South Dakota Nurse - May 2022

South Dakota
NURSE
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOUTH DAKOTA NURSES ASSOCIATION
Vol. 13 • Number 2 Quarterly publication distributed to approximately 16,450 Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses in South Dakota
MAY 2022
Vote No on Amendment C
Deb Fischer Clemens, President, SDNA
For the past several months, a group of leaders from
across the state have been working on a campaign to oppose
Amendment C, an amendment that will be on the ballot this
June 7th. Yes, an amendment that would permanently alter
all our state citizens’ lives is going to be voted on during a
primary election, which historically have poor voter turnout.
The opposition to Amendment C is very well stated in a
radio ad, which I am not sure everyone listens to, so I wanted
to share its text with you, the nurses of this state.
Here in South Dakota, some things are sacred.
Our faith.
Our family.
Our freedom.
current resident or
Presort Standard
US Postage
PAID
Permit #14
Princeton, MN
55371
Deb Fischer-
Clemens
But there’s a proposed amendment to our Constitution on the ballot this June that
threatens our way of life.
It’s called Amendment C, and it permanently changes our Constitution to end our
tradition of majority rule.
It destroys our cherished principle of “one person, one vote,” stripping “We the
People” of our right to decide for ourselves what happens in our state.
Instead, Amendment C puts the minority in charge, giving them the power to tell the
rest of us what to do and how to live.
Amendment C makes unnecessary and unpredictable changes to our Constitution,
with consequences we can’t even imagine yet.
But you have the power to stop Amendment C.
Because here, we believe that “under God, the people rule.”
So let’s keep South Dakota South Dakota.
On June seventh, vote no on Amendment C.
As nurses, we want the people to have a voice in the decisions that impact their and
our lives, and it should not be less than a majority of those voices who have that say.
Amendment C will permanently change our Constitution to end majority rule on ballot
measures for change to the Constitution.
I hope that you would all agree that a no vote on Amendment C is the best thing for
all of us who speak for the people. Thank you for voting in the Primary on June 7th. We
need everyone to vote on this issue.
Bringing Hope To The Future
of Healthcare
M. Claire May,
South Dakota Nurses Foundation Community Board Member
Two stellar recipients of the 2020 South Dakota Nurses
Foundation scholarships are again awarded scholarships in
2021. Bryan Wermers, assistant professor at the University
of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls, SD, will receive his Ph.D. in
Nursing in May 2022 from the University of Missouri in
Columbia, MO. Wermers is the 2020 and 2021 Marianne
M. Stenvig Scholarship recipient. Wermers story is in the
South Dakota Nurse, Vol. 12, Number 3, August 2021.
Marcus Goodfellow, RN at Avera McKennan Brain
and Spine Unit, Sioux Falls, SD, continues his Doctor
of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Family Practice at South
Dakota State University. Goodfellow was the recipient of
a 2020 SDNF Scholarship. He is also an awardee of the Marcus Goodfellow
2021 Marianne M. Stenvig Scholarship. This scholarship is given to a male RN
pursuing a graduate degree in nursing or a related field in an accredited program. In
addition, the recipients must show evidence of leadership, compassion, involvement
in professional organizations, professional activities, and community service.
Goodfellow’s early life story is best in his own words.
“Some may not view a Midwest small town as an ideal place to grow up, but
I can confidently say that I’m thankful to have done so. Bruce, South Dakota [‘A
Honey Of A Place To Bee’], a town of around 300 people [14 miles Northwest of
Brookings], was my home until about ten years of age. A small town cultivates a
keen sense of freedom as a child and forces kids to be creative with their free time.
“At the age of 10, I moved closer to my school, Sioux Valley, in the town of
Volga. I enjoyed participating in sports most of the year, maintained a love of the
outdoors, and began to dive into a passion for music. I am forever grateful for the
friends that I made during this time of my life. They helped develop me into who I
am today and remain some of my closest friends.
