’s a chance to give back to the place that shaped her. “This nursing program is near and dear to my heart,” she says. “I’m honored to play a role in shaping its future and, more importantly, the future of the students who will carry it forward.”