Mary Breckinridge | Page 2 | Frontier Nursing University

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

October 8, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is pleased to bring on alumna Dr. Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, FACNM to spearhead FNU’s nursing education. Joan assumed her new position as dean of nursing in August 2018 after serving as interim dean beginning in March 2018. As dean, she is poised to address healthcare gaps by educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners amidst the transition to a new campus in Versailles, Ky.

Joan graduated from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing in 1991 and completed her Master of Science in Nursing in 1993. She helped to establish Bronson Women’s Service in Kalamazoo, Mich., which is now the state’s largest midwifery service. She served over 20 years in full scope midwifery practice and returned to school to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2008. She is now serving a second term as the treasurer on the American College of Nurse-Midwives Board of Directors.

Frontier spoke with Joan about her passion for the Frontier mission, nurse-midwifery practice, and the challenges she will face as FNU continues to grow.

Where did your passion for caring for women and families originate?

“In a barn! I would sit for hours waiting for our cows to birth. Later as a nursing student, I saw a nurse care for a family during birth and thought that is how all women and families should be cared for. Later as a NICU nurse, I enjoyed attending the high-risk deliveries because I was so intrigued by labor and birth, so I transitioned to Labor & Delivery nursing and eventually midwifery.”

Learn more about Joan’s passion for women and families in this video.

Can you share your story of how and why you became a certified nurse-midwife?

“I worked with Southwest Michigan’s first Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and liked the partnership with this CNM in caring for women as a nurse, but also liked the care difference I observed. That is the kind of care I felt all women deserved, so I decided to pursue midwifery.”

Learn more about Joan’s calling to nurse-midwifery in this video.

We know you are a graduate of the first CNEP class at FNU. How does it feel to come back to the university you graduated from and assume the title dean of nursing?

“After working 25 years as a clinician, one would think a “new” career would be very anxiety provoking, but I have been involved in FNU as a midwife from the beginning – student, faculty, preceptor. It was like coming “home.” I did not anticipate becoming the dean, but leadership skills are the same no matter the job and with FNU’s strong team of associate deans and program directors, I felt as a team we would be successful.”

Learn more about Joan’s return to Frontier in this video.

What has been your career path so far and how did it lead you to joining the faculty at Frontier and to your current role as dean of nursing?

“In addition to the obvious career of full scope midwifery, I have spent a great deal of time teaching. I have been involved with Frontier since I was a student, including precepting nearly 100 FNU students as well as teaching courses in the midwifery program. Working collaboratively at a very large practice with multidisciplinary teams, along with gaining experience in business development and finance, were great preparation for this administrative role as a member of FNU’s leadership team. I felt those leadership skills could be used to successfully transition from clinical practice into working with an institution that had been a part of my life for a very long time.”

Learn more about Joan’s journey to Dean in this video.

How have you carried out the mission and vision that Mary Breckinridge set forth through your career thus far?

“By building a practice that has stayed true to midwifery core values and the midwifery model and helping others to do the same. Also, the entrepreneurial aspects of developing places where midwives can work to their fullest capacity and articulating the value of midwifery to protect practices has been a personal commitment. I think Mary Breckinridge would be proud to know her vision has stayed the same and we’ve stayed true to our mission and philosophy.”

Learn more about how Joan plans to carry out Mary Breckinridge’s mission for Frontier in this video.

What are you most excited about in your new role as dean of nursing and/or what goals do you have?

“The opportunity to work with an organization with thoughts and beliefs that match my own. I like developing processes, working to build teams and creating synergy to streamline processes. The move to the new campus and developing a business model that will allow for more growth as our capacity increases.”

Learn about Joan’s planned strategies as Dean in this video.

What are the biggest challenges that you will face in your new role?

“I look at challenges as opportunities. I like change. I think the challenge confronting all of FNU at this time is executing a seamless transition to the Versailles campus. I want to preserve what students value about FNU’s history and traditions and translate that to meaningful on-site experiences in Versailles.”

Learn more about the challenges Joan anticipates in her new role in this video.

How do you see technology and innovation having an impact on educating the next generation of nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners?

“I think technology can expand our exposure to knowledge and experiences. I’m very excited about the advancement in simulations and virtual learning, but I never want to see us lose touch with developing our people skills.”

Learn more about how Joan will handle technology and innovation in nursing education in this video.

What is a fun fact about you?

“My dad used to race thoroughbred horses and I grew up on a horse when most kids had bikes, so Kentucky horse country is a very cool place for me to work.”

