At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community who are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality healthcare to underserved and rural populations.
Just a 20-minute drive from the FNU campus, registered nurse Jazmene Landing works at a comprehensive outpatient addiction clinic in Lexington, Kentucky. There, she cares for an underserved population of urban patients who are often stigmatized and overlooked due to addiction and mental health issues.
“My job as a nurse is to not only provide care to these individuals,” said Landing, “but to also serve as an advocate.”
When she noticed a strong need in her community for advanced practice nurses who look like the patients they serve, Landing decided to become a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Thanks to her proximity to FNU, she knew just where to go! Now a FNU PMHNP student, she is on-track to earn her Master of Science in Nursing later this year.
“Frontier is home,” Landing said. “I didn’t have to travel or move far away to gain the knowledge and experiences I’ve gained, or the connections I’ve made. At FNU, they care about their students and the professionals we will become.”
Landing found valuable support in joining student organizations, especially the Professional Organizational Mentoring Program (POMP), which matches FNU faculty mentors with students from underrepresented groups. Throughout the mentorship, students join a professional organization in their field, attend a conference with fellow nurse practitioners, and gain a better understanding of the nursing profession. Landing attended AANP in 2023, and shared the following on her experience:
“I had the privilege of attending the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Conference in New Orleans. As a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) student, it was both exciting and enriching to engage with established nurse practitioners and network throughout the event. Through POMP, I had the opportunity to connect with fellow students from my track as well as other specialties, enhancing our learning experience through participation in various sessions.
My faculty member played a crucial role in this experience. Despite our different program backgrounds, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and PMHNP, we found similarities in our shared commitment to patient care. This collaboration stressed the value of networking and the importance of establishing a professional presence at national conferences.
The conference also allowed me to explore exhibits and review presentations focused on psychiatry, which I later brought back to the clinic where I work as a registered nurse. This experience reaffirmed that POMP offers more than just a conference trip; it is a significant opportunity to connect with peers, gain valuable insights, and represent our university effectively.”
Landing says MH707: Psychiatric-Mental Health Assessment Across the Lifespan was the most interesting course she’s taken so far. She loved how the class encouraged her to explore how mental health affects people in all walks of life, in different ages and stages, and how they often hide behind their mental health conditions due to fear of being criticized or labeled.
“As a PMHNP, I will be able to give an even stronger voice to those who are afraid of seeking treatment for addiction, or those struggling with mental health stigma,” said Landing.
Outside of work and school, Landing is a busy mother of three daughters, a role she calls “the greatest gift . . . the most satisfying and difficult job at the same time.” In her down time, she enjoys watching sports, reading books, and sitting by the fire.
Thank you, Jazmene, for choosing FNU in your healthcare journey and for providing quality care to underserved populations in your community!
Learn more about advanced nursing degrees and specialties at Frontier Nursing University, including our Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Subscribe to our blog for the latest news and events at FNU and to get inspired with stories featuring our alumni, students, faculty and staff!