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  • Faculty and Alumni Spotlight: Rhonda Arthur DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, FNP-BC, CN

    At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.

     

    FNU is proud to announce that Dr. Rhonda Arthur has received the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners 2016 Award for Educator of the Year!

     

    Dr. Arthur is an associate professor at Frontier Nursing University who began teaching at the university in 2006. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus of educational leadership from Case Western Reserve University.

     

    She was the FNU program director of family nursing from 2010 to 2015. Not only did she complete her own Certificate in Midwifery and MSN at FNU, she also earned post-master’s certificates with specialties as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner at FNU.

     

    Dr. Arthur has presented on positive communication and precepting students at state and national conferences, been involved in research, and even provided volunteer relief in Haiti in 2010 and 2011 in a mobile clinic and field hospital. In addition to teaching, she continues to work clinically in a rural area.

     

    Dr. Arthur is a member of The American College of Nurse-Midwives, The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, The American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners.

     

    She has been featured as one of the Influential Kentucky Nurse Practitioner Professors Who Teach online by nursepractitionerschools.com. Go here to see the article.

     

    Congratulations, Dr. Arthur! Our team at Frontier is proud to have you!

  • FNU’s Focus on Rural Care Featured in Diverse Magazine

    Frontier Nursing University was recently featured in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a publication offering news, information and insightful commentary on issues concerning diversity in American higher education. The article, “Frontier Goes the Distance in Serving the Underserved,” shares the story of FNU Founder Mary Breckinridge and her path to becoming a champion for improving health care for Americans living in rural and underserved areas.

     

    The article discusses the challenges that rural areas of the country still face, such as “health disparities exacerbated by social conditions, like poverty or a lack of access to care.” The article cites a 2008 Harvard School of Public Health study on life expectancy rates that shows troubling trends in rural areas, particularly the Deep South and parts of Appalachia. According to Diverse, “…the 2008 Harvard study showed a divergence in outcomes between wealthy and less wealthy counties. In some counties, life expectancy has actually declined, the study found, attributing the causes to diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.”

     

    After losing both of her young children, Breckinridge dedicated her life to improving health conditions for women and families living in remote areas without easy access to hospitals and healthcare providers. Today, FNU is committed to reaching and offering graduate-level education to nurses living in rural and underserved areas with an online distance education model.

     

    FNU graduate and part-time faculty member Erin Tenney shares in the article how important distance education was to her finishing her education. She also speaks to the importance of FNU’s community-based approach to health care.    

     

    Tenney shared with Diverse, “I think that’s really where the care piece happens: in the community and in the home. Rural communities are very different than urban communities, and each has very important historical, cultural, family based-beliefs and practices that are absolutely essential to health.”

     

    Read the full article in Diverse: Issues in Higher Education here.

     

    The mission of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education is to provide their audience with information that is honest, thorough and balanced. Diverse seeks to be a catalyst for change. The publication’s ultimate objective is to contribute to the building of educational, cultural, social and economic structures that will allow every individual to achieve his or her full human potential and contribute to the greater good of the community and the nation.

  • Preceptor Spotlight: Elizabeth (Beth) Bramlett, CNM

    At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.

     

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) preceptor, Ms. Beth Bramlett, CNM, from Tampa, FL is known for being “universally loved and respected by her students,” according to RCF Meghan Garland.  Beth takes in FNU students regularly as she provides full-scope midwifery care for the patients of the Tampa Family Health Care System.

     

    She excels at teaching hand skills, like identifying fetal landmarks during labor. Her students report that her enthusiasm and love for midwifery is inspiring.

     

    “It’s not unlikely for Ms. Bramlett to see dozens of patients daily but she takes the time to make every woman feel special. Her students feel that way too,” said Garland.

     

    One such student that feels that way is alumnus, Melanie Combs, CNEP class 101/September 2014 graduate.

     

    Melanie describes Beth as “an amazing asset to my learning, and to my life. Beth never loses her amazing energy and personality.  Even when I felt like I’d never get it, Beth was right there encouraging and helping me to understand.  I feel so blessed to have called her my preceptor, a colleague and most importantly, a friend. There were a few weeks that we saw each other more than our husbands, so having found such a great friend in her was such a blessing!”

     

    Melanie recently joined the practice of Women’s Health Care herself, and since she completed her clinicals there, she says, “it was like coming home!”  

