Les Wietstock Chief Operating Officer | Dickinson State University
Les Wietstock Chief Operating Officer | Dickinson State University
Dickinson State University (DSU) nursing students recently participated in Nurses Day at the Legislature, an annual event held at the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck. Over 30 DSU nursing students and two faculty members attended this educational experience.
Keynote speakers included Senator Kristin Roers, Representative Karen Rohr, and Marnier Walth, Head of Legislative Affairs at Sanford Health. Governor Kelly Armstrong welcomed attendees and interacted with the DSU nursing students. He discussed their role in healthcare and the importance of their involvement in shaping health policies. The governor showed interest in the nursing profession's impact on public health and posed for group photos with the students.
The event offered valuable insights for DSU nursing students as they observed House and Senate voting sessions. They also met with three members of the North Dakota Board of Nursing, who shared expertise on the profession and legislative processes.
“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 highlighted the connection between classroom learning and real-world application. By engaging with policymakers and observing legislative procedures, DSU nursing students gained a deeper understanding of how they can influence health policy.
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