FNU’s DNP program reaches 15-year milestone

October 31, 2023 By Frontier Nursing University

FNU welcomed its first DNP students in October 2008. In the 15 years since the first class enrolled, FNU’s DNP program has continued to grow and excel. In 2022, 190 students graduated from the DNP program, while 202 more students enrolled in the DNP.

FNU completed a re-accreditation process for the school’s DNP program in 2022 through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN site visitors issued their recommendation for re-accreditation, along with special recognition for the strength of FNU’s DNP program, including the Frontier mission, faculty, and organizational capacity.

“ACEN’s thorough re-accreditation process is a great opportunity for us to measure the successes of the program while also gaining valuable expert external recommendations for areas of improvement,” said FNU Dean of Nursing Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM, FAAN. “We are very proud to have earned re-accreditation with high praise from ACEN and are excited to see the continued growth and success of the DNP program at Frontier.”

The decision to add the DNP to FNU’s program offerings in 2008 came in response to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s endorsement of the Position Statement on the Practice Doctorate in Nursing, which called for advancing the level of preparation for advanced nursing practice roles from the master’s degree to the doctorate level by 2015.

The DNP is the highest degree for clinical nursing practice and is designed for clinicians who want to expand upon their leadership skills and clinical expertise. FNU’s DNP curriculum provides education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and systems leadership.

“One of the advantages to a DNP is that it specifically sets you up to be a change agent and a leader,” said clinical faculty Dr. Diana Jolles, Ph.D., CNM, FACNM. “This degree specializes in preparing people to make a change in their community and to serve the needs of the people, which is very, very complicated. Our program is designed to help mentor, support, nurture, and really build resilience and grit so that people have the skills and the tools to make the changes that need to happen in this healthcare environment that we know is so broken.”

“Our expectation is to teach you leadership and quality improvement skills that you can apply to any other problem you see in your environment,” said DNP Program Director Dr. Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC. “I think that’s what makes us really special.”

Dr. Jefferson’s passion for FNU’s DNP program comes naturally, as she herself completed the program in 2017.

“I enjoyed my entire experience so much that I’ve never left,” she said.

As part of the curriculum, DNP students complete an eight-week Quality Improvement Project, generally in the hospital or clinic where they are currently working. This allows the student to tailor their project to their practice and the patient population which it serves.

“Students implement their Quality Improvement Project for the larger community that they live in, but the unique thing for our students is that probably 98% of them are actually doing their project at the place where they work,” Dr. Jefferson said. “They know the inherent problems that they see every day. By collaborating with the quality department and other key stakeholders, they are able to really narrow in on what is needed, not just something that they’re passionate about, but something that can truly drive change and impact care.”

Learn more about FNU’s DNP program in this Q&A video:

FNU alumnus Dr. Elizabeth Akinyemi, DNP (Class 39), FNP, said that the DNP program opened her mind to a different way of thinking. Her DNP quality improvement project focused on improving hypertension in patients at the family medical clinic in which she worked.

“The way I think about healthcare has definitely been transformed, and this is a result of going through Frontier’s very objective DNP program,” Dr. Akinyemi said. “I came out of the program feeling more confident about my ability to contribute positively to any clinical quality improvement initiative. The DNP helps you become more analytical and a problem solver who tries to figure out root causes and solutions.”

Dr. Akinyemi’s analytical mindset directly aligns with FNU’s data-driven, evidence-based approach to program and curriculum development. The success of the DNP program is an important part of FNU’s mission “to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education that integrates the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We transform healthcare by preparing innovative, ethical, compassionate, and entrepreneurial leaders to work with all people with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities.”

“As a DNP student, you don’t just leave Frontier Nursing University with a DNP degree,” said Dr. Jefferson “You leave it with your DNP degree, quality improvement and leadership skills, new friends, and a whole community of support.”

To learn more, visit the DNP program page on our website.

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Three reasons to pursue a DNP

June 30, 2023 By Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University’s clinical doctorate is designed for registered nurses who want to take their nursing career, leadership skills and clinical expertise to the next level.

If you hold a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), you may be curious about the growing trend of nurses opting for a DNP degree and whether pursuing one would be the right decision for you. In recent years, more and more nurses are choosing to advance their careers by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

Frontier Nursing University’s clinical doctorate is designed for registered nurses with certification as a nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner who want to take their nursing career, leadership skills and clinical expertise to the next level, with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities. Below are three reasons why you may consider taking this step.