Learn more about Joan in this video.

What do you do for fun when you are not busy being the dean?

“The 3 Gs – grandchildren, gardening and golf. My Achilles heel is my grandchildren. I’m absolutely crazy about all of them.”

Learn more about Joan’s life outside of Frontier in this video.

We wish you luck as you settle into your new role, Joan! We are glad to have another alumna making a difference at FNU!

The History of Nursing

September 6, 2018 By frontieredu

At its very core, nursing has been around for centuries, although the profession of nursing started at the height of the Roman Empire, around 300 A.D. The Empire wanted to place a hospital within every town under its rule. Nurses were needed to assist doctors in caring for patients in the newly-erected hospitals.

Modern Nursing Born in the Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, the nursing industry became infused with religion, with most nurses being nuns or monks. The early hospitals during this time offered many services, including caring for sick and injured patients and providing housing for refugees and lepers. Nurses were responsible for fulfilling more duties than most nurses today.

Stagnancy Between the 17th & 18th Centuries

At the dawn of the 17th century, the nursing profession began to diminish for many reasons. For one, nuns that had been working as nurses were forced to leave the profession and stay at home. Many monasteries and the hospitals within them also shut down. The nursing profession became stagnant between the 17th and 18th Centuries.

The Dawn of Modern Nursing

Florence Nightingale is credited with helping modernize the nursing profession. Due to the many wars being waged in the mid-1800s – from the Crimean War in Eastern Europe to the Civil War in the U.S. – the need for nursing grew again. Nightingale began her nursing career during the Crimean War, taking care of injured soldiers at a hospital in Turkey. Many soldiers died from their injuries due to a lack of general hygiene and a high number of fatal infections.

Because so many soldiers were suffering, Nightingale asked for and received aid from the British government that helped improve matters. For the remainder of her life, Nightingale advocated for sanitary living conditions for patients. She also demanded that hospitals have higher hygiene standards, an idea that took hold and created a permanent impact on the nursing profession.

Overcoming Barriers and Diversifying Nursing

Until this time, nursing had mostly been reserved for white women. But a few pioneers led the way in fighting to overcome racial, social and economic injustice, obtain professional health care education and acquire professional acceptance in the field.

One such pioneer was Jamaican nurse Mary Seacole, whose efforts closely mirrored Florence Nightingale’s during the Crimean War. Seacole, who was receiving her medical education in Europe, established a facility during the war to provide caregivers, medical attention, food and shelter for the sick and wounded.

A generation later, Mary Eliza Mahoney became the first African American to be formally enrolled as a nursing student in 1878. She worked as a traveling nurse in New England, and co-founded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses (NACGN) to advocate for more opportunities for formal training for African-American nurses.

These pioneers helped break through racial barriers in a predominantly-white field and lead the push for diversity and inclusiveness in the nursing profession for future nurses.

The Emergence of Midwifery in the U.S.

During the 1900s, nurses began taking on more roles than ever before. They were given the opportunity to specialize in areas like trauma, critical care, pediatrics, and orthopedics. Nurses shifted away from simply being doctors’ assistants and toward more important duties, from performing routine procedures to prescribing medications.

The evolution of nursing profession allows nurses today to receive training in over 200 unique healthcare specialties, including nurse-midwifery.

Nurse-midwifery practice made its way from Europe into the United States with Frontier founder Mary Breckinridge as the vehicle. Mrs. Breckinridge established Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) in Leslie County, Ky. in 1925 to provide healthcare for mothers and children in remote rural areas. FNS hired nurses that were also qualified as midwives, and began educating nurses in midwifery practice in 1939 with the establishment of the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery (now Frontier Nursing University).

Learn more about FNU’s history at frontier.edu/about-frontier/history/.

Further Your Career at Frontier Nursing University

At Frontier Nursing University, we have 80 years of experience offering Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with your home community serving as your classroom. If you’re interested in advancing your nursing career, we welcome you to apply today for the graduate nursing program you’re interested in. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Featured Preceptor: Sandi Hayes, APRN, CNP

June 11, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) preceptor Sandi Hayes, APRN, CNP, from St. Cloud Medical Group in Clearwater, Minn., was honored as FNU’s “Featured Preceptor” for the spring 2018 term. Sandi was nominated by recent DNP graduate Kelly Papesh.

