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.

Learn more about advanced nursing degrees and specialties at Frontier Nursing University. Subscribe to our blog for the latest news and events at FNU and to get inspired with stories featuring our alumni, students, faculty and staff!

Alumni Spotlight: Certified Nurse-Midwife Jacob Mearse Uses Psychiatric-Mental Health Degree to Better Serve Women

February 27, 2020 By Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) alum Jacob Mearse, DNP, PMHNP, CNM is using his doctoral education in psychiatric-mental health to serve women in his position as a certified nurse-midwife.

As a father of seven, Jacob knew he wanted to become a nurse-midwife as soon as his first child was delivered, but his journey took many turns before then.

“At the time our first child was born, the Army had me stationed in Hawaii where I was just finishing up nursing school,” said Jacob. “We had an amazing nurse-midwife and I remember thinking, ‘That is the coolest job ever! That is what I want to do!’”

Jacob later spent time in the Navy, where he was put into a full-time doctor of nursing practice (DNP) program. He asked to study nurse-midwifery, but instead, they assigned him to the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program. While the program wasn’t his choice, unbeknownst to him, it later would put Jacob in a better position to serve women as a nurse-midwife.

Jacob decided to begin researching schools to become a nurse-midwife so he would be ready when his opportunity arrived. He first heard of FNU from a nurse-midwife friend who was an FNU alumna. After investigating online, he quickly decided FNU’s curriculum offerings, combined with the ability to do school while working full-time and raising seven kids, made the university a perfect fit.

The very day Jacob graduated from the University of Washington with his DNP, he applied to FNU to become a certified nurse-midwife, earning his post-graduate certificate in nurse-midwifery from FNU in 2017.

Today, Jacob is in a new position at Franciscan Women’s Health Associates, a large midwifery practice in Tacoma, Wash. He alternates between days at the clinic and 12-hour call shifts in the delivery room at St. Joseph Medical Center, the second busiest hospital in the Puget Sound area. When Jacob is at the clinic, he sees upwards of 25 patients daily for obstetric, gynecological and primary care.

According to Jacob, he has seen enormous benefits in combining his passion for nurse-midwifery with his background in psychiatric-mental health. In his new position at Franciscan Women’s Health Associates, he is often pulled into consultations with colleagues who have patients with mental health conditions.

“One of the big shortcomings in perinatal mental health is that we separate out maternity care and mental health care. A mom may come in for maternity care but have some psychiatric conditions. Oftentimes, maternity care providers are uncomfortable with mental health, or mental healthcare providers don’t know anything about pregnancy. It’s really helpful for me to be able to care for both aspects at once. I can manage psychiatric meds and do psychotherapy while also help them through their pregnancy and delivery.”

Jacob enjoys seeing patients from diverse socioeconomic situations and particularly enjoys serving the underserved.

“My favorite thing is when I’m able to help an economically disadvantaged and socially marginalized mother by giving her better care than she would get anywhere else. I love treating patients like royalty, whether or not they can pay. It feeds my soul and makes me happy every day.”

We are proud of Jacob for pursuing his dream of becoming a nurse-midwife and finding a position that allows him to fully utilize his skill set to serve women!

FNU offers a graduate Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty track as well as a Nurse-Midwifery specialty track that can both be pursued full- or part-time while completing a Master of Science in Nursing or a Post-Graduate Certificate. To learn more about all of our program offerings, visit Frontier.edu.

What is a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)?

Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs) are educated in two disciplines: midwifery and nursing. They earn graduate degrees, complete a midwifery education program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME), and pass a national certification examination administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB) to receive the professional designation of CNM. Certified Midwives (CMs) are educated in the discipline of midwifery. They earn graduate degrees, meet health and science education requirements, complete a midwifery education program accredited by ACME, and pass the same national certification examination as CNMs to receive the professional designation of CM.

Should I Consider a DNP?

February 20, 2020 By Frontier Nursing University

Are you nurse-midwife or nurse practitioner interested in serving patients at a higher level? Do you have a desire to influence the broader healthcare system? Do you thrive in an academic environment? If the answer is yes, consider obtaining your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).

The DNP is the highest degree for clinical nursing practice. Not only do nurses that obtain their doctorate have more opportunities to lead and work as independent healthcare providers, but they also take an active role in shaping the future of healthcare in our nation.

Frontier Nursing University’s (FNU) DNP curriculum provides education in evidence-based practice, quality improvement and systems leadership, building on the knowledge acquired during master’s level studies. The DNP program draws on the clinical expertise of our world-renowned faculty and students to prepare nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to impact the health care of women and families on a community, regional and national level.