“I decided to become a DNP to gain confidence in being a leader and advocate for my patients and community,” FNU DNP alumni Carrie Baker said.

“I decided to become a DNP to gain confidence in being a leader and advocate for my patients and community.”
– Dr. Carrie Baker, FNU Alumni

Advance your skills.

The DNP is the highest degree for clinical nursing practice and is highly valued in preparing nurses for advanced practice. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), changing demands of the complex healthcare environment require the highest level of scientific knowledge and practice expertise to assure quality patient outcomes.

FNU’s Post-Master’s DNP program is designed for certified nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners, combining coursework and clinical/practicum experiences to build on knowledge acquired during their master’s program. Students gain new experience in evidence-based practice, quality improvement, systems leadership, and more.

FNU faculty member and alumni Dr. Kristin Gianelis says earning a doctoral degree taught her to think differently.

“It opened my eyes to quality improvement, developed leadership skills and gave me the confidence to be an agent of change in my community,” she said.

“The DNP program is pushing me to become a better leader. I’m used to staying in the background and putting my head down, but I’m being challenged to engage more on a political stage and with stakeholders in my community to make sure my patients get the kind of care they deserve.”
– Dr. Kamil El, FNU Alumni

Improve the standard of care in your community.

A 2022 study by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found widespread agreement that DNP graduates have great potential to impact patient and system-level outcomes by translating evidence into practice and health policy and by using leadership skills and interdisciplinary collaboration.

FNU’s DNP Program prepares nurses to impact health care nationwide, starting with improving health care outcomes and the delivery of primary health in their communities. The DNP Project guides students through the process of working within a healthcare delivery system to translate evidence into practice.

Past FNU DNP Projects

Our DNP students complete 360 hours planning, implementing and disseminating the results of a rapid cycle quality improvement project using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement model. The clinical project hours involve application and demonstration of The Essentials by AACN including person-centered care, population health, quality and safety, systems-based practice, and personal, professional and leadership development. Many of our alumni consider it a life-changing experience.

“The DNP program is pushing me to become a better leader,” Dr. Kamil El, FNU DNP alumni, said. “I’m used to staying in the background and putting my head down, but I’m being challenged to engage more on a political stage and with stakeholders in my community to make sure my patients get the kind of care they deserve.”

“It opened my eyes to quality improvement, developed leadership skills and gave me the confidence to be an agent of change in my community.”
– Dr. Kristin Gianelis, FNU Faculty Member and Alumni

Shape the future of healthcare.

DNPs are needed in practice, as well as education. Those who earn a DNP can use the degree to educate the next generation of nurses by working as university faculty or precepting. FNU has more than 150 doctorally prepared certified nurse-midwife and nurse practitioner faculty and a network of nearly 16,000 preceptors nationwide.

FNU student Mara-Joanne Derinor was motivated to pursue her DNP in an effort to improve clinical education. She credits her decision to pursue a DNP at FNU as one of the best she’s ever made. Derinor feels that too often nursing students are not given adequate encouragement in their education.

“I want to be the change that I want to see. I want to encourage and motivate future clinical students. I also want to make new discoveries in clinical research.”
– Mara-Joanne Derinor, FNU Student

“I want to be the change that I want to see,” she said. “I want to encourage and motivate future clinical students. I also want to make new discoveries in clinical research.”

A DNP can help you shape the future of healthcare in many ways. At Frontier Nursing University, DNP students complete their coursework online, complete 30 credit hours in 18 months, lead a rapid cycle quality improvement project in collaboration with a chosen clinical site, and participate in a three-day campus immersion experience. To learn more, visit the DNP page on our website.

Jessica Bacon Answers the Call … From the White House

May 17, 2023 By Frontier Nursing University

When the White House calls seeking your expertise, it is a pretty good indication that you are doing something right. That is exactly what happened to Jessica Bacon, CNM, APRN, MSN, and her colleagues at Wentworth-Douglas Hospital in Dover, New Hampshire.

Among her duties in the hospital’s Women and Children’s Unit, Bacon is part of Seacoast STRENGTH, the multidisciplinary care team for pregnant people with substance use disorder. She and her colleagues, Katie White, RN, and Lindsay Ginter, Case Manager, met with Federal officials via Zoom to answer their questions about their approach to caring for pregnant people who have substance use disorder.

