Minot State hosts North Dakota State Nurses Association annual convention

MINOT, N.D. – Minot State University Department of Nursing and The Grand Hotel in Minot was the site for the 2025 Nursing Students’ Association of North Dakota (NSAND) annual convention Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
The convention, with the title of “Pulse of the Profession,” featured over 200 nursing students from across the state for keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and competitions.
Minot State University senior Hannah Hagan earned NSAND’s Leadership award, and the MSU Department of Nursing earned the title of raising the most money during the Quarters challenge. Hagen was joined by Emily Morman of North Dakota State – Bismarck as the association’s Student Nurse of the Year, and NDSU – Fargo’s Julie Ketterling was named Nurse Educator of the Year. The University of Mary’s nursing department captured the Quarters Challenge design challenge.
Students and faculty were nominated by their local university and forwarded to the state level. The NSAND board members chose local community members to help form three judging panels composed of three judges each, two licensed nurses, and one government official.
Hagen, the NSAND president, was grateful for the experience of hosting the event.
“The NSAND conference serves to show just how much hard work we do as nursing students,” she said. “We are so thankful for the seven universities across the state of North Dakota that helped to make this possible! We could not put this together without all of our vendors, donors, sponsors, nursing faculty, and students.
“Being the president of this association was such an honor. I got to connect with nursing students from across the state of North Dakota. I have learned so much about leadership and working with different personalities. I had the honor of meeting some of the best and most dedicated nursing students from across the state. The memories that we have made together live strongly in my heart, and I am thankful for every opportunity that this association has brought me.”
Keynote speakers included Jill Johnson, Charys Kunkel, and Minot State alumnus Kaleb Kirby ’18. The association also elected its 21025-2026 Executive Board, including Minot State’s Lexi Scholz as second vice president. Shante Rust was elected to the Breakthrough to Nursing position, Wardah Husain was elected publicity and communications co-director, Evan Renzy was elected Director of Membership, Krysten Glab was named consultant co-director, and MSU Professor Kim Tiedman was named faculty advisor.
Brooklyn Richter, from NDSU-Bismarck, was elected as president of the organization for 2025-26.
For more information on NSAND, see the association’s WEBSITE.
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: 02/13/25