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  • Frontier Nursing University Receives 2018 Health Professions HEED Award

    Frontier Nursing University Receives 2018 Health Professions HEED Award

    FNU Receives Health Professions HEED AwardVersailles, Ky. – Today, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) received the 2018 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, veterinary, allied health, and other health schools and centers that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — FNU will be featured, along with 34 other recipients, in the December 2018 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.  

    “We are deeply honored to receive the prestigious HEED Award,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “We believe in the benefits of a diverse university and in the positive impacts our diverse graduates can make in communities across the country. Our graduates serve people of all races and cultures and are increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds. It is imperative that our students, faculty and staff have cultural awareness and competency in order to effectively advance our mission of servant leadership. We have demonstrated our ongoing commitment to diversity by implementing programs and structure to ensure we reach our goals. The HEED Award is a validation of those efforts and provides additional inspiration to maintain our commitment to achieving and exceeding our diversity and inclusion goals.”

    Since the implementation of the FNU PRIDE Initiative (Promoting Recruitment and Retention to Increase Diversity in Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner Education) in 2010, which spearheaded many targeted recruitment activities, FNU has increased the student of color enrollment from 9% in 2010 to 23% in 2018. This success has been achieved through a comprehensive marketing effort targeting prospective students from underrepresented groups. Advertisements, conferences, events, and public relations have been focused on reaching and recruiting new students from underrepresented groups.

    FNU has also held annual three-day Diversity Impact Student Conferences since the PRIDE Initiative began. The purpose of the Diversity Impact Conference is to ensure that nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives understand the challenges and opportunities offered by diversity in rural and underserved healthcare systems. Moreover, Diversity Impact advances solutions to problems posed by contemporary health care policy.

    To further demonstrate its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, FNU created the position of Chief Diversity Inclusion Officer (CDIO) in 2017 and named Dr. Maria Valentin-Welch to that office. Dr. Valentin-Welch was named one of the Top 25 Women in Higher Education by Diverse Magazine earlier this year.

    “The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both; continued leadership support for diversity; and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across their campus.”

     

    About Frontier Nursing University:

    The mission of FNU is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education to prepare competent, entrepreneurial, ethical, and compassionate leaders in primary care to serve all individuals with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural, and underserved populations. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificates. To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.

     

    About INSIGHT Into Diversity

    INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.

  • Frontier Nursing University President Dr. Susan Stone Elected to National Academy of Medicine

    Frontier Nursing University President Dr. Susan Stone Elected to National Academy of Medicine

    Frontier Nursing University (FNU) president Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). Dr. Susan Stone has served as President of Frontier Nursing University since 2001. NAM states the election recognizes Dr. Stone’s achievements that have opened the door to more than 5,000 nurses to achieve graduate education and positively impact the accessibility of quality health care for rural families across the United States.

    Dr. Stone is a leader in the development of strategies to increase the quality and capacity of the midwifery and advanced practice nursing workforce with the specific goal of improving health care for families. Her primary position for the last two decades is as the leader of Frontier Nursing University, where she led the transition from a community-based school of nurse-midwifery offering a basic certificate program with 200 students enrolled to an accredited University offering master’s and doctoral degrees to nurses seeking graduate degrees. Today the University has over 2,000 graduate nursing students enrolled from every state in the United States and seven foreign countries. The focus is educating primary care providers from rural and underserved communities who will then serve rural and underserved populations. Within its degree programs, the university now offers tracks leading nurses to certification as nurse-midwives, family nurse practitioners, women’s health care nurse practitioners, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners.

    Dr. Stone currently also serves as the President of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, where her agenda includes increasing the midwifery workforce through educational quality and capacity strategies, advocacy especially related to the maternal mortality and morbidity crisis, and increasing the diversity of the healthcare workforce. She believes collaboration with other health care professionals is essential to achieve the goal of improving the health of women and families.

    “I am deeply honored to be elected to The National Academy of Medicine,” said Dr. Stone. “I am so grateful for this opportunity to work collaboratively with and learn from other leaders across many other medical professions and disciplines. I am eager to join the Academy’s ongoing efforts to improve health and healthcare.”