“As they were getting ready to roll out their recommendations for programming, they reached out to different hospitals that have programs for substance use and pregnancy just to talk about the barriers and what has been working well,” Bacon said of the hour-long meeting with the White House representatives. “They were just trying to gather ideas from different people. We discussed where we currently are at with our program and what our hopes are going forward.”

Their goals are ambitious but attainable, much like Bacon’s were growing up in Ludlow, Massachusetts. By the time she was in high school, she already knew she wanted to work in women’s healthcare. She went to nursing school and worked as a nurse for 12 years before graduating from Frontier Nursing University as a nurse-midwife in 2012.

Like the rest of the country, substance use is prevalent in New Hampshire, Bacon says. A sad fact that led to the creation of the Substance Use Disorder Team.

“It’s an example of something that is being developed out of need, unfortunately,” Bacon said. “In New Hampshire, we have a high rate of opioid use disorder. It’s especially concentrated in the area that we live and work in. The New Hampshire Maternal Mortality Review Committee recently cited that 62 percent of our maternal mortality is related to a drug overdose. In our area, it’s not really the postpartum hemorrhages and untreated hypertension that’s killing people. It’s a drug overdose, particularly seven to 12 months postpartum.”

The overwhelming data demonstrated the need, and Bacon and her colleagues began to develop a plan. With the support of the hospital administration, Seacoast STRENGTH became reality. The learning curve was steep, however.

“From precepting different students, I think that there is now some integration of substance use disorder into the midwifery programs, but it wasn’t a thing when I was in school, and the same was true for most of the providers here,” Bacon said. “We just kind of jumped in and learned everything that we could about it because we were having people present to us in withdrawal. Unfortunately, even though we had local prescribers of buprenorphine, a lot of them wouldn’t prescribe to people that were pregnant because they were concerned about the effect on the pregnancy. There is, in recent years, lots of data establishing that both methadone and buprenorphine are appropriate medications for opioid use disorder in pregnancy.”

The care provided is free of judgment and infused with compassion and a simple desire to help someone who is ill. Treating the immediate threat and establishing a level of trust are essential first steps toward long-term positive outcomes.

“We try our best to normalize it like any other chronic condition – just like people with diabetes need extra care or extra medications,” Bacon said. “This is a chronic disease.”

All patients are screened verbally when they present for alcohol or opioid use. With consent, they may also be drug tested. Bacon says those tests almost always indicate that the street drugs are being laced with any number of other drugs, such as meth, cocaine, fentanyl, and heroin.

“When we get these test results, it reveals that the drugs are contaminated,” Bacon said. “That’s what is contributing to a lot of the overdoses because you don’t know what you’re getting. It’s no longer a single substance in most cases. So, we have to keep in mind the model of risk or harm reduction, where anything we can do for them is better than them getting opioids off the street and having these lethal overdoses.”

There are many hurdles to keeping these patients off the street, starting with getting them to ask for help in the first place. Transportation, insurance, finances, and lack of trust are imposing hurdles. Bacon said the Unit treats between 40 and 50 patients with opioid disorder per year, dating back to 2017.

“Pregnancy seems to be a pretty motivating time for people,” Bacon said. “It’s a time when people want to make changes in their life, but it’s really hard. So it’s not uncommon to make contact with people three or four times before they are even willing to attempt medications. We are in the process of developing a program where people can come to us, and we will support them with initiation for either buprenorphine or methadone. With help of the hospital’s Substance Use Response Team, we have done a lot of training with our providers and nurses for trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and all things substance abuse related. With time, the staff has gotten really comfortable with the process.”

As one process is perfected, the next looms on the horizon. Transportation and childcare remain the most significant hurdles for most patients. The thought of having to go to obstetric appointments, recovery services, and their buprenorphine prescriber can be overwhelming.

“Our goal this year is to integrate that recovery care with prenatal care as well,” Bacon said, noting that they have applied for grants to support this goal. “We have a small team of us that are going to provide continuity of care for the prenatal care. They will be able to get their prenatal care and recovery services all at the same time. They are going to come once a week for a two-hour session. An hour of that will be group work with a curriculum where we discuss safety planning, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and other similar topics. They also will attend classes such as childbirth education and breastfeeding. Included an hour where they can meet individually with me for prenatal care or their case manager to work on the social determinants of health and get the resources that they need.”

These types of projects and planning come naturally to Bacon, who is also the nursing practice specialist at Wentworth Douglas. She is responsible for being up to date on current evidence-based practice and working with her team to implement policies, procedures and programs as needed to fill gaps in care. Because of those responsibilities, Bacon came back to Frontier and is currently enrolled in the DNP program (Class 48).