Have you been considering enrolling in a DNP program? Here are some reasons why we think you should, and why FNU is the perfect place to earn your degree.

Advance Your Career

An obvious reason for obtaining a DNP is to take your nursing career to the highest level. Because of the increasing complexity of healthcare, many healthcare programs across the United States now require a DNP for entry into advanced practice roles. FNU’s DNP program is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses with the necessary credentials to move into these roles.

“The DNP is important to my career advancement because it takes the political, educational and managerial branches of nursing that are very important to the advancement of the profession, cultivates them and takes me to the next step,” said FNU faculty member and alumnus Brian Webster, DNP, APRN-NP, NP-C, CEN, CPEN, FAWM.

Increase Your Leadership

FNU has an excellent reputation for preparing leaders who are firmly rooted in evidence-based practice. The DNP curriculum is designed to prepare advanced practice nurses to be leaders and change agents in the healthcare system.

“The DNP program is pushing me to become a better leader,” said DNP student Kamil El, CNM. “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.”

FNU graduates are driving innovations in healthcare and impacting their communities in incredible ways.

“Frontier has a rich history of encouraging nurses to initiate change and improve health care. Students will assess health care needs within their own health care system and translate evidence into practice using quality improvement initiatives,” said DNP program director Jane Houston, DNP, CNM, FACNM.

Communication is a major focus of FNU’s educational model. In many instances, improving healthcare outcomes boils down to improving communication, and FNU DNP alumni exit the program prepared to implement strong communication tools into their practices. Alumna Rachel Simmons, DNP, WHNP ultimately went with FNU as her doctorate program of choice because of the fine communication skills of a coworker who was an FNU DNP alumna.

“I noticed that this nurse practitioner seemed more prepared in terms of her skills and knowledge as compared to many other FNPs in the company. She had excellent communication skills and exuded confidence with minority patients,” said Rachel.

Guide the Next Generation

Nursing schools are facing a shortage of available faculty. With qualified nursing educators desperately needed in academia, completing a DNP degree can open doors to pursuing a career as faculty.

After completing her DNP at FNU, alumna Mary Ellen Biggerstaff, DNP, MSN stepped into a role as regional clinical faculty where she has found a passion for helping students following in her footsteps.

“I train people to be excellent nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners, especially to rural and vulnerable populations,” she said. “I love to see students I mentored impacting their communities.”

Join the FNU Community

Being a part of the FNU community opens students up to a wide network of FNU alumni across the country. While DNP courses are exclusively online, students will attend a three-day on-campus orientation at our Kentucky campus to kickstart the program. Students will have the opportunity to meet their deans, professors and colleagues they will be in communication with throughout the program and even after graduation.

As an alumnus of FNU, you will have access to many wonderful ways to keep in touch with friends and stay connected to FNU, including reunions, conference receptions, case days and eNews.

Want to learn more about FNU’s DNP program? Visit Frontier.edu/DNP to view the curriculum, request information and apply.

If you are interested in becoming a Certified Nurse-Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner or Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner and earning a MSN and then a DNP, consider FNU’s MSN program which allows you to continue into the DNP program.

Read Kamil’s story and many others in our FNU blog, and watch FNU alumni explain the importance of the DNP below!

Student Kudos: September-October 2018

October 4, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) seeks to empower its students to make a difference in their communities and in their field.

We are proud to highlight six students who have been recently recognized for their significant accomplishments and pursuits to better their education and the care they provide.

FNU Students receive AANP scholarships

The following students received AANP Scholarships in 2018:

Nadezhda Kravchuk, RN, BSN

Rachel Powell, APRN, MSN

CFNP student Nadezhda Kravchuk, RN, BSN of Nampa, Idaho received a 2018 Master’s in Nursing Scholarship. Nadezhdra is in CFNP Class 154 at FNU.

DNP student Rachel Powell, APRN, MSN of Richmond, Ky. was the recipient of a 2018 Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post Master’s Scholarship. Rachel is a student in FNU’s DNP Class 29.

Congratulations, Nadezhda and Rachel! See the complete list of AANP Scholarship recipients here.

PMHNP student honored as Litchfield County Leader Under 40

Katrin Moskowitz, DNP, FNP

Congratulations to FNU alumna and PHMNP student (Class 161) Katrin Moskowitz, DNP, FNP for being named one of the Northwest CT Chamber of Commerce: Leaders Under 40.

Katrin was recently named Assistant Clinical Director of Community Health and Wellness Center, where she started the Medication-Assisted Treatment program and led the effort to decrease the number of deaths from opioid addiction and to increase vital access to care for such.