    The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) announced the election of 75 regular members and 10 international members during its annual meeting. Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

    “This distinguished and diverse class of new members is a truly remarkable set of scholars and leaders whose impressive work has advanced science, improved health, and made the world a better place for everyone,” said National Academy of Medicine President Victor J. Dzau. “Their expertise in science, medicine, health, and policy in the U.S. and around the globe will help our organization address today’s most pressing health challenges and inform the future of health and health care. It is my privilege to welcome these esteemed individuals to the National Academy of Medicine.”

    New members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. A diversity of talent among NAM’s membership is assured by its Articles of Organization, which stipulate that at least one-quarter of the membership is selected from fields outside the health professions — for example, from such fields as law, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. The newly elected members bring NAM’s total membership to 2,178 and the number of international members to 159.

    Established originally as the Institute of Medicine in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine addresses critical issues in health, science, medicine, and related policy and inspires positive actions across sectors. NAM works alongside the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering to provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation and conduct other activities to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine also encourage education and research, recognize outstanding contributions to knowledge, and increase public understanding. With their election, NAM members make a commitment to volunteer their service in National Academies activities.

     

    About Frontier Nursing University:
    The mission of FNU is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education to prepare competent, entrepreneurial, ethical, and compassionate leaders in primary care to serve all individuals with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural, and underserved populations. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificates.

    To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.

  • FNU Grads Participate in “Death by Delivery” Panel Discussion During Midwifery Week

    FNU Grads Participate in “Death by Delivery” Panel Discussion During Midwifery Week

    FNU nurse-midwife graduates participate in maternal mortality panel
    (Left to right: Tamara Rolan, Paige Jackson, Tasha Parker, and Frances Fullwood Harris) Photo Credit: Thea Jordan, Co-Owner, Boise Birth Services)

    A trio of Frontier Nursing University (FNU) nurse-midwife graduates recently participated in a documentary screening and panel discussion on maternal mortality during National Midwifery Week.

    FNU Alumni Frances Fullwood Harris, CNM, Tasha Parker, CNM and Tamara Rolan, CNM attended the event and led the panel discussion that took place on September 29. Hosted by the Idaho Doula Associates (IDA), the goal of the documentary screening and panel was to highlight maternal mortality in the black community.

    Statistics show that black women are three times as likely to die in childbirth than their white counterparts. Attendees screened the film “Death By Delivery,” a documentary following the maternal hardships and cost of racism in black communities in America.

    The subsequent panel discussion addressed “the current state of maternal mortality and what we can do to bring about change in our own communities,” according to IDA’s post on the Facebook event. IDA member Paige Jackson hosted the panel, while Frances, Tasha and Tamara led the discussion. 

    FNU graduates participate in maternal mortality panel

    “I loved doing this panel because it allowed us to speak about racism as we see it to an audience that might not otherwise hear a real world perspective from women of color living in their community,” said Tamara.

    In the discussion, Tamara and her counterparts talked about actionable items and concrete ideas that all midwives could implement to combat the growing epidemic of racism in maternal care.

    The event drew nearly 30 attendees who were eager to learn about the strength, grief, pain and hope it takes to be a midwife of color. Attendees listened intently as Frances, Tasha and Tamara discussed their “why’s,” fears for their own children, and the weight of microaggressions in the medical community.

    “I have begun to despair about racism and disparities,” said Frances. “However, speaking my truth may bring a greater realization and prayerfully lasting changed hearts.”

    “Women are the nucleus of the family and the world,” she said. “They can demand more and deserve more.”

    See more about this event on the Idaho Doula Association Facebook post.  

    Frontier’s leadership has spearheaded efforts to decrease maternal mortality and improve maternity care in the U.S. Explore more on the maternal mortality crisis and possible solutions with these resources:

    Thank you to our fantastic alumni for continuing to shed light on this important issue!

  • Alumni Spotlight: Paul Havrilka III, NP-C

    Alumni Spotlight: Paul Havrilka III, NP-C

    Paul Havrilka III, NP-CFrontier Nursing University (FNU) graduate Paul Havrilka III, NP-C uses his nursing education to improve primary care for a very small and underserved tribal population in Alaska.

    Paul, who graduated with his Family Nurse Practitioner (Class 94) in 2013, currently serves as a family nurse practitioner at Annette Island Service in Metlakatla, Alaska.

