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Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Sylvia Trent-Adams to Speak at FNU’s Virtual Commencement Ceremony

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Rear Admiral (RADM) Sylvia Trent-Adams, PhD, RN, FAAN, will be the keynote speaker at Frontier Nursing University’s (FNU) virtual commencement ceremony on Saturday, September 26.

RADM Trent-Adams served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health from January 2019 until August 2020. In this position she shared responsibility with the Assistant Secretary for Health for planning, coordinating, and directing substantive program matters; policy and program development; and determining and setting legislative and program priorities covering the full range of public health activities within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health.

She served as the Acting Surgeon General from April 2017 through September 2017, Deputy Surgeon General from October 2015 through December 2018, and as Chief Nurse Officer of the USPHS from 2013 through 2016.

RADM Trent-Adams has held various positions in the United States Department of Health & Human Services, working to improve access to care for poor and underserved communities. As a clinician and administrator, she has had a direct impact on building systems of care to improve public health for marginalized populations domestically and internationally.

Prior to joining the USPHS, RADM Trent-Adams was a nurse officer in the U.S. Army. RADM Trent-Adams received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hampton University, a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Policy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She became a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2014. She recently was elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine’s Class of 2018.

“It is an incredible honor to be able to announce Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams as our keynote speaker at this year’s virtual commencement ceremony,” FNU President Dr. Susan Stone said, noting that RADM Trent-Adams previously served as a guest presenter at FNU’s 2018 National Nurse Practitioner Week Virtual Event. “Her distinguished career in public health and her extensive knowledge about healthcare gaps within marginalized populations mesh with the mission of Frontier Nursing University. Her message will be powerful and impactful for our graduates.”

FNU’s commencement ceremony honors the nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who have completed the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, Master in Science of Nursing degree, or Post-Graduate Certificate. This year, for the first time, commencement will be conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2020.

August 10, 2020
Dr. Maria Small Joins Frontier Nursing University Board of Directors

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is excited to announce that Dr. Maria J. Small, MD, MPH, was unanimously approved as the newest member of FNU’s Board of Directors during the Board’s meeting on July 22. Dr. Small is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist within the field of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University Medical Center.

“I am honored to join the Frontier Nursing University Board of Directors,” Dr. Small said. “I have long been impressed by FNU’s history of educating nurses and midwives. FNU’s work is more important than ever. I look forward to collaborating with the other members of the Board of Directors and FNU leadership to build upon FNU’s nationwide impact.”

Born in Durham, N.C., Dr. Small earned her bachelor’s degree from Brown University, then completed medical school at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine. She completed an internal medicine residency at Yale University’s New Haven Medical Center and an OB-GYN residency at Temple University Hospital. She went on to perform a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at Yale University and has a master’s degree in public health from Yale.

Dr. Small, who joined Duke University Medical School in 2007, is currently an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Prior to returning to Durham, Dr. Small served in a variety of instructional positions, including assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale University’s School of Medicine and adjunct faculty and associate head of the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rwanda.

In addition to her professorial endeavors, Dr. Small also sees patients at Duke Birthing Center in Durham, N.C. She is board certified by both the American Board of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Maternal & Fetal Medicine, and the American Board of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. Small, who speaks Portuguese and Spanish in addition to English, has a special interest in high-risk maternal medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and preeclampsia.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Dr. Small to our Board of Directors,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. “Her extensive knowledge and experience in both education and maternal health is an ideal combination and she promises to have a significant impact on the future of FNU. We are honored that Dr. Small accepted our invitation to join the Board of Directors and are excited to begin working with her.”

As part of Frontier Nursing University’s Board of Directors, Dr. Small will help guide the university’s direction and decision making during a critical period as the university prepares to transition to its new campus in Versailles, Kentucky. All on-campus student activities are postponed until at least January 1, 2021, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The university, which has just begun work on its recently approved 2020-22 strategic plan, continues to place priority focus on both new and ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Those initiatives focus on creating an equitable, welcoming environment that will enable the university to continue to become more diverse in all areas, including students, faculty, staff, and the Board of Directors.