Sandi has been practicing Family Medicine at Clearwater Clinic in rural Minnesota since 2012. Through her practice at Clearwater, an outpatient family practice clinic, she upholds the values of Mary Breckinridge by serving a rural community and giving access to populations who might not otherwise have healthcare. In the clinic, Sandi serves a wide range of patients across their lifespan. The majority of Sandi’s patients are adults and geriatrics, whom she treats for chronic and acute conditions.

As a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE), Sandi also works with all the diabetic patients at the clinic. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) as well as a public health nurse.

Sandi Hayes with preceptee Kelly Papesh

Sandi completed her FNP at Frontier in 2012. She began precepting her nominator, Kelly, for a family practice rotation as Kelly was finishing up her FNP in 2016. Though it was just her first time precepting, Sandi’s attentiveness and open approach to precepting was hugely beneficial to Kelly.

Kelly included the following statement in her nomination:

“I learned so much from her and she worked with me so patiently to give me the best learning opportunity. Sandi is compassionate, thorough, and she cares deeply about her patients as evidenced by the relationships she has established. I so appreciate all of her time and commitment to helping build the nurse practitioner community.”

Sandi will continue precepting for FNU, and has another student slated to begin with her in the summer.

She will receive a Starbucks gift card as a small token of our appreciation for her being a great preceptor. Thank you, Sandi, for your investment in our FNU students!

Go here to read more on previously recognized preceptors, or to nominate a preceptor.

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.

Bring Mary C. Breckinridge to Your Community or Classroom

April 23, 2018 By frontieredu

Janet Scott as Mary Breckinridge - Photo credit: Kentucky Humanities

Photo: Kentucky Humanities

Frontier Nursing University’s story started back in 1925 with one woman: Mary Carson Breckinridge. Now, the Kentucky Chautauqua, a touring series of solo performances, has brought her to life for this generation to see her legacy – and you have the opportunity to see it for yourself.

Mrs. Breckinridge was the first American trained nurse-midwife in the 1920s. Living in the the mountains of eastern Kentucky, she recognized a need for better healthcare systems and made it her mission to improve infant and maternal care. She established the Frontier Nursing Service in 1925, and after astonishing success in birth outcomes, founded the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery (now known as Frontier Nursing University) in 1939.

Though her work in infant and maternal healthcare were invaluable throughout the last 40 years of her life, Mrs. Breckinridge had a lasting legacy.

The Kentucky Humanities Council’s Kentucky Chautauqua team, who has brought to life more than 70 people from Kentucky’s past, now features Mary C. Breckinridge in its lineup of dramatizations. Mrs. Breckinridge’s character is portrayed by Janet Scott, who is thrilled to be representing such an inspirational figure in history.

“I often hear people say that they have been waiting for a Chautauqua of Mary Breckinridge and the more I worked, the more I saw why she is so widely beloved,” says Scott. “To honor the life of such a woman, to offer the message of boundless courage and compassion embodied in her life choices, is to present a story of saintlike heroineism.”

The Chautauqua performers travel to schools and community organizations throughout the state, and are available for booking in 2017-2018 for audiences of 40 or more – perfect for your classroom, organization or community group.

Frontier Nursing University is excited for Mrs. Breckinridge’s story to continue to be spread, as a message of hope and inspiration to all who hear it.

“In a time when movie heroes have enormous moral influence and people want their own stories to be heard, Mary Breckinridge’s life offers a model that has profound positive impact,” says Scott.

“The story of Mary Carson Breckinridge and the Frontier Nursing Service have had impact that has surpassed my highest hopes and revealed the necessity for her life giving words and message in our world today.”

For more about the Mary Carson Breckinridge Chautauqua character visit:

https://www.kyhumanities.org/chautauquacharacters.html

To book a Mary Carson Breckinridge Chautauqua performance visit:

https://www.kyhumanities.org/howtobookperformances.html

Courier Spotlight: Florence Booker Rawleigh

April 5, 2018 By frontieredu

The late Florence Booker Rawleigh claimed that working for the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) as a Courier was the most interesting thing she did in her 95 years of life. Florence was asked to serve as a Courier during a flu outbreak 1942. During the epidemic, many prominent families in the area were asked to send their children to volunteer with FNS to tend to those ill from the flu in rural and underserved Appalachia.

“They would call and say they need you desperately, ” said Florence.

Many families refused to send their daughters during this time, fearing their children may develop the flu too. But Florence’s mother countered that if the FNS needed Florence then she should go. With her mother’s blessing, Florence quit her job and traveled to rural Appalachia to serve as a Courier with FNS.