    For the past two years, he has helped provide primary care services for the people of Annette Island. The island is named a federal Indian reservation and is home to the Tsimshian people and other native Alaskan tribes.

    Paul provides the small community with acute illness and injury care, chronic disease management and preventative health care services.

    Paul at the Metlakatla clinic

    In this small population of just under 1,500 residents, Paul has instituted several changes to the healthcare system. He has improved diabetic management, added therapeutic classes, added a clinical pharmacist, and now provides patient education on opioid/chronic pain management, reducing the misuse of opioids in the population.

    Paul is sensitive to the culture of the island natives. He directed changes in screening mammogram procedures, which were proving a cultural barrier due to all health care providers being male. Now, women may be screened for breast cancer through multiple mammogram clinics.  

    Amongst his other duties, Paul provides emergency after-hours services as part of the only health care facility on the island.

    AISU Health Clinic, Metlakatla, Alaska

    Previously a registered nurse and owner/CEO of Backroad Health Care, Paul returned to school to become a family nurse practitioner to help improve quality of life and health for underserved people.

    “I chose Frontier Nursing University because of its reputation of quality family nurse practitioners,” said Paul. “Its heritage shows leadership and percussion.”

    He continues upholding Frontier’s heritage each day as he serves this rural, tribal population with vigor.

    Thank you for representing FNU all the way in Alaska, Paul!

    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 health care to underserved and rural populations.

  • Meet FNU’s New Dean of Nursing, Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM

    Meet FNU’s New Dean of Nursing, Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM

    Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FNU Dean of NursingDean of Nursing, Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FNU Dean of NursingFrontier Nursing University (FNU) is pleased to bring on alumna Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM to spearhead FNU’s nursing education. Joan assumed her new position as dean of nursing in August 2018 after serving as interim dean beginning in March 2018. As dean, she is poised to address healthcare gaps by educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners amidst the transition to a new campus in Versailles, Ky.

    Joan graduated from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 1991 and completed her Master of Science in Nursing in 1993. She helped to establish Bronson Women’s Service in Kalamazoo, Mich., which is now the state’s largest midwifery service. She served over 20 years in full scope midwifery practice and returned to school to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2008. She is now serving a second term as the treasurer on the American College of Nurse-Midwives Board of Directors.

    Frontier spoke with Joan about her passion for the Frontier mission, nurse-midwifery practice, and the challenges she will face as FNU continues to grow.

    Where did your passion for caring for women and families originate?

    “In a barn! I would sit for hours waiting for our cows to birth. Later as a nursing student, I saw a nurse care for a family during birth and thought that is how all women and families should be cared for. Later as a NICU nurse, I enjoyed attending the high-risk deliveries because I was so intrigued by labor and birth, so I transitioned to Labor & Delivery nursing and eventually midwifery.”

    Learn more about Joan’s passion for women and families in this video.

    Can you share your story of how and why you became a certified nurse-midwife?

    “I worked with Southwest Michigan’s first Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and liked the partnership with this CNM in caring for women as a nurse, but also liked the care difference I observed. That is the kind of care I felt all women deserved, so I decided to pursue midwifery.”

    Learn more about Joan’s calling to nurse-midwifery in this video.

    We know you are a graduate of the first CNEP class at FNU. How does it feel to come back to the university you graduated from and assume the title dean of nursing?

    “After working 25 years as a clinician, one would think a “new” career would be very anxiety provoking, but I have been involved in FNU as a midwife from the beginning – student, faculty, preceptor. It was like coming “home.” I did not anticipate becoming the dean, but leadership skills are the same no matter the job and with FNU’s strong team of associate deans and program directors, I felt as a team we would be successful.”

    Learn more about Joan’s return to Frontier in this video.

    What has been your career path so far and how did it lead you to joining the faculty at Frontier and to your current role as dean of nursing?

    “In addition to the obvious career of full scope midwifery, I have spent a great deal of time teaching. I have been involved with Frontier since I was a student, including precepting nearly 100 FNU students as well as teaching courses in the midwifery program. Working collaboratively at a very large practice with multidisciplinary teams, along with gaining experience in business development and finance, were great preparation for this administrative role as a member of FNU’s leadership team. I felt those leadership skills could be used to successfully transition from clinical practice into working with an institution that had been a part of my life for a very long time.”