In 2016, she was chosen as a Fellow of the year-long Duke-Johnson and Johnson Nurse Leadership Program, which enabled her to network and grow her skills. She has returned to FNU to obtain her PMHNP.

Great work, Katrin! Read the full story here.

FNP student named the recipient of NEF scholarship

Elizabeth Balleweg, BSN

Congratulations to CFNP (Class 158) student Elizabeth Balleweg, BSN for earning the Geraldine Labecki scholarship from the Nurses Educational Funds, Inc.

Elizabeth was one of 26 scholarship recipients across the United States.

Elizabeth works as an acute dialysis nurse in Boise, Idaho, where she provides plasmapheresis, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for patients in five local hospitals.

As an FNP, Elizabeth plans to focus on disease prevention and early intervention in a primary care setting. She is passionate about providing care to the underserved, specifically low-income clients, refugees and migrant workers. Elizabeth plans pursue a DNP to further build her clinical skills and serve as a preceptor for nurse practitioner students.

The NEF Scholarship recipients have been selected from among a significant group of highly-qualified candidates. Their selection represents exemplary academic, clinical practice, community service, and professional accomplishments and places them among an elite group of NEF scholarship awardees, present and past.

Read more about Elizabeth and the NEF scholars here.

Two FNU graduate nursing students receive March of Dimes scholarships

Isabel Brewster, RN

Kristin DeArruda Wharton, RN

The following FNU students were recipients of 2018 March of Dimes Graduate Nursing Scholarships for post-graduate and doctoral studies in the field of maternal-child nursing:

CNEP (Class 154) student Isabel Brewster, RN of Canterbury, N.H. received one of the four MoD scholarships. Isabel works with a population of women and babies at risk from opioid use in pregnancy, which causes significant health problems including premature birth and neonatal abstinence syndrome.

After graduation, Isabel plans to focus on preconception and perinatal care in a clinical setting that provides care for women with substance use disorders.

CFNP (Class 164) student Kristin DeArruda Wharton, RN of Grand Marais, Minn. was the highest-scoring scholarship applicant in 2018 and recipient of the Margaret C. Freda Scholarship. She is committed to improving maternal-child health in rural communities in northeastern Minnesota.

Kristin is working to resolve the challenges and risk factors facing rural women and their babies, such as preterm birth rates and other poor health outcomes that are disproportionately high in rural communities in the U.S.

Well done, Isabel and Kristin! Read about each of the four scholarship recipients here.

Congratulations to each of these students for representing FNU in their hard work.

Frontier Nursing University Graduates Surpass National Board Examination Averages

July 27, 2018 By frontieredu

HYDEN, Ky. – Frontier Nursing University (FNU) graduates’ recent exam scores reveal the effectiveness of a properly-structured, affordable distance education nursing program.

The American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB), the professional association that provides certifications for certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and certified midwives (CMs) in the United States, released the scores from the 2017 examinations in February of 2018. FNU graduates passed the 2017 midwifery board exams with an average pass rate of 94.0%.

FNU graduates comprised 33.7% of all the (AMCB) nurse-midwifery certification test-takers in the nation, totaling 254 graduates out of the 754 test-takers nationwide. Of the examination candidates that tested for the first time, FNU graduates made up 34.6%. The national pass rate for all test-takers for 2017 was 90.2%, while FNU’s overall pass rate exceeded it at 94.0%. FNU surpassed the national pass rate for first-time test-takers (92.0%) as well, with a pass rate of 95.0%.

The National Certification Corporation (NCC) released the results of the 2017 Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner Exam in March 2018. FNU graduates passed at a rate of 97.9%, where the national average was 90.0%.

The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Board also released the results for the 2017 family nurse practitioner (FNP) Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Graduate Certificate (PGC) examinations. The pass rate for FNU graduates in the MSN board exam was 97.0%. First-time FNU test-takers averaged a 95.0% pass rate, which was well above the national average of 80.0%.

In June, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) released the certification pass rate for 2017. FNU first-time takers for family nurse practitioner MSN students averaged a perfect 100.0% for the second consecutive year. Those testing with a post-graduate certificate for the first time averaged a score of 91.67%.

The trend held for the FNP Post-Graduate Certificate examinations. FNU graduates passed at a 91.0% rate over all on both the AANP and ANCC exams, and first-time AANP test-takers nationwide passed at a rate of 82.0%.

FNU is a distance education institution that prides itself in an affordable tuition rate ($34,000-37,000 for MSN). Since 1991, FNU has implemented a curriculum for distance learning developed to target the needs of nurses from rural and underserved areas. In addition to considering the above-average outcomes in the 2017 national certification examinations, all programs are structured and evaluated by the multiple accreditation processes of the professions and regional graduate level education.