While working as a Courier, Florence had the honor of working alongside FNS Founder Mary Breckinridge. In addition to their medical assistance with FNS, Mrs. Breckinridge often entertained Couriers with stories of the adventures of her life. She told about her family and the interesting happenings of her time at and before FNS.

Mrs. Breckinridge frequently invited prominent guests over last minute for hors d’oeuvres and a chat. Florence shared about a time that very highly-regarded guests were on their way to the Big House, now known as the Wendover Bed & Breakfast and Retreat Center, but the Couriers didn’t have any food prepared.

“So we buttered dog biscuits and served them. I guess everyone thought they were ok since they didn’t say anything!” said Florence. “It was a truly privilege to know Mrs. Breckinridge!”

The most interesting guests came from all over the world to the home of Mrs. Breckinridge, and Florence felt honored to meet them. Throughout her time as a Courier, Florence made good friends, great connections, and memories that for her lasted a lifetime – all 95 years of it. Florence stated repeatedly that her Courier experience was the most interesting thing she ever did.

Before she passed, Florence loved attending Courier reunions every 4 or 5 years, organized by her dear friend Ms. Agnes Lewis.

“She would make a scavenger hunt or something and we would all get into some fun!” said Florence. “I also loved getting to know the other Couriers, as they were so all so interesting.”

Florence Booker Rawleigh passed away on May 22, 2016 at the age of ninety-five years. But that was not without leaving her legacy at Frontier Nursing University. In addition to being a Courier in the 1940s, Florence also was a proud trustee for many years and a dear friend of FNU.

Florence is dearly missed by all of us here at Frontier and goes down in Frontier Nursing University history as one of the most interesting and loyal women that we have ever known. Thank you, Florence, for your friendship with Frontier and the inspiring legacy you left behind!

In 1928, Mary Breckinridge, founder of Frontier Nursing University established the Courier Program, recruiting young people to come work in the Kentucky Mountains and learn about service to humanity. Couriers escorted guests safely through remote terrain, delivered medical supplies to remote outpost clinics, and helped nurse-midwives during home visits and births. Frontier has benefited tremendously from the 1,600 Couriers who have served since 1928.

Frontier Nursing University to attend March for Moms in 2018

April 3, 2018 By frontieredu

The week before Mother’s Day, moms and advocates for moms will come together at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. at the second annual March for Moms rally. Frontier Nursing University (FNU) will be in Washington, D.C. again this year as a proud sponsor of the event. Below, we answer some important questions you might have about the rally and why FNU is joining thousands of other healthcare providers, women and advocates in our nation’s capital on May 6th.

What is the March for Moms and why should I participate?

March for Moms’ mission is “to help align and coordinate the efforts of families, health care providers, policymakers, and other partners who are acting to achieve the best possible health and well-being for all mothers.” This is aligned with FNU’s mission to educate nurses to become competent, entrepreneurial, ethical and compassionate nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners who are leaders in the primary care of women and families with an emphasis on underserved and rural populations. At FNU, we are all about mothers because mothers are all about families.

Why is FNU supporting the March for Moms?

March for Moms’ platform is made up of bipartisan issues that FNU agrees are hugely important—from preventing an alarming rate of maternal death, to investing in moms with paid family leave. As a result of the rally, March for Moms hopes to establish maternal death review boards in every state, advocate for routine perinatal depression screening and mental health services, address causes of preterm birth, and acknowledge the role that racism and health inequity play in maternal health outcomes of women of color, particularly African American women.

FNU is involved because we want to be part of the solution. History shows that public discourse, protest and activism led by formal movements that are sustained over time will eventually begin to impact change. FNU will join together with March for moms and dozens of other organizations and consumers, health care professionals and policy leaders, businesses and diverse stakeholders, acting as one voice to be the change. The FNU community’s endorsement and participation in this even furthers the cause and passion of FNU’s founder, Mary Breckinridge.

Why do you feel it’s important for nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to support this cause?

As recognized leaders in maternal and infant healthcare, Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM) and Nurse Practitioners (NP) need to be politically active to help support change in important issues. There is no more important issue in healthcare than advancing and improving care for mothers. Improved care for mothers will inevitably affect positive change on families and communities. Nursing is historically one of the most trusted professions, thus making the voices of NPs and CNMs invaluable to the cause.

How can I get involved and make a difference?

FNU students, alumni, staff and faculty: Join the FNU March for Moms team in D.C. and participate in the rally on May 6, 2018. Find out details on our Facebook page or email Denise Barnett at Denise.Barrett@frontier.edu.