    Learn more about Joan’s journey to Dean in this video.

    How have you carried out the mission and vision that Mary Breckinridge set forth through your career thus far?

    “By building a practice that has stayed true to midwifery core values and the midwifery model and helping others to do the same. Also, the entrepreneurial aspects of developing places where midwives can work to their fullest capacity and articulating the value of midwifery to protect practices has been a personal commitment. I think Mary Breckinridge would be proud to know her vision has stayed the same and we’ve stayed true to our mission and philosophy.”

    Learn more about how Joan plans to carry out Mary Breckinridge’s mission for Frontier in this video.

    What are you most excited about in your new role as dean of nursing and/or what goals do you have?

    “The opportunity to work with an organization with thoughts and beliefs that match my own. I like developing processes, working to build teams and creating synergy to streamline processes. The move to the new campus and developing a business model that will allow for more growth as our capacity increases.”

    Learn about Joan’s planned strategies as Dean in this video.

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

    “I look at challenges as opportunities. I like change. I think the challenge confronting all of FNU at this time is executing a seamless transition to the Versailles campus. I want to preserve what students value about FNU’s history and traditions and translate that to meaningful on-site experiences in Versailles.”

    Learn more about the challenges Joan anticipates in her new role in this video.

    How do you see technology and innovation having an impact on educating the next generation of nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners?

    “I think technology can expand our exposure to knowledge and experiences. I’m very excited about the advancement in simulations and virtual learning, but I never want to see us lose touch with developing our people skills.”

    Learn more about how Joan will handle technology and innovation in nursing education in this video.

    What is a fun fact about you?​

    “My dad used to race thoroughbred horses and I grew up on a horse when most kids had bikes, so Kentucky horse country is a very cool place for me to work.”

    Learn more about Joan in this video.

    What do you do for fun when you are not busy being the dean?

    “The 3 Gs – grandchildren, gardening and golf. My Achilles heel is my grandchildren. I’m absolutely crazy about all of them.”

    Learn more about Joan’s life outside of Frontier in this video.

    We wish you luck as you settle into your new role, Joan! We are glad to have another alumna making a difference at FNU!

  • Student Kudos: September-October 2018

    Student Kudos: September-October 2018

    October Student KudosFrontier Nursing University (FNU) seeks to empower its students to make a difference in their communities and in their field.

    We are proud to highlight six students who have been recently recognized for their significant accomplishments and pursuits to better their education and the care they provide.

    FNU Students receive AANP scholarships

    The following students received AANP Scholarships in 2018:

    Nadezhda Kravchuk, RN, BSN
    Nadezhda Kravchuk, RN, BSN
    Rachel Powell, APRN, MSN
    Rachel Powell, APRN, MSN

    CFNP student Nadezhda Kravchuk, RN, BSN of Nampa, Idaho received a 2018 Master’s in Nursing Scholarship. Nadezhdra is in CFNP Class 154 at FNU.

    DNP student Rachel Powell, APRN, MSN of Richmond, Ky. was the recipient of a 2018 Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post Master’s Scholarship. Rachel is a student in FNU’s DNP Class 29.

    Congratulations, Nadezhda and Rachel! See the complete list of AANP Scholarship recipients here.

    PMHNP student honored as Litchfield County Leader Under 40

    Katrin Moskowitz, DNP, FNP
    Katrin Moskowitz, DNP, FNP

    Congratulations to FNU alumna and PHMNP student (Class 161) Katrin Moskowitz, DNP, FNP for being named one of the Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce: Leaders Under 40.

    Katrin was recently named Assistant Clinical Director of Community Health and Wellness Center, where she started the Medication-Assisted Treatment program and led the effort to decrease the number of deaths from opioid addiction and to increase vital access to care for such.

    In 2016, she was chosen as a Fellow of the year-long Duke-Johnson and Johnson Nurse Leadership Program, which enabled her to network and grow her skills. She has returned to FNU to obtain her PMHNP.

    Great work, Katrin! Read the full story here.

    FNP student named the recipient of NEF scholarship

    Elizabeth Balleweg, BSN
    Elizabeth Balleweg, BSN

    Congratulations to CFNP (Class 158) student Elizabeth Balleweg, BSN for earning the Geraldine Labecki scholarship from the Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

    Elizabeth was one of 26 scholarship recipients across the United States.

