Onward: An interview with Danielle Reinisch
MINOT, N.D. – Danielle Reinisch knew she wanted to join the Minot State University Nursing Department after her amazing experience as a student.
Reinisch obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MSU in 2010 and her Master of Nursing in Education from the University of Mary in 2016. In the same year, she became a member of the Minot State Nursing faculty, which had a huge impact on her personal and professional development. She continued her own educational journey and earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership from the University of North Dakota in 2023.
The Velva native finds joy in teaching and helping shape the future leaders in nursing. By blending academia and nursing practice, she prepares today’s nursing students to navigate the newest challenges that they are facing while providing the same supportive mentoring she experienced.
Minot State’s University Communications interviewed Reinisch to learn more about her experiences at MSU and how she encourages her students now.
What sparked your interest in pursuing nursing?
DR: I worked as a CNA for the long-term care facility in Velva while in high school, and from that experience, I knew I wanted to be a nurse.
You earned your undergraduate degree at Minot State and now teach. What made you come back to MSU?
DR: I loved my experience as a student in the MSU nursing program. The staff and faculty were so supportive and caring, which significantly impacted my personal and professional development. I knew I needed to be part of a team that delivers equal, high-quality nursing education and empowers each student!
What is a memorable moment thus far in your teaching career at MSU?
DR: Each semester, my public health nursing students identify a community problem and develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention specific to that problem. Because these are senior nursing students, they don’t get a lot of structure for this assignment. Instead, they receive guidance as needed but must work as a team (groups of four or five) to come up with something wholly unique they can call their own. Not only do my students work with their peers, but they also seek community partnerships to augment their intervention. Students present their projects on Department of Nursing Scholarship Day at the end of each semester. Being part of this journey with them, witnessing what they have accomplished in 16 weeks, and seeing how proud they are is some of the most rewarding and fulfilling moments I have experienced as an educator.
What advice do you give to students aspiring to pursue a career in nursing?
DR: The nursing profession is gratifying but, many times, equally challenging. It's essential that when we have a bad day or a string of bad days, we sit back and reflect and remember. To get through those hard times, we must acknowledge our feelings and remind ourselves of what we can and cannot control. We must also remember why we chose nursing because this can help us reconnect with our purpose and passion. I have learned a lot about myself and what I am capable of through reflection, remembering my why, and time.
What inspired you to focus on academic-practice partnerships in your research?
DR: When you bring academia and nursing practice together, from an academic standpoint, you are constantly thinking about enhancing learning environments to ensure you are producing new nurse graduates equipped to manage the current workforce demands. Healthcare is different now compared to 10 years ago; our patients are more complex, and we see a broader gap in health disparities and equitable care opportunities for the diverse populations we serve, not to mention the nursing shortage has yet to go away. To navigate these challenges, interprofessional communication, collaboration, and coordination are essential for preparing MSUs' new nurse graduates to ensure they are well-prepared for the evolving needs of the healthcare system.
As a leader in nursing education, how do you approach mentoring and developing the next generation of nurse leaders?
DR: I encourage my students to reflect on the content we cover in the classroom and their clinical experiences out in the community. Although public health nursing focuses on the whole population, much of what we do in this area is geared towards underserved populations or populations with more significant health disparities. When we better understand someone’s why, we can be a better advocate for them. As leaders…we have to be effective advocates.
Could you tell us about your life outside of work, family, hobbies, or other areas of interest?
DR: My husband and I reside outside of Minot with our three kids: Boone (5), Tilly (3), and Rose (3). During the warmer months, we spend as much time outside as we can, whether it be riding the ranger, playing in the garden, bike rides, or going on an adventure in our tree rows. We also love spending time in the Detroit Lakes area of Minnesota, fishing, swimming, and stumbling on some of the greatest flea markets! During colder months, we spend a lot of time inside doing puzzles, projects, and baking… or dressing in our beach clothes and pretending we are someplace warm!
What else are we missing?
DR: Besides my family, my favorite things in life are:
- Live/outdoor music
- Creating unique charcuterie boards to share with friends
- Traveling
Two interesting facts about myself:
DR: 1. I love all music genres, from classical to rap and hip hop, blues, country, rock and roll, and heavy metal; 2. I started playing violin in the second grade and reached level VI under the Suzuki method. To this day, I struggle to read sheet music and have much more success playing by ear.
About Minot State University
Minot State University is a public university dedicated to excellence in education, scholarship, and community engagement achieved through
rigorous academic experiences, active learning environments, commitment to public service, and a vibrant campus life.
Published: 05/09/24