“My friends and family always supported me in the diverse activities that I chose
to explore, and at the end of high school, I became interested in the medical field
almost by coincidence. My friend talked about a cousin working as an EMT, and it
seemed to be a perfect job for college with the prospects of being able to study on
the job when on call.
“On a whim one night, I searched for a local EMT class and found the closest
nearby in Brookings at SDSU. I called the instructor and asked if I could take the
course as a 17-year-old. She told me that she would allow it since I would turn 18
before taking the national certification exam after the course.
“My parents let me take out a $500 loan to pay for the class, which I promised
to pay back when working in the summer. Sitting in that class by myself as a
17-year-old, I can still remember the mixed feelings of wonder and curiosity in the
sprawling world of healthcare. From that moment on, it was medicine for me.
Index
Vote No on Amendment C ........................................... 1,3
President’s Message. ..................................................3
2022 Convention Save the Dates. ........................................3
South Dakota Nurses Foundation Announces 2022 Scholarships. ...............4
SDNA Calendar of Events..............................................5
Welcome New Members. ..............................................5
District News. .......................................................6
Bringing Hope To The Future...continued on page 7

Page 2 South Dakota Nurse May, June, July 2022
SDNA Board of Directors
President
Term: 2021-2023
Deb Fischer Clemens
District 10
deb.fischerclemens@avera.org
Vice President
Term: 2021-2023
Kay Foland
District 1, 2, 3
Office: 605.394.2878
kay.foland@sdstate.edu
Secretary
Term: 2020-2022
Dawn R. Warren
District 2
Office: 605.791.6348
dawn.warren@usd.edu
Treasurer
Term: 2021-2023
Sara Watson
District 5-7
sara@prnpros.net
Government Relations
Committee (GRC) Chair
Term: 2020-2022
Ashley Kingdon-Reese
District 5-7
Huron, SD
AshleyK@IndependentHealthSD.com
W: 605.352.4663
President, District 1-3
Term: 2020-2022
Jeri Culbertson
jculbertson5@gmail.com
President, District 4
Term: 2022-2024
Carrie Clausen-Hansen
carrie.clausenhansen@yahoo.com
President, District 5-7
Term: 2020-2021
Sara Watson
sara@prnpros.net
President, District 8 & 9
Term: 2021-2023
Venita Winterboer
venita.winterboer@sdstate.edu
President, District 10
Term 2020-2022
Gala Woitte
gwoitte@gmail.com
Cell: 605-376-8639
President, District 11
Term: 2021-2023
Charlene Bierema
biecrn@yahoo.com
SDNA Staff
Eric Ollila
Executive Director
PO Box 1015 Pierre SD 57501
Phone: 271.7708
Fax: 888.600.1232
contactus@sdnurses.org
Revised Feb. 2021
The SOUTH DAKOTA NURSE is published quarterly
every February, May, August and November by the South
Dakota Nurses Association (a constituent member of
the American Nurses Association) and Arthur L. Davis
Publishing Agency, Inc. All rights reserved by copyright.
This newspaper or parts there of must not be reproduced in
any form without permission in writing from the publishers.
ADVERTISING
For advertising rates and information, please contact
Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., PO Box 216,
Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613, (800) 626-4081. SDNA and the
Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve the right
to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in
advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or
refund of price of advertisement.
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement
or approval by the South Dakota Nurses Association
of products advertised, the advertisers, or the claims
made. Rejection of an advertisement does not imply a
product offered for advertising is without merit, or that
the manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association
disapproves of the product or its use. SDNA and the Arthur
L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. shall not be held liable
for any consequences resulting from purchase or use of an
advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this publication
express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily
reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of SDNA
or those of the national or local associations.
CIRCULATION, ARTICLES, LETTER TO THE EDITOR,
ETC. 2022 deadlines for articles submitted to the South
Dakota Nurse: July 8 – August issue, and October 7 –
November issue.
