ONWARD SENIORS: Mission accomplished for Halverson

MINOT, N.D. - Peyton Halverson spent his time at Minot State University balancing long clinical hours, coursework, and leadership opportunities, all while earning recognition as Nursing Student of the Year.

Becoming a nurse was always the goal.

"For me, I knew the medical field was always something I wanted to pursue," he said. "From the experiences I got being an EMT and CNA I knew the next step for me was nursing."

He said nursing stood out because of the variety of opportunities within the profession.

"There really is a job in nursing for everyone," Halverson said.

His passion for emergency medicine has remained consistent throughout school. He hopes to work in the emergency room or intensive care unit after graduation, with the long-term goal of becoming a flight nurse.

Winning Nursing Student of the Year was a moment that affirmed the hard work he has poured into the program.

"It validated the time, effort, and dedication I've put into nursing school and showed me that my hard work is making a difference," Halverson said. "More than anything, it motivated me to keep pushing myself to grow, learn and provide the best patient care I can."

He credits his success to consistency both inside and outside the classroom.

"I've made it a priority to show up prepared, stay engaged, and put forth my best effort in both the classroom and clinical settings," he said. "Being dependable, working well with others, and genuinely caring about my patients have all played a big role."

Halverson said one of the biggest challenges of nursing school has been finding balance.

"The biggest challenge for me has been balancing school, work, and still making time for friends and family," he said. "Staying organized and keeping a consistent schedule has helped me stay on track."

He has found ways to manage stress by focusing on routines and making time for himself.

"For me, effective ways to relieve stress include spending time with friends and family, going to the gym or simply taking a walk outside between study sessions," Halverson said.

Some of his most impactful experiences came during ER and ICU clinical rotations.

"You see patients in their most critical moments," he said. "Being able to care for them during such a vulnerable time is incredibly meaningful."

During his final ICU rotation, Halverson began to recognize his own growth as a student nurse.

"I really noticed how far I had come as a student," he said. "It gave me a strong sense of accomplishment and helped build my confidence in my abilities."

With one semester remaining before graduation, Halverson is preparing for the transition from student nurse to registered nurse through additional clinical experiences and an internship at Trinity Health.

"Going from always having a preceptor or professor monitoring your care to all of a sudden being in that role alone can definitely be overwhelming," he said. "All of these clinical experience hours will definitely help contribute to my confidence as a new grad."

Looking back on his nursing journey so far, Halverson said he is most proud of how much he has grown.

"I am proud of not only the clinical skills I have developed, but also the way my critical thinking, communication, and ability to stay calm under pressure have improved," he said. "Seeing my own progress has been one of the most rewarding parts of nursing school."