August 7, 2020
COVID-19 Front Lines: Sunoz “Sunny” Soroosh Answers the Call at Makeshift Hospital in New York City

The Frontier community is proud to have students and alumni serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to sharing their stories in order to provide insight, hope, and encouragement. Thank you to all the health care workers who are risking their own well-being daily to serve our nation. Click here to read more stories of courage and dedication.

The past several months have been rife with troubling news as we have seen a global pandemic change our daily lives. Meanwhile, our modern-day heroes of the healthcare system like Frontier Nursing University (FNU) student Sunoz “Sunny” Soroosh have continued to adapt and serve without hesitation.

Soroosh is a student of FNU’s Nurse-Midwifery (CNEP) program. She had expected to graduate in the Fall of 2020, after also completing her Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Certificate. Soroosh was only 14 births away from graduating in mid-March when the pandemic brought her student clinicals to a screeching halt. After finding out clinicals would be postponed, she switched her part-time RN job at Planned Parenthood to full-time but was laid off two weeks later, like many others forced out of work in the wake of the pandemic. While disappointed, it didn’t stop her from looking for an opportunity to serve. Soroosh has been a resident of New York City for 10 years, so she naturally felt called to help those in her community.

“I never expected to find myself jobless and in the middle of one of the worst-hit areas by a pandemic, but I quickly adapted and found a way to help,” she said. “I was afraid at the beginning, but I tried to be brave and think of those who came before me — my mentors and role models at Frontier.”

Soroosh took a position at the Javits Center Medical Station in April, working alongside the U.S. Military. Javits Center, which is a large convention center known for hosting the New York City ComicCon and other events, was converted into a makeshift hospital for about a month when the surge hit.

At the epicenter of the pandemic, Soroosh worked alongside other nurses providing direct bedside care and helping patients wean off of oxygen so they could return home. Meanwhile, like many healthcare workers, she had to make personal sacrifices and isolated herself for the sake of her loved ones.

“I lived alone in a hotel to prevent my loved ones from getting sick and used a rental car to avoid public transportation and risking exposure to others,” she said.

While working in close proximity to the virus, Soroosh witnessed the inadequacies of the U.S. healthcare system, especially the lack of resources and qualified staff available in minority communities.

“We were not prepared for this pandemic,” she said. “I found this to be especially true in public hospitals in poor inner-city neighborhoods. Many deaths were preventable.”

Despite the frustrations, she says she also witnessed positive changes for maternity and family care. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo eased out-of-hospital birthing restrictions to give women more options during the pandemic. This led to the creation of Jazz Birth Center, a midwife-led birthing center for low-risk pregnancies, where Soroosh works as a birth assistant. Soroosh has seen its positive impact on the women of NYC throughout her time working there.

In addition to her work at Jazz Birth Center, Soroosh is also working as an RN at a public COVID-19 testing site run by the city, as well as finishing her clinical hours at North Central Bronx Hospital.

Thank you, Sunny, for being brave and answering the call in New York City. Your Frontier community is very proud of you.

August 4, 2020
Getting to Know the New President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Dr. Catherine Collins-Fulea

Last month, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) proudly announced that Dr. Catherine Collins-Fulea, DNP, CNM, FACNM, Assistant Professor at FNU, had been inducted as the new president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). She succeeds FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, as ACNM’s president. ACNM is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States.

Dr. Collins-Fulea has been an active member of ACNM for all of her career. During her time with ACNM, she has chaired multiple committees, developed and implemented the organization’s benchmark system, and served two terms as vice president. Additionally, in 2003, the ACNM Foundation presented her with the prestigious Dorthea Lang Pioneer Award in recognition of her vital contributions to the group.

In 2018, Dr. Collins-Fulea obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice from FNU and joined FNU as an assistant professor in January 2019.

This week we had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Collins-Fulea to learn a little more about her journey to her position as ACNM President, her passion for nurse-midwifery, and what goals she has for the future of ACNM and the midwifery community as a whole.

Where did your passion for nurse-midwifery begin?

