Tag: Culture of Caring

FNU virtual event to focus on antiracism, quality improvement and substance use disorders

National Midwifery Week is the first week of October, and Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is celebrating by hosting its annual virtual event dedicated to nurse-midwifery on October 4-7. FNU’s Empower 2021: Creating a Culture of Caring event will mark the seventh year of a program filled with impactful sessions, motivating speakers and a complimentary continuing education opportunity.

National Midwifery Week was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) to celebrate and recognize midwives and midwife-led care. ACNM and its 6,500+ midwife members, physicians and women’s health organizations observe National Midwifery Week each year.

FNU’s virtual event offers five free sessions presented by FNU faculty and alumni on the latest practices and topics influencing nurse-midwifery care and includes a continuing education opportunity:

Creating a Culture of Innovative Quality Improvement

Monday, Oct. 4 at 6 – 7 p.m. EDT
Moderated by FNU Associate Professor Dr. Tia Andrighetti and co-presented by FNU faculty members Dr. Tanya Belcheff, Donna Barisich, Dr. Lisa Huckaby, Dr. Maria Mock, Dr. Eileen Thrower and Vicki Burslem.

Births can be unpredictable and midwives need to be prepared for rare events that can have harmful effects on clients. In order to keep these skills honed, nurse-midwives need to practice reacting at the moment to complications. This session will include a birth complications simulation and participants will spend time working with peers to tailor the simulation to their birth settings.

Free Continuing Education (CE) Session – Creating a Culture of Respectful Care for Pregnant and Postpartum People with Substance Use Disorders

Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 – 8 p.m. EDT
Presented by FNU alumnus Dr. Daisy Goodman.

This interactive session will explore key elements, implementation guidance, and metrics associated with the 2021 revision of the Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health (AIM) Care of Pregnant and Postpartum People with Substance Use Disorders Patient Safety Bundle.

Creating a Culture of Impact: Stories of Community Quality Improvement – Alumni & Faculty Panel

Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 6 – 7 p.m. EDT

Moderated by FNU Assistant Professor and ACNM President Dr. Cathy Collins-Fulea. The panel will include FNU faculty members and alumni: Dr. Melva Craft-Blacksheare, Dr. Minyon Outlaw, Dr. Dee Polito, Dr. Ana Verzone, Dr. Shaughanassee Vines and Dr. Kate Woeber.

Dr. Collins-Fulea will moderate this panel presentation in collaboration with FNU’s IHI Open School Chapter. Participants will hear stories of FNU’s mission in action through visual storytelling as nurse-midwifery alumni and faculty share their community projects and initiatives for serving diverse, rural and underserved populations.

Creating a Culture of Antiracism

Thursday, Oct. 7 at 5 – 6 p.m. EDT

Presented by FNU Assistant Professor Dr. Charlotte Morris.

During this educational session, Dr. Morris will inspire participants to take action and implement change in their practice or work environment to build a culture that is inclusive and caring for all.

Nurse-Midwifery Program Q&A – Creating a Culture of Community

Thursday, Oct. 7 at 6 – 7 p.m. EDT

Presented by FNU faculty members Dr. Jeneen Lomax and Dr. Eileen Thrower.

This session is for those considering becoming a nurse-midwife. Participants will learn about FNU’s nurse-midwifery education program and hear from current midwifery students about their experience. Presenters will also discuss the joys and challenges of life as a midwife.

The theme of this year’s virtual event, Empower 2021: Creating a Culture of Caring, acknowledges Frontier Nursing University’s culture of caring which is built on five main elements: professionalism, inclusivity, respect, positive communication and mutual support. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, donors and others in the FNU community embrace this culture to fulfill their full potential, both individually and collectively, exemplifying the caring behaviors they hope to bring to the broader healthcare system.

Frontier Nursing University has more than 80 years of experience in delivering graduate nursing and midwifery programs.

Those interested in participating in Empower 2021: Creating a Culture of Caring, sponsored by Southern Cross Insurance Solutions, are asked to register at Frontier.edu/MidwiferyWeek.

