Meet the People Behind Clinical Placement at CNPD

Clinical experiences are an important part of preparing future health and human services professionals. At UND’s College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines (CNPD), a dedicated Clinical Placement team works with students, healthcare partners, preceptors and clinical sites to help secure placements and coordinate the details that make these learning opportunities possible.

This month, we’re highlighting some of the people behind that work.

Angie Novak, Clinical Placement Manager

Angie has worked at UND for ten years and leads the Clinical Placement team. She works with healthcare partners, preceptors, faculty and students to coordinate clinical placements and help students meet the requirements to begin their experiences.

One of the most rewarding parts of her work is supporting students’ access to meaningful clinical learning experiences that help build their confidence and prepare them for their future nursing careers.

Her advice to students is simple: “Find your ‘people.’” Angie encourages students to seek out mentors, colleagues and friends who challenge them to grow and remind them what they’re capable of when they doubt themselves.

“Ask questions, be open to feedback, and remember that you don’t have to figure everything out on your own,” she says. She also encourages students to become that source of support for others as they grow in their own careers.

Outside of work, Angie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing mat Pilates and cheering on the Kansas City Royals. She’s also an animal lover with a Great Pyrenees and several cats.

Trish Howell, Clinical Placement Assistant

Trish has worked at UND for five years, supporting nursing, nurse practitioner and social work students as they secure clinical placements. Her work includes coordinating affiliation agreements, managing placement databases and connecting with clinical sites to help students have the best possible clinical experiences.

For Trish, the people make the work especially rewarding. She values the teamwork and support she finds among her colleagues, as well as the opportunity to celebrate students’ achievements.

“One of the most rewarding parts is hearing ‘Thank you’ from current students and hearing from students after graduation,” Trish shares. She enjoys seeing students reach their goals and knowing she played a part in their journey.

Outside of work, Trish enjoys spending time with her three grown children and five-year-old grandson. She also loves traveling to Montana and warmer destinations, watching hockey, crafting, painting and cross-stitching.

Kristin Doty, Clinical Placement Assistant

Kristin has worked at UND for three years and coordinates clinical placements for Family Nurse Practitioner and Doctor of Nursing Practice students. She works with students, clinical sites, healthcare providers and legal teams to coordinate placements and ensure the necessary partnerships are in place.

Kristin was drawn to the role by her passion for education and helping others. She enjoys supporting students through an important part of their education as they gain the experiences needed to become healthcare providers. She also appreciates the collaborative spirit of the Clinical Placement team and the way colleagues support one another.

Her advice to students and future professionals centers on the importance of first impressions. “You only get one chance to make a first impression,” Kristin says. She encourages future healthcare providers to demonstrate professionalism, reliability and effective communication from the beginning, helping build trust and strong professional relationships.

Kristin lives in North Carolina with her family while her husband serves on active duty in the U.S. Army. She also serves in the Virginia Army National Guard. Outside of work, she stays busy with her children’s activities, coaches youth soccer with her husband, teaches preschool Sunday school, and enjoys reading and crocheting.

Supporting Students, One Placement at a Time

Clinical placements take coordination, communication and strong partnerships. We’re grateful to Angie, Trish and Kristin for the work they do to help CNPD students access meaningful clinical experiences and take important steps toward their professional futures.