I grew up in Canada but ended up attending nursing school in Oxford, England after hearing about the program through one of my father’s friends. Truthfully, getting involved with nurse-midwifery was a complete accident; I needed another elective in order to practice in Canada or America and I chose nurse-midwifery with no idea of the impact it would have on the rest of my life.

In England, I had been socialized to believe that everyone is delivered by a nurse-midwife. There were no power struggles with the doctors…that’s just how it was done. When I got my first nursing job in Detroit, I saw an American culture where giving women a spinal or telling them to cross their legs to postpone birth while waiting for a private doctor to conduct the delivery was common. I hated that model, and I only lasted six months before realizing that what I really wanted to do was practice and promote nurse-midwifery in the United States.

So although I wasn’t called to nurse-midwifery in the same way that many of my colleagues were, I am extremely passionate about the practice. I had been educated in a culture that collectively agreed upon the value of nurse-midwifery and when I came here and saw the hurdles American nurse-midwives were facing, I knew I needed to make a difference.

What has been your career path so far and how has it led you to your current role as faculty at FNU?

After I completed the mandatory refresher course in nurse-midwifery that was a prerequisite to sitting for the American boards, I became the fourth practicing nurse-midwife in the state of Michigan in 1981. I then opened an in-hospital birth center at Grace Hospital in Detroit. I was able to grow that practice to three nurse-midwives, but the hospital wasn’t willing to commit to any further expansion so I began to look elsewhere.

In 1991, I teamed up with the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) to open a practice with six other nurse-midwives. The HFHS stood firmly with us through some initial opposition as we worked to create a cohesive culture between doctors and nurse-midwives. During my 27 years with the HFHS, it grew from seven to 22 midwives who served a network of two hospitals and eight different outpatient clinics. As we extended the reach of midwives in the area, we also worked to educate the healthcare community on the importance of our work. We taught nurse-midwifery students as well as OB-GYN residents, and we quickly saw the benefits of training side-by-side. The OB-GYN students learned to respect nurse-midwifery, became educated on our model of care, and almost all of them would go on to work with or hire nurse-midwives in the future.

December 27, 2018, I delivered my last baby before joining FNU. I had first heard about FNU in 1991 when I became a preceptor for someone from the school’s first nurse-midwifery distance education class. I have since worked with many FNU students and graduates and was confident that FNU would be a great fit for me. I graduated from FNU in December of 2018 and joined the faculty of FNU’s doctorate program in January of 2019. The flexible hours of teaching work perfectly with my new role as ACNM president. I love mentoring the DNP students through their quality improvement initiatives and I am so grateful that I am able to both teach and lead ACNM.

What are you most excited about with your new role as ACNM president?

I am most excited about working toward being an inclusive organization and continuing to work toward an environment of belonging where everyone is welcome and feels a responsibility to the greater midwifery community. We have a lot of great minds conducting research on maternal mortality and morbidity, the ability to practice, barriers to practice and so much more. I believe the next step is uniting every midwife in the United States to feel that vital sense of belonging and acceptance, so that is where I would really like to focus.

Now more than ever, we need to focus our efforts on listening to midwives who have experienced racism within midwifery education, within their personal lives, and even within ACNM. I am committed to turning any exclusive agenda around and making sure that everyone feels that they have a place in our community. It won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight, but one way or another, my biggest goal is to set us on the path forward to equality within our organization and the greater nurse-midwifery community.

What are the biggest challenges that you will face in your new role as ACNM president?

I think the biggest hurdle is going to be convincing each individual nurse-midwife how important it is that everyone feels valued and accepted. No matter how big our goals are, if we don’t have that basic foundation, we simply won’t be as effective as we could be. When we all work together with a sense of belonging and purpose, more people are going to want to get involved and be willing to donate precious time and energy towards our goals.