September 27, 2021
Featured Preceptor: Renea Price, Bringing Compassionate Care to Rural Eastern North Carolina

This quarter’s Frontier Nursing University (FNU) featured preceptor is an FNU alumni Renea Price, FNP. Price brings a strong work ethic and immense compassion to the people of Inner Banks, N.C.

Growing up in rural North Carolina, Price always had an interest in health care and a heart for improving the health status of her community. She saw the need for care in her community and was determined to make a difference. Her first step in this journey began in 1998 when she worked as a certified medical assistant at a local OB-GYN practice. As soon as she dipped her toes into health care, she knew she was right in taking this path. In 2001, she became a registered nurse, working in a wide range of health care positions over the next nine years, including emergency medicine, urgent care, long-term care, and medical-surgical nursing.

In 2010, she graduated with her Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) master of science in nursing degree through Frontier. In 2015, she opened her own clinic in Plymouth, N.C. named Inner Banks Family Medicine. Today the practice goes by Roanoke Clinics.

The clinic’s location is rural and underserved. As with the majority of rural, blue-collar areas, Plymouth was in need of quality medical providers. Today, the clinic serves many logging and agricultural employees as well as paper mill and local government workers. When Price opened her practice, not only did she introduce an essential community service, she also established a new standard of care for her community.

FNP student Jessica Woodard nominated Price as this quarter’s featured preceptor. This is what Woodard has to say after her experience working alongside Price:

“The compassion Price shows to her community of Plymouth is profound, as well as the relationships she has and continues to create. Her altruistic character is not only shown in her practice but also in her call to precept students. I truly believe the students she precepts not only gain the experience of a nurse practitioner but also profit from the genuine, selfless nature of Renea. I can only hope to be as self-sacrificing as she is when I become an FNP.”

According to Woodard, when Price isn’t working in the clinic, she is volunteering at COVID-19 vaccination clinics or making house calls to her patients.

Price is a true example of FNU’s Culture of Caring, and the university is proud to have her as an alumni member and preceptor to current FNP students.

Thank you for your example to so many, Renea!

Are you interested in becoming a preceptor?

If you are a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner, or a Certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, there is no better way to give back to FNU than by becoming a clinical preceptor. Our distance education model thrives because of talented clinical preceptors which is why we ensure that every preceptor is supported with educational resources to help in their role as a clinical educator. We also offer an honorarium for precepting after the student finishes his/her clinical practicum. Are you interested in becoming a preceptor? Let us know by clicking here and filling out a preceptor information request form.

August 23, 2021
Frontier Announces Spring 2021 Circle of Caring Winners

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is excited to share this spring’s Circle of Caring winners. The University’s Circle of Caring Award recognizes FNU faculty and staff members who go above and beyond in upholding our mission and contributing to our Culture of Caring.

Nominations for this award are considered based on the following Culture of Caring characteristics: professionalism, mutual support, respect, positive communication and inclusivity.

This term’s faculty winner is FNU instructor of four years, Katie Moriarty, PhD, CNM, FACNM, CAFCI, RN. The spring staff winner is Aimee Niles, FNU library technician, serving on the library service team for six years.

The age of COVID-19 has been full of challenges for the nursing community, yet so many FNU staff and faculty members have used it as a chance to grow and support one another. Moriarty is an excellent example of that mindset. Here is what her nominator wrote when discussing her dedication to her students and team over the past year:

“Katie has displayed extraordinary kindness and thoughtfulness since the pandemic started. She has been amazingly supportive of students, developing an excellent handout of mental health resources that she has shared with the students and faculty each term. Katie encouraged faculty to watch ‘Trauma-Informed Teaching’ by Inman Mays to understand and better help our students.

She also suggested and started live ‘Drop-in’ sessions for the students and a ‘Self-care and Self-Calming Activities’ Discussion Board that has been immensely popular among the students and faculty. Finally, Katie has gone out of her way to be available to students and meet with them as many times as they need to help them get through this period. She has been the model of supportiveness, kindness, and making sure every person feels included and welcome in her course.”

