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New Introduction to Cultural Safety Course Available to All

March 11, 2021 By Frontier Nursing University

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:

Define cultural safety
Identify the three key tenets of cultural safety
Explain the impacts of colonization on Indigenous people in the U.S.
Describe what culturally safe vs. culturally unsafe care may look like
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.

Dr. Geraldine Young Highlighted Among 25 Outstanding Women by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

January 27, 2021 By Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Geraldine Young, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CDCES, FAANP is being recognized as a Leading Woman in Higher Education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. This is the 10th consecutive year that Diverse has published this annual special report annually recognizing 25 women and their contributions to higher education. The issue will be published on March 4, 2021, in honor of Women’s History Month. According to a press release by Diverse, the March issue “highlights women who have made a difference in the academy by tackling some of higher education’s toughest challenges, exhibiting extraordinary leadership skills and making a positive difference in their respective communities.”

Dr. Geraldine Young
Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized on this special list of women,” Dr. Young said. “I am thankful to have led the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at FNU over the past year. As we strengthen our own environment, we have the opportunity to set an example and standard for other institutions to follow. I thank Diverse magazine for this honor and for giving us this platform to inspire others.”

Dr. Young, whose service in the nursing profession spans over 20 years, joined FNU in the fall of 2019. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2010), an MSN from Alcorn State University (2005), and a BSN from the University of Mississippi Medical Center (2001). She is also a board-certified family nurse practitioner (FNP) (2005) and a certified diabetes care and education specialist (2011).

Dr. Young is a National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Leadership Fellow and Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP). She has been deemed a content expert for one of the leading credentialing bodies for NPs, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). She serves on an array of national committees to advance nurse practitioner education, including the NONPF Curricular Leadership Committee and Conference Committee. She is also a member of the NONPF Board of Directors and a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Essentials Task Force.

As a member of the Essentials Task Force and NONPF Board of Directors, Dr. Young is ensuring cultural diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of nursing education to address the health disparities and inequalities that exist in our nation. She has effectively delivered models of clinical practice to improve the outcomes of underserved and minority populations with diabetes in conjunction with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS).

“We are so proud to have Dr. Geraldine Young at Frontier Nursing University,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FAAN, FACNM. “Her experience and expertise as an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion provide vital leadership to the entire FNU community. With the guidance of Dr. Young and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, we are building upon the progress we have made and we will continue to make diversity, equity, and inclusion a top priority at all levels of the university.”

In each of the past three years, FNU has received the prestigious Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The Health Professions HEED Award is the only 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 across their campuses.

FNU’s commitment to emphasizing and valuing diversity and inclusion was formally instituted in 2006 when the university began intense efforts to recruit minority students in an effort to diversify the advanced practice nursing and midwifery workforce. FNU’s initial efforts were funded through the support of an Advanced Nurse Education grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). In 2010, FNU held its first annual Diversity Impact Conference. Held each summer since then, the Diversity Impact Conference opens the door for nurse practitioner and nurse-midwifery students plus faculty and staff to foster collaborative discussions, address health disparities, and find proactive solutions to improve minority health among underrepresented and marginalized groups. Today, the goal of a diverse health care workforce continues with efforts to recruit and educate faculty, staff, students, and preceptors and integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts throughout all of FNU operations with a goal that it should be fully integrated into the university’s culture. FNU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are currently funded with a Nursing Workforce Diversity Grant from the HRSA.

These diversity initiatives span all facets of the university, but one of the most telling and important data points is the percentage of students of color enrolled at FNU. In 2009, that number was 9 percent. Starting in 2010 with the HRSA funding, FNU’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have resulted in the percentage of students of color enrolled growing to 25 percent today.

FNU’s 2020 Diversity Events in Review

December 3, 2020 By Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is built on a Culture of Caring with a mission to educate nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives who will go out and care for diverse and underserved communities. In 2010, FNU took a step further in defining goals of expanding diversity and inclusion throughout the university and the greater healthcare community by implementing the Diversity Impact Program.