This goes hand in hand with the second obstacle of convincing those who aren’t members of ACMN to join us. The more members we have, the stronger our voice can be. In the 70s and 80s, ACNM had a lot more people willing to get involved because if we didn’t stand up and volunteer for the nurse-midwifery community, we weren’t going to be able to practice. I think we have grown more comfortable in recent years. There are not as many barriers to practice now, but it is always important to the future of nurse-midwifery that we organize together. We need people to volunteer; if they don’t have the time to volunteer, we also appreciate financial support. When we are able to work together using the expertise that everyone brings to the table, we will truly thrive.

What is a fun fact about you?

I have a motorcycle license. My husband bought a Harley Davidson and I decided if he could do it, I could do it. I took lessons and I bought myself a little Suzuki.

Thank you for answering the call to service, Dr. Collins-Fulea! The Frontier community is excited to be under your leadership and see how you will continue to positively impact the world of nurse-midwifery in this new role. Interested in learning more about Dr. Collins-Fulea? Go here to read about her induction.

What is a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)?

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are educated in two disciplines: midwifery and nursing. They earn graduate degrees, complete a midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), and pass a national certification examination administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) to receive the professional designation of CNM. Certified Midwives (CMs) are educated in the discipline of midwifery. They earn graduate degrees, meet health and science education requirements, complete a midwifery education program accredited by ACME, and pass the same national certification examination as CNMs to receive the professional designation of CM.

July 30, 2020
Spring Term Circle of Caring Winners

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is pleased to announce the 2020 Spring Term Circle of Caring Award Winners: staff member Bridgett Lyall and faculty member Joanne Keefe.

The Circle of Caring Award is given each term as a recognition for faculty and staff who go above and beyond their job duties and strive to uphold FNU’s mission and Culture of Caring every day.

Award winners are anonymously nominated by fellow FNU faculty and staff. Nominations are voted upon by a committee based on the following Culture of Caring characteristics: professionalism, mutual support, respect, positive communication and inclusivity.

Staff Winner: Bridgett Lyall

Lyall has spent over six years with FNU, first as a clinical credentialing coordinator, then as the academic records officer, her current position. Lyall loves helping students throughout their time at FNU and as they graduate and move on with their professional careers.

With the outbreak of COVID-19, everyone has had a little bit more on their plates and once again Lyall was there to figure out details and relieve stress for her co-workers, as was described in her recent Circle of Caring nomination:

“In the middle of a pandemic, we’ve all seen kind gestures and thoughtfulness, but Bridgett made a campus-wide announcement that she had made face masks for all. This was within hours of the Kentucky governor announcing that wearing masks would be mandatory. Many masks are for sale in other areas – not in our community. Bridgett freely gave of her time and talent and made a box of masks available for us seemingly without effort! We know, though – it’s a gift from the heart! Thoughtful, purposeful, and oh so timely! Thanks, Bridgett!”

Here is what another co-worker had to say about Lyall’s kindness and strong work ethic:

“I work closely with Bridgett to complete multiple forms and letters needed by students. Bridgett is tireless in her commitment to excellent work and service to the students. Her communication is always thoughtful and professional. Bridgett is a joy to work with and an asset at FNU.”

Faculty Winner: Joanne Keefe, DNP, MPH, FNP-C, CNE

Joanne Keefe is the course coordinator for epidemiology/biostatistics at FNU. Teaching has always come naturally for Dr. Keefe as she has the knowledge and the drive to portray information in a comprehensive way, paired with the compassion and love for the community that keeps students engaged. This year COVID-19 began to surge not long before the spring semester began, putting a lot of new stressors on faculty and students. In response, Dr. Keefe rose to the occasion by opening up new outlets of communication and encouragement for everyone in her circle. Here are some of the things fellow faculty members had to say about Dr. Keefe’s thoughtful efforts during these difficult times:

“Dr. Keefe is an amazing faculty member, a wonderful educator, and an outstanding course coordinator. Most notable is the respect and kindness she consistently demonstrates to the students. She is always patient and answers questions and concerns kindly. Of particular importance this term, Dr. Keefe made special arrangements to create a calm and safe environment for students to facilitate the students’ well being. As this term began in the midst of the COVID pandemic, she made sure to address self-care and self-calming strategies each week in the live class. She also started a Discussion Board where students could write about what was happening and what they were doing to stay safe and mentally secure. In a time where learning could be so disrupted, students have said that they felt calm and cared for and safe. Dr. Keefe is truly a model of caring and epitomizes the FNU Culture of Caring.”

“Dr. Joanne Keefe is the leader of an amazing PC702 teaching team. Under Dr. Keefe’s leadership, the PC702 team did some really amazing things this term to support students and help them to master the course content. Dr. Joanne held open sessions twice a week. She opened a BBB classroom where students could drop in and talk about absolutely anything — the course content, work, the pandemic, the increasing awareness of racism, disparity, and inequity and the accompanying social events. Each week all the faculty attended the BBB classroom and at the start of each class we addressed pandemic-related events, and the social movement related to racism and then asked the students how they were coping. Dr. Keefe also opened a Discussion Board on ‘Self calming and Self-care’ where people posted really helpful things – poems, prayers, songs, yoga sites, meditation practices, and more. It was absolutely lovely and helpful and kind. Finally, Dr. Keefe held weekly meetings with the entire teaching team where we openly talked about students and ourselves. We saw many of the things that students were experiencing and discussed how we were experiencing them too. We supported each other and helped each person get through their work and forgave each other when we were not perfect. Under Dr. Keefe’s leadership, we were enabled to do so much during this difficult term.”

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

July 27, 2020
COVID-19 Front Lines: Greta Gill CNM Embraces Positive Changes to Patient Care

The Frontier community is proud to have students and alumni serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are committed to sharing their stories in order to provide insight, hope, and encouragement. Thank you to all the health care workers who are risking their own well-being daily to serve our nation. Click here to read more stories of courage and dedication.

There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed life as we know it, but for many Frontier Nursing University (FNU) graduates and faculty, their call to serve has remained the same. This especially rings true for Greta Cohn Gill MSN, CNEP Class 25.

Gill is a nurse-midwife and service director at El Rio Health, the largest and oldest midwifery service in Southern Arizona. She has had the privilege of caring for a wide range of patients – from Air force pilots, engineers, and professors to refugees, unaccompanied minors, people suffering from substance use disorder, and homelessness. Her midwifery team places a high priority on education, honoring patient preferences and role modeling health to influence long term outcomes for families.

Baseline community health needs have remained constant during the pandemic. Responding to the crisis and meeting baseline needs has required flexibility and creativity in the delivery of services.

“We were part of a relatively well-coordinated public health response initially,” said Gill. “Unfortunately, location mitigation orders were lifted without safeguards in place. Now we are experiencing a surge and remain in the first wave of the pandemic.”

As this first wave continues, Gill’s diligence has as well. Her clinical team, consisting of seven FNU alumni, two FNU faculty, and three FNU students, was able to leverage existing innovations and rapidly adapt.

“We have nurse-midwives on our team with health vulnerabilities. We needed to deploy our resources in a conservative and thoughtful manner. We have altered our on-call staffing to meet the needs of our mothers while lowering unnecessary exposure for the workforce. Our Centering program continues on Zoom. All of our nurse-midwives are able to meet with a client virtually. We were already offering early discharge in our alongside midwifery unit and we are pleased that more families are choosing this. And of course, there is an endless effort towards COVID testing and supporting those who are sick.”

She would never wish for a pandemic, but she is choosing to look at the bright side of how it’s transformed care.

The pandemic has required our team to examine institutionalized patterns, habits, and workflows. We laser-focused on the truly necessary components of maternity care. The pandemic has been a challenge but also an opportunity to remodel maternity care. We have become more honest about what mothers really need to have good outcomes.”, she said.

In 2020, El Rio Health celebrates its 50th birthday. The health center’s mission to care for the vulnerable in Tucson has never been more urgent. Currently, 25% of the clients at the health center test positive for the virus. In response, Gill and her team have rapidly adjusted to the changes in clinical practice.

“Nurse midwives are calm under pressure. I would bet our resilience is higher than in other professions. We find joy in being with families and this brings balance the constant clinical pressures that came with COVID 19,” Gill said.

Adaptations have made their way into the lives and rituals of the midwives. They even threw a drive-by baby shower to celebrate a CNM colleague who recently gave birth in their CABC accredited Alongside Midwifery Unit.

The crisis has also brought hope to the El Rio Midwives. They plan to leverage the great changes that happened as a result of COVID-19 and transform maternity care delivery.

“Generally innovative change is slow and incremental. COVID 19 has proven that we can and must do better without delay,” Gill said.

Beyond changes to maternity care delivery, Gill is also an advocate for growing the midwifery workforce locally. She has a vision of mentoring young people of color through nursing and midwifery education so that the midwifery workforce better reflects the community at large.

Thank you, Greta, for serving and being an advocate for your community of Tucson, Ariz. Most importantly, thank you for answering the call amidst this global pandemic.

July 23, 2020
Graduate Nursing School: What Degrees Does FNU Offer?

At Frontier Nursing University (FNU), it is our goal to inspire prospective nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners in need of a flexible schedule to complete their educational goals. Our specialty lies in giving our students the opportunity to work in their home and local community through web-based, distance learning. We offer a variety of programs to help you further your career to the highest level, including a Master of Science in Nursing program, a Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and Post-Graduate Certificates. As you search for a school to continue your education, be assured that our programs meet you where you are, and provide quality support throughout your healthcare education journey.

With FNU’s Master of Science Nursing (MSN) program, students have the option of becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner, or Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The programs usually begin with an on-campus experience called Frontier Bound; these sessions are currently being held virtually due to the COVID-crisis. However, we have been pleased to find our students report that they are staying connected and inspired through these virtual events and online coursework. Coursework consists of approximately 30 hours per week for part-time students, and about 40 hours per week for full-time students. Students complete the majority of the didactic courses over one to one and one-years and then become eligible for the second on-site session, Clinical Bound. Clinical Bound is a clinical skills intensive that will prepare you for the clinical practicum. Clinical Bound sessions are currently being held virtually due to the COVID-crisis.

After Clinical Bound, students begin their clinical practicum. During this time, they provide nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery services in their home community for four to 10 months under the guidance of a master clinician preceptor. FNU students benefit greatly from having these advanced practice nurses as role models during the clinical experience. Required clinicals assist students in developing necessary skills for future success.

Once students complete all coursework, at least 675 hours of clinical work, and the final comprehensive preparatory course, they officially have an MSN in their chosen field. Additionally, for students who complete their MSN at FNU, we provide the option to expand their studies and earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) through successful completion of 21 additional doctoral-level credits and 500 additional clinical hours.

Recent Frontier grads have a head start, but the DNP program was not designed with only Frontier grads in mind. We provide a fully comprehensive community-based online program to pursue a Post-Master’s DNP. Earning your DNP at FNU will begin with attending DNP Bound. You can opt to complete our DNP program in either 15 or 18 months. This program consists of 30 credit hours in which you will lead a rapid cycle quality improvement initiative. These are small scope initiatives aimed to meet a need within your clinical site while acting as a service-learning opportunity. The initiative provides you with a chance to look at a community-level problem and make a change.

We are dedicated to making our DNP program one of the best of its kind. Following the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s DNP Essentials foundational competencies, and drawing on the diverse experience of our faculty, we feel that we have developed an all-inclusive program that will leave you confident and competent as a clinical practice leader.

FNU also offers several different Post-Graduate Certificates, meant for students who have completed their MSN and are already a Certified Nurse-Midwife or a Nurse Practitioner, but would like to add a specialization as a Nurse-Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, or a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. These programs will leave you prepared to pass your national certification exam in your chosen field and, similar to our MSN programs, completing these certifications will give you the opportunity to continue into the post-masters DNP.

FNU is committed to providing in-demand programs in an obtainable way so that you can expand the care available in your community with knowledge and confidence. If you have any questions or would like more information about any of our degrees or certifications, please visit our admissions page – we would love to talk to you!

More Topics Related to Graduate Nursing School:

Why Should I Become a Nurse-Midwife?

Should I Consider a DNP?