Currently, there are more than 2,000 students enrolled, with about half of those in the nurse-midwifery master’s program and all others in the nurse practitioner programs or doctoral program. FNU educates approximately one-third of all nurse-midwifery students in the U.S.

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Frontier Nursing University is passionate about educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to serve women and families in all communities, especially rural and underserved areas. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Post-Graduate Certificates. To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.

Why the DNP? Four Reasons to Consider the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree

April 13, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is a top-tier nursing institution dedicated to providing an outstanding education. Ten years ago, FNU raised the bar by offering an advanced degree: the Post Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Joan Slager, CNM, DNP, CPC, FACNM, Interim Dean and Program Director of Post Master’s DNP at FNU answers common questions potential students ask about the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and why they should consider it.

Dr. Slager became a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) through Frontier’s program in 1991 (CNEP Class 1) after observing that the care provided by midwives was superior to traditional obstetrical care. To her, the partnership between the mother and her midwife provider was powerful in achieving healthy and satisfying birth experiences.

Even when complications arose, the shared decision making, anticipatory guidance and individualized care that embodied the midwifery model of care stood out to Dr. Slager as the best way to care for mothers and babies. She knew going into midwifery how wonderful and different the model was, but it wasn’t until she began her formal education program in midwifery that she learned how good midwives were at providing maternity care.

The decision to pursue her DNP came many years later when Dr. Slager was in a position of leadership. She desired to partner with a PhD researcher to improve care by acquiring knowledge and translating it into practice. Though she had good instincts, formal study of the DNP essentials created an armamentarium for Dr. Slager that she could draw from to implement change and improve care.

Like many practitioners, frustration over limitations to full practice authority, prescriptive authority, overly restrictive bylaws and practice agreements plagued Dr. Slager’s otherwise rewarding career.

The lessons Dr. Slager learned in the DNP program helped to develop tools essential in changing health policies and addressing barriers to practice.

When the time came to consider a transition from full time clinical practice, possessing the DNP enabled Dr. Slager to consider many more options.

Now, as Director of the Post Master’s DNP at FNU, Dr. Slager gets questions from potential DNP students every day. She answers the four most common questions below:

Student: I have my MSN and am practicing as a CNM/NP currently. I am doing what I love in my clinical practice. Why should I obtain my DNP?

Dr. Slager: The DNP prepares the CNM/NP for clinical leadership. The focus of the DNP education is to teach students to apply evidence to practice. It takes about 14 years for research that gains new information to make its way into clinical practice and the DNP nurse is educated to decrease the time from adoption of the evidence into practice.

The individual who is educated in the DNP essentials will be in the best position to implement change and affect the changing landscape in health care. These skills will be sought after by administrators who seek to address gaps in practice or create efficiencies in healthcare delivery. As an employer, the DNP-prepared APRN will have the “competitive edge” over other applicants seeking positions.

Student: I am currently enrolled in FNU’s MSN program and have the option to seamlessly continue into the DNP program. What are the benefits of completing the DNP now instead of coming back to finish the degree later?

Dr. Slager: Moving seamlessly into the DNP upon completion of the MSN program takes advantage of the momentum acquired through continuing in formal education. Additionally, students will be familiar with learning management systems and other technology currently in use as opposed to the inevitable change that occurs over time.

Currently at FNU, the MSN graduate has completed 9 credits or 3 didactic courses that are part of the DNP program. Eventually, as courses are revised and accreditation requirements change, these courses may not be accepted thus necessitating increased credit loads and the associated financial expense.

There is a balance, however, between the burden of learning a new role in a new career as an APRN and continuing on in a rigorous doctoral education program. Students should consider a slow and steady approach as opposed to a rapid progression through the program. Each situation is highly individualized and each student should evaluate when the time is right and at what pace they are prepared to approach this step in their formal education. The important thing is to have time to devote to mastery of the DNP essentials, not speeding as quickly as possible to the finish line.

Student: I am considering FNU’s DNP program, but also considering other schools. What sets FNU apart from other university’s programs?

Dr. Slager: FNU has always provided exemplary education with a focus on vulnerable or underserved populations. The DNP embodies this philosophy as the desired outcome is the well prepared clinical leader who has learned to apply evidence to practice. Students implement patient outcome focused quality improvement projects in their practice site to achieve best practice.

FNU’s tuition rates are some of the most affordable in the country. An MSN and DNP combined option costs just $45,000.

Unlike other programs, FNU partners with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, using their model for quality improvement. Clinical projects must address one of the Institute of Medicine’s aims which includes improving safety, efficacy, efficiency, timely care, patient centered care or health equity.

