CNEP | Frontier Nursing University

Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Stevens DrPHc, CNM, MS

January 10, 2019 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alumna Jennifer Stevens DrPHc, CNM, MS uses her nurse-midwifery degree to help women across the world. Based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jennifer is a midwife specialist for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Jennifer graduated in 2001 from Frontier’s CNEP (Class 28) and earned her MS in Midwifery at Philadelphia University. She worked for 10 years in a freestanding birth center before a stint with Midwives for Haiti (founded by a fellow FNU alumnus) sparked her interest in international midwifery practice.

In her current role, Jennifer supports the newly-created midwifery cadre in Bangladesh, focusing primarily on midwifery education and strengthening the health care system. In Bangladesh, approximately 60% of women birth at home unattended. Jennifer’s goal is to increase the number of quality midwives in Bangladesh to support faculty-based births, lower maternal mortality, and increase access to compassionate sexual and reproductive health care including gender-based violence and family planning services for all the women of Bangladesh.

Jennifer at the birth center in Bangladesh

“I want women to have a voice and be able to birth safely in their own communities,” she said.

Jennifer also supports midwifery centers globally through GoodBirth, a nonprofit she co-founded in 2016. GoodBirth is a global NGO that networks midwifery birth centers in low-resource areas to help them solve problems, encourage commitment to healthy birth practices and standards for quality and safety, and promote respectful maternity care.

“I often think back on the unique education offered at FNU during my work,” said Jennifer. “FNU demonstrates what can happen when we create a program that listens to women and meets them where they are, in their own communities – we can change the world.”

Her choice to pursue nurse-midwifery at FNU was influenced by the flexibility the online courses offered her as a mother, and by FNU’s excellent reputation in midwifery education.

Jennifer is currently enrolled in Boston University to pursue a Doctorate in Public Health.

She was also recently published in Birth Journal, co-authoring an editorial entitled “Asking different questions: A call to action for research to improve the quality of care for every woman, every child.”

We are proud to have such an active member of the FNU community serving women around the globe. Thank you, Jennifer!

Benefits of Distance Learning

December 6, 2018 By frontieredu

Want To Earn an Advanced Nursing Degree? Try Distance Learning!

It seems like these days everyone is doing just about everything online, and that is particularly true when it comes to online courses and distance learning. In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report, there were over 6.3 million students who enrolled in at least one online course as of fall 2016, a growth of more than 5 percent from 2015.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) has embraced distance education and provided a fully web-based experience, with 100 percent of its students enrolled online. But before the internet was even in use for education, FNU piloted a community-based distance education nurse-midwifery program in 1989. The program was built to fulfill FNU’s mission to educate nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to serve all individuals, with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural, and underserved populations.

With an array of online offerings three decades later, students seeking higher education in nursing and midwifery are meeting those goals at FNU. From 2013 to 2017, enrollment jumped from 1,934 to 2,263 students – an increase of 17 percent. Why are so many people turning to online programs?

The Benefits of Online Learning

Online and distance learning courses offer convenience and access that wasn’t possible with traditional programs in decades past. If you weren’t on or near campus, you were unable to take classes – until the internet became widely available. Now, students can enjoy the many benefits of online programs:

Access your coursework, assignments, and more from anywhere with internet availability
Work at your own pace to complete course work in a specified timeframe
Continue to work or focus on other obligations while earning your degree
No need to find on-campus housing or worry about transportation to classes
Choose from many affordable options

Programs That Help You, Help Others

Nursing programs are particularly popular because there is such a high demand for qualified nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 203,800 nurse practitioner jobs in the U.S. as of 2016.

With that in mind, FNU’s community-based, distance education programs allow nurses to achieve their higher education goals by earning a master’s or doctoral degree. For those seeking a master’s degree or post-graduate certificate, FNU offers four specialties including nurse-midwifery, family nursing, women’s health care and psychiatric-mental health. Using clinics, hospitals, and preceptors in their own community allows FNU students to get the hands-on clinical experience required for their respective health care professions.

Completing graduate nursing education from a distance is possible, and it may open up a wide range of job opportunities – or help you work toward an even higher nursing degree.

The Time To Start Is Now

The great thing about online nursing courses is that it’s never too late to start! FNU offers four admitting classes throughout the year. Choose from any of FNU’s online programs and start earning your degree today. Check out our degree and specialty offerings and fill out an application today.

Alumni spotlight: Tayler Johnston, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC

November 14, 2018 By frontieredu

When Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alumni Tayler Johnston, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC answered the call to help underserved women, it led her from a small town in Tennessee all the way to the Caribbean.

Tayler graduated from CNEP Class 128 in 2017. She is now the Director of a non-profit outpatient clinic in rural Haiti, serving lower- to middle-class women and families. Respire Haiti’s Love+1 Medical Clinic is located in the small town of Gressier, Haiti, about 10 miles outside of Port-au-Prince.

As clinic director, Tayler oversees all maternal and women’s health-related programs at the clinic. Many women in the Gressier community have no prenatal care, and give birth at home, some unassisted. Some patients are also extremely poor, and wouldn’t have the option to seek medical care elsewhere. Tayler and her fellow nurses are working to provide more options to improve pregnancy and birth outcomes for the women in the community.