Join SDNA Today!
https://sdnursesassociation.nursingnetwork.com/off-site-membership
The South Dakota Nurse accepts and encourages
manuscripts or editorials. We will determine which letters
and articles are printed by the availability of publication
space and appropriateness of the material. We welcome
signed letters of 300 words or less, typed and double spaced
and articles of 1,500 words or less. All materials should be
mailed to: South Dakota Nurses Association, P.O. Box 1015,
Pierre, SD 57501 or e-mailed to: contactus@sdnurses.org.
NursingALD.com
can point you right to that perfect
NURSING JOB!
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The views expressed in the articles and editorials are those
of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect
the viewpoint of SDNA.
South Dakota Nurse is the newsletter of the South Dakota
Nurses Association. Direct inquiries about SDNA or this
newsletter to:
South Dakota Nurses Association
PO Box 1015, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: 605-945-4265
Fax: 1-888-600-1232
Email: contactus@sdnurses.org
Website: www.sdnursesassociation.org
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May, June, July 2022 South Dakota Nurse Page 3
President’s
Message
Deb Fischer Clemens, President, SDNA
Easter is behind us, and
although the weather at this
time has not demonstrated that,
Spring is here. It’s a time of
new growth, despite occasional
appearances of snow and
cold. As I thought about this
President’s Address, I came up
with three things that I wanted
to share.
The first thought is that
May is at hand, and we
celebrate nurses for the entire
month. The theme this year Deb Fischeris
“You Make a Difference.” Clemens
Nurses do make a difference as trusted advocates who
ensure individuals, families, and communities receive
quality patient care and services. They also make a
difference by influencing and shaping health policy
decisions to ensure access to high-quality, affordable
healthcare coverage. Nurses unique expertise has
resulted in the 20 years straight of recognition as the
most trusted professionals. Congratulations!
The American Nurses Association will show
appreciation for nurses according to the following
weekly themes for May.
• Self-Care Week: May 1-7
• Recognition Week: May 8-14
• Professional Development Week: May 15-21
• Community Engagement Week: May 22-28
On May 18th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time the
American Nurses Association is hosting a virtual event
to celebrate.
The second thought to share is that Nurses must
acknowledge the professional expertise they bring
to their work and take credit for the amazing job of
prioritizing what’s most important: a true professional
possesses unique knowledge and skills derived from
research and education in a specific discipline, adheres
to a code of ethics and promotes the public good within
their expert domain.
My third and final thought for this address was
brought to mind in a book I was given called “Life is
Messy.” The book was written by Matthew Kelly, a
New York Times best-selling author: “So life is messy,
it isn’t a color-within-the-lines exercise. It’s a wild
and outrageous invitation full of uncertain outcomes.
The mess of life is both inevitable and unexpected.
It is filled with delightful mysteries and frustrating
predicaments.” The quotation brought to my mind the
situation of the last two years. Life is messy, but as
professionals we must allow ourselves to be filled with
hope, grace, and prayer as we move forward.
Happy Nurses Month!
"NO" on Amendment C
South Dakotans for Fair Elections, the campaign
formed to oppose amendment C, is comprised of a broad
coalition of individuals and organizations that spans
industries and partisan politics, working to ensure that
South Dakota’s ballot initiative measures, constitutional
amendment, and referred measure process stay intact.
Amendment C will lead to unintended consequences
for our state. It's confusing, unnecessary, risky, and it will
permanently change our constitution in ways we can't even
imagine yet. So if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Here's the fine print: Amendment C would permanently
change our constitution to end majority rule for ballot
measures, allowing a small minority to block important
decisions that most voters want. It shreds the sacred "majority
rules" tradition this country and our state was founded on.
Amendment C is also unconstitutional, and a lawsuit
has already been filed against it.
The truth is that out-of-state lobbyists and special
interests will be the real winners if C passes. Amendment C
Sunday, October 2, 2022
&
Monday, October 3, 2022
gives power to special interests while undermining the will
of South Dakota voters – perhaps that's why an out-of-state
special interest group is bankrolling the campaign to pass it.