Upon receiving the award, Moriarty responded:

“It was an honor to receive the Circle of Caring Award for the Spring 2021 term–it is an entire team effort and award! Our faculty is a coordinated unit that works to facilitate and optimize the didactic course material, elevating the learning experiences of our students. COVID-19 and many current disasters have added elements that complicate life and many individuals’ ability to function. These challenges have had an impact on everyone on a personal and a community level. No one has been exempt from the ups and downs.

Within our course, we are constantly rethinking how to help our students to learn and retain the course information. We have tried and encouraged varied techniques, platforms and strategies that we believe have created an environment that helps with adaptation. We have worked to embrace a trauma-informed pedagogy.”

Similarly, Niles has been incredibly accommodating, positive, and kind as she interacts with co-workers, faculty and students in her daily work. Here is what her nominator had to say about Niles:

“It is hard to pick just one instance or interaction that exemplifies my communication with Aimee. I often need several articles that have to be obtained via interlibrary loan service, and Aimee is always so helpful with these. She is always kind and patient, even when some articles prove challenging to obtain. Aimee goes above and beyond ensuring our course readings are all updated and correct every term, and I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to get this many faculty to meet a deadline, but Aimee does it with grace. She has a quiet serenity that she willingly shares in our communications, and you always get the impression that you are the only one she provides services for when in reality, there are at least a hundred others who need her to do things for them, too.”

In response to her award, Niles said, “I felt truly honored and humbled by receiving the Circle of Caring Award. I am so moved by the generosity of my coworkers and forever grateful as well.”

Thank you to Katie and Aimee for being excellent examples of FNU’s Culture of Caring!

August 4, 2021
FNU Announces The Winter Term Circle of Caring Award Winners

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is proud to announce our faculty and staff winners of the Winter term 2021 Circle of Caring Award! This year’s faculty winner is Jan Engstrom, and for the first time, there are two staff winners this quarter, Susan Morgan & Katie Moses, who are both admissions officers.

Winter 2020 Circle of caring winners

The Circle of Caring Award is given to recognize FNU faculty and staff members who go above and beyond in upholding our mission and contributing to our Culture of Caring.

Nominations for this award were submitted anonymously by faculty and staff. A committee then voted on each nomination based on the following Culture of Caring characteristics: professionalism, mutual support, respect, positive communication, and inclusivity.

Dr. Engstrom was nominated by three different sources this quarter. Here is what they had to say about why she deserved to be the winter Circle of Caring faculty winner:

Nomination #1 – “This past term, Dr. Engstrom went above and beyond to assist the PC702 faculty/team when a colleague was out sick. She picked up several extra BBBs while continuing her diligent student assistance on our Discussion Q&A board. Dr. Engstrom is an unbelievable tutor and her flexibility to meet with students is unmatched. She is available on nights and weekends, hosting group and one-on-one sessions. Dr.Engstrom took on an extraordinary amount of work–and it should and needs to be acknowledged and celebrated. We are so lucky to have her as a colleague, friend, and example of excellence to our students. Additionally, Dr. Engstrom recently sent each of the faculty on our team a unique book that was chosen based on individual interests. It meant a lot to me and the others to feel seen and heard by a fellow team member.”

Nomination #2 – “In the middle of the Winter 2021 term, one of our team members became ill and missed over three weeks of work. Dr. Engstrom offered to take over the two modules assigned to that faculty member. Jan taught the BBBs, reviewed the modules, and made sure the assignments were correct before they opened. The most amazing thing about this is that Dr. Engstrom is half-time in the course and tutors for 10 hours a week. On top of everything else she does, she took on a full-time faculty’s work for two modules. Taking on this work was a truly excellent show of professionalism and caring for the team and students. She went above and beyond. She truly exemplified the Culture of Caring at FNU.”

Nomination #3 – Dr. Engstrom goes above and beyond for students. Students consistently praise Dr. Engstrom for her passion for her work, taking the time to meet with them, her communication style, and explaining course material effectively. She receives positive praise term after term.

