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The Importance of the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife

February 26, 2020 By Frontier Nursing University

By FNU President Dr. Susan E. Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN

In 2019, the Executive Board of the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed that the year 2020 be designated the “Year of the Nurse and the Midwife” in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth. The designation, which was approved by the World Health Assembly, was made to bring awareness of the importance of nurses and midwives in providing healthcare to populations across the globe.

Why is this important? The reasons are many but begin with worldwide shortages in nurses and midwives. The WHO recognizes the important work of both nurses and midwives in improving healthcare and estimates that the world needs nine million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

At Frontier Nursing University (FNU), we are very excited by the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife because it provides an opportunity to explicate the role of both nurses and midwives in improving health. In the United States, we have significant health challenges. In many cases, these are getting worse, not better. The maternal mortality rate has risen from seven per 100,000 in 1987 to a current rate estimated at 26 per 100,000. The numbers are even worse for women of color, who die from pregnancy-related illness at three times the rate of white women. Mental health issues plague our country as well. Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States; more than 130 people die each day from opioid-related illness.

Lack of access to primary healthcare, maternal healthcare, and psychiatric mental healthcare persists throughout the U.S., particularly in rural areas. Improving the health of our population begins with an increase in healthcare providers who are well prepared to provide culturally competent primary preventive care as well as the ongoing care of chronic disease. Accessible and high-quality maternity care is critical. The Centers for Disease Control reports that nearly half of maternal mortality deaths are preventable. Changing this picture will take a team of health care providers and that team must include nurses and midwives. A recent study from Johns Hopkins University found that more 250,000 Americans die every year because of healthcare mistakes. The FNU Doctor of Nursing Practice program focuses on improving health care quality. Together we can make a change.

While the bad news is ample, the good news is that we can improve. At Frontier Nursing University we are educating nurses and midwives with the primary goal of assuring that they are well prepared to serve in rural and underserved areas. We must create a diverse healthcare workforce, a workforce that can competently serve persons and families from many different cultures that are representative of our United States. We can do this!

The designation of 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife provides an opportunity for us to showcase the role of nurses and midwives. We must educate the public, our legislators, and our colleagues about the scope of practice and qualifications of nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives. We need to assure that nurses and midwives are at the tables when decisions about healthcare are being made. We know that we must change and improve the current healthcare system. We have to be sure that every family and every individual has access to healthcare. We have to be able to provide healthcare in the community, in the home, in birthing centers, in family clinics, wherever it is that families are accessing healthcare.

Throughout the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, we will be promoting the role of the nurse and the midwife and the role of nurse practitioners. We hope that you will view the stories about the impactful work of our graduates, students, and faculty. Join us in promoting midwifery and nursing across the United States throughout the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

FNU Joins the Celebration of the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife

February 6, 2020 By Frontier Nursing University

In addition to the significance of Florence Nightingale’s birthday anniversary, the designation was made to help bring awareness of the importance of nurses and midwives in the health and care of populations across the globe. According to the WHO, the world needs nine million more nurses and midwives if it is to achieve universal health coverage by 2030.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is excited to support and participate in this international campaign and to spread awareness of the specific need for more nurses and nurse-midwives in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 700 women die annually in the United States as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, 67 percent of which were determined to be preventable. More than five million U.S. women live in counties that have no hospital offering obstetric care and no obstetric providers.

The need for nurses and nurse-midwives is also seen beyond the gaps in maternity care. Rural areas are impacted most significantly by the healthcare shortages, with the number of physicians per 10,000 people averaging 33 in urban areas versus just 13 in rural communities. A shortage of psychiatric mental health care providers has resulted in 96 million Americans having to wait longer than a week for mental health treatment and 46 percent of those seeking this care having to drive more than an hour round-trip for treatment.

For 80 years, FNU has been educating and preparing many of these much-needed providers to serve the communities in which they live and work. FNU’s mission is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education to prepare competent, entrepreneurial, ethical, and compassionate leaders in primary care to serve all individuals with an emphasis on women and families in diverse, rural, and underserved populations.