Lastly, consider this: if C passes, it will take just 41% of
voters to block funding for important programs, including
law enforcement, rural health centers, nursing homes,
schools – the list goes on. We can't allow our state to be
held hostage by just a few people.
Amendment C would profoundly impact South Dakota's
long history of voter engagement at the ballot box since
creating the ballot initiative process in 1898. Since then,
South Dakotans have regularly been asked to play a role
in policy-making. Yet, for over 124 years, South Dakotan
voices have been heard with a simple majority.
Amendment C faces widespread opposition from
business owners, workers, mayors of our cities, and rural
residents alike, who all oppose C because they know it's
wrong for South Dakota's future.
Join us in voting "NO" on Amendment C.
Please Save the Dates
2022 South Dakota Nurses Association
Annual Convention
Location:
Ramkota Hotel
3200 West Maple Street
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Please mark your calendars today for the annual
South Dakota Nurses Association’s Convention where
you will have the opportunity to hear from nursing
leaders and clinical experts on leadership, clinical and
self-care topics.
The convention also provides you an opportunity
to network and build professional relationships with
nurses from throughout South Dakota.
2022 SDNA Convention Web Page:
https://bit.ly/3LNFheF
JOIN OUR TEAM TODAY!
Where BIG hearts, WARM smiles,
and BRIGHT futures grow.
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• Shift differential
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support
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• Case-specific training
“This has been the best home health
agency I have worked with!”
-Cynthia, LPN
To learn more or to apply, visit:
www.universalpediatrics.com/join-our-team/careers

Page 4 South Dakota Nurse May, June, July 2022
Carman Timmerman, EdD, RN
SDNF Treasurer and Scholarship Committee
Chair
With appreciation for the many individuals who’ve
contributed to the South Dakota Nurses Foundation,
the South Dakota Nurses Foundations is proud to offer
these scholarships for nurses advancing their education.
Here are the details about the 2022 scholarships:
South Dakota Nurses Foundation
Scholarship (1 available):
Amount—$2000
South Dakota Nurses Foundation Announces
2022 Scholarships
Purpose—To support a registered nurse pursuing
a master’s or doctoral degree with the career goal of
education program.
Criteria
1. Current South Dakota resident.
2. Current South Dakota RN license.
3. Member of SDNA for at least one year.
4. 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.
5. Cumulative GPA 3.0 or higher upon completion
of highest degree, i.e., baccalaureate nursing
program or master’s in nursing program.
6. Career goals and personal qualities congruent
with South Dakota Nurses Foundation purposes.
7. Evidence of leadership, compassion, involvement
in professional organization(s), professional
activities, and community service.
Rita H. Walsh Scholarship (2 available):
Amount—$2000
Purpose—To support a person pursuing a nursing
education. The scholarship will be awarded annually for
the spring semester.
Criteria (please note these are new, broader
criteria)
1. Current South Dakota resident.
2. Current South Dakota RN license if an RN.
3. A student pursuing a bachelor’s degree (or higher)
in nursing.
4. Demonstrates the qualities of patient advocacy,
patient education, compassion and leadership.
Marianne M. Stenvig Scholarship (1 available):
Amount—$1000
Purpose—To support a male registered nurse in
pursuit of his educational goals.
Criteria
Revised Rita H. Walsh Scholarship Criteria!
1. Current South Dakota resident.
2. Current South Dakota RN license.
3. Male RN pursuing a graduate degree in nursing
(preferred) or a related field in an accredited
program.
4. SDNA membership preferred.
5. Career goals consistent with South Dakota Nurses
Foundation purposes of education, research and
service.
6. Evidence of leadership, compassion, involvement
in professional organization(s), professional
activities, and community service.
Nurses are the heart of our mission.
When you join Avera, your career opportunities are endless:
Scholarships’ Application Deadline:
A postmark or email date of October 1, 2022 is
the deadline for the South Dakota Nurses Foundation
Scholarships.
Award Date for Scholarships: Fall 2022
Applying for More Than One Scholarship:
If you meet the criteria for more than one
scholarship, consider applying for more than one
scholarship.
