Nursing Network

OCTOBER 1st APPLICATION DEADLINE:

South Dakota Nurses Foundation Research Grant and Scholarships

Carman Timmerman, EdD, RN (ret.)

SDNF Treasurer and Scholarship Committee Chair

Twenty-five years ago, a group of visionary SDNA members came up with the idea to establish the South Dakota Nurses Foundation whose purposes were three-fold: education, research, and service. The Foundation started modestly in 1999, awarding its first $500 scholarship six years later. As of 2023, SDNF has awarded $72,250 for 63 scholarships, a tribute to the generosity of nurses, their families, and friends of nursing. As we celebrate SDNF’s 25th year, it is fitting to mark this significant year by launching two new awards, the SDNF Research Grant and the Carol and Bruce Anderson Memorial Family Nursing Scholarship.

NEW! SDNF Research Grant – 1 available

A message from SDNF President Tom Stenvig:

The South Dakota Nurses Foundation (SDNF) announces its first Notice of Funding Opportunity to award a research grant to an SDNA member in 2024. The grant purpose is to fund collaborative, practice-based research using evidence and involving registered nurses with the goal of improving outcomes or quality of care in a patient care environment. One grant will be awarded in an amount up to $2,000. The application deadline is October 1, 2024.

SDNF President Tom Stenvig commented, “This has been a long time coming, and the SDNF board is excited to announce this new opportunity to support nursing research by an SDNA member. This milestone represents real progress in supporting our goal of growing the research component of our purposes to advance the development and application of nursing knowledge by promoting nursing research and the implementation of nursing and health care research findings to improve care. While only one award is available this year, we hope to make multiple awards in the future as the research grant fund continues to grow.”

For more information and the application packet, click on the South Dakota Nurses Foundation tab at https://sdnursesassociation.nursingnetwork.com/ and scroll to 2024 Research Grant.

Contributions to the SDNF Research Grant Fund will make it possible to award more grants in the future. Please consider donating at this link: https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/make-donation?fund=South%20Dakota%20Nurses%20Foundation%20Research%20Grant%20Fund

NEW! $1,000 Carol and Bruce Anderson Memorial Family Nursing Scholarship – 1 available

After his wife Carol died in 2022, Bruce Anderson of Britton, South Dakota, wanted to honor Carol in a meaningful manner. He decided that a nursing scholarship might be a significant way to accomplish this goal. In the next article of the SD Nurse, you will learn more about the Bruce and Carol Anderson family. Meanwhile, here are the Anderson scholarship details:

Purpose— To support a student pursuing a baccalaureate nursing degree.

Criteria

Current South Dakota resident with preference given to a resident of one these locations (in order of preference): city of Britton; counties of Marshall, Brown, Day, Roberts, McPherson, Edmunds, Faulk, or Spink.
Student accepted into the nursing major and currently attending an accredited pre-licensure registered nurse (associate or baccalaureate degree) program at one of the following nursing education programs: Augustana University, Lake Area Technical College, Sisseton Wahpeton College, or South Dakota State University.

Application deadline—Postmarked October 1, 2024

Award Date—Spring semester 2025

In addition to the new grant and new scholarship, these are other 2024 scholarships:

$2,000 South Dakota Nurses Foundation Scholarship - 1 available:

Purpose—To support a registered nurse pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree with the career goal of education program.

Criteria

Current South Dakota resident.
Current South Dakota RN license.
Member of SDNA for at least one year.
Graduate student pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing or a related field in an accredited program with the goal of practicing nursing in a South Dakota high need area or teaching in a South Dakota baccalaureate or higher degree nursing education program
Cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher upon completion of highest degree, i.e., baccalaureate nursing program or master’s in nursing program.
Career goals and personal qualities congruent with South Dakota Nurses Foundation purposes.
Evidence of leadership, compassion, involvement in professional organization(s), professional activities, and community service.

Application deadline—Postmarked October 1, 2024

Award Date—Spring semester 2025

$1,000 SDNA Undergraduate Nursing Scholarship - 1 available:

Purpose—To support a student pursuing a baccalaureate nursing degree.

