Frontier Nursing University’s (FNU) unique distance education model allows its students to complete required experiences in clinical sites in their own communities. Clinical preceptors make this model possible by serving as teachers, role models and mentors to our students across the country.
Preceptors truly give meaningful gifts: their time, expertise and unwavering care.
The FNU community is incredibly grateful for the thousands of preceptors who have guided its students. With that said, even more willing preceptors are needed to give their time and commitment to help the growing number of students succeed.
FNU is excited to announce its “Gifts From the Heart” preceptor recruitment campaign, launching in February! We are calling on our incredible and widespread base of alumni to give the gift of precepting.
Story after story pours in from our students, detailing how their preceptors have impacted their education and personal lives. Just two of the many examples are below:

Alumna Swayzee Ramage and her newborn daughter with preceptor and nurse-midwife, Beth Carter
First as a preceptor, then as her nurse-midwife, Beth Carter, CNM, changed the life of then-student Swayzee Ramage, FNP-C.
Swayzee, in the DNP program (Class 31), completed her clinical rotation with Beth, a fellow FNU alumna, in 2018. She learned and grew as a nurse practitioner with Beth as her preceptor, but didn’t expect for their paths to cross again after the rotation was over.
In September, Swayzee was nearly full-term with a pregnancy, and she called on Beth’s clinic for her midwifery care when the time came. Beth was set to change jobs in October, but Swayzee’s labor began five weeks before her due date. Beth’s last midwifery job was delivering Swayzee’s healthy baby girl!

Beth acts as Swayzee’s nurse-midwife as she gives birth
“Two worlds, two degrees and three lives all collide because of Frontier Nursing University,” said Swayzee.
“What a wonderful experience to be able to be cared for by a fellow preceptor, a fellow graduate of the school I have come to love, and also an amazing midwife. I will cherish this memory forever,” she said.
In another heartwarming account, preceptor Sonja Furse, DNP, PMHNP developed skills and confidence in student Jo-Ann Mars that prepared the student for the next step in her journey as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Through Sonja’s tutelage, Jo-Ann, RN, MS, MSN, EdD, FNP-BC, CNE, PMHS, PMHNP (Class 155), gained a desire to learn more about complex patients in order to provide better evidence-based care.
“Sonja was both my critic and support system at the same time,” said Jo-Ann. “She pushed me when I needed pushing, but was always there to guide and encourage me if I needed help.”
Sonja was honored as a “Featured Preceptor” for the Fall 2018 term. Thanks to Sonja, Jo-Ann is beginning her journey as part of the next generation of nurse practitioner success stories.
Preceptors are in the business of turning students’ dreams into reality. As these inspiring graduates become preceptors themselves, it is a gift that truly keeps on giving.
If you would like more information on the gift of precepting, visit Frontier.edu/GiftFromTheHeart. We thank you for considering giving a gift from your heart!