Tayler Johnston works with underserved women and families in Gressier, Haiti

She made the decision to become a nurse-midwife while in nursing school. Tayler’s obstetrics/gynecology clinicals sparked initial interest in midwifery, but watching nurse-midwives deliver babies during her next clinical rotation sealed the deal for her.

“I immediately knew that’s what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” she said. Meanwhile, she already knew she wanted to dedicate her life to improving outcomes for women and children in the most desperate circumstances.

Tayler pursued the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) as well to increase her practice in primary care and gynecological issues. She moved to Haiti right after she achieved the WHNP.

“I wanted to be the best practitioner I can possibly be and provide the best care to my patients, as well as be the best employee and asset to the healthcare community,” she said.

She completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Haiti in late 2017 to further equip her for whatever primary care challenges she would face.

The choice to attend Frontier was two-fold: The top-ranked institution fit exactly what Tayler was looking for, and the distance education program allowed her to work full-time and avoid taking out a single student loan.

Though her education was online and in the midst of a full-time job, Tayler took full advantage of the Frontier community. Several of her former classmates have become good friends and resources.

“We often turn to each other for advice or with questions,” she said. “It’s so great to have that community and support system.”

Thank you, Tayler, for representing FNU in your crucial work with women and families in Haiti. We are proud to have you in the FNU community!

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

October 8, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier 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!

Answering the Call: Mairi Wiles Reflects on the Path to Becoming a Nurse-Midwife

September 20, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) student Mairi Wiles, BSN, RN, who had a unique journey to her career in midwifery, recently shared her thought-provoking poem and thoughts at FNU’s 2018 Diversity Impact. Just 10 years ago, Mairi was a soul-searching study-abroad student who had only recently learned about progressive birth options.

At the time, she had no plans to pursue a nurse-midwifery specialty given its long, challenging and academically rigorous path. But, the more of the world she saw, the more Mairi realized that her future was missing something.

“To be with women during birth, to keep that moment sacred, to honor each new life as it comes into this world – that was my destiny,” she said in the poem shared at Diversity Impact.

Mairi grew up the child of an internist, watching her mother use the medical model of healthcare to increase health outcomes in their community. Although she knew it wasn’t her calling, Mairi studied psychology at Berry College, graduating in 2009 with her bachelor’s and a minor in business.

But on a boat in the Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia, Mairi made a commitment to shake off the doubts that were holding her back and answer her true calling: nurse-midwifery.

“For me, it was the perfect culmination of varied topics that had always intrigued me,” she said. “I longed to become a Midwife.”

Mairi went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Georgia Baptist College of Nursing at Mercer University. She served as a labor and delivery nurse for five years, and is currently working as a birth center nurse at Atlanta Birth Center in Atlanta, Ga. In those roles, Mairi advocates for her patients to ensure they have the best birthing experience possible. She collaborates with them, teaches them and honors their wishes as she helps them through the pregnancy, birth and postpartum process.

Yet her scope as an registered nurse is limited, and the next step was evident for Mairi: becoming a certified nurse-midwife. Mairi is enrolled in CNEP Class 155 at FNU, and completed her final comps on September 12, 2018.

“I want to pursue a career in midwifery, so I can offer women an evidence-based alternative to the current and pervasive medical model of childbirth,” she said. “I want to be a resource for women where they know their feelings and opinions are valued.”

Mairi recently caught her 40th baby as a birth center nurse

Mairi recently attended her 40th birth as a birth center nurse

Mairi chose Frontier for several reasons. Perhaps the biggest was because of FNU’s natural, holistic approach to health care. She also loved the self-paced distance program and the long-standing legacy that Mary Breckinridge established over 80 years ago.

Though a distance student, Mairi has become connected to the FNU community through its vast network. She is an administrator of the Frontier CNEP Students Past and Present Facebook group and Google Drive, which serves as a resource for research and document studies from over 1600 nurse-midwives who are FNU students and alumni.

Mairi loves to put her feelings into words in the form of poems and heartfelt Facebook posts.

She recently shared these thoughts and more at FNU’s 2018 Diversity Impact Conference, held on June 7-10. Her poem was also featured in AWHONN’s Partners in Care video released last month.

After her CNEP is complete, Mairi is planning another busy season as she pursues her Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner specialty and Doctor of Nursing Practice degree simultaneously from FNU.

For now, she is celebrating each small victory as she goes. In August, she caught her 40th baby during her clinical rotation with the Midwives at both Providence and Nile Women’s Health Care through WellStar North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, Ga.

Thank you, Mairi, for your dedication to creating better birth experiences and healthier mothers through a fulfilling career in Nurse-Midwifery.

Mairi’s poem:

“The occasion of birth is not just about the arrival of a new person but also a transformative and empowering experience. I want to to be with women during birth, to keep that moment sacred, to honor each new life as it comes into this world.

Each day a woman is entrusted in my care is a day she, as a mother, will remember forever.

Birth is sacred; I’m enchanted by the magic, the mystery, and the joy surrounding newness of life. I’m so thankful for the honor of being present.”

Mairi Wiles