“In this role as the nursing practice specialist, I’m doing a lot of quality improvement work, and I want to do it right,” Bacon said of her decision to pursue her DNP.

The decision to return to Frontier was just as easy as her initial choice to attend Frontier to become a certified nurse-midwife.

“The initial draw (to Frontier) was the ability to do the courses in my own community,” she said. “I had young kids, and I had a job here. Picking up and moving and going to a brick-and-mortar school was not feasible for me because there are none in my area. Frontier has been doing distance learning for a very long time, and they’ve worked out a lot of the kinks. I think now you’re seeing more and more institutions offer that as an option; they’re still having to work through a lot of those issues, whereas Frontier had done that work long before I got there. My experience there was great.”

Student Spotlight: Mara-Joanne Derinor aims to improve clinical education with DNP

March 9, 2023 By Frontier Nursing University

At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community who are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality healthcare to underserved and rural populations.

The schedule of a healthcare professional can be challenging to navigate. Yet, Mara-Joanne Derinor manages to work as a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) while pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), authoring books and more.

Derinor, a resident of Kissimmee, Florida, completed her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in the PMHNP FNU program last year and is a member of DNP Class 48, on track to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice this year.

Through her work as a PMHNP, Derinor evaluates and assesses patients for mental health conditions, prescribes medications, provides education about mental health, and provides therapy and counseling. She works with an underserved population, and many of her patients do not speak English or are bilingual.

“I provide culturally competent care for my community,” she said.

Pursuing a DNP at FNU

Derinor was motivated to pursue her DNP in an effort to improve clinical education. She feels that too often nursing students are not given adequate encouragement in their education.

“I want to be the change that I want to see,” she said. “I remember when my very own nursing professor told me I would not pass my NCLEX. That was very discouraging. I passed my NCLEX on the first try. I want to encourage and motivate future clinical students. I also want to make new discoveries in clinical research.”

Derinor is working on her DNP Quality Initiative which is focused on improving clinical workflow and patient satisfaction.

“I hope to improve quality care and patient satisfaction,” Derinor said.

So far, Derinor said her favorite course in the online DNP program has been the Nurse as Educator course (PC711).

“This is the most interesting course because it was informative and provided opportunities for students to improve their skills as a nurse educator,” she said. “My professor was very supportive of me as a learner. This class allowed me to be creative and explore ways to improve my skills as a nurse educator.”

Derinor said she initially decided to study at FNU after researching universities and online programs. She was impressed by FNU’s reputation. Since then, she said she has enjoyed a welcoming and engaging experience fostered by FNU faculty and peers.

“One of the best decisions ever,” she said.

Outside of her work and studies, Derinor is an author, motivational speaker, dancer, and director.

She has published four books, including three children’s books and one book of poetry, and has participated in poetry competitions nationwide. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and going to the beach.

“I started a book reading program in 2020 where I partner with schools, after school programs, and summer programs to read to the children and educate the children about mental health and the writing process,” said Derinor.

Thank you, Mara-Joanne, for choosing FNU in your path to improve clinical education and provide mental health care for underserved populations.

Meet the Program Director: Dr. Khara’ Jefferson, DNP Program Director

February 10, 2023 By Frontier Nursing University

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.

Throughout her time working with FNU, Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC has been a champion for higher education among nurses. As Director of the university’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, she provides essential support to students in the program.

Dr. Jefferson knows first-hand the benefits that come from earning a DNP degree through FNU, as she earned her degree from the university in 2017. She is a certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and before earning her DNP, she practiced in urgent care centers, telehealth, and emergency departments.

Dr. Jefferson earned her DNP at the encouragement of Dr. Amber Littlefield, a colleague in emergency medicine and urgent care who now serves as a faculty member at FNU.

“I loved it because it was a good conglomeration of everything that I was already doing, because I was already doing some quality improvement work,” Dr. Jefferson said. “I just wasn’t calling it quality improvement or quality assurance, but that’s really what I was already doing at some of these sites. So it all just came together.”

After earning her degree, Dr. Jefferson began working with the course faculty in the DNP Program at FNU before becoming an assistant professor. She took on the role of DNP Program Director in 2021.

A native of Louisiana, Dr. Jefferson moved around in her early life due to her father’s career with ExxonMobil. She spent seven years living in Malaysia, attending the International School of Kuala Lumpur.