Upon hearing of her award, Dr. Engstrom responded, “I am deeply honored by this award. We are living at a time when we are facing the greatest health crisis in a century and undergoing sweeping social change. It is more important than ever to practice the principles in the Culture of Caring: respect, inclusivity, positive communication, mutual support, and professionalism. The words in Frontier Nursing University’s Culture of Caring are words to live by and can help us move peacefully and productivity through this challenging time.”

Although Frontier historically only chooses one individual in each category per quarter, both Susan Morgan & Katie Moses stepped up to the plate and exemplified what a Culture of Caring means.

Here is what their nominator had to say about their example:

“Yesterday, I went to campus to receive my second covid shot. As I waited in line, I witnessed the most amazing kindness and service from my two coworkers, Susan Morgan & Katie Moses. After receiving their first shots, they buzzed around the long, long line of eager people waiting their turn outside. They chatted with many of these people but also brought wheelchairs and folding chairs for some of the older adults waiting outside. In one particular instance, they brought an elderly woman, “Miss Millie,” a wheelchair, wheeled her in to receive her shot and waited with her afterward. Miss Millie was quite frail and could not have navigated the long line and vaccine process without the additional help. Additionally, Miss Millie’s ride could not be located, so Morgan and Moses used their cell phones to call and try to locate her driver. On my way out, I watched them help Miss Millie into Susan’s car to drive the woman home. I do not believe Morgan and Moses were the “official FNU volunteers” on duty that day, yet, they were so kind and generous in helping others. They were wearing their blue polos and name badges and provided the perfect picture of an FNU employee. These two brought 110% FNU spirit to the vaccine clinic, and I loved witnessing such a beautiful act of kindness! I know Miss Millie was thankful to have them there supporting her, too.”

Here is what Morgan and Moses said after hearing of their award:

Morgan- “During the event in question, we did not think anyone saw us. We only saw an individual in need. I try to live by the words Kindness is free and most always accepted. We saw an individual in need, and no one was there to help her. It was my honor to meet her and to spend that time with her. She was a very wise lady with a kind heart. I did not look for any recognition and only want to be kind to others to make my little corner of the world a better place.”

Moses- “Firstly, I am always pleasantly surprised to be considered for this award whenever I am nominated, so to be chosen is an honor. Secondly, I’d like to think that I am a person who tries to do what is right for someone in need, especially when it seems more of a necessity or obligation than just on a whim. I’m glad to be a part of a team that encourages kindness and recognizes those who show it to each other in this day and age when it is needed most.”

Thank you to Jan, Susan and Katie for being an excellent example of FNU’s Culture of Caring! We love seeing all of the positive work people in the FNU community are doing every day! Click here to submit a nomination for the summer term Circle of Caring awards.

May 28, 2021
New Introduction to Cultural Safety Course Available to All
Beginning this spring, FNU will be offering a new course, “Introduction to Cultural Safety.” The course will be made available not only to the FNU community but to anyone interested in the course and its areas of focus.

The curriculum was developed by FNU clinical faculty Dr. Erin Tenney, CNM, DNP, Class 14. The three-hour CE course has been reviewed by five fellow FNU faculty members. Those taking the course will learn about Native American history and culture in order to better comprehend cultural safety. This requires not only understanding the Native American culture, but also self-reflection and awareness on the part of the healthcare provider.

“The focus of the Introduction to Cultural Safety is on Native Americans, but the tenets can be applied to all populations,” Dr. Tenney said. “We will introduce the concept of cultural safety and center on the Indigenous patient experience, learning to listen as the patient defines what safe care is.”

By the end of the Introduction to Cultural Safety, learners will be able to:
1. Define cultural safety
2. Identify the three key tenets of cultural safety
3. Explain the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in the U.S.
4. Describe what culturally safe vs. culturally unsafe care may look like
5. Discuss personal and systems change strategies for improving the cultural safety of care
The course is led by Dr. Tenney with guest instructor Dorene Waubanewquay Day. In addition to being clinical faculty at FNU, Dr. Tenney is a certified nurse-midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner, DONA International birth doula trainer, writer, and photographer who has worked within Indigenous health centers and communities throughout her nursing career of almost 20 years.