July 16, 2020
Graduate Nursing School: What is Frontier Nursing University’s Culture of Caring?

At Frontier Nursing University (FNU) we do our very best to provide a Culture of Caring, a way for every member of our community, from prospective students to preceptors, to know that they are valued and supported. We have found that our Culture of Caring can best be described by considering five basic principles: Professionalism, Inclusivity, Respect, Positive Communication, and Mutual Support. We believe that when we intentionally act under these principles, our university will develop dedicated healthcare professionals and compassionate providers.

Professionalism

At FNU, we believe professionalism should be foundational for everyone working, or studying to work, in the healthcare field. FNU was built on a foundation of service to women with inadequate healthcare resources and with a commitment to demonstrating consistency and excellence daily. This legacy of professionalism lives on at FNU today.

On top of providing extraordinary care, we encourage students to speak with transparency and a sense of responsibility in order to establish trust and respect from patients and peers. A true professional should be able to explain diagnoses and the next steps in a knowledgeable way and support their findings with scientific evidence. At FNU we expect our students and faculty to act professionally with the understanding that we make the greatest impact on the larger healthcare system when we provide consistent and authentic care.

Inclusivity

Reaching underserved populations has always been one of FNU’s foundational commitments. Our curricula has a built-in emphasis on providing quality care to every patient without barriers, judgments, or exceptions. We believe all people are created equal, and we approach our peers, students, and faculty of all races, genders, religions, and cultures with sensitivity and humility. We teach students to approach their patients with empathy, always considering the perspective and background of the patient. We understand many patients may have had negative past healthcare experiences, and teach our students to acknowledge and respect each individual’s past experiences and current expectations.

Respect

Every individual deserves to feel valued and respected. As nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives, we earn the respect of our patients by first showing them respect. It is our responsibility to let each individual know how important they are. We can show respect in simple and effective ways: being friendly, showing genuine interest in their families and personal lives, and remembering small details that let them know they are seen as valued individuals.

Positive Communication

Positive communication is vital to our interactions as faculty, students, and healthcare providers. Our faculty are known for their commitment to communicate often with students through phone calls, emails, and online chats, and for giving them the support they need- no matter where they are.

Via our curriculum and faculty, we emphasize the value of positive communication between nurse practitioners/nurse-midwives and their patients. Communicating with optimism, offering helpful suggestions, and taking time to listen to patients helps to open the door for a beneficial long-term provider-patient relationship.

In 2019, FNU implemented the TeamSTEPPS framework in its curriculum to broaden and enhance healthcare team communication and teamwork skills. We believe teaching these skills will have a significant positive impact on healthcare systems throughout the U.S. Ultimately, the goal of implementing interpersonal skills training in the health care setting is to empower all team members and improve patient outcomes.

Mutual Support

At FNU, we find that one of the best ways to grow as individuals, healthcare providers, and a community is through providing mutual support to one another. True mutual support can be found when we treat each other with kindness and patience as we learn together. Mutual support is found in awareness of each other’s strengths and weaknesses and by providing helping hands and thoughts whenever we can. We also support each other by showing compassion and concern as we face our personal life challenges and support our patients through theirs; we rejoice with successes and remain steadfast through mistakes and misfortune. These are principles we instill in our students as they support their patients’ needs, both physical and emotional. Mutual support persists after graduation, as FNU alumni have access to valuable resources and connect both professionally and personally through our extensive alumni network.

Our Culture of Caring is evident in everything we do at FNU. Operating with professionalism, inclusivity, respect, positive communication and mutual support aligns us with our mission of preparing competent, entrepreneurial, ethical, and compassionate healthcare providers and leaders who serve all individuals with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural, and underserved populations.

If you are interested in experiencing our culture of caring for yourself, please visit our admissions page, and be sure to check out our Culture of Caring page for more information on how these values have led us to educational and healthcare success.

More Topics Related to Graduate Nursing School:

Why Should I Become a Nurse-Midwife?

Should I Consider a DNP?

What Should I Expect from FNU Faculty?

July 9, 2020

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