Before taking on a career in healthcare, Dr. Jefferson worked as a seventh-grade science teacher. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and worked as a Registered Nurse in an emergency department for several years before obtaining her Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of South Alabama in 2011.

Learn More About FNU’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice Program

Through her current role at FNU, Dr. Jefferson helps prepare future advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) leaders to provide evidence-based care as they earn their DNP degrees. FNU’s DNP program is designed to improve healthcare outcomes and the delivery of primary health through enhanced nursing leadership.

Students in the program complete 30 credit hours in 18 months, lead a rapid cycle quality improvement project in collaboration with a chosen clinical site, and participate in a three-day campus immersion experience. FNU’s online DNP program,a focused practice doctorate that centers on improving patient outcomes, helps nurse practitioners take their career, leadership skills, and clinical expertise to the next level.

”FNU’s DNP program is designed to improve healthcare outcomes and the delivery of primary health through enhanced nursing leadership…I think you really become part of a family, part of a community when you come to Frontier.”
– Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC, DNP Program Director

Dr. Jefferson said the DNP Project FNU students lead truly makes the program stand out. Projects are small in scope and need to be appropriate for implementation within three months of the student and sponsor deciding on the clinical topic. Through their project, students are guided through the process of working within a healthcare delivery system to translate evidence into practice, and are introduced to quality improvement theories, processes, and programs.

“They are seeing all the gaps that are actually around them in their site, and meeting with people on their leadership team to decide which one of those they can realistically tackle in this small amount of time,” Dr. Jefferson said.

Projects pursued by DNP students follow guidelines and standards provided by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Students also have the opportunity to present their project at the annual IHI National Forum in Orlando, Florida.

The Culture of Caring Within the DNP Program

Dr. Jefferson said another aspect of the DNP program that makes it stand apart is FNU’s Culture of Caring, which reinforces a committed and loyal community where all members feel valued, confident, empowered and accepted by embracing Professionalism, Inclusivity, Respect, Positive Communication and Mutual Support.

“I think you really become part of a family, part of a community when you come to Frontier,” she said.

This connection, Dr. Jefferson said, is one of her favorite things about her career at FNU.

“Because we have these live sessions and because we have these one-on-one meetings, I get to know people for who they are, not just their DNP project,” she said. “A lot of times I know their family, because there’s somebody who’s cheering them on in the background that they’re telling me about. So that’s what makes it really special. It’s just being able to connect with people on a different level.”

Dr. Jefferson said when it comes to those who are considering entering the DNP program at FNU, students should expect to welcome feedback about their project and be open and curious.

”We’re looking for people who want to be the next APRN leaders who really want to change healthcare in a meaningful way and still serve their communities.”
– Khara’ Jefferson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, CHC, DNP Program Director

“We’re looking for people who want to be the next APRN leaders who really want to change healthcare in a meaningful way and still serve their communities,” she said.

Dr. Jefferson is married and has one son. In her free time, she enjoys adrenaline-raising activities such as sky-diving and bungee jumping. She also serves as CEO of a health and wellness consultation business, KAJ Wellness.

Thank you, Khara’, for your dedication to DNP students at FNU and for your commitment to helping FNU further its mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality healthcare to underserved and rural populations.

Do you think FNU’s DNP program is for you? To learn more about FNU’s online DNP program, fill out the form below.

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Russian-Born Viktoriya Kashin’s Mission to Aid Ukrainians

September 20, 2022 By Frontier Nursing University

When Russia began its attack on Ukraine in February, the images were shocking and terrifying. The heartbreaking scenes of devastation and destruction impacted everyone, but it was all particularly impactful to Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alumna Viktoriya Kashin, DNP, FNP, who was born in Russia. Her family immigrated to the United States in 1994 when she was 8. She traveled to Russia and Ukraine several times, staying connected to her homeland through friends and family. As the war began and casualties mounted, she knew she had to find a way to help. As a family nurse practitioner, Dr. Kashin, of course, is uniquely qualified to provide medical aid, and her knowledge and experience were needed in the war-torn country.

“The reason I became a nurse was because of my high school teacher,” said Dr. Kashin, who attended high school in Tennessee. “I was a senior in high school and didn’t know what I was going to do. I took a health science class. It was just basic things – taking blood pressure and learning about the human body. One day my teacher said, ‘You would make a great nurse.’ Two of my friends wanted to be nurses, and my mom also encouraged me to go into the medical field. She was sick a lot off and on, and she passed away while I was in nursing school. This devastated me, but she inspired me to live for others. Seeing her care at the hospital and the difference nurses made motivated me to become a nurse, and then later a nurse practitioner.”