    Elizabeth works as an acute dialysis nurse in Boise, Idaho, where she provides plasmapheresis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for patients in five local hospitals.

    As an FNP, Elizabeth plans to focus on disease prevention and early intervention in a primary care setting. She is passionate about providing care to the underserved, specifically low-income clients, refugees and migrant workers. Elizabeth plans pursue a DNP to further build her clinical skills and serve as a preceptor for nurse practitioner students.

    The NEF Scholarship recipients have been selected from among a significant group of highly-qualified candidates. Their selection represents exemplary academic, clinical practice, community service, and professional accomplishments and places them among an elite group of NEF scholarship awardees, present and past.

    Read more about Elizabeth and the NEF scholars here.

    Two FNU graduate nursing students receive March of Dimes scholarships

    Isabel Brewster, RN
    Isabel Brewster, RN
    Kristin DeArruda Wharton, RN
    Kristin DeArruda Wharton, RN

    The following FNU students were recipients of 2018 March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarships for post-graduate and doctoral studies in the field of maternal-child nursing:

    CNEP (Class 154) student Isabel Brewster, RN of Canterbury, N.H. received one of the four MoD scholarships. Isabel works with a population of women and babies at risk from opioid use in pregnancy, which causes significant health problems including premature birth and neonatal abstinence syndrome.

    After graduation, Isabel plans to focus on preconception and perinatal care in a clinical setting that provides care for women with substance use disorders.

    CFNP (Class 164) student Kristin DeArruda Wharton, RN of Grand Marais, Minn. was the highest-scoring scholarship applicant in 2018 and recipient of the Margaret C. Freda Scholarship. She is committed to improving maternal-child health in rural communities in northeastern Minnesota.

    Kristin is working to resolve the challenges and risk factors facing rural women and their babies, such as preterm birth rates and other poor health outcomes that are disproportionately high in rural communities in the U.S.

    Well done, Isabel and Kristin! Read about each of the four scholarship recipients here.

    Congratulations to each of these students for representing FNU in their hard work.

  • The Importance of Advanced Practice Nurses

    The Importance of Advanced Practice Nurses

    Modern Day NursesAs a heightened need for quality care increases across the U.S., more people are finding their calling to serve in the health care field. Frontier Nursing University programs are designed to produce compassionate, committed nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners whose roles in health care are more important now than ever before.

    The Increasing Importance of Advanced Practice Nurses Today

    Society is growing older, more obese, and a variety of risk factors are declining our health as a population.

    Because of these factors, the need for nurses specialized in their fields is widening.

    Once upon a time, nurses only cared for the sick and elderly. But today, many nurses are making the same complex clinical decisions for a variety of populations that would have been left to licensed physicians even 50 years ago.

    One of the biggest concerns for healthcare providers today is the rising rate of maternal mortality. Unlike our first-world peers, maternal deaths in the U.S. rose 26.6% from 2000 to 2014 (source). This problem is exacerbated further in minority populations through lack of access to care and cultural barriers.

    For example, 49% of all U.S. counties do not have an obstetrician/gynecologist (source). In these rural areas, nurse-midwives can help provide quality maternity care for mother and baby.

    Mental health care is also a field that lacks numbers in the workforce. One in five adults in the U.S. have a mental health condition (source) and nationally, there is only one mental health provider for every 529 individuals (source). A psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner can provide affordable, accessible care to these populations.

    Frontier Nursing University is working to close these gaps by training a diverse workforce of advanced practice nurses who will serve in rural and underserved communities.

    Specialty Nurses Beginning to Fill Primary Care Needs

    Nurses play several invaluable roles. Since they are responsible for a majority of the patient experience, nurses must be capable, caring, analytical and clinical, amongst many other things. The role of nurses has shifted dramatically to include several of the responsibilities of primary care doctors.

    FNU’s advanced practice nursing specialty programs address the shortage of physicians by providing high-quality education to nurses who will fill the primary care roles in their communities as they serve in advanced practice roles.

    Nurses specializing as a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner,  Family Nurse Practitioner or Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner through FNU’s online distance education programs are allowing more and more populations to receive primary care, resulting in improved health outcomes across the country.