Dorene Waubanewquay Day is an accomplished educator, midwife, activist, singer, and artist who consults with and works within many Indigenous and other communities and organizations to help restore and design culturally safe practices. In 2020, she was selected as a Luce Indigenous Fellow.

Dr. Tenney credits Dorene with being her teacher and mentor, “particularly about women’s health and traditional lifeways, birth and parenting, life, death, grief, healing and more.” Together, they have traveled to Native communities in the U.S. and Canada to provide birth and women’s health training. They have also provided culturally-based doula and midwifery teachings, in addition to cultural safety training for health providers in the U.S.

Those interested in the Introduction to Cultural Safety can enroll in the course at https://ceu.catalog.instructure.com/courses/introduction2cultural-safety.

Editor’s Note: This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,065,200. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.
March 11, 2021
Year in Review

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is grateful to each and every one of our community members- faculty, staff, alumni and students for sticking with us, being flexible and adaptable, and trusting us as we navigated a very tumultuous year. 2020, the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife as designated by the World Health Organization, has shown us more than ever the crucial need for nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners, as well as the necessity for diversity, equity and inclusion to create a kinder, more compassionate, and equal world. Below are this year’s highlights- we hope you enjoy!

COVID-19:

The reigning theme of the year has been the COVID-19 pandemic. As it came to a head in the United States, we quickly pivoted from our regular in-person gatherings to a virtual capacity including, Clinical Bound, Frontier Bound, Commencement, and more. Though distanced, the Culture of Caring was not lost in the transition. We humbly thank our skilled and compassionate faculty members for being available to students in any way possible as we shifted to more of a world with which we were already familiar. Enjoy this video of our students discussing their experiences at their virtual Bound events.

It is never lost on us how hard our nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners work, but this year made it even more apparent. In response, we created Maintaining a Culture of Caring During Crisis, an overall hub for updates on COVID-19, FNU’s response, and highlighting our brave faculty, staff, and alumni on the front lines of this pandemic. Their stories can all be found here.

With so many in the healthcare community facing the COVID-19 frontlines, University President Dr. Susan Stone provided hope and community in a confusing time by sharing a supportive and reassuring message with the Frontier family. Additionally, as the university worked to transition to a new normal, our nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner faculty created important resources for self-care strategies, maternity care, and infection control for our front-line workers. All can be found in our Culture of Caring in Crisis playlist on YouTube.

Social Justice:

In addition to a global pandemic, racial tension swept the nation this summer, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the inequities that people of color face daily inside and outside of healthcare. President Dr. Susan Stone emphasized our zero tolerance for injustice, cruelty, and racism in a statement to all of the FNU community. The unjust deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and too many more showed that we have a long way to go in eradicating racism and the insidious effects it leaves in its path.

On June 3, 2020, FNU held a moment of silence to honor those whose lives were unjustly ended at the hands of law enforcement.

Social justice was also the backdrop against the 10th annual Diversity Impact Conference, which also went virtual this year. Themed “Year of the Nurse and Midwife 2020: Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” this year’s DI conference brought significant attention to the disparities that have become even more prevalent and apparent in the COVID-19 pandemic but still culminated in a weekend of enlightenment and community. Each of our speakers presented compassionate and informative sessions on implicit racial bias, mental health, and more. Thank you to all who participated!

Commencement

On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, FNU hosted its annual commencement ceremony virtually. More than 800 nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners gathered to celebrate themselves in a year where it is apparent how vital they are to healthcare. We welcomed keynote speaker Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Rear Admiral (RADM) Sylvia Trent-Adams, Ph.D., RN, FAAN and celebrated the winners of our leadership awards.

FNU Community Accomplishments:

FNU Dean of Nursing Dr. Joan Slager was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nurses (AAN) in a virtual ceremony on October 31, 2020.

FNU faculty member Dr. Catherine Collins-Fulea was inducted as the new president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), succeeding FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. Dr. Collins-Fulea’s honor was announced during ACNM’s 65th Annual Meeting from May 29 – June 2, 2020, along with several other faculty and staff presenting and receiving their honors!

For the third consecutive year, FNU received the 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, honoring our continued commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Programs and Events:

FNU hosted the 6th and 5th annual virtual events for National Midwifery Week and National Nurse Practitioner Week, where faculty members and student panelists presented on a variety of topics, especially relevant to racial bias in healthcare and the COVID-19 pandemic.

FNU also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Family Nurse Practitioner program.

Thanks again to our outstanding faculty and staff, students and alumni for showing immense compassion and strength throughout this unprecedented year. As we head into 2021, let us not forget all we have accomplished and all that we are capable of. Have a wonderful New Year!

[arve url=”https://youtu.be/L7BYr0bVWUg” title=”2020 Year in Review ” loop=”no” muted=”no” /]

December 28, 2020
Featured Preceptor: Gabrielle Morgan Scharp

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 that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality healthcare to underserved and rural populations.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) preceptor Gabrielle Morgan Scharp is being honored as FNU’s Featured Preceptor for the 2020 fall term due to her outstanding dedication to healthcare, service and building up new nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners.

A registered nurse and certified nurse-midwife, Morgan Scharp began her career in 1998 after experiencing her labor and delivery nurses’ compassion throughout her pregnancy and son’s birth.

“I was 18 at the time and didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life,” Morgan Scharp said. “When I watched those wonderful women work, though, it was like a lightbulb went off. I thought I could do that, and so I did.”

After working as an RN for 10 years, Morgan Scharp returned to school to get her nurse-midwifery certification through FNU in 2008, graduating in 2011.

“When I was working as a labor and delivery nurse, I just wanted to do more. I was frustrated working with women for hours only to have the doctor swoop in at the end to catch the baby. I wanted to help the mother through the whole process,” Morgan Scharp said.

Morgan Scharp chose Frontier after hearing about it from a co-worker.

“I went home that night and looked it up. I thought, ‘wow, this sounds amazing, I think this is exactly what I want to do,’ And through Frontier’s unique education model, I was able to meet my goals. Frontier made everything possible for me.”

Following her graduation from Frontier, Morgan Scharp moved from Wyoming to the Navajo reservation in Navajo County, Ariz.

“It was definitely a culture shock at first. Many of these people don’t have heat, running water, or electricity; we don’t have 911 or Wal-Mart. I experienced being a minority for the first time in my life. But, I very quickly loved these people and valued their way of life.”

Although she has moved to various towns within the reservation, Morgan Scharp has been living with and serving the Navajo and Hopi communities since 2011. She enjoys working on the reservation (currently in Tuba City) because of the great sense of community, tradition, and the respect they have for women and elders.

“With COVID, things have been different, but usually, we will have around twelve people at a birth. It is such an exciting time for so many. They also have really inspiring traditions such as putting the umbilical cord in a special place to them so that their child will always feel drawn there and have roots in the community,” Morgan Scharp said.

Although she was hesitant to become a preceptor at first, she has fully embraced the role in recent years and has found it one of her favorite parts of her job.

“I was afraid I wouldn’t be a good teacher, but once I started, it felt natural. I like to step back and give the students I work with room to learn and grow. I know that they have the knowledge from their didactic studies to succeed. I enjoy allowing them to do so.” Morgan Scharp said.

The students who work with Morgan Scharp appreciate her teaching method, but more than anything, they see her heart for the native women of the reservations, and through that- what it means to truly care for your patients and your community.

Student Christy Neese recently worked alongside Morgan Scharp and had this to say about her experience:

“Gabrielle provides so much strength to the team of midwives in Tuba City. She is full of energy and passion for empowering women through her work as a midwife. Gabrielle sets a beautiful example of how to engage women in their world, their desires, and their culture–and to appreciate all of it. Navajo and Hopi culture values and respects childbirth and motherhood, and Gabrielle can support these values, beliefs, and practices with the midwifery care she provides. Gabrielle has committed so much of her life to these women–she lives 1.5 hours from the nearest ‘big city.’ She is far away from a lot of her family, but she is willing to make these sacrifices to serve the women in this rural community. She taught me so much of what it looks like to serve women, to learn from women, and to appreciate each woman as she allows us to participate in her journey into motherhood.”

When asked what the most fulfilling part of her job is, Morgan Scharp said, “helping to create a family and watching people grow. I watch pregnancies grow, babies grow, as well as the midwifery students that I precept. It is a beautiful career.”

Thank you, Gabrielle, for your continued work in advancing nursing and midwifery education and assisting FNU in reaching underserved populations through a Culture of Caring!

To read about previously recognized preceptors or to nominate a preceptor, click here.

Are you interested in becoming a Frontier preceptor? Learn more here.

December 8, 2020
Student Spotlight: Heidi Hagan, Offering a Vision of Healing

Heidi Hagan is a current Frontier Nursing University (FNU) student working to become a Certified Nurse-Midwife, a passion born from her own life experience. In 2003, Hagan went through a life-changing and devastating event when her first child was unexpectedly lost at term. Hagan said the incident was one of the most challenging times of her life, but because of the incredible midwife who supported her through the tragedy, she now has a clear vision of her future. She wants to become a nurse-midwife who can bring healing to others.

“My goal is to develop a comprehensive perinatal hospice program that provides in-home care/birth planning, delivery support, grief support, and follow up after birth. This cause is very near to my heart and drives everything I do as a nurse and now student nurse-midwife.”

Hagan is currently working as a triage registered nurse for home health and home hospice patients at UPMC Home Health & Family Hospice in Williamsport, Pa. In this role, Hagan provides PRN skilled nursing services after regular business hours by meeting patient needs as they arise, monitoring chronic conditions and surveying how patients are coping and adjusting after a hospital stay or receiving a terminal diagnosis. Although hospice care is not traditionally paired with nurse-midwifery, Hagan chose this route with intention.

“I wanted to become more comfortable working with death and dying, as well as avail myself to caring for perinatal patients who may be anticipating a life-limiting diagnosis. I also wanted to gain experience working with folks in the home setting because I feel there is a huge opportunity to expand services to postpartum women. I believe that if these services were more commonly expanded, we could improve outcomes related to postpartum depression and promote healthy families through home health nursing.”

Set to graduate in 2021, Hagan first chose FNU because of its incredible reputation for providing quality education and promoting compassionate care.

“I had heard wonderful things about the programs at FNU and was immediately attracted to the program after meeting and talking with several FNU alumni. I needed a program with flexibility, the ability to pace my learning and a personal touch. It was an easy decision!”

After choosing FNU, Hagan said it is everything she hoped for, adding that it has had an incredible impact on her personal life as well as her education.

“The FNU network has been my lifeline! I have had several unexpected life events over the past three years that threatened to derail my success. However, the amazing network of teaching midwives, fellow students, local alumni and program leaders at FNU have kept me on track through it all. My FNU support system constantly encourages patient, persistence, and perseverance –always reminding me of why I started my journey in the first place.”

Another remarkable piece of Hagan’s story is that through her nurse-midwife program at FNU, she has been able to train side by side with the nurse-midwife who inspired her career choice. Nearly 20 years ago, Kay Zlockie, CNM, helped Hagan through her lost pregnancy. Today, Zlockie is guiding Hagan towards her future, sharing knowledge and encouragement as her primary preceptor.

As Hagan put it, “my story has come full circle.”

FNU wishes Hagan luck as she moves forward with her dream to support women and families facing loss and heartache. May her personal tragedy lead to healing for many.

To learn more about FNU’s unique and impactful nurse-midwife program based around a Culture of Caring that seeks to equip upcoming nurse-midwives with wisdom and compassion, click here.

November 19, 2020

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