Dr. Kashin, who completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, realized that she had the potential to do more for her patients but that she would need to expand her training and education to do so.

“I felt I was restricted as a nurse because my knowledge base was limited,” Dr. Kashin said. “In 2014, my dad had a pulmonary embolism. Being in a room with him and unable to help him felt horrible, so I decided to go back to school, and I applied to Frontier.”

“I loved Frontier,” said Dr. Kashin, who now works in maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) at the University of Florida Health Hospital in Gainesville, Florida. “Going back to school as an adult is a completely different experience. I wanted to learn, and I really loved it. The Frontier faculty and staff were extremely invested in my success and very supportive. I struggled in undergrad so much that I never thought I could do well in a doctorate program, but I graduated with a 4.0. Frontier had a lot of emphasis on rural medicine and helping underserved people. This lines up exactly with my life’s vision. I was always interested in working with the marginalized and poor. I think it is because I know what it is like to live on the other side of the railroad tracks and have very little. Even now, I work with a population that does not have regular access to medical care, many do not have insurance unless they are pregnant. Frontier helped frame my thinking and opened my eyes to many health care disparities, and is why I did not go into private practice.”

“The Frontier faculty and staff were extremely invested in my success and very supportive…Frontier had a lot of emphasis on rural medicine and helping underserved people. This lines up exactly with my life’s vision…Frontier helped frame my thinking and opened my eyes to many health care disparities, and is why I did not go into private practice.”
– Viktoriya Kashin, DNP, FNP, FNU Alumnus

In her first three years in MFM, Dr. Kashin worked outpatient, but a year ago, she switched to inpatient care. Among the conditions that she helps treat are patients with premature rupture of membranes (PROM). These patients’ water ruptures early, and they are hospitalized to help prevent them from delivering too early. The MFM team also treats preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure during pregnancy. Those with severe cases of preeclampsia are hospitalized and treated to help them remain pregnant as long as possible while preventing seizures or other complications. Other conditions treated include diabetes, multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, and infections.

The high-risk and labor halls are all closely connected, as is the tight-knit staff. A typical shift consists of 12 nurses and three residents, including a general attending, an MFM attending, a nurse practitioner, or a certified nurse-midwife.

“We share a workspace and often help each other out,” Dr. Kashin said.

That level of support came into full view when Dr. Kashin answered the call to go on a mission trip to help the people of Ukraine. Her hospital was no stranger to the nursing shortage prevalent throughout the country, yet her request was met with nothing but support.

“I told my boss I needed 3 weeks off, and he said, ‘What can I say? It’s for humanity,’” said Dr. Kashin, who created a fundraiser to help pay for the mission trip. “Many people had to step up and cover for me at work. My co-workers even organized a bake sale, collecting thousands of dollars. They also put out a department-wide email with my fundraiser links, and many donations came from the faculty and staff at the University of Florida. They were immeasurably kind and supportive.”

Dr. Kashin had always thought about going on a medical mission. She just didn’t think it would be such a personal trip.

“When the war broke out, I really wanted to help but didn’t know how. A few days after the war started, my childhood friend Natasha sent me a message stating that they need Russian-speaking female medical professionals (because most of the refugees were women),” Dr. Kashin said. “All that matched up with me. It was like an answer to prayer. At that point, I knew I had to go.”

Along with her coworkers, Dr. Kashin received tremendous support from her community, who supported her GoFundMe campaign. Her brother, Oleg, also went on the trip, and her church paid for their tickets to and from Ukraine. Overall, they raised over $20,000, which they were able to give to people in Ukraine to help with food and other supplies.

Her mission trip, which lasted 20 days and was organized through Crisis Response International, began by flying into Krakow, Poland, and then driving to Ukraine.

“We stayed in a small city an hour away from Poland,” Dr. Kashin said. “It was an old hospital that was only functioning on the first floor. The other levels were empty for decades, and that is where the refugees moved in. Our team, however, rented a couple of rooms in a gym and stayed on the top floor. We just had two rooms – one for the guys, one for the girls. We didn’t always have hot water. The heat wasn’t working. There wasn’t a stove or kitchen. We were definitely roughing it.”

Dr. Viktoriya Kashin with her brother, Oleg, outside of the refugee center.