Businesses: Invest in the cause. Even a gift as little $10 can go a long way towards making sure the rally captures the attention of policymakers.

Citizens: Anyone can get involved. If you cannot attend or give, you can still be part of the action! Visit the March for Moms Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages and spread the word by sharing on your own social accounts.

Courier Spotlight: Joan Todd

February 12, 2018 By frontieredu

Joan Todd decided to become a Courier in 1953 through the influence of two women well-connected with Frontier Nursing Service (FNS). Joan’s grandmother had befriended Mary Breckinridge in college, and her mother had served as a Courier in her younger years. Although she was hesitant, Joan traveled to Wendover in 1953 to take part in the program.

Joan served in many roles as a Courier, such as organizing medications, removing the expired medications and stocking new shipments. She also traveled with the FNS nurse-midwives, assisting with deliveries. Joan would occupy the other children in the home during a delivery, and even spent the night with the children during long, overnight deliveries.

According to Joan, she was incredibly impressed with the knowledge and skills of the nurse-midwives, who delivered the infants into fresh newspapers because they were the most sanitary surface.

“They were able to deal with whatever came up, all the difficulties of birth,” said Joan.

One of the tasks Joan took on as a Courier involved her worst fear: riding horses. After an earlier debacle of letting a horse loose to avoid riding it, Joan was asked to travel a large distance from the Hyden hospital to the Red Bird Clinic. She was given a nice, calm horse to ride on the journey. Though her fear of horses started to dissipate, she got turned around and eventually lost near the Kentucky River. Finally, as night was falling, she came upon a farmer who showed her exactly how to get to her destination. Joan considered that experience the most unique one of them all.

Joan also had the opportunity to interact with Mary Breckinridge during tea time. Breckinridge had the reputation of being stern with many, but she was very sweet to Joan.

While at Wendover, Joan became especially appreciative of the Eastern Kentucky scenery surrounding her.

“We don’t realize what a true treasure we have in this state with the Kentucky mountains,” said Joan. “I still think about them and want to go back!”

The people of the mountains left a lasting impression on Joan as well. Though they did not easily accept outsiders, according to Joan, they warmly welcomed the Couriers, who were recognizable in their white shirts with the FNS emblem.

In her time as a Courier, Joan not only learned about health care and Appalachian culture, but also discovered a lot about herself. Being a Courier greatly influenced her later decision to study nursing. She attended nursing school for two years before meeting her former husband and getting married.

Her time as a Courier “was the most enriching experience of my life,” said Joan.

In 1928, Mary Breckinridge, founder of Frontier Nursing University established the Courier Program, recruiting young people to work in the Kentucky Mountains and learn about service to humanity. Couriers escorted guests safely through remote terrain, delivered medical supplies to remote outpost clinics, and helped nurse-midwives during home visits and births. Frontier has benefited tremendously from the 1,600 Couriers who have served since 1928.

FNS: A Legacy Lives On

January 29, 2018 By frontieredu

In 1927 in the hills of Kentucky, the Frontier Nursing Service began building a hospital. A year later, Mary Breckinridge, founder and director, saw her dream to bring exceptional healthcare to rural Kentucky come true.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) roots run deep in Appalachia. For many years, nurse-midwives have met the needs of families, focusing on not only giving women a healthy birth experience, but also knowledge of how to care for themselves and their children. Keeping Mary Breckinridge’s values in the forefront of FNU’s mission, hundreds of thousands of children have been cared for because of the knowledge passed from those who laid the foundation of the hospital in 1927.

In 1975, these values continued; rather than horses, nurse-midwives took Jeeps deep into the hills of Kentucky to deliver care to expectant mothers. In their patients’ homes, nurse-midwives had the unique ability to establish relationships with families.

Today, FNU continues the tradition with more than 57 countries welcoming the skills of nurse-midwives who have studied at FNU. For more on FNU’s rich history, watch the videos below and explore the beginning of Frontier Nursing Service, the Hyden Hospital, Mary Breckinridge’s vision, and our nurse-midwives’ continual commitment to caring for families.

View the Full Playlist

Individual Video Links:

Hyden Gets a Hospital: Part One
Hyden Gets a Hospital: Part Two
Hyden Gets a Hospital: Part Three
Frontier Nursing Service: Nurse-Midwives on Horseback
Frontier Nursing Service: Cherish the Children (Short version)
Frontier Nursing Service: Cherish the Children (Full length version)
A Day in the Life of an FNS Student in 1975
A Trip to the Kentucky Mountains
The Leslie County Contraceptive Study