Practical nursing instructor recognized for outstanding contribution to teaching
Allison Gregory, RN, MSN, a practical nursing instructor at Dakota County Technical College, has been named the college’s 2018 Instructor of the Year. Allison started teaching at DCTC in fall semester 2015.
Allison earned her Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) in 2014 from Capella University in Minneapolis. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) in 2007 from the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota. Prior to DCTC, she worked as a nursing instructor for nearly two years at Chippewa Valley Technical College in River Falls, Wisconsin.
Teaching is in her family’s DNA. Allison’s mom and both her grandmothers are a retired elementary school teachers. All her aunts save one made teaching their careers.
Her real-world experience in the nursing field includes serving as a school nurse at River Elementary in Farmington, Minnesota, and as a home-care coordinator at Eventide in Moorhead, Minnesota. Allison also has professional experience as a:
- Float RN/Triage RN at Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo, North Dakota
- Registered nurse at MeritCare Health System in Fargo
- Nurse intern at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck
Teaching philosophy:
“I believe in treating all students with kindness and respect. I also hold high expectations for my students and try to motivate them to always do their best. My goal is to help shape them into the best possible nurse they can be.”
— Allison Gregory, RN, MSN, DCTC Practical Nursing Faculty
Brenda Arneson, RN, PHN, MSN, serves as director of nursing and nursing assistant program director at DCTC. Brenda is proud to have one of her program’s faculty members recognized as the college’s 2018 Instructor of the Year.
“The Practical Nursing program feels fortunate to have Allison Gregory as an instructor,” Brenda said. “I still recall when we were interviewing Allison for her position. She spoke about her passion for nursing. She related that she could multiply that passion many times over through teaching by instilling her love for nursing in future nurses.”
She added that Allison teaches most of the first-semester nursing courses so she gets the program’s students right away, which means she ensures they have a positive experience from the outset.
“I am very thankful for all that Allison does for the Practical Nursing program and Dakota County Technical College,” Brenda said.
Renee passing torch to Allison
Surprising the honoree…
Allison Gregory was surprised in her classroom by the Instructor of the Year Interview Team to announce she was the college’s 2018 Instructor of the Year. Renee LeMieux, 2017 Instructor of the Year, passed the torch to Allison.
The interview team included Renee LeMieux, Gina Zimmer, Cheryl Brogger, Tanta Horning, Margaret Steeves and Scott Gunderson. The team gave a big shout out to the 2018 Instructor of the Year finalists, Mary Belanger, Brett Kolles and Carrie Erickson, for their positive contributions to their students and DCTC.
More about Allison…
Originally from Crystal, North Dakota, Allison, 32, grew up on wheat and soy bean farm. She is a graduate of Valley High School in Hoople, North Dakota, Class of 2003. She has two younger sisters, both married, Angie, 29, who has two daughters, Annistyn and Eisley, and Diana, 27, who is expecting a baby daughter in June.
When she’s not teaching, Allison enjoys reading fiction bestsellers, baking, playing piano, spending time with family and friends, and going for walks with the family dog, a 1.5-year-old Dorkie (dachshund/Yorkie mix) named Webster.
Allison and her husband, Peter, an accountant with Dakota Electric, are expecting a baby girl in July. The couple resides in Rosemount, Minnesota.
Allison Gregory gallery
Allison Gregory Q & A
Allison Gregory
What do you like best about teaching?
My favorite part is when my students have what I call an “ah-ha” moment—where they fully grasp a concept or skill I am teaching.
What do you consider your toughest challenge in life?
Most people don’t know that I am legally blind in my left eye. This has been a challenge throughout my life, but I feel like I’ve learned how to deal with it positively.
Your greatest accomplishment so far?
Probably getting my master’s degree.
Your highest goal?
Someday I’d like to pursue my doctorate.
Three words that describe you as a teacher:
ENCOURAGING. PATIENT. ENTHUSIASTIC.
What is one thing every nurse should know?
There is a lot of heart that goes into nursing. You have to have a deep passion for taking care of others. It is so important to show patients that you have time for them and that you sincerely care about them. If you are going in to nursing just for the money, that is not a good thing.
What attributes do you look for in nursing students?
Hard-working, positive, good personality, caring, smart.
What advice would you give future nurses?
Keep your standards for yourself high and don’t cut corners. There are so many areas of nursing—if you don’t find your niche right away, don’t lose hope and try a different area!
What is the most rewarding aspect of a nursing career?
Knowing that you make a difference each day. Being there for patients when they are going through some of the most difficult parts of their life.
Allison Gregory | 21 Answers
- Favorite season: Fall: I love the beginning of a new school year, the weather and pumpkin spice everything.
Favorite natural feature (e.g., waterfalls, oceans, mountains, etc.): I grew up on a farm, so a wheat field right before it is harvested.- Favorite sport or physical activity: To watch: college football; I’m a fan of NDSU, my husband’s alma mater. To play: volleyball—I played in high school.
- Your national bird if you could have one: Birds freak me out!
- Okay, let’s go with flower: Daisy
- Place you would most like to visit: My most favorite place to visit is going back home to North Dakota to visit my family.
- Favorite holiday: Christmas
- Your national mammal if you could have one: Dorkie
- Favorite actor or actress: Julie Roberts
- Favorite band or performing artist: Ed Sheeran
Your personal motto if you had to have one: My faith is important to me, so I have go with my personal favorite Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 16:14 “Let everything you do be done in love.”- Coolest thing in the world: Helping others
- Scariest thing in the world: This is silly, but I’ve always had an extreme fear of horses!
- Favorite all-time TV show: Toss-up between Parenthood and This is Us—I like a show that makes me cry.
- Favorite all-time movie: Age of Adeline
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: I am most looking forward to being a new mom in July!
- Most precious material possession: I would say my wedding/engagement rings.
- First thing you would buy if you won the $1.5 billion Powerball: A new house probably in Rosemount
Dream occupation: I already have it!- Person you would most like to meet: Oprah
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Be a better cook; I am good at baking.
- Humankind’s greatest challenge: Being kind to one another.
To learn more about Practical Nursing at DCTC, contact:
Brenda Arneson, RN, PHN, MSN
Director of Nursing
Nursing Assistant Program Coordinator
651-423-8234
Webster the Dorkie