The refugee center was organized by a husband and wife who had a long-standing connection to local orphanages. The husband himself was an orphan growing up, and the couple had also adopted two orphans.

“They got in touch with the orphanages and brought the orphans from all over Ukraine to the refugee center,” Dr. Kashin said. “From there, the orphans were sent to Austria and Germany. Every day there would be a bus full of kids leaving and going elsewhere. That’s how they started the refugee center. They had a chef that was a refugee herself who volunteered her services. They would cook three meals every day. There was a little office that we made into a clinic. It was easier just to show up with a stethoscope around your neck than to make appointments. The refugees would just stop you in the hall and tell you whatever ailed them, often inviting us into their rooms. Every day I would go in and see patients. I had a couple of pregnant patients and a couple of newborn babies. We also went to train stations and gave out goodie bags full of supplies. One day we met a pregnant woman that didn’t have anywhere to go. She and her family were able to come to the refugee center that same night to have a place to stay.”

Dr. Kashin explained that drivers would take vans into the ravaged areas and pick people up and get them out. Some of the money that Dr. Kashin and her brother raised helped repair the vans and protect the drivers, who were frequently under fire.

Even in the relative safety of the refugee center, however, there was an element of constant threat and danger.

“Every day, the bomb sirens would go off,” Dr. Kashin said. “Many people at the refugee center had PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Every time a door slammed, they would jump.”

Despite the constant reminders of the violence all around them, the volunteers did their best to make the refugee center as comfortable and welcoming as they could. In addition to the meals, room to sleep, and access to medical care, a hairstylist gave haircuts, and other women offered massages. Often, the refugees just wanted someone to talk to.

A new father feeds his baby in the hospital where Dr. Kashin and her mission group delivered medical supplies.

Dr. Kashin stands in front of the refugee center’s makeshift medicine cabinet.

“They just wanted to tell you where they came from, their pets they left behind, their husband or brother or father who is fighting,” Dr. Kashin said. “We just sat with them and listened and offered encouragement and tried to give them any help we could. I held back a lot of tears.”

In addition to the supplies they brought with them, the refugee center regularly received shipments of humanitarian aid from the U.S. and other European countries, including diapers and formula (before the formula shortage), warm clothes, and medications.

“The airline didn’t charge us for extra bags because it was humanitarian aid,” Dr. Kashin said. “It was really neat to see how the U.S. and the whole world responded to Ukraine.”

After 20 days, Dr. Kashin returned to the U.S., but her brother remained in Ukraine, continuing to forge relationships and deliver supplies.

“It was hard coming back. I had a little bit of survivor’s guilt,” Dr. Kashin said. “This is pretty much home country. If I didn’t come to the U.S. as a child, what would my life be? I could be one of those women that were raped and killed. It is horrendous to think about.”

Activities for the refugee children included making arts and crafts.

She intends to return to Ukraine at some point. In the meantime, she continues to raise funds for supplies and remains in contact with many of the people she met there. More difficult, however, is communicating with her Russian family. The topic of “war” is completely off-limits.

Beyond a return trip to Ukraine, Dr. Kashin’s plans are wide open, thanks to MFM being such a large field. She can continue or perhaps select something new.

“I really love women’s health she said. “There is so much to learn in this field. I would like to do more medical mission work in the future. For now, I am happy where I’m at.”

One thing she does know is that the people of Ukraine will persevere.

“They are running out of gas, and they have nothing to fight with. But they are a very resilient people,” she said. “Even though the war is still going, certain parts of Ukraine are being rebuilt already. I’m very thankful for everyone who has shown support with money, encouragement, and prayer.”

National Academies of Practice Inducts Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale as a Distinguished 2022 Fellow

June 27, 2022 By frontieredu

The National Academies of Practice (NAP) recently announced the election of Dr. Vicky Stone-Gale, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, as a Distinguished 2022 Fellow. Class of 2022 Fellows were welcomed into the National Academies of Practice during the awards and induction ceremony in San Diego, California, on March 5, 2022.

In the fall of 2020, Dr. Stone-Gale and her daughter Jennifer Stone, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, became the first APRNs licensed as autonomous advanced practice registered nurses in the state of Florida. They received the good news after a house bill permitting select APRNs to practice in primary care was signed into law by the Florida governor earlier that year. The Autonomous Nurse Practitioner practices in primary care settings permitting the APRN to be independent of physician general supervision to provide care throughout Florida.

