Fairview, MT, Student Earns University of Mary 2019-2020 Student Nurse of the Year Honors
BISMARCK, ND— The University of Mary chapter of the Nursing Student Association (NSA) has recognized Fairview, MT, native Kelly Danielson as the Student Nurse of the Year (SNOY) for this school year. The SNOY award is to recognize an outstanding nursing student, to stimulate interest in the NSA, to promote communication between schools and students across North Dakota, and to stimulate public interest and awareness of nursing student activities.
“I am extremely humbled to be chosen to represent the University of Mary as student nurse of the year,” said Danielson, the daughter of Duane and Janine Danielson of Fairview. “Every student and faculty member in the University of Mary nursing program deserves to be recognized for their dedication and commitment to the calling of nursing, and this honor will allow me to showcase their excellence.”
Danielson is part of University of Mary’s nursing program that is ranked No. 1 in America by Mountain Measurements. Mary’s nursing graduates have passed their licensure exam on the first try — a 100% success rate.
Danielson was chosen through a three-part process. Other finalists included juniors, Johnathan Supan, St. Cloud, MN, and Katie Benz, Sioux Falls, SD. The junior nursing class voted for their top three candidates — who were then interviewed by a panel of judges.
Personal and professional criteria for receiving SNOY include ability in public speaking; potential to develop physical, mental, emotional and spiritual qualities necessary for success as an individual and a nurse; the ability to express views on current events and problems; the ability to meet physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and social needs of patients; belief in elevated standards of nursing care demonstrated by word and actions; leadership; understanding of the principles behind nursing care; and loyalty to the profession.
Kelly Danielson working with fellow University of Mary nursing classmates.
“My career plans include potentially working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and then eventually become a nurse practitioner and work with a pediatric surgeon,” added Danielson, who, next year, will take advantage of the CHI Nursing Scholarship: students enrolled in Mary’s traditional Nursing program on the main campus in Bismarck can receive the scholarship to cover tuition for their senior year — that’s senior year tuition-free.
As Student Nurse of the Year for the local chapter, Danielson will serve as a chairperson for recruitment, conduct next year’s SNOY contest, and also attend and actively participate in local chapter events.
Whether in nursing, bioethics, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pre-med, or any of the school’s 30-plus academic programs in the health sciences, Mary lives up to its mission — to prepare health care professionals anchored in moral courage, who respect and defend the life and dignity of the human person. St. Gianna, an Italian physician, wife, and mother, is beloved by millions around the world for her example of sacrificial love in giving her life for her unborn child. With the gracious permission of her family, these programs are becoming the Saint Gianna School of Health Sciences. For the more than 1200 students and 63 professors in the health sciences alone, this reaffirms a stellar 60-year reputation for health care education that integrates genuine compassion with the utmost professional competence.