• Leadership opportunities
• Award-winning facilities
• Innovative technology
• Continuing education
Application Materials for Scholarships:
Access the South Dakota Nurses Association (SDNA)
website at www.sdnursesassociation.org / South Dakota
Nurses Foundation / Scholarships. Alternatively,
contact the South Dakota Nurses Association office at
contactus@sdnurses.org or 605.945.4265.
To help recruit and retain talented people,
Avera is investing in its workforce.
Competitive pay and benefits:
• One week of paid time off front-loaded
for new hires
• Free individual health insurance and
competitive rates on other plans
• Student loan repayment program for
select positions
• Employee discount program
Apply at AveraJobs.org
Avera is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Nursing opportunities
in a variety of settings, including:
Questions About Scholarship Eligibility and
Applications:
Contact Carman Timmerman, SDNF Scholarship
Chair and SDNF Treasurer, at 605.391.4053 or
carmantimmerman@gmail.com.
Supporting 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.

May, June, July 2022 South Dakota Nurse Page 5
SDNA
Calendar of Events
If you have events that you want posted on the SDNA
Calendar of Events please contact the SDNA Office at
(605) 945-4265 or by email at
contactus@sdnurses.org.
Welcome
New Members
MAY
All Month - National
Nurses Month
JUNE
June 10-11
2022 ANA Membership
Assembly
JULY
July 1
SDNA Consent to Serve
Forms Due
July 11
SD Nurse Article
Submission Deadline
AUGUST
August 1
Awards Nominations
Due
SEPTEMBER
TBD
ANA Lobbyist Meeting
OCTOBER
October 2
SDNA Board of
Directors Meeting
(Sioux Falls)
October 2-3
SDNA Annual
Convention (Sioux Falls)
October 10
SD Nurse Article
Submission Deadline
DECEMBER
December 1
District Leadership
Reporting Form Due to
SDNA Office
District 1, 2 & 3
Paige Laird
Kaleh Knutson
Jennifer Aldren
Debra Morello
Jessica Nelson
Lisa Frasier
District 5-7
Brenna Pahlke
Shelly Monnens
Angela Wollmann
Nicole Bamberg
District 8 & 9
Michele Cordell
Rebecca Erickson
Elizabeth Byrd
District 10
Jennifer Sjaarda-
Dinger
Joseph Osazee
Meghan Foster
Hilary Olinger
Paige Martin
Megan Broadbent
Denise Haisch
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The South Dakota Department of Health can offer you a rewarding career with a strong
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to practice in SD. Areas surveyed include nursing practices, medication administration and
pharmaceutical standards of care, patient activities, dietary, infection control, resident rights,
and physical environment. Travel is necessary with overnight stays at motels paid by the
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online Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) courses and through precepted
surveys in licensed healthcare facilities. Candidate must pass the CMS Surveyor Minimum
Qualifications Test within approximately 6 months of employment.
For more information and to apply, please go to http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
or contact any South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Local Office.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.

Page 6 South Dakota Nurse May, June, July 2022
District News
District 1, 2, 3 Report
We held our first meeting of 2022 on April 14, a dinner
meeting at Minerva’s. It was my first meeting since assuming
the office of the President. Jeri Culbertson has resigned her
office due to a move and new career move. We wish her
success and we will miss her enthusiasm and direction as
president.
Mary Sebert, speaker for the 2021 convention, is
scheduled to visit Rapid City. We hope to meet her for a
dinner to celebrate her outstanding presentation.
Kay Foland will be attending June ANA meeting in
Washington DC, with expenses paid by ANA.
Our next meeting is scheduled for May 12 5:30 pm at
Minerva’s to celebrate Nurses Week. Our topic: develop to
plan to support the nurses in Ukraine.
Linda Wolden, RN, BSN, District 1,2,3 President
lrwolden@gmail.com 605 381 1289
District 5-7 Report
Hello fellow nurses,
Hope all is well with you. Thank you for all that you
do! Positions in leadership are available. Feel free to reach
out to me via email, text, or a phone call to serve today.