“To be elected by my peers as a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice is truly an honor,” Dr. Stone-Gale said. “This organization works toward the common goal of working with all professions to advocate for quality healthcare for all individuals. This will only improve the outcomes of our patients, which is what is needed for everyone.”

Founded in 1981, NAP is an interprofessional, nonprofit organization with membership representing a range of healthcare professions willing to serve as distinguished advisors to healthcare policymakers in Congress and elsewhere. The mission of the National Academies of Practice is to serve as distinguished professionals advancing interprofessional healthcare by fostering collaboration and advocating policies in the best interest of individuals and communities.

The academies within the National Academies of Practice include Allopathic and Osteopathic Medicine, Athletic Training, Audiology, Dentistry, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Podiatric Medicine, Psychology, Social Work, Speech-Language Pathology, and Veterinary Medicine.

Fellowship in the National Academies of Practice is an honor extended to those who have excelled in their profession and are dedicated to furthering interprofessional practice, scholarship, and policy in support of interprofessional care. The central purpose of NAP is to advise public policymakers on health care issues using NAP’s unique perspective — that of expert practitioners and scholars joined in interprofessional dialogue and advocacy.

To learn more about Dr. Stone-Gale and her work in advocacy, listen to our podcast.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Kristin Gianelis Recognized with Circle of Caring Award

June 16, 2022 By Frontier Nursing University

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 health care to underserved and rural populations.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is proud to recognize faculty member Kristin Gianelis, DNP, APRN, ANP, WHNP, who was one of the recipients of the Winter 2021 Circle of Caring Award.

A resident of Barrington, Rhode Island, Gianelis serves as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) faculty member for FNU. Through this role, she mentors DNP students to become agents of change in their communities. Outside of her work with the university, she also works in a clinical setting and dedicates her time to improving healthcare access for underserved populations.

“If I can provide patient-centered care to even a few individuals who wouldn’t have been able to receive healthcare otherwise, I consider my work a success,” she said. “I walk into each clinical day not knowing what I will encounter, but with only the intention of providing each person dignity, respect and the opportunity to have their individual needs met.”

Over the last 17 years, Gianelis has worked in a variety of settings as a dual-certified Women’s Health and Adult Nurse Practitioner. She currently works for an urban Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and provides OB/GYN care for a gender-diverse and largely undocumented immigrant population.

Gianelis said her initial inspiration to pursue nursing was to help women and families navigate normal life changes, but her scope of perspective has changed throughout her career.

“As I have developed a more broad understanding of gender and sexuality, I would now say that I recognized the importance of this aspect of our beings and honor the unique path to sexual wellness for each individual,” she said. “It is my honor to give voice to all individuals and provide patient-centered sexual health care across the lifespan.”

Before receiving her bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, Gianelis applied for immediate direct entry into a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.

“I finished my bachelor’s on a Saturday and started my master’s on the following Monday,” she said.

Gianelis earned her MSN in 2005 after taking a break to work as a Registered Nurse (RN). She worked as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) for 13 years before earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from FNU.

“Obtaining my doctoral degree taught me to think differently,” she said. “It opened my eyes to quality improvement, developed leadership skills and gave me the confidence to be an agent of change in my community.”

After earning her DNP from FNU, Gianelis decided to stay with the university as a faculty member.

“I chose to work at Frontier because I firmly believe in the mission of this institution. I believe that health equity starts with educating a strong healthcare workforce for the entire country, especially those areas that are underserved.”
– Kristin Gianelis, DNP, APRN, ANP, WHNP

“I chose to work at Frontier because I firmly believe in the mission of this institution,” she said. “I believe that health equity starts with educating a strong healthcare workforce for the entire country, especially those areas that are underserved.”

Gianelis said she embraces FNU’s Culture of Caring, not only when interacting with fellow faculty members, but also with students.

“Working in the DNP program, I have the opportunity to mentor students longitudinally during their clinical quality initiative,” she said. “While they are my students, they are also my colleagues – fellow APRNs working in other parts of the country. Through our interactions, I have the opportunity to understand how practice and policy differs nationwide, while also expanding on my own narrow experience of life in the northeast. Not only does this enrich my life intellectually, but I am embraced by each students’ warmth and openness to share their experiences and unique points of view.”

The Culture of Caring also is important in the context of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work at FNU, Gianelis said.

“I am here to amplify marginalized voices, shelter those who need rest, and support diversity in all its beauty,” she said.