Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Nursing and Midwifery

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) recognized the need to increase diversity within the nursing and midwifery professions, and in 2010, set out to increase enrollment of underrepresented students. In 10 years, FNU’s student of color population has increased from 9% to 27.8%.

FNU’s first step was developing the Diversity PRIDE Program which stood for Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education. Today, the initiative is known as the Diversity Impact Program.

The Diversity Impact Program is designed to assist in promoting an inclusive learning and workforce environment at FNU, with a goal to increase diversity in the nursing and midwifery professions by recruiting and retaining underrepresented students and employees.

The success of FNU's Diversity Impact Program has been nationally recognized for preparing nursing and midwifery students to meet the healthcare demands of an increasingly diverse patient population.

OFFICE OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The Diversity Impact Program is now a part of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) which was formed in 2018. The goal of FNU’s Office of DEI is to ensure students, faculty and staff are provided with an environment that promotes DEI and encourages the success of all community members. 

The Office of DEI encompasses an atmosphere built on a culture of caring. The Office of DEI solicits the equitable perspectives of students, faculty and staff regardless of race, gender, sexual preference or identity, disability and/or religion. In congruence with FNU, the mission of the Office of DEI is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education to prepare competent, entrepreneurial, ethical and compassionate leaders in primary care to serve all individuals with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural and underserved populations.

"FNU emphasizes diversity, equity and inclusion because patients are more receptive to care from a health provider who understands their culture and socioeconomic background."
- Dr. Susan Stone
President

NATIONAL RECOGNITION

FNU is a national leader in DEI and a four-time winner of the INSIGHT Into Diversity “Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, recognized 2018-2021. FNU is also a recipient of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Nursing Workforce Diversity (NWD) Grant.

FNU is a Member of 

Antiracism Statement

“At Frontier Nursing University we oppose injustice and cruelty and condemn racism in all its forms. We support peaceful protests and demonstrations and join all those working to end systemic racism, racial violence, and police brutality. We are committed to building a culture that is inclusive and caring for all.”  ~Dr. Susan Stone, FNU President~ 

Read the full statement here.