Criteria

Resident of South Dakota with preference for a permanent legal resident of a county in SDNA

District 4 (Brown, Campbell, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Marshall, McPherson, Spink and

Walworth counties).

Enrollment in any accredited standard baccalaureate nursing program in South Dakota.
Senior nursing student in good academic standing at time of award (Fall).
Preference for active involvement in South Dakota Student Nurses Association (include

discussion of involvement).

Letter of recommendation from a staff nurse or a nursing program peer that discusses the applicant’s patient advocacy, patient education, compassion, and leadership.
Personal Statement addressing career goals: specifically considering education, research, and service, as well as commitment to participation in professional organization(s) after graduation (500 words or less).

Application deadline—Postmarked October 1, 2024

Award Date—Spring semester 2025

$2,000 Rita H. Walsh Scholarship – 1 available:

Purpose—To support a person pursuing a nursing education.

Criteria

Current South Dakota resident.
Current South Dakota RN license if an RN.
A student pursuing a bachelor’s degree (or higher) in nursing.
Demonstrates the qualities of patient advocacy, patient education, compassion and

leadership.

Application deadline—Postmarked October 1, 2024

Award Date—Spring semester 2025

$1,000 Thomas E. and Marianne M. Stenvig Scholarship - 1 available:

Purpose—To support a male registered nurse in pursuit of his educational goals.

Criteria

Current South Dakota resident.
Current South Dakota RN license.
Male RN pursuing a graduate degree in nursing (preferred) or a related field in an accredited program.
SDNA membership preferred.
Career goals consistent with South Dakota Nurses Foundation purposes of education, research, and service.
Evidence of leadership, compassion, involvement in professional organization(s), professional activities, and community service.

Application deadline—Postmarked October 1, 2024

Award Date—Spring semester 2025

$1,500 Dr. Carl and Leona Stadler Scholarship - 1 available:

Purpose—To support a student pursuing a baccalaureate nursing degree.

Criteria

South Dakota resident with preference given to a documented enrolled member of a recognized tribal nation in South Dakota.
Documentation of enrollment in Semester 1 or 2 of a standard undergraduate nursing major at

an accredited South Dakota baccalaureate nursing program.

A Personal Statement reflecting specific examples of the qualities of patient advocacy, patient

education, compassion, and leadership that you plan to demonstrate as a registered nurse.

Limit statement to 500 words or less.

Application deadline—Postmarked October 1, 2024

Award Date—Spring semester 2025

Applying for More Than One Scholarship:

If you meet the criteria for more than one scholarship, consider applying for more than one scholarship.

Application Materials for Scholarships:

Access the South Dakota Nurses Association (SDNA) website at sdnursesassociation.nursingnetwork.com / South Dakota Nurses Foundation / Scholarships. Alternatively, contact the South Dakota Nurses Association office at contactus@sdnurses.org or 605.945.4265.

Questions About Scholarship Eligibility and Applications:

Contact Carman Timmerman, SDNF Scholarship Chair and SDNF Treasurer, at 605.391.4053 or carmantimmerman@gmail.com.

How to Support the South Dakota Nurse Foundation:

The fact that these scholarships are available underscores the generosity of South Dakota nurses as well as their families and friends. We thank you for that generosity. If you are interested in donating to the South Dakota Nurses Foundation, your gift will help sustain the Foundation’s efforts to endorse the nursing profession as SDNF promotes positive health care changes in South Dakota. Please make your check payable to South Dakota Nurses Foundation Fund and send your check to South Dakota Community Foundation ~ Box 296 ~ Pierre, SD 57501.

With sadness and appreciation, the South Dakota Nurses Foundation Board of Directors has accepted Dr. Mary Brendtro’s resignation from the board. She was an SDNF board charter member, serving over 24 years as vice president of the SDNF board of directors. For about 2 decades, it was my pleasure and honor to serve with Dr. Brendtro on the Scholarship Committee. As we reviewed scholarship applications and discussed other scholarship-related matters, Dr. Brendtro consistently showed expertise, wisdom, and kindness which fellow committee member Mary Edelen and I valued and respected.