During the first 50 years of its history, FNU was rooted in its birthplace in the rural mountains of southeastern Kentucky. In 1989, FNU launched its distance-learning model, which enabled FNU to expand its reach across the country. Today, 73 percent of FNU’s 2,300 enrolled students live in a Healthcare Provider Shortage Area (HPSA) as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

“Our distance learning model allows students to continue their education in the same communities in which they live and work,” FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, said, noting that FNU has students and graduates in every state. “Students can remain in their local communities and continue to work while attending classes on a flexible schedule.”

Not only has FNU’s reach expanded significantly but so has its range of programs. FNU offers the master of science in nursing degree, doctor of nursing practice degree and post-graduate certificates with specialties including nurse-midwife, family nurse practitioner, women’s health care nurse practitioner and psychiatric-mental health care nurse practitioner. In 2018, FNU produced approximately 39 percent of the certified nurse-midwifery graduates in the U.S.

Certified nurse-midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) backed by the American College of Nurse-Midwives. To become a CNM, registered nurses must graduate from a master’s or higher-level nurse-midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME) and pass the national Certified Nurse-Midwife Examination through the American Midwifery Certification Board. All CNMs must hold state licensure. Certified midwives (CM), by comparison, are not required to have a nursing background.

“One of the important objectives for us this year is to define the role of the certified nurse-midwife and the certified midwife so the public understands the broad scope of services these professionals provide,” Dr. Stone said.

In recognizing the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, FNU joins the efforts to raise awareness of healthcare shortages in the U.S. and abroad; demonstrate the need for more nurses and nurse-midwives; educate the public of the value of nurses and nurse-midwives in their communities and advocate for access to quality healthcare for every individual.

“We are very excited to share the message of the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife,” Dr. Stone said. “Greater awareness of our healthcare disparities and identification of the potential solutions are essential steps in improving the reach and access to healthcare in this country.”

To find out more about FNU’s program offerings, visit Frontier.edu/Degrees.

2019: Year In Review

December 26, 2019 By frontieredu

2019 is drawing to a close at Frontier Nursing University! Below are some of our highlights from a truly wonderful 2019. Be sure to watch the “Year in Review 2019” video at the bottom of the post as well.

Commencement

FNU celebrated its 80th anniversary this year! Commencement took place in Lexington, Ky. for the first time, where 265 graduates attended with their families and friends. We welcomed keynote speaker Dr. Joycelyn Elders, the second woman and the first African American to serve as U.S. Surgeon General. FNU awarded 852 total degrees in 2019.

Conferences

Students and alumni represented FNU at a multitude of conferences in 2019, including the 64th Annual ACNM Meeting, the AANP National Conference and the NBNA Conference and Exhibit among many others.

FNU also hosted its 9th annual Diversity Impact conference in June. Students engaged in open dialogue and participated in interactive activities including storytelling through dance and an exploration of Polynesian culture through creating an extended lei to honor the land.

Faculty & Staff Accomplishments

FNU President Dr. Susan Stone was formally inducted into the National Academy of Medicine. She was one of only two nurses inducted and the only inductee from the state of Kentucky.

To help meet the needs of students searching for quality clinical sites and preceptors, the Clinical Outreach and Placement Unit was created.

Several faculty and staff were awarded and honored for their efforts as leaders in nurse-midwifery at this year’s ACNM Conference.

For the second consecutive year, FNU received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award honoring its outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Programs & Events

FNU hosted virtual events for National Midwifery Week and Nurse Practitioner Week. Faculty members and alumni gave informative sessions on a variety of relevant topics, and many sessions offered continuing education credit for viewers.

FNU also hosted a one-day virtual event for National Rural Health Day with four sessions on all things impacting rural and underserved communities.

The 2019 Couriers left their mark on rural and underserved communities during their summer of service, earning recognition from the Kentucky Office of Rural Health, one of the state offices of the National Rural Health Association.

We recognize and honor the past 80 years of impact and growth as we head towards an exciting future for FNU and our community. Here is to a 2019 full of memories and a successful 2020. We’re 80 years down and 80 (and many more) to go!

FNU President Dr. Susan Stone Inducted to National Academy of Medicine

October 28, 2019 By frontieredu

We are proud to announce that Frontier Nursing University (FNU) president Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Class of 2018 at the organization’s annual meeting on October 19, 2019, in Washington, D.C.

Of the 85 new inductees, Dr. Stone is one of only two nurses in the NAM Class of 2018 and is the only inductee from Kentucky in the class.

Election to the Academy is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Members are elected by current members through a process that recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. A diversity of talent among NAM’s membership is assured by its Articles of Organization, which stipulates that at least one-quarter of the membership is selected from fields outside the health professions — for example, from such fields as law, engineering, social sciences, and the humanities. NAM’s total membership is more than 2,200, with only three members being from Kentucky, including Dr. Stone.

The election of Dr. Stone into the NAM membership was based on facts that she has reached distinguished professional achievement in the field of medicine and health, has demonstrated and continues her involvement with issues in healthcare, disease prevention, education and research, along with showcasing skills and resources likely to contribute to the Academy’s mission and finally, has proven a willingness to actively participate in the work of the Academy.

“The National Academy of Medicine offers an incredible opportunity to work collaboratively with leaders from a wide range of medical professions and disciplines,” Dr. Stone said. “It is a tremendous honor to join this organization which is so deeply committed to improving health care.”

The election to NAM recognizes Dr. Stone’s achievements that have opened the door for more than 6,000 nurses to achieve graduate education and positively impact the accessibility of quality health care for rural families across the United States.

Dr. Stone is a leader in the development of strategies to increase the quality and capacity of midwifery and advanced practice nursing workforces with the specific goal of improving health care for families. Since she was appointed president of FNU in 2001, she has led the transition from a community-based school of nurse-midwifery offering a basic certificate program with 200 students enrolled to an accredited university offering masters and doctoral degrees to nurses seeking graduate degrees. Today the University has more than 2,300 graduate nursing students enrolled from every state in the United States.

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

Congratulations, Dr. Stone, on your honorable induction into NAM, and thank you for being a worthy leader of FNU!

FNU Receives HEED Award for Second Consecutive Year

October 21, 2019 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) received the 2019 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This is the second consecutive year that FNU has received this prestigious award.

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.

“The Health Professions HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees and best practices for both; continued leadership support for diversity; and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“As we continue to see a record number of Health Professions HEED Award applicants each year, nearly every school tells us they use the application itself as a tool to create new programs and to benchmark their accomplishments across campus. The process allows them to reflect on their successes and also determine where more work needs to be done. We also continue to raise the standards in selecting Health Professions HEED institutions.”

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. Held each summer, 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.

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 Interim CDIO Dr. Erin Tenney, 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 nine percent. In 2019, it has grown to 23 percent.

“We are incredibly proud to receive the prestigious HEED Award again this year,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone. “To receive this award two years in a row is a wonderful honor. Our graduates serve people of all races and cultures and are increasingly coming from diverse backgrounds. It is imperative that our students, faculty, and staff have cultural awareness and competency in order to effectively advance our mission. The HEED Award confirms the value of our efforts and validates our continued emphasis on diversity and inclusion within the culture of FNU.”

FNU Hosts Fifth Annual Virtual Event for National Midwifery Week

October 11, 2019 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) joined thousands of nurse-midwives across the country to celebrate National Midwifery Week from Sept. 29 – Oct. 5. FNU hosted its fifth annual virtual event focused on healthcare team communication and perinatal mental health, featuring sessions delivered by nurse-midwifery leaders.

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

Healthcare Team Communication

FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, CNM, DNSc, FACNM, FAAN, kicked off the week by hosting her session, “Celebrating National Midwifery Week – Successful Collaboration: Obstetricians and Midwives.”

According to Dr. Stone, the ideal situation occurs when nurse-midwives, obstetricians, nurse practitioners and other healthcare providers work together in collaborative teams. When the best of both professions successfully collaborate together, women and families benefit.

Cathy Collins-Fulea, DNP, CNM, FACNM, an FNU course faculty member, presented a quality improvement project aimed at decreasing the length of stay in an obstetrical triage unit in her session, “We’re All in It Together – Midwives, Nurses and Physicians: A Team Solution for a Team Problem.”

