Community members are part of a panel that will be discussing Opioid Crisis Awareness with students in the NDSU School of Nursing on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Panel discussion members scheduled to participate include:

• Mary Sprague:  Family Nurse Practitioner at Family HealthCare, Fargo
• Dan Heidbreder:  Narcotics Investigator for Cass County Drug Task Force
• Ann Malmberg:  Director of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Addiction, and
• Community Member(s): sharing their personal story about addiction and recovery 

“The opioid crisis directly impacts those in the fields of nursing and other health care professions,” said Alexis Hanson, assistant professor of practice in the NDSU School of Nursing who organized the session and teaches an upper-level advanced critical care adult health class.

“Students entering the nursing profession face this crisis on the forefront, directly working with patients dealing with addiction and recovery, along with their other health issues. It is important nurses have an awareness and become educated about this issue, to be able to provide appropriate care and interventions to improve patient outcomes,” said Hanson.

Students in the nursing 403 critical care adult health class will learn more about nursing strategies and information to help them in their future careers caring for patients.  

The NDSU School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions provides bachelor’s and graduate nursing education to advance knowledge of nursing, demonstrate leadership, and meet the needs of a diverse society. Campus and online classes are offered, with sites in Fargo and in Bismarck. 

As a student-focused, land grant, research university, we serve our citizens.