When the SDNF board learned of Dr. Brendtro’s decision, we agreed to memorialize her dedicated service by drawing up a resolution acknowledging her contributions to SDNF. In June, I had the opportunity to deliver the resolution to Dr. Brendtro in person. We had a pleasant visit at her Crooks home, during which she apologized for wearing a mask (she had a cough). After I presented her with the framed resolution, Dr. Brendtro said that she enjoyed the recognition, that she liked our visit, and that she appreciated the years of collegiality she experienced from all SDNF members.

The following resolution aims to capture Dr. Mary Brendtro’s impact on the South Dakota Nurses Foundation and its goal of improving health care in South Dakota.

South Dakota Nurses Foundation
Board of Directors

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS,

Dr. Mary Brendtro, EdD, MS, RN, is known and respected as a seasoned nurse educator and long-time, dedicated member of the South Dakota Nurses Association; and

WHEREAS,

Dr. Brendtro, in the company of like-minded colleagues, recognized the opportunity to advance the profession of nursing in South Dakota through creation of a charitable organization built on tripartite purposes focused on support for nursing education, research, and service; and

WHEREAS,

to this end, Dr. Brendtro provided vision and leadership as a signatory to the original South Dakota Nurses Foundation (SDNF) Articles of Incorporation dated October 7, 1999; and

WHEREAS,

Dr. Brendtro was a charter member of the SDNF Board of Directors and has served continuously since it was established in 1999; and

WHEREAS,

Dr. Brendtro was elected as SDNF’s inaugural Vice President in 1999 and served faithfully in this capacity for over 24 years; and

WHEREAS,

Dr. Brendtro played a central role in creating a successful educational scholarship program consistent with SDNF’s purposes; and

WHEREAS,

Dr. Brendtro, with her husband Gary, demonstrated outstanding leadership and personal commitment to advancing SDNF’s philanthropic mission by establishing the SDNF Research Grant Fund in 2018 through their own generous personal charitable donation;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,

that on this occasion of her retirement from the board, the SDNF Board of Directors extends its deepest appreciation to Dr. Mary Brendtro for her many years of dedicated service to SDNF; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

that the SDNF Board of Directors gratefully acknowledges Dr. Brendtro’s exemplary service and contributions to the organization by bestowing upon her the title of Director Emerita, with all the rights and privileges appertaining to this distinction; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

that a copy of this resolution be framed and presented to Dr. Brendtro as a permanent expression of the SDNF board’s appreciation of her work.

The title might throw you off a bit because the person who loved nursing was not a nurse. Let me give you a little background.

Some 50-plus years ago, Carol Johnson met Bruce Anderson. They dated for a short time and went to different colleges (Carol to NSU and Bruce to SDSU). Bruce and Carol married, and Carol transferred to SDSU where she completed a Business Administration degree while Bruce finished a degree in Wildlife Biology. Following graduation, Carol worked as a secretary in SDSU College of Nursing. She felt welcomed and liked the nursing faculty and by extension, nursing.

For the next 40 years or so, Carol worked at Cenex while Bruce farmed in the Britton area. During this time, they welcomed daughters Margo and Holly. Carol joyfully immersed herself in her children’s sports events, and later her three grandchildren’s activities. With amazement, Bruce recounted that Carol missed only one of her daughters’ activities as they were growing up, and this enthusiasm continued as her daughters reached adulthood. She particularly enjoyed planning holiday get-togethers and going to craft fairs with Holly where they sold Minky blankets. Carol’s devotion to family continued with her involvement in her grandchildren’s lives. For hours at a time, she would sit by her grandsons as the boys fished. Bruce summed it up, saying, “She was such a grandmother!”

Life changed for the Anderson family about six years ago. Shortly after returning from an Alaskan cruise, Carol was diagnosed with uterine cancer that eventually spread to her lungs, liver, and brain. True to her nature, Bruce said, “She always had a smile on her face, and she never got mad.” He did recall a time when a friend, also diagnosed with cancer, went into remission. Carol lamented, “Why couldn’t I have been one of them?” To take their minds off Carol’s illness, Bruce and Carol went camping, especially in the latter days of her illness.