District 5-7 would like to invite you to our social media on
Facebook. The Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/
SouthDakotaNursesAssociationDistricts57
Everyone is welcome to follow us and check out giveaways
of donated prizes, news, articles, statics, and events both
locally and at the state level. It will be awesome to connect
with you all at Convention this year! SDNA Annual
Convention is in Sioux Falls in October 2022!
Sara Watson, MBA, MSN, RN
District 5-7 President
sara@prnpros.net
Cell (605)353-5799
District 8&9 Report
District 8 and 9 invited Deb Fischer Clemens to the
February meeting. Deb provided information from the South
Dakota legislative session. She considered the session a
success for SDNA and nurses. There were eight bills passed
that SDNA was involved with. Several highlights included
defeating the anti-vaccine bills, increased reimbursement
for Medicaid to health care and long-term care facilities.
There will be a November ballot item related to Medicaid
expansion. Several challenges during the legislative session
included bills related to marijuana usage in health care and
the certification process for physicians.
In April, members welcomed several school nurses to
the meeting. They updated the group on some of the current
trends in school nursing as well as insight into issues school
nurses are currently experiencing.
Venita Winterboer, President, District 8 & 9
District 10 Report
Save the Date! Oct 2 and 3 Best Western in Sioux Falls for
the 2022 Fall Conference.
District 10 has been busy with planning the fall
conference. Our meetings are one hour in length. We try
hard to keep it to one hour as we know everyone has a busy
schedule.
If you are looking to get involved, please join us the first
Monday of the month at Scooter’s 57th and Western at 6 pm.
(Our June meeting will be on Tuesday, June 21, at 6 pm at the
convention location, the Ramkota on West Maple in Sioux
Falls.)
Can’t make the meetings but want to be involved? Send us
an email and we can help find a spot for you to get involved.
May is Nurse Month with the American Nurses
Association. The theme this year is Nurses Make a
Difference.
The last two years have been hard for nurses during the
Pandemic. Every day, remember you are making a difference.
It doesn’t matter in what kind of nursing you work, you
have a positive impact on lives every day.
Gala Woitte District 10 President
gwoitte@gmail.com
605-376-8639
District 11 Report
District 11 met in January via zoom. Charlene Bierema,
district president, led a discussion of the SDNA Health Policy
Agenda and current legislative issues. Dr. Robin Brown
and Dr. Brandi Pravecek presented their research entitled
“Factors Associated with Nurse’s Emotional Distress During
COVID-19 Pandemic.” This research project involved nurses
who practiced in the state of South Dakota. A literature
review identified that one in five healthcare professionals
experienced anxiety and/or depression related to fear of
contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, fear of contracting
the illness and fear of exposing family members to the illness.
Social support, a sense of control, and reduced perceived
risks promoted the nurse’s well-being.
Several members participated in SDNA’s Nurses Day at
the Legislature 2022. This was an excellent introduction to
the legislative process and review of the current bills in the
House and Senate. A special thank you to the organizers
and presenters as this was a very well-organized zoom
conference.
In March, the district meeting was again held via zoom.
The program was a discussion of the 2022 legislative session
by Representative Sydney Davis, Legislative District 17. An
interesting program on the issues, expenditures, etc. was
presented. Money was allocated to Black Hills State and
Northern State to work with SDSU for increased numbers of
student nurses. SETI was offered money for LPNs who serve
as a feeder program for RN program. Student nurses are now
paying more money for accelerated nursing programs. The
EMS statutes were evaluated as the statutes are now 50 years
old. The legislature paid for iPADS and AEDs to be placed in
the back of all South Dakota ambulances.
The State Student Nurse Conference was held in Yankton
and District #11 represented SDNA at a booth. We shared
information regarding ANA and SDNA.
Charlene Bierema, District # 11 President
Wilmont Care Center
is now Hiring!
