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This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Bridge Entry Option at Frontier Nursing University (FNU). Frontier’s Bridge Entry Option allows registered nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) as their highest degree who have been in practice at least one year to bypass a bachelor’s degree. By completing a series of courses over 12 months, nurses become prepared for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a career as a nurse-midwife, family nurse practitioner or psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner.

Beginning with only 16 students in 2007 (Class 53), FNU has now enrolled more than 1,100 students in the Bridge program. Of those students, 273 have gone on to complete a MSN as a family nurse practitioner, 204 as a nurse-midwife, and 19 in women’s health*. Eleven students have even gone on to complete a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, as of February 2017.

Over the past decade, a favorite part of the Bridge journey for students has been attending both Bridge Bound and Crossing the Bridge – events that bookmark the year-long program, both traditionally held in Hyden, Ky., and at Wendover Bed & Breakfast Inn.

Bridge Bound is the initial welcome orientation into the FNU community prior to classes beginning. After the year of Bridge courses, students attend Crossing the Bridge, the final intensive, on-campus session before moving on to clinical speciality coursework in the MSN graduate program.

We have been celebrating all year by running a photo booth contest at both Bridge Bounds and Crossing the Bridge sessions this year. Students in attendance are encouraged to use the photo booth on campus and post photos to social media with the #FNUAnswertheCall. Take a look at some of the photos here.

The FNU community is grateful for all that the last decade has held for our Bridge program, and we can’t wait to see what the next decade brings!

If you are a registered nurse with an ADN as your highest degree, learn more or apply to our Bridge Entry Option here.

Related Content: FNU Traditions Blog Series

*FNU stopped admitting women’s health students to the ADN Bridge Entry Option in 2011

In a rapidly-changing, sometimes divided world, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) emphasizes the value of respecting and honoring diversity.

In the United States, there is a wide gap in health outcomes. Several populations face greater obstacles in obtaining good health based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, mental health, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or geographic location. These disparities may exist because of social and economic inequality, inadequate health care providers or systems, and bias on the part of health care providers or patients.

The gap forming in the health of women before and during pregnancies is also a source of concern. Determinants of a mother’s health may include social factors, ethnic or racial group, or her previous health status. An infant child is also impacted by factors such as nutrition, family income, and the geographic location of their homes and neighborhoods.

Additionally, consider this: women living in rural areas have less access to health care than women living in urban areas. Where 22.8% of women live in what is defined as a “rural” area in the U.S.¹, there is a significant disparity between the health care they receive and the health care received by the “urban” population of women.

Although health care needs around the nation are diverse, health care providers do not reflect the population. In 2008, only 16.8% of Registered Nurses residing in the United States represented diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds². Additionally, underrepresented groups make up less than 10% of nursing school faculty³. The nursing profession faces the challenge of recruiting and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that mirrors the nation’s demographics.

With these challenges in mind, it is important that our education system equips nurse practitioners, nurse-midwives and other healthcare professionals with the resources they need to eliminate these disparities, and ultimately achieve health equity.FNU would like to see the Frontier community impact health equity and move forward by uniting through diversity.

On June 1- 4, 2017, Frontier NursingUniversity will hold the 7th annual Diversity Impact Student Conference. Diversity Impact is designed to open the door for nurses to foster and strengthen collaborative discussions to address health disparities to improve minority health among underrepresented and marginalized groups. Students will engage in cross-cultural and intercultural workshop activities, along with leadership strategies on current diversity healthcare trends as it relates to patient-provider care.

This year’s Diversity Impact theme is Moving Forward: Uniting Through Diversity. Students will attend sessions hosted by nationally recognized nursing leaders; participate in teambuilding activities, cultural competency awareness training, and open dialogues; network with available FNU students, community leaders, faculty and staff; and learn more about the world with FNU’s International Food Menu.

The 2017 Diversity Impact Speaker Prospectus can be found here. Go here

for the conference schedule.

Not a student? Frontier invites the public to register to watch the FREE sessions on LiveStream here.    

Sources:

1. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. Population and migration: overview. Available at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/rural-economy-population/population-migration.aspx. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
2. Department of Health and Human Services (US), Health Resources and Services Administration. The registered nurse population: findings from the 2008 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. Rockville (MD): HHS; 2010.
3. Diversity in Medical Education: Facts and Figures. The Association of American Medical Colleges; Washington, DC, USA: 2012.