She explained how improved team communication, patient engagement and the use of nurse-driven orders will decrease patient time in triage. This leads to increased satisfaction for both clients and staff.

Nurse-midwives got a free continuing education credit (and still can!) from the session by Audrey Perry, DNP, CNM and Mark Woodland, MS, MD, “Maybe there is an “I” in TEAM”, introducing Interprofessional Education, Collaboration and Service (IPECS) committees as a potential solution to improving team-based care and interprofessional education. They explained how IPECS committees are created and sustained, and they outlined specific interventions that promote a shift from soloist to team-based healthcare culture.

Tonya Nicholson, DNP, CNM, WHNP-BC, CNE, FACNM went live in her session, “I Wanna Be Part of the Team!” to discuss the process of becoming a nurse-midwife and to answer the questions of current and future nurse-midwifery students.

Perinatal Mental Health

Kalena Lanuza, DNP, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, PHN, CLCI gave a powerful presentation on perinatal mental health in her session, “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: A Community-Based Approach to Improving Perinatal Mental Health.”

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) occur in up to 20 percent of women during the perinatal period and are one of the leading causes of complications associated with childbearing. Dr. Lanuza explored how empowering women through a shared decision-making process along with community collaboration improves the implementation of effective perinatal mental health practices.

The 2019 virtual event was sponsored by Southern Cross Insurance Solutions. National Midwifery Week was created by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) to celebrate and recognize midwives and midwife-led care. FNU President Dr. Susan Stone is currently serving as president of the ACNM Board of Directors.

To view each of the sessions from FNU’s virtual event, visit FNUDigitalSummit.com/NMW-2019.

FNU Attends 64th Annual ACNM Meeting

June 10, 2019 By frontieredu

The 64th Annual American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Meeting was held May 18-22, 2019 in National Harbor, MD at the Gaylord Resort & Convention Center with nearly 2000 attendees from across the country. Frontier Nursing University (FNU) had a large presence at the conference, highlighted by a large exhibition booth as well as a table selling items in the Midwifery Market.

Many FNU students, graduates, preceptors and faculty stopped by the booth, gave presentations and received awards and recognition for their continual hard work. All who attended were empowered by the impactful work the FNU community is doing around the nation.

The theme of this year’s exhibition booth celebrated the 80-year anniversary of FNU. Behind the booth hung a collage backdrop featuring photos from throughout FNU’s 80-year history. Booth workers promoted the “.80 for 80” campaign, asking donors to give $0.80 per day for a year and receive an exclusive 80th Anniversary lapel pin.

FNU students, faculty and alumni who attended were asked to share their favorite memory as a midwife or of FNU, and several memories were displayed at the booth. Another exhibit booth activity was a book signing with FNU Alumna Barbara Anderson for her new book, The Maternal Health Crisis in America Nursing Implications for Advocacy and Practice. Attendees also had the option to register to win an FNU 80-year gift basket.

Six students were selected to attend the ACNM Annual Meeting with their expenses covered as part of FNU’s Diversity & Impact Program mentee program which allows students to attend conferences with a faculty mentor . Katrina George, Elizabeth Aviles, Aja Aviles-Soto, Alexandra Millet, Stacy Hepner and Ellen Apple were selected to attend ACNM and enjoyed educational sessions and helped out at the FNU booth, the Midwifery Market and the reception.

One highlight of the ACNM Conference was FNU’s annual Alumni & Friends Reception. Prior to the start of the reception Dr. Tonya Nicholson led a “Heart of Midwifery” virtual session where she interviewed a number of attendees so that students at home could get a glimpse of the Annual Meeting. During the reception, more than 150 students, preceptors, alumni, faculty, staff and friends heard from FNU President and ACNM President Dr. Susan Stone as well as FNU Dean Joan Slager along with Tonya Nicholson, Angela Bailey, Jane Houston and Kitty Ernst as they spoke about the passion behind Frontier and the success of 2019 thus far. FNU Preceptors were also recognized during this event for their generous time and support they offer to our students. Attendees enjoyed a time of networking and community during the reception.

The FNU Case Day and Panel Event took place Monday, May 20th in conjunction with the ACNM Annual Meeting with RCF Dr. Tanya Belcheff and Director of the DNP Program, Dr. Jane Houston. Three cases were presented at the beginning of the program by Hogan, Hepner, and Hart.

The Birth Equity Panel brief created a wonderful safe space to talk about birth equity and justice with an engaged group of diverse students and providers. Keisha Edwards provided a kind, loving style as our facilitator, allowing the students to bring forth discussions on race and justice that were moving and meaningful to everyone in the room.

To see more photos from the conference, view the ACNM photo album.

Be on the lookout for an upcoming story highlighting the many FNU faculty, staff, preceptors and students who were recognized and received awards at the ACNM conference.

FNU Hosts Inaugural Alumni Cruise

May 16, 2019 By frontieredu

Alumni, faculty and guests of Frontier Nursing University (FNU) embarked for a four-night adventure on the high seas March 24th, 2019. Aboard the Carnival Liberty, more than 150 cruisers headed for the Bahamas, docking in Nassau and Freeport.

The trip began in Port Canaveral, FL where the group checked in, received FNU swag and had a time of meet-and-greet, allowing alumni and faculty to mingle and introduce their guests to one another.

Along with the sunshine and relaxation, attendees also had the opportunity to attend two Continuing Education (CE) sessions aboard the ship.

The first two-hour session was presented by speaker Rachel E. Croteau DO, Family Medicine Physician of Dartmouth Hitchcock, who discussed treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. This condition is often under-diagnosed or diagnosed with delay, impacting reproductive and metabolic health.

The second session on psychopharmacology was presented by Dr. Heather Shlosser, DNP, PMHNP, FNP-B. Dr. Shlosser highlighted diagnoses and therapies for unipolar and bipolar disorders, depression and several other psychiatric disorders. Both CE sessions were accredited by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

FNU Alumna Karen Presseault gets engaged to boyfriend Chris

A highlight of the week was a catamaran tour group excursion put on by Seahorse Sailing Adventures. Guests had the opportunity to board a 50-foot catamaran and go snorkeling in a reef near Paradise Island.

FNU alumna Karen Presseault (FNP class 104) had an especially memorable trip with her boyfriend Chris and children. During a glass bottom boat tour in Nassau, Chris dropped to one knee and proposed!

“I was really surprised, said Karen. “I was a hot mess of tears. The entire boat cheered!”

The cruise also brought two alumnae with a special relationship together after many years. Kristina Drupp, RN, CNM (Class 79) reunited with her former preceptor and personal nurse-midwife, Karen Sadar Watt (Class 7) and spent time reconnecting.

After being her Karen’s preceptee, Kristina asked Karen to assist with the birth of her baby as her midwife, forming an even more special bond. “Class 7 and Class 79, this cruise brought us together again,” Kristina said.

The final evening of the cruise, FNU guests were invited to an exclusive cocktail happy hour at one of the ship’s night clubs. Over drinks and light bites, the guests were given a chance to exchange stories about their favorite experiences and reminisce on good times shared throughout the event.

Alumna Val Floro, APRN-CNM enjoyed the fellowship time with old and new friends. “I loved spending time with my FNU friends and reacquainting with others. It was a wonderful, amazing time,” she said.

Group Photo of Cruise Participants

During the happy hour, FNU president Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, and FNU Mary Breckinridge Chair of Midwifery Kitty Ernst, FACNM, BS Ed, MPH, DSc (hon) toasted FNU’s 80th anniversary being celebrated this year. They encouraged participation in the “.80 for 80” campaign which calls for a donation of $0.80 per day for a year. The campaign honors the 80 years of service FNU graduates have provided to mothers, babies, and families across the globe and seeks to raise funds to ensure the access to quality, affordable, advanced practice education for the next 80 years of students.

FNU hopes to continue hosting this incredible event for years to come. Stay tuned for info about next spring’s Alumni Cruise! You can learn about other alumni events at Frontier.edu/Alumni.

: Snorkeling Excursion

: Kitty Ernst, FNU Chair of Midwifery, FACNM, BS Ed, MPH, DSc (hon) toasts FNU’s 80th anniversary and encourages participation in the “.80 for 80” campaign