_{^{Pictured are Sydney Blum and Devin Anderson, named Outstanding Graduates for Spring 2023 at NDSU School of Nursing at Sanford Health, Bismarck, North Dakota}}

Devin Anderson and Sydney Blum have been named Outstanding Graduates by NDSU School of Nursing at Sanford Health in Bismarck, North Dakota.

When Devin Anderson began his college classes, the Valley City, North Dakota native wasn’t certain what major would lead him to his future career. After a family member was hospitalized with a significant health challenge, Devin’s path became clearer.

“I did notice the affect that the nurses, doctors, and the entire healthcare team had on my mom as a patient,” said Anderson. During his first year in college, he also began working as a direct support professional to assist individuals with disabilities with their activities of daily living, medication administration, and other needs.

“At that time, I knew caring for people was what I loved to do, which brought me to NDSU Nursing at Sanford Health,” said Anderson. “I was fortunate to have such amazing professors, staff and classmates that allowed myself, and everyone, to succeed,” he said. “Throughout my time in school, I’ve further learned the art of caring for individuals, being there for them on their toughest days, and providing individualized care that I would want my family to receive.”

Upon graduation, Anderson plans to work in neurology at Sanford Health in Bismarck. In the future, he hopes to advance his career with a graduate degree in nursing.

Sydney Blum from Linton, North Dakota said her path to a career in healthcare took shape because she knew very early that healthcare careers result in a great number of opportunities.

 “I kept catching myself asking the same question of, ‘What career choice will allow me to make the most positive impact on a large number of people?’ Nursing is the one that always came to mind,” said Blum.

“I quickly realized that being a nurse means having the opportunity to change someone’s life for the better with every interaction. The journey getting here hasn’t been an easy one, but I have truly been inspired by our amazing professors, staff, peers, and other nurses throughout clinical experiences to never lose sight of that end goal.”

During her nursing education, Blum was involved in Bison Ambassadors and Bison Buddies. Blum considers it an honor to be entering the impactful career of nursing.

“Following state boards, I will be caring for the tiniest and sweetest of patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sanford in Bismarck. I hope to gain more experience before following my ultimate goal of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner,” said Blum.

NDSU School of Nursing offers multiple in-person and online paths for those who want to pursue or advance their nursing careers through programs that include:  Pre-Licensure BSN, Accelerated BSN, online RN to BSN, online blended LPN to BSN, and DNP/Family Nurse Practitioner degrees.

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