The 2017 Healthy Futures Fair was held at Mountain View Elementary on Thursday, April 6, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Co-hosted by Frontier Nursing University (FNU) Courier Program and Mountain View Elementary, this event allowed for residents of Leslie County to learn about healthcare access and services in their area.

Students that attended were encouraged to learn about career options from health care representatives at the fair, as well. The fair was attended by 200 people, and around 150 healthy futures bags that included healthy snacks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a water bottle were given to students.

Prior to the community event, three guest speakers were brought in earlier in the week for activities with Mountain View Elementary’s 21st Century Program. On Monday, April 3, Kyle Farmer, a FNU student, led two sessions in healthy food choices. A variety of fruits and vegetables were provided for students to try as well.

Tuesday, Maggie Bowling from Old Homeplace Farm brought seeds for the students to plant. The students loved spending time outside and learning about food sustainability. Last but not least, Wednesday brought Jason Lindsey, also known as “Mr. Science”, who treated Mountain View Elementary students to extravagant science experiments. He also spent time speaking with 4th-8th grade students about tobacco use and its effects on the body.

Frontier Nursing University is also proud to announce Charles “Charlie” Dewayne Hensley was awarded the first $1,000 Healthy Futures Scholarship on Monday, May 8, at the historic Wendover Bed and Breakfast Inn. The Healthy Futures Scholarship was a one-time $1000 scholarship funded by the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) Foundation.

Charlie is the son of Nola and Roger Hensley of Hyden, Ky. He is currently in the 7th grade at W.B. Muncy Elementary School, where he is involved in the United Club, the Gifted and Talented Program and the Academic Team.

“We feel that this scholarship has shown Charlie that a little hard work in school does pay off and may push him to do his best in the future,” said Charlie’s parents.

Any 6th-8th grade student attending a Leslie County school was invited to apply for the Healthy Futures Scholarship. Students were asked to answer one of four questions in a short essay that focused on the ideas of healthy futures. Charlie wrote about why he thought learning about health and science is important and spoke of his desire to become a biomedical engineer. Charlie plans to pursue his education at either Johns Hopkins University or the University of Kentucky.

Healthy Futures Fair event activities and materials were primarily funded by the FNS Foundation.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is pleased to announce Diane John and Debra Turner as the first faculty and staff Circle of Caring Award winners! The Circle of Caring Award is a new recognition for faculty and staff who go above and beyond their job duties and strive to uphold FNU’s mission and Culture of Caring everyday. One faculty and staff member will be recognized each term.

FNU faculty and staff were invited to nominate someone anonymously. Nominations were then voted upon by a committee based on the following Culture of Caring characteristics: professionalism, mutual support, respect, positive communication and inclusivity.

Diane John, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC is a Course Coordinator here at FNU. She received the following comments in the anonymous nominations:

“Although Diane truly lives every aspect of the Culture of Caring, I think she is a model for mutual support…Diane encourages growth, even at her own expense. She encouraged me to move to a course coordinator position even though it meant she would be losing my help from full to half time.”

“I have had the pleasure of working with Diane on several committees this term. Her approach to facilitation and leadership is invariably caring, respectful and professional. She has taken on very demanding tasks requiring high levels of attention to detail and the ability to coordinate many people’s efforts…”

“I feel truly fortunate to work with Diane; she makes FNU stronger, better, and more positive for students and faculty.”

Debra Turner is a FNU Student Services Coordinator. Debra’s nominations included the following statements:

“Debra always works hard for the students, which is her main priority.”

“Debra’s friendship and support to me as a new mom has been invaluable…and I want her to know how much I appreciate her support and respect for me as a new mom and colleague. It really does take a village, like the saying goes, and Debra has been, and continues to be, instrumental in my success as a new mom.”

Both Diane and Debra will receive a framed certificate, a $50 gift card and will be featured in various FNU communications.

Diane and Debra, thank you for going above and beyond to serve the FNU community!

Do you know a FNU staff or faculty member that goes above and beyond? Nominate them now for the Circle of Caring Award!