Western ND News

Tracie O'Donnell has returned to Dickinson State University (DSU) as an educator, nearly 30 years after graduating from the institution. Her journey began as a nursing student in DSU's program in 1988, where she was part of the last group of two-year registered nurses. Reflecting on her early days, she said, “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.”

O'Donnell continued her education by earning a bachelor's degree in 1991. Her career spanned various roles in healthcare, including acute care, pediatrics, ER, home health, and clinic settings. Notably, she served on an ICU flight crew for a major South Dakota hospital and initiated the first public health and WIC program in Lusk, Wyoming. “Launching that program was a whirlwind,” she stated. “The need was immense, and it was so rewarding to serve one of the least populated counties in the nation.”

In 1995, O'Donnell returned to Dickinson and strengthened her ties with DSU by working as a student health nurse while also serving at a local clinic and as head resident director of Delong Hall dormitory. During this time, she juggled multiple roles and appreciated support from college students who helped babysit her daughter Danielle—now an agriculture educator at DSU.

O'Donnell built an extensive resume over the years with roles in home health for eight years, family planning direction for seven years, and five years in hospital case management. She discovered her passion for teaching during seven years as a health careers instructor for RACTC while collaborating with DSU to integrate technology into classrooms across ten schools.

After stepping away from healthcare in 2019 to care for her parents, O'Donnell felt drawn back to education. In 2024 she joined DSU’s nursing program faculty: “Walking into the classroom as faculty was surreal,” she remarked. "I’ve always been devoted to higher education."

Her enthusiasm is evident when discussing DSU’s nursing simulation lab: “The technology available to our students is incredible,” O’Donnell said. "It’s an invaluable tool for preparing critical thinkers and respectful compassionate nurses." She emphasized that their goal is not just producing nurses but "the best nurses—those who will serve rural communities where they’re needed most."

Expressing unwavering passion for DSU's mission: “I love my university," O’Donnell stated proudly about contributing toward shaping its future alongside students destined forward within it.