DIRECTOR OF NURSING
SERVICES
FT- Evening/Night Nurses
8 or 12 hour shifts available
Email resume to:
jvanbeek@wilmotcarecenter.com
or mail to Wilmot Care Center,
501 4th Street, Wilmot, SD 57279

May, June, July 2022 South Dakota Nurse Page 7
Bringing Hope To The Future...continued from page 1
“After my last high school summer, I moved to the
Twin Cities to attend the Free Lutheran Bible College
(FLBC). My time there was invaluable and provided
me with a solid foundation and tremendous growth
spiritually and as a person. I also gained a broader
worldview which played into my career choice.
“I saw the needs of people here in the US and
elsewhere in the world and subsequently found the
profession of nursing, which provided hope to meet
some of these needs. At Bible College, I am surrounded
by an incredible group of people and immersed in
valuable studies. It was the perfect place to form the
goals I still am pursuing.
“My mind became set on becoming a nurse
practitioner with the ambition to practice here in the US
and other countries in some form of mission work. The
path forward seemed to indicate SDSU as the university
to obtain my nursing degree, but I was not ready to go
home yet.
“I discussed this with my friends. Four of my closest
classmates who graduated from FLBC and I moved to
Hawaii for the adventure of a lifetime. Here, I attended
a small community college to start knocking out the
prerequisites required for the SDSU nursing program.
“I moved back to my home land and was accepted
into the nursing program at SDSU. I couldn’t ask for a
better nursing school experience. Still in pursuit of my
final goal of nurse practitioner, I applied for grad school
while in under grad and was accepted two weeks after
graduation.”
Goodfellow has worked in the Brain and Spine
Unit at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls since
2019. The Brain and Spine Unit has all three levels
of inpatient care (medical/surgical, step-down ICU,
and neurocritical care). “This is a perfect location to
gain a broad range of skills while gaining experience
in all levels of care. I participate in the Unit Practice
Committee and have obtained my national stroke
certification. This unit has its challenges, but the team
is top notch and it’s a great place to make a difference
in the lives of patients,” he said.
“Serving those who need health care the most”
is Goodfellow’s number one professional goal. “I
am a man who takes pride in his home state of South
Dakota, this means considering where I can make the
biggest difference here in this great state and finding
innovative ways to change the lives of individual people
and improve the care of underserved people groups.”
Additionally, he seeks additional certifications in other
critical care areas that interest him and enhance the
DNP degree.
Goodfellows doctoral project centers on
implementing a neurocritical care unit for a palliative
screening intervention program. “The project is
basically teaching and enabling our nurses to screen for
and identify any palliative needs that our patients and/
or family members may be experiencing. The needs can
then be brought to the care team and addressed using
a list of options available for the patient such as a care
conference or a palliative specialist consult.”
This project is vital to Goodfellow because of the
patients it will serve. “A neuro critical care unit serves
a patient population that has complicated diagnoses,
difficult prognoses, and often times poor outcomes. My
hope for this project is to bring important patient and
family needs to the forefront of our care and to meet
these needs with holistic, patient-centered care.”
“It’s exciting to be taking steps towards becoming
a provider while carrying with me [that which] I have
learned as a bedside nurse. Having a basis of previous
medical knowledge has helped greatly when diving
further into healthcare issues,” said Goodfellow. “The
leadership portion of the doctoral process has so far
surprised me in that, it is forcing me to consider issues
from a leadership perspective and to consider how the
NP role can be used to its fullest extent.”
It is a significant challenge to balance job
responsibilities and academia. “Most floors in the
nation are experiencing staff shortages due to burnout
from COVID and multiple other factors so the pressure
to work more as an RN makes balancing work and
school extremely difficult and often times exhausting,”
he said. “There is rarely time to recover from a difficult
shift and there are few days where long hours of
studying are required.”
When she was Goodfellow’s supervisor, Alyssa
Stauffacher proved to be an exceptionally supportive
and helpful mentor. “She helped me every step of the
way!” said Goodfellow.