    How Nurses Benefit Society as a Whole

    Nurses have become integral components of society today.

    Recently, nurses have begun to evaluate the health of communities as a whole. Nurses’ contributions will help policy-makers understand how illnesses fit into national disease trends, and create legislation to improve health outcomes.

    Nurses have also been charged with addressing the growing cost of health care and figuring out how to reduce it. Advanced practice nurses can treat patients before they need a hospital visit. In the case of maternity care, one 2015 study found that nurse-midwife attended deliveries had lower costs and better outcomes than those attended by family physicians and obstetricians (source). The nurse-midwife attended births also had the highest rate of avoidance of transfer to NICU at over 94% (source).

    Thanks to new technology, patients can also consult with nurses from their own homes. The nurses can offer lifestyle advice and even prescribe treatment options. This new system is set to drastically change the way in which healthcare is delivered.

    There is a strong calling for nurses to specialize in a field in order to give higher-quality care to specific populations. These advanced practice nurses will improve health outcomes for individuals and create better care models for whole communities.

    Nurses are changing the landscape of the healthcare field as we know it. If you want to be part of that change, look into an online graduate nursing program at Frontier Nursing University today.

     

    Sources:

  • Explore Sessions from This Year’s National Midwifery Week Virtual Event

    Explore Sessions from This Year’s National Midwifery Week Virtual Event

    Midwifery Week Virtual Event Save the DateSessions are in place for Frontier Nursing University’s (FNU) annual virtual event celebrating National Midwifery Week. From September 30 – October 6, FNU will host the free event, themed “Answer the Call to Service,” online. Anyone can visit the website to hear from this year’s outstanding speakers and participate in a free continuing education opportunity.

    Presenter: Lisa Astalos Chism, DNP, APRN, BC, NCMP, FAANP
    Presenter: Lisa Astalos Chism, DNP, APRN, BC, NCMP, FAANP

    The event kicks off with a free Continuing Education session, Female Sexual Health and Cancer Survivorship: Art, Science and Quality of Life, presented by Lisa Chism, DNP, APRN, BC, NCMP, FAANP on October 1 at 6 p.m. EST. In it, Dr. Chism will explore health concerns women have after treatment for cancer; how to assess female cancer survivors for sexual health concerns; and pharmacologic interventions to address female sexual health concerns.

    AANP Accredited StampThe session is approved for 1.0 contact hour of continuing education (which includes 1.0 hours of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

    Presenter: Nan Strauss, JD
    Presenter: Nan Strauss, JD

    The following evening, on October 2, Nan Strauss, JD presents Maximizing Midwifery: Strategies to Expand Access to the Midwifery Model of Care at 6 p.m. EST. This session will discuss the lacking maternity care system in the United States for pregnancy and childbirth, examining substantial evidence in support of the midwifery model of care as a key strategy to improve outcomes. Participants will explore strategies for advocating for increased access to the midwifery model of care in the U.S.

    Presenter: Susan E. Stone, CNM, DNSc., FACNM, FAAN
    Presenter: Susan E. Stone, CNM, DNSc., FACNM, FAAN

    FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc., FACNM, FAAN will take the virtual stage on October 3 at 6 p.m. est to present Building a Diverse Midwifery Workforce in the United States to Improve Maternity Care Outcomes. Dr. Stone will guide participants through the alarming statistics regarding maternal mortality and pregnancy complications among women in the U.S., particularly women of color. The presentation will explore strategies for increasing the numbers of midwives as well as the diversity of the midwifery workforce in order to contribute to improved outcomes.

    Presenter: Dawn Thompson
    Presenter: Dawn Thompson

    To conclude National Midwifery Week Virtual Event, a session entitled The Greatest Action Starts with Good Communication will be held on October 4 at 6 p.m. EST. Presenter Dawn Thompson, founder of Improving Birth, will rethink how medical providers can communicate with pregnant families during care. Participants will learn to detect and avoid coercive language, discover how to support clients through collaboration and see how care providers can reduce the risk of traumatic birth through improved communication.

    We hope you will join us for one or more of these impactful sessions! Visit frontier.edu/midwiferyweek to register for one or all of the sessions. See FNU’s full lineup of virtual events here.

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