     

    CNEP class 119/January 2016 graduate Kristin Nobles who just recently completed clinicals with Beth, also praises her former preceptor.  Kristin says, “The compassion, knowledge, and evidence based care she provides grounded my faith in this profession and reminded me that midwifery-led care does positively change the culture of healthcare.”

     

    Thanks for making such a great impact on FNU students, Beth! We are lucky to have you.

  • Courier Spotlight: Kevin McCarthy

    At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.

     

    In 1928, Mary Breckinridge, founder of Frontier Nursing University, established the Courier Program, recruiting young people to come work in the Kentucky Mountains and learn about service to humanity. Couriers escorted guests safely through remote terrain, delivered medical supplies to remote outpost clinics, and helped nurse-midwives during home visits and births. Frontier has benefited tremendously from the tireless work of the over 1,500 Couriers who have served. This tradition and legacy continues to this day.

     

    While in school at Wabash College in Indiana, Kevin McCarthy was looking for an opportunity to do something related to public health in a rural setting. Through Wabash’s career website, he stumbled upon a short piece about Frontier Nursing Service’s Courier Program. He applied, was accepted, and made his way to Wendover, Kentucky, to spend the summer of 2010 there.

     

    During his time in the program, Kevin was able to do extensive shadowing of health care practitioners at area clinics, Mary Breckinridge Hospital, and via home health rounds. In keeping with the historic vein of the Courier Program, he also transported people from the big city airport to Hyden. And although many of those activities were common for Couriers at that time, Kevin had quite an eclectic experience overall. He worked with prisoners from the local jail moving furniture, boxes, and other items for a local organization. He spent a week participating in day camps for kids at the Leslie County Agricultural Extension Office. Kevin also did data organization and analysis as well as solicitation of feminine hygiene products for a local non-profit organization; it should be told that the last part he did very successfully!

     

    When asked by his former Courier co-coordinator about some of his most memorable times in the program he said, “Well, there was that time I was attacked by dogs and got my pants ripped. Oh and remember when we killed that rattlesnake?” Yes, we remember both of those events! Kevin also commented fondly on spending time with some of the staff at Wendover outside of work hours, particularly going fishing with one of the security guards.

     

    Kevin’s time in the Courier Program helped to reinforce his idea that he wanted to work in health care in a rural setting. It gave him a better perspective on what health care practitioners actually did and showed him how much nurses of all types could do. It hindsight, the summer of 2010 probably helped to move his life’s path away from medical school and towards nursing school. 

     

    Kevin is currently enrolled in an accelerated nursing program in Indiana and is happy to see the footnotes in his textbooks referencing Mary Breckinridge and the Frontier Nursing Service. He stays in touch with many of the people he met while he was a Courier and is happy to see the strength of the current program. Kevin truly enjoyed his experience in Kentucky. In staying connected with the Courier Program, he hopes that it can continue to provide as wonderful opportunities to others as it did him. 

  • Frontier Nursing University Ranks in Top 30 Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) came in at No. 28 in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report ranking of the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs. U.S. News evaluated nearly 140 graduate online nursing programs using several factors, including peer reputation, student engagement, faculty credentials, student support services and admissions selectivity. This is the second year in a row that FNU has been ranked in the top 30 online graduate nursing programs.

     

    FNU’s graduate-level distance education programs prepare registered nurses to be advanced practice nurses and nurse-midwives who provide primary care to women and families with an emphasis on rural and underserved populations. U.S. News ranked both the nurse-midwifery and family nurse practitioner specialty programs among the Top 25 in their respective categories.

     

    “Frontier Nursing University is honored to be recognized as one of the top online graduate nursing programs in the nation,” said President Dr. Susan Stone. “With excellent distance learning programs, we can reach more nurses and improve healthcare outcomes for rural and underserved populations.”

     

    Degree options at FNU include a master of science in nursing (MSN) and a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), both of which U.S. News also ranked among the top nursing programs. U.S. News & World Report has ranked FNU among the Top 50 Graduate Schools of Nursing since 2011.

     

    FNU is Growing and Improving Access to Health Care

     

    Frontier Nursing University’s enrollment over the last decade has grown from 200 to more than 1,600 students. FNU currently admits approximately 800 new students each year and in 2015 graduated 565 nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners.

     

    FNU’s more than 100 faculty members are certified as nurse practitioners and/or nurse-midwives and are expert online educators. Students have a strong support system to help ensure success throughout their chosen program, including a dedicated advisor and an IT team.