Stauffacher gives her impressions of meeting
Goodfellow for his Brain and Spine Unit RN position
interview. “From the very first moment of introductions
Marcus’s evangelistic virtue was obvious through
his words and his actions. Marcus doesn’t sort his
life experiences into buckets: work life, personal
life, worship activities, etc. Instead, Marcus is fully
comfortable and is an expert at living life as a person
who is true to all aspects of what is important.”
She describes Goodfellow as hospitable, a listener,
and compassionate. “Marcus has a beautiful ability
to instantly read a situation and sense whether his
approach should be calm, slow and gentle, upbeat
and energetic, or fun and entertaining,” she said. His
passion for healthcare and caring for people is evident
to his patients and colleagues.”
Stauffacher saw his passion and dedication to
patients, family members, colleagues, and strangers
from the very beginning of his nursing experiences.
A notably responsible leader, Goodfellow takes every
opportunity “to help as many people as possible as
often as possible.” For example, during the global
pandemic, he never showed “discouragement,
exhaustion, or lack of dedication to his personal
mission.” “He was at work with a smile on his face, a
positive word of encouragement for absolutely everyone,
and a personal toolbox of opportunities to bring hope
and encouragement to everyone he interacts,” she said.
Goodfellow takes commitment to his colleagues
beyond the end of his work shift. For example, he
initiated, arranged, and hosted a Bible study group
and social events for colleagues, excluding no one.
“He recognizes the daily struggle that healthcare
workers experience and has had a tremendously positive
and uplifting impact on his fellow coworkers,” said
Stauffacher.
Resilience and positivity are signature Goodfellow
qualities. “We work in a career that often experiences
tragedy firsthand. A person with positivity is helpful
through the good times and the bad. He affects the
people we work with and the patients we serve.” And
the cornerstone of his personal life and nursing practice
is his “spiritual views in a sense that I view each
individual as loved, special, and on equal standings
with myself and everyone else in terms of overall
merit.”
“Marcus is a truly selfless person,” said Stauffacher.
“Marcus has the most incredible resilience and
positivity of anyone that I’ve met, [which] allow him
to instantly connect with people in a manner that
involves no judgement, no agenda, just pure and honest
kindness.”
Goodfellows selflessness is demonstrated in serving
professional organization activities at the district,
region, council, state and national levels for the past
five years. Service is his middle name.
His appreciation of and gratitude for his parents
(Connie and Dean) and his two brothers (Josh and
Andrew) is evident. “They have always supported me
throughout my life and academic journey.” He enjoys
hunting, music, fishing, water sports, any sport on a
board, mountain biking, and frisbee golf. He is open to
“trying new things and experiencing different cultures.”
And a good read (“textbooks of course!”), video games,
spending time with friends and family, and hunting
(turkey, deer, elk) are his go-to activities to renew his
soul and spirit.
For Goodfellow, there has never been a question
of what he was supposed to do with his life? On the
contrary, “I can say confidently that ever since the
thought of entering the field of nursing came into my
mind, I have had the blessing of knowing that there is
no other place I would rather be.”
Stauffacher confidently summaries Goodfellow.
“He honors the nursing profession through exemplary
clinical performance, outstanding selflessness and
kindness to everyone and teamwork and innovation
that constantly strives to better support patients and
healthcare colleagues. [He] brings hope to the future of
healthcare.”

Volunteers Needed!
What is SERV SD? A database of pre-registered health care
professionals who are ready to volunteer in the event of an emergency.
Who should volunteer? Everyone! All skill levels and experience
needed.
When registering with SERV SD, you can join preparedness groups in
your community.
isit us online today: SERV.SD.gov
Are you passionate about cardiovascular disease or chronic disease prevention, treatment or management?
Join the South Dakota
Cardiovascular Collaborative!
Contact Rachel Sehr at 605-367-5356 or Rachel.Sehr@state.sd.us
https://doh.sd.gov/CardioCollaborative/
Advancement of Health Equity • Chronic Disease Prevention • Response to Acute Incidents • Disease Management