As was her custom, Carol continued to act in positive ways, decorating her Avera-Sioux Falls hospital room with seasonal decorations and doing the same for some other patients’ room as well. Both Carol and Bruce appreciated the kind care that Carol received from the Avera nursing staff. Over this four-year period, Carol’s mind remained sharp, but Bruce said, “Her body just wore out.” Carol went into hospice care five days before her death, sharing these last days with her family, her minister, and her friends.

Unable to look at Carol’s photographs after she died, Bruce turned all her photo images to the wall. One day, grandson Drayvin asked his grandpa if they could turn Carol’s pictures outward again. So, Bruce did that, and then he looked ahead by creating a nursing scholarship due to Carol’s positive experiences at SDSU College of Nursing and her four-year interactions with the Avera nursing staff. Because of the cancer care she received, Bruce initially considered a scholarship for students wanting to become oncology nurses. However, he astutely observed that, “So many nursing students don’t know what they want to do when they first start school.” Based on that conclusion, Bruce, along with Margo and Holly, decided to open the scholarship to all students working on their baccalaureate nursing degrees. Keeping in mind the Anderson roots, the scholarship gives preference to Britton residents and then residents of Marshall, Brown, Day, Roberts, McPherson, Edmunds, Faulk, and Spink counties.

Fall 2024 marks the first time that the Anderson Memorial Family Nursing Scholarship will be offered. For more information about this scholarship, please read the article about South Dakota Nurses Foundation Scholarship opportunities elsewhere in this publication or access

sdnursesassociation.nursingnetwork.com / South Dakota Nurses Foundation / Scholarships.

The South Dakota Nurses Foundation thanks the Anderson family for their generosity and looks forward to awarding the first Anderson Memorial Family Nursing Scholarship this fall.

"Nursing: Honoring the Past and Empowering for the Future," this is the theme for the 2024 South Dakota Nurses Association Convention. Jennifer S. Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN President of the American Nurses Association will open the Convention on Sunday, October 6, 2024. She is a speaker and author on various topics on nursing leadership in health care systems, nursing professional role and innovative staffing patterns.

The Yankton location affords us the opportunity to look to the history of nursing in South Dakota. A visit to the Meade Center, on the campus of the Human Services Center will allow participants to experience the history of mental health in South Dakota. Annie Meehan, an entrepreneur, mental wellness expert, and author of more than seven books will provide us with hope as we meet the challenges of today. She offers a new perspective on resilience and reinvention that are required for us to survive in this ever-changing environment.

Jennifer S. Mensik Kennedy and Annie Meehan should offer insight into the resilience that nurses require to meet the challenges that will be discussed. Captain Suzanne England DNP, CNM, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC; a child-family psychiatric nurse practitioner will discuss her work at the Great Plains Area Indian Health Services. She has received a Forensic Grant from IHS for her work with Sexual Assault. Tammy Hatting, Executive for the LeadingAge in South Dakota, and Julie Schenkel, Administrator of the Good Samaritan Society in Tyndall, South Dakota are just two of the experts in Long-term Care that will discuss the crisis facing the Long-term Care industry.

The convention cannot be all work and no play, so we have planned fun and exciting events. There will be opportunities to experience the history of Yankton and South Dakota by a tour of the Bishop Marty Chapel and Scared Heart Monastery. A special Nurses Honor Guard Ceremony will be presented by Vanessa Namken. A walk on the Meridian Bridge, a 100-year-old bridge, that was built by the people living in the area. Nursing Trivia along with the "live" and "silent auction" always prove to be very "lively."

Find registration and exhibit and sponsor information at www https://sdnursesassociation.nursingnetwork.com/nursing-events/143978-2024-south-dakota-nurses-association-annual-convention#!info

What is in it for you?

YOUR NURSING PRACTICE:

The health of South Dakota residents is impacted by the SDNA’s involvement in the legislative process. The patients you care for have advanced care guidelines, enhanced safety measures and improved insurance coverage that promotes health and wellness; many of these important changes are due to the time, leadership and diligence of the SDNA members and the lobbyists acting on our behalf. Your daily practice of providing nursing care and/or nursing education is affected by legislation.

YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS:

You and your family’s medical/nursing care, insurance coverage and access to needed services is affected by legislation. SDNA provides information and education to members on these issues. As a professional nurse, you can speak to the issues as an advocate and be heard by legislators. South Dakota state legislators have approximately 700 bills per session to deliberate, and they depend on us as subject matter experts because they value our expertise.

YOUR FUTURE:

Leadership and advancement opportunities are enhanced by being a member of SDNA. By attending district meetings, conventions and workshops and/or serving on a committee you will have the opportunity to learn about the health and nursing practice issues surrounding us here in South Dakota. Your participation will assist you in honing your skills in communication, meeting management, grassroots lobbying and mentoring.

Involving yourself in a professional organization will provide the background and education on how we, as nurses acting together can affect healthy outcomes for our communities. The SDNA Government Relations Committee acts to review pending legislation, provide educational lobbying to legislators and testify in committee hearings. We work hard to assure that the legislation is appropriate, meaningful, and that the nurse’s role and expertise is heard, our voices count.

SDNA membership is involved with mentoring in all aspects of nursing practice and health-related legislation. You will find educational opportunities and mentors to assist you with advocating and education in the workplace and with legislators.

Networking opportunities that SDNA facilitates are invaluable, whether you are seeking practice resources or employment opportunities. Being involved in SDNA will serve you throughout your nursing career and bring added value to your practice and your career opportunities.

SDNA NEEDS YOUR INPUT:

SDNA represents all registered nurses in South Dakota. There will be issues or areas of concern in your practice that may have been affected or neglected by legislation and you can be that voice to SDNA to affect change. As a professional you have the education and expertise to provide the needed information to affect change. SDNA needs to hear from you.

SDNA has lobbied the South Dakota legislature for legislation. An active group of nurses, one from each district, make up the Government Relations Committee and meet weekly during the legislative session. The SDNA lobbyist provides an update on any bills that have been submitted or may be presented that have any impact on the SDNA policy statements. As a group, each bill is reviewed for content and impact and where it is at in the legislative process (committee assigned and progress). A democratic decision will then decide whether to watch, support or oppose the bill and who will testify, if needed. Alerts may be sent to the membership to contact their district legislators to support the SDNA position.

A few examples:

Mandatory use of seat belts, this first bill, started slowly. A ticket would only be issued for no seat belt use if you were stopped for some other violation (secondary violation). Now, all occupants must be in seat belts/care seats age appropriate.
Mandating payment for mammograms by insurance companies.
Mandating parity for mental health care.
Eliminating smoking in public areas of businesses, interestingly the lobby for Deadwood gaming asserted they would lose a substantial amount of business (dollars) if there was no smoking in the casinos. Actually, their revenue increased as it did in other businesses like bars.
To increase funding for additional nursing education locations/staff to support an increase in nurses graduating from accredited programs.
Supported funding for scholarships for nursing education.
Supported limiting tobacco products sales to those under the age of 18.
Supported and lobbied for Medicaid expansion for several sessions.
Supported and lobbied for a no vote on expanding the percentage of voters to pass an amendment or initiated measures on the ballot. It failed with our support, 50%+ remains a winning measure on SD ballots.

Benefits of SDNA-ANA membership:

Free Webinars like “Nurse Leaders” available today, “Criminal Charges Against Nurses,” “Workplace Violence,” “Cultivating Nurse Leaders,” Covid 19 Information, all of these within

the last 6 months.

Insurance and certification discounts, discounts on books, tuition discounts

Personal Benefits:

Fitness membership free or with marked reductions

Travel discounts – amazing hotel discounts, car rental and event tickets

Personal Liability Insurance

Student Loan Solutions / Discounts on refinancing

Retirement planning information

SDNA: IT’S YOUR PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION

Your participation is vital to the health and welfare of SD residents and to support you in a successful and satisfying professional career.

Learn more and Join > Click Here