     

    FNU, the birthplace of nurse-midwifery and family nursing in America, offers a well-established curriculum and competitive tuition. The programs are built on a rich history, tradition and a shared mission of serving women and families.

     

  • FNU Diversity Impact Student Conference, June 3-5

    Join Us for an Impactful, Sight-Seeing, Cultural Excursion!

     

    Learn more about diversity in nursing and midwifery while taking in the sights of nature’s mountains and quiet rivers in Hyden, Ky. Diversity Impact 2016 Weekend Student Conference is hosted by Frontier Nursing University’s Diversity PRIDE Program, and is open to students and alumni who want to become part of FNU’s legacy of providing culturally competent care to rural and underserved communities. 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.

     

    FNU Diversity Impact 2016 opens the door for nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students and alumni to become global thinkers and leaders within their communities. Come and join us for this cultural excursion!  

    REGISTRATION OPEN: Seating reservations, campus room and board will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis until the conference has reached maximum capacity….Hurry, seats are going Fast!

     

    CICK HERE TO REGISTER For Diversity Impact 2016!

  • “Call the Midwife” is Back and FNU is Hosting Screenings of Season 5 in Select Cities

    Frontier Nursing University invites you to join us for a fun and free event – a reception and screening of an episode from the upcoming season 5 of the hit PBS show “Call the Midwife.” The reception will begin at 6 p.m. Enjoy complimentary heavy hors d’oeuvres and beverages leading up to showtime at 7 p.m. You don’t want to miss being one of the first to preview the new season of “Call the Midwife!” Feel free to bring guests.

     

    Who

    Fans of “Call the Midwife”, Anyone who would like to learn more about nurse-midwifery care or Frontier Nursing University

     

    Screening Event Locations

    Hollywood, FL on March 29

    Orlando, FL on March 30

    Tampa, FL on March 31

    Lexington, KY on April 6

     

    RSVP

    Kentucky RSVP link: frontier.edu/CTM

    Florida RSVP link: frontier.edu/RSVP

     

    Details

    Hollywood, FL

    When: Tuesday, March 29, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

    Where: Cinema Paradiso, 2008 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, FL 33020

     

    Orlando, FL

    When: Wednesday, March 30, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

    Where: Celebration Golf Club – Jones Room, 701 Golfpark Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34747

     

    Tampa, FL

    When: Thursday, March 31, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

    Where: WEDU PBS, 1300 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607-5699

     

    Lexington, KY

    When: Wednesday, April 6, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

    Where: Kentucky Educational Television (KET), 600 Cooper Drive, Lexington, KY 40502

     

    To learn more about Frontier Nursing University, visit frontier.edu.

     

     

  • Faculty Spotlight: Anne Cockerham, PhD, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE

    At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.

     

    Dr. Anne Cockerham is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Frontier Nursing University (FNU) Professor of History. She has served on the faculty at FNU since May 2009 and as Associate Dean since January 2014.
     

    FNU is proud tthat Dr. Cockerham was named as the 2016 Randolph Award Recipient last week at the Agnes Dillon Randolph International Nursing History Conference in Charlottesville, Virginia. The conference is in recognition of the diversity and quality of nursing history scholarship around the world.

     

    Dr. Cockerham is the author of two award-winning books that celebrate the history of the Frontier Nursing Service: Rooted in the mountains, reaching to the world: Stories of nursing and midwifery at Kentucky’s Frontier School, 1939-1989, published in 2012, and Unbridled service: Growing up and giving back as a Frontier Nursing Service Courier, 1928-2010, published in 2014. Additionally, she is the author of a number of journal articles and book chapters on historical and clinical gynecologic topics.

     

    She is certified as both a nurse-midwife and a women’s health nurse practitioner. Her clinical midwifery experience includes full-scope care in a private, midwifery-owned practice and a military setting; outpatient-only care in a number of collaborative practices; and care of underserved women in a community free clinic. Dr. Cockerham’s primary teaching focus is gynecologic care. She is the recipient of several Students’ Choice teaching awards and she earned the Certified Nurse Educator credential from the National League for Nursing in 2014.

     

    Dr. Cockerham earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia in 1990, a Master of Science in Nursing from Case Western Reserve University in 2001, a certificate in nurse-midwifery from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2001, a certificate as a women’s health nurse practitioner from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 2003, and PhD in Nursing from the University of Virginia in 2008.

     

    She lives in Virginia with her husband, Gray, and they are parents of two adult sons and a houseful of dogs and cats.

     

    Read more about Dr. Cockerham here.

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