FNU leadership designed the Diversity Impact Program to promote an inclusive learning and workforce environment at FNU with the goal of increasing diversity in the nursing and midwifery professions by recruiting and retaining underrepresented students and employees.

In alignment with the Diversity Impact Program, FNU launched the first annual Diversity Impact Conference in 2010. This year celebrated the 10th year of the event. Although it moved to a virtual platform due to COVID-19, it was still a wonderful time dedicated to spreading awareness and understanding minority identities. This year’s conference took place June 11-13 and carried the theme ‘Year of the Nurse and Midwife 2020: Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’. Some of this year’s topics were: “What is Race Literacy – 4 Dimensions of Racial Conditioning,” “Addressing Health Disparities: The Role of Healthcare Providers & Educators,” and “Microaggressions in Nursing Education and Health: Why They Matter and What We Can Do About Them.”

Other virtual events hosted by FNU throughout the year also highlighted diversity within the nursing community, including, Racial Disparities in Maternity Care: Where Do We Go From Here? during National Midwifery Week, and Dismantling Implicit Bias to Promote Optimal Health Outcomes during National Nurse Practitioner Week.

Additionally, prior to COVID-19 and the turn to virtual events, FNU student Shamekia Wilson volunteered to host an exhibit at The 41st Minority Health Conference in Chapel Hill, NC. During the show, potential students visited the FNU booth to learn more about their various educational programs and diversity initiatives. Wilson said the event helped her further understand the importance of diversity in healthcare education for ensuring that patients from diverse backgrounds receive quality care.

This year, Frontier’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) also launched a new mentoring program, the Professional Organization Mentoring Program. Through this program, students are selected to join a faculty member at a virtual professional nursing conference to network and learn more about their chosen field. To qualify for the program, students must complete an application and submit an essay, which will be graded by the Office of DEI. If selected, the Office of DEI will cover the conference’s cost and the student’s membership for a related professional organization. Students interested in this opportunity can begin the application process here.

The Office of DEI is also currently in the pilot phase of a comprehensive mentoring program designed to support and retain students of color by meeting their specific professional and academic needs. FNU is excited about expanding this program and believes it will help the university continue to grow a more diverse population within their community and the nursing field.

For these initiatives, as well as the university’s holistic dedication to supporting and understanding students, faculty and patients from all backgrounds, FNU was honored to receive the INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Health Profession’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award for the third year in a row. Upon receiving the award this year, FNU President Dr. Susan Stone made the following statement:

“We know that culturally competent care improves health outcomes and begins with a more diverse healthcare system. We are proud to be taking a leadership role in this movement by educating an increasingly diverse student body, but we fully recognize that we have much to learn and areas to improve. The HEED Award confirms that we are continuing to move in the right direction and to make meaningful progress.”

FNU is proud to continue to push programs, events, and mindsets that promote equality for people of all races, cultures, and gender identities.

To learn more about the steps Frontier has taken to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, visit the university’s diversity page. Additionally, if you are interested in joining a university with a passion for including and supporting students, patients and staff of all backgrounds, please visit the FNU admissions page.

FNU Receives HEED Award for Third Consecutive Year

October 29, 2020 By Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is delighted to receive INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine’s Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award for the third year in a row. The HEED Award is the only application-based national recognition honoring colleges and universities that show an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campuses. Because FNU values the unique talents, backgrounds, religions and cultures that make up its faculty, staff and student body, it is a true honor to receive this award.

“Amidst the current social justice movement in our country, it is imperative that FNU serve as an agent for change,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “We know that culturally competent care improves health outcomes and begins with a more diverse healthcare system. We are proud to be taking a leadership role in this movement by educating an increasingly diverse student body, but fully recognize that we have much to learn and areas in which to improve. The HEED Award confirms that we are continuing to move in the right direction and to make meaningful progress.”