Student: I really want to make an impact on the patients I serve in my community. How does the DNP help me do this?

Dr. Slager: As noted above, there is a considerable delay between the time research is completed and knowledge is gained and such knowledge is translated into changes in practice. In many situations people and/or practices are resistant to change or poor consumers of research. The DNP-prepared nurse is skilled in evaluating care for best practice, implementation of the evidence and managing process or quality improvement. Additionally, DNP APRNs are formally educated to teach and mentor new clinicians, assume clinical leadership responsibilities and affect change in health policy

Prior to the development of the DNP degree, seasoned clinicians rose to leadership positions through years of trial and error. The DNP graduate has the advantage of an accelerated skill acquisition process through an education program that creates opportunities for mentoring and guidance from experienced faculty.

The Institute of Medicine has identified the DNP prepared APRN as the professional best equipped to bridge the ‘Quality Chasm’ that exists between evidence and best practice, allowing for better patient outcomes for mother and baby.

FNU Celebrates Recent Jonas Scholar Graduates

February 23, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is proud to announce four Post-Master’s DNP students as Jonas Scholars for the 2016-2018 Cohort. FNU first forged a partnership with the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare in 2015, with the goal to identify and invest in high-potential doctoral nursing Scholars. The Scholars program supports educational development of new nursing faculty and stimulates models for joint faculty appointments between schools of nursing and clinical affiliates. The grants, made through institutional awards, also prepare doctoral candidates to address the needs of future patients—from dealing with co-morbidities and chronic illnesses to providing culturally competent care.

Congratulations to the following Scholars who graduated in 2017:

Jonas Scholars 2016-2018 Cohort

Cassie Belzer, DNP

Cassie Belzer, DNP

Class 24, graduated Dec. 2017 – Montana – Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar – $20,000

The Jonas Foundation Nurse Leader Scholarship made it possible for Cassie Belzer to attend Frontier Nursing University for her DNP. For her Jonas project, she focused on a nonprofit in her community dedicated to women and families struggling with perinatal mood disorders. She changed the policies in her clinical setting to increase the rate of perinatal mood disorder screening, establish frequent follow-up plans for women and families that are struggling, and ensure referral systems were in place for those needing a higher level of mental health care. Dr. Belzer and her team increased the recognition of perinatal mood disorders from 8% to 26% and will continue working to make that number higher.

“[I am] forever grateful for the foresight of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas that led them to promoting nurses, so the future of health care can be in the hands of practitioners that strive for the best for their patients.” – Cassie Belzer, Jonas Scholar

Ana Verzone, DNP, FNP-BC, CNM

Ana Verzone, DNP, FNP-BC, CNM

Class 24 – Alaska – Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar – $20,000

Ana Verzone participated as a Jonas Nurse Leader scholar and based her Jonas project out of the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Dr. Verzone helped to improve effectiveness of communication during emergency transports from rural outreach clinics to the emergency departments of tertiary care hospitals with a standardized hand-off communication protocol. Dr. Verzone’s doctoral project resulted in the establishment of a standardized hand-off communication protocol for emergency transports that included advanced notification with a modified SBAR report (which increased from less than 5% to almost 80%) and written documentation to accompany the patient (which increased from less than 15% to 87%). Use of the standardized hand-off protocol will continue, and will also be implemented in training for future ambulance staff and in association with Stanford University’s work with training EMTs for Nepal Ambulance Services.

“I was inspired by the important changes that we – as a group of Jonas scholars – were making in the world, and it should not go without saying that I also felt immense pride in being a nurse. This experience has helped me envision future projects that will continue to have an important impact in my local community in Alaska as well as internationally.” – Ana Verzone, Jonas Scholar

Erica Burkhart, DNP, APRN-FNP

Erica Burkhart, DNP, APRN-FNP

Class 23, graduated Sept. 2017- Maine – Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar – $20,000

Erica Burkhart, a Jonas Nurse Leader Scholar, designed and implemented a quality improvement Jonas project at the University of New England’s Pett’s health center in Biddeford, Maine. Dr. Burkhart’s focus was improving care for students with depression using the screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) model. Prior to the project, only about 7% of students were being screened for depression at the health center. After implementing the project, screening increased to 80%. The new model allows the health center to identify students struggling with mental health issues and to provide comprehensive treatment, preventing negative consequences of untreated depression including poor academic achievement, social isolation, drug and alcohol use, and suicide. Dr. Burkhart continues her work at a busy primary care clinic, incorporating depression screening into every visit.

“[I am] grateful for the opportunity to pursue [my] doctorate thanks to the support of the Jonas Family.” – Erica Burