Laura Biewer, a senior nursing student in NDSU School of Nursing-Fargo, was selected as North Dakota Student Nurse of the Year at the Nursing Students’ Association of North Dakota Annual Convention held February 9-11 in Minot, North Dakota.
Biewer’s passion for nursing started early and took flight her senior year in high school.
“There I was, right hand-raised, taking an oath to serve and protect my nation, joining the United States Air Force. This was the start to my career in health care,” she explained. “I joined the military as an Aerospace Medical Technician my senior year and left for boot camp immediately after.”
Later she would receive her Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) licensure, followed by working in the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
“I had just arrived on shift,” she recalls, “and immediately the department was full. My patients throughout the night had gunshot wounds through the chest, broken skulls caused from car accidents, and stab wounds covering their bodies. My heart raced with adrenaline as I knew that my night was just beginning. I couldn’t wait to dive in and help assist my team. By utilizing my critical thinking skills, providing culturally sensitive care, establishing therapeutic communication, and having a team-player attitude, we were able to persevere through this adventure-filled night.”
Several years later, her enthusiasm for helping others would carry her on a Medical Exchange Program in a deployment across the globe.
“This past summer I spent my time in Africa, volunteering in a medical and trauma ED (emergency department). I was able to work with foreign allies while learning about efficient resource management. It was also an opportunity for me to learn about their culture and share my own heritage,” said Biewer. “The environment pushed me physically and mentally as I had to quickly overcome the heat and variability of medical equipment while providing socially appropriate care.”
Biewer later sought additional learning opportunities, choosing to apply her skills by helping patients with physical and mental challenges. “Working as an in-home direct support professional has given me an opportunity to practice identifying and providing developmentally appropriate care. It has allowed me to confidentially manage and build care plans for my patients and their families,” she said.
“I feel honored to be nominated as Student Nurse of the Year by my fellow peers and instructors,” said Biewer. “By working together and identifying our common goals, we can establish positive work environments and collaboration amongst nurses before even beginning our careers.”
As a senior in NDSU Nursing, and an Aerospace Medical Technician in the North Dakota Air National Guard, Biewer hopes to be an emergency department nurse in the Fargo area when she graduates in December 2023. She later plans to pursue an advanced doctor of nursing practice degree. In the meantime, she plans to research ecofriendly, cost-efficient medical equipment that can be used in poverty-stricken areas, and then implement those skills to benefit patients in the U.S. and other areas of the world.
The NDSU School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions provides bachelor’s and graduate nursing education. Programs are available for part- and full-time students, working professionals and those seeking online educational opportunities.
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