“The 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 HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

FNU’s commitment to emphasizing and valuing diversity and inclusion was formally instituted with the creation of the Diversity Impact Program in 2010. The following year, FNU held its first annual Diversity Impact Conference. In 2017, FNU established the position of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO), which sits on the President’s Cabinet. Today, the Diversity and Inclusion Office has grown to include Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Dr. Geraldine Young, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Chris Turley, and Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion Devon Peterika.

FNU’s diversity initiatives span all facets of the university, but one of the most telling and important data points is the percentage of students of color enrolled at FNU. In 2009, that number was 9 percent. In 2020, it has grown to 25 percent, numbers that University leadership are incredibly proud of, and a trend they hope will continue.

As Dr. Susan Stone said in her antiracism statement released earlier this year, “[FNU is] committed to building a culture that is inclusive and caring for all.” Her full statement condemning all forms of racial injustice can be found here.

To learn more about the steps, FNU has taken to celebrate diversity and promote inclusion, visit the diversity page and check out this recent blog. Additionally, if you want to be a part of a university with a passion for including and supporting students, patients, and staff of all backgrounds, please visit the FNU admissions page.

FNU’s 6th Annual Midwifery Week Virtual Event Was A Success

October 22, 2020 By Frontier Nursing University

Once again, Frontier Nursing University (FNU) joined thousands of nurse-midwives across the country to celebrate National Midwifery Week from Oct 4- 10. Throughout this exciting week, FNU hosted its 6th annual virtual event, Empower, which explored how the midwife community can commit to better care for women and families during these unprecedented times.

Here’s a recap of the sessions in case you missed them:

Life of the Nurse-Midwife

To get things started, FNU faculty Jeneen A. Lomax, DNP, APRN, CNM, and FNU Department Chair of Midwifery and Women’s Health Dr. Tonya Nicholson presented, “It’s the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife: Get the 411 on Becoming a Nurse-Midwife,” featuring a diverse student panel including Jamilla Webb, BSN, RN, Sunoz “Sunny” Soroosh, RN, MPH, Erin Hanks, RN, IBCLC, and Cheryl Appleton, BSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM. During this session, Dr. Jeneen Lomax and Dr. Nicholson discussed the value of midwifery and then got the inside scoop from current FNU students about their experiences. In the session, the presenters and panelists came from a variety of personal and healthcare backgrounds to best present the full scope of nurse-midwifery. As a bonus, this session finished out with questions from the online participants to promote a better understanding of FNU’s approach to nurse-midwifery education.

Telehealth

Faculty members Dr. Tanya Belcheff, Dr. Cassie Belzer, Dr. Judith Butler, Martha Harvey, Dr. Audrey Perry, and Heidi Loomis presented a free continuing education course, “Midwifery Pearls of Telehealth.” The session provided an overview of telehealth from a nurse-midwifery perspective, emphasizing patient engagement, group care, provider satisfaction and best practices for meeting compliance requirements. This information is especially pertinent in the age of COVID-19 and included helpful information to anyone who has had to make adjustments to their practice during this unprecedented year. “Midwifery Pearls of Telehealth” is a continuing education course approved for 1.25 contact hour(s) of continuing education by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners if the post-test and evaluation are completed by Sept. 2021.

Menopause

“Hot Topics in the Management of Perimenopause & Menopause: A Conventional & Integrative Approach,” hosted by FNU faculty members Dr. Ruth Ellen Elsasser and Dr. Ana Verzone, was another continuing education opportunity. The session introduced a review of conventional and evidence-based integrative medicine interventions used during perimenopause and menopause. Some of the topics covered included: understanding menopause and its varied presentation and symptoms, knowing the critical differences between perimenopause and menopause, identifying complications of conventional pharmacology and developing a patient-centered, individualized plan of care when managing perimenopause and menopause. Reviewing this session can earn participants 2.0 contact hour(s) of continuing education (which includes 0.75 hours of pharmacology) by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners after completing the post-test and evaluation. The course will be recognized through Sept. 2021.

Racial Disparities

The virtual event concluded with FNU Assistant Professor Dr. Heather Clarke and FNU President Dr. Susan Stone presenting “Racial Disparities in Maternity Care: Where Do We Go From Here?” The session discussed how high maternal and infant mortality rates are directly correlated with racism and how the nursing community can use strategic planning to rebuild these systems and enact real change. The session was designed to help nurse-midwives identify disparities in Black and indigenous women’s health care outcomes and apply real strategies to combat racism and improve outcomes.

To view recordings of each of the sessions from FNU’s Empower 2020, visit the event page.

Graduate Nursing School: How Does FNU Focus on Diversity?

August 17, 2020 By frontieredu

The recent events in our country have provided a glaring reminder that, unfortunately, not all people in our nation are provided with the rights, justice, and dignity they deserve. As President Dr. Susan Stone said in her recent statement to the Frontier Nursing University (FNU) community:

“Deep racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities exist in our country. The killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, and so many others across this country at the hands of those who are supposed to protect us are indicators that we have a very long way to go in our efforts to eradicate systemic racism.”

Systemic racism has an impact on every person, institution, and industry in our nation. For years, the FNU community has been passionate about fighting systemic racism within the healthcare system, and that passion continues to grow in light of our current climate. We understand that where diversity is lacking among healthcare professionals, patients suffer.

FNU is dedicated to helping diversify the nursing and nurse-midwifery workforce in primary care. Our distance education model places its focus on preparing a diverse workforce of competent, entrepreneurial, ethical, and compassionate healthcare leaders that provide culturally-concordant care, helping improve health outcomes for women and families, especially in rural and underserved populations.

Here are a few ways FNU prioritizes diversity:

Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

FNU has been committed to expanding diversity representation in faculty, staff, and students since 2006. In 2017, FNU added a Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) position, which is a member of the President’s Cabinet. Dr. Maria Valentin-Welch was FNU’s first CDIO and, behind her leadership, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has now grown to include the CDIO (Geraldine Young), Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator (Chris Turley) and Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion (Devon Peterika).

The goal of FNU’s Office of DEI is to ensure students, faculty, and staff are provided with an environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages the success of all community members. The Office of DEI encompasses an atmosphere built on a culture of caring and solicits the equitable perspectives of students, faculty, and staff regardless of race, gender, sexual preference or identity, disability, and/or religion.

In early 2020, Dr. Geraldine Young became the newest CDIO. Dr. Young has a rich history serving rural Mississippi through a wide variety of health, inclusion, and social mobility projects. In a recent interview, Dr. Young shared her enthusiasm over having the opportunity to “expand the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at FNU to improve the health outcomes of diverse patient populations in underserved and rural areas in the U.S.”

Diversity Impact Program

One of the top ways that FNU makes diversity, equity, and inclusion a priority is through our Diversity Impact Program. The Diversity Impact Program was created in 2010 to promote an inclusive learning and workforce environment within our University with the goal of recruiting and retaining more underrepresented students and employees. Expanding the pool of nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to include more underrepresented groups helps to strengthen our University and the healthcare world as a whole. We have been thrilled to see FNU’s enrollment of students of color rise from 9 percent to 24 percent since the introduction of the program, and we are excited to see that number continue to grow.

The Diversity Impact Program offers many ways for students to find their voice including scholarship opportunities, a quarterly speaking series with discussions focused on cultural awareness and inclusion, access to our multicultural center, opportunities to represent FNU at national conferences and events, and opportunities to participate in workgroups, committees and a closed Diversity Impact social media group.

Diversity Impact Conference

FNU loves celebrating our differences throughout the year with a variety of events and activities, especially the annual Diversity Impact Conference. This year, we hosted the 10th Annual Diversity Impact Conference with the theme, “Year of the Nurse and Midwife 2020: Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.” The theme follows the lead of the World Health Organization (WHO) which designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. At FNU, we believe that in order to provide the best quality nursing and midwifery care to all people, cultural respect and inclusion are essential. Unlike our previous conferences, this year’s event was fully virtual due to the current COVID-9 Pandemic, but we were pleased to see high engagement and great feedback!

In 2019, the in-person conference was packed with activities and workshops on a variety of topics including positive marginality, indigenous/Native American nurse-midwives, and the LGBTQ community. Our central goals of the conference are for students to leave feeling more comfortable sharing their own beliefs and experiences while also learning how to create meaningful connections across all backgrounds and communities.

Diversity Impact Quarterly Speaking Series

In addition to the Diversity Impact Conference, FNU holds a quarterly speaking series, encouraging our students and employees to become global thinkers and healthcare leaders within their communities. The series includes discussions on cultural awareness and inclusion to enhance each student’s experience to better serve diverse populations with confidence and ease. The series offers a unique aspect of shared perspectives that promote cross-cultural learning among students and their peers, along with the overall pursuit of academic success as a student-learner.

National Diversity Conferences and Events

Each year, FNU’s Office of DEI – Diversity Impact Program represents the University at nursing events around the U.S. FNU highlights the diversity program at several professional conferences through presentations, networking, exhibits, and recruitment of underrepresented students and employees. Students are given the opportunity to attend conferences as Student Ambassadors. With the availability of the Professional Organization Mentoring Program (POMP), the Office of DEI also provides mentoring services for underrepresented students at professional conferences. In 2020, many conference and event participation opportunities have been offered virtually instead of in person. These activities are intended to bring awareness to the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee

At FNU, our students have the opportunity to join the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. This committee consists of faculty, staff, and students that are passionate about developing, promoting, and providing programs and resources to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout the University and healthcare workforce.

FNU was honored to receive the prestigious INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award in both 2018 and 2019. Although we are proud to be recognized for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, we know that to truly champion diversity and improve health outcomes for as many women and families as possible, we must continue to push the envelope when it comes to inclusion awareness.

If you are interested in learning more about the efforts FNU is making to celebrate diversity, please visit our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nursing and Midwifery page. Additionally, if you want to be a part of a university with a passion to include and support those of all backgrounds, please visit the FNU admissions page. We would love to have you in our community!

“We oppose injustice and cruelty and condemn racism in all its forms. We support peaceful protests and demonstrations and join all those working to end systemic racism, racial violence, and police brutality. We are committed to building a culture that is inclusive and caring for all.” – Dr. Susan Stone

Read FNU’s full Antiracism Statement here.

More Topics Related to Graduate Nursing School:

Why Should I Become a Nurse-Midwife?

Should I Consider a DNP?

What Degrees Does FNU Offer?

Graduate Nursing School: What is Frontier Nursing University’s Culture of Caring?

July 9, 2020 By frontieredu

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.

FNU’s 10th Annual Diversity Impact Conference: Year of the Nurse and Midwife Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

July 2, 2020 By frontieredu

On June 11-13, 2020 the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) hosted the 10th Annual Diversity Impact Conference. FNU started this tradition in 2010 alongside the launch of the Diversity Impact Program which was introduced with the primary goal of increasing diversity in enrollment while providing a more inclusive environment and stronger support system for all students. Since the launch of the Diversity Impact Program, we have seen FNU’s enrollment of students of color rise from 9 percent to 24 percent, numbers we are extremely proud of, but hope will continue to grow.

The first Diversity Impact Conference was introduced with the hopes of engaging students in culture and thought that differs from their own as a means to expand awareness and understanding of those that differ from them. At our conference, we highlight issues involving race, culture, and the LGBTQ community through speakers, discussions, and small group activities. Due to COVID-19, we chose to continue this event on a digital platform this year, which may have looked a little different, but still provided a great weekend of community and enlightenment.

This year’s conference theme, ‘Year of the Nurse and Midwife 2020: Increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion’ followed the lead of the World Health Organization (WHO) which designated 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. The rise of COVID-19 has highlighted to the world the importance of quality nursing and midwifery care, and at FNU, we believe that in order to provide the best quality nursing and midwifery care to all people, cultural respect and inclusion are essential.

The conference began Thursday, June 11 with introductions from the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) Geraldine Young. The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion staff, the Diversity Impact Adhoc Committee, moderators, academic leadership, and support were introduced along with a briefing from the CDIO, including a moment of silence for those affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic and racism. Introductions were followed by a welcome address from FNU president, Susan Stone emphasizing the school’s goals of encouraging and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and emphasizing the effects of White Privilege.

Following Dr. Stone’s address was premier speaker Kenya Beard, Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at Nassau Community College. Dr. Beard is a nurse educator with over 30 years of nursing experience in acute and long-term care settings. Students across the state seek her assistance to prepare for and pass the NCLEX-RN, as she has improved the NCLEX-RN pass rate for several nursing programs in New York. Dr. Beard received her EdD from Dowling College and her MS in Adult Health from Stony Brook University.

In her session “Addressing Health Disparities: The Role of Healthcare Providers & Educators,” Dr. Beard discussed how structural racism impacts health equity, healthcare disparities, and social determinants of health (SDOH). She left attendees with meaningful ways to facilitate race-related discourse.

On Friday, our keynote speaker, Milagros Phillips AKA ‘The Race Healer’, addressed the conference with a comprehensive speech titled “What is Race Literacy – 4 Dimensions of Racial Conditioning”. This impactful speech focused on the ways in which we may be conditioned by race and described how coming face to face with our own biases can transform our work and liberate our hearts.

Other thought-provoking speakers included Ronald Hickman Jr. on “Everyday Biases: We all Have Them and Can Manage Them”, Laura Manns-James on “Microaggressions in Nursing Education and Health: Why They Matter and What We Can Do About Them” and Katrin Moskowitz on “The “Ask Me How I Am Project”: The Discussion of Mental Health and Suicide Among Health Care Workers.”

Throughout the weekend students also engaged in virtual networking sessions, breakout small groups, tabletop discussions, and optional virtual lunches with faculty and staff. As a bonus to the virtual experience, we also included an online scavenger hunt that encouraged participants to engage with FNU on social media and share their conference experiences.

Winners of the Virtual Scavenger Hunt, a free T-shirt, and other goodies are:

Kelly Wilson
Cassie Henry
April Karyn Haneline
Adrienne Christner
Gretchen Grey
Sydney Boone
Alisha Cigalotti
Nancy Carter

Congratulations and thank you for participating!

The conference ended Saturday evening following a fantastic weekend of community, respect, knowledge, and self-evaluation. A huge thanks to all of our speakers, faculty, and staff that helped to make this event possible. Next year, we hope once again to be able to engage in this time of personal and professional growth in person but are also overwhelmed with the success and positive feedback from our virtual experience.

Here is what some of this year’s participants had to say about our virtual Diversity Impact Conference:

“Thank you for organizing such a wonderful event. I have laughed, cried, and learned so much. I don’t even think that I have processed everything yet, but I know that I am a better person because I attended this event. Thank you.” – Angela Bailey, FNU Chief Advancement Officer

“Thank you so much for all of the hard work that you put into making the virtual Diversity Impact Conference happen this year. Every single speaker and activity was informative and inspirational… This was my first year attending, but it will certainly not be my last.” – Melinda M. Hancock

“The conference is a big success. A big thank you.” – Diane John, FNU faculty

“Dr. Beard’s session was so insightful. I learned to be more aware of implicit bias and to stand up for others and my patients to ensure the best care for all (even if it causes a “disagreement” with a doctor!). Also, thank you to Dr. Stone for an amazing presentation.” – Kelly Wilson

Thank you to everyone who joined us, we hope to see you again for our Diversity Impact Conference 2021! To learn more about FNU’s Diversity Impact program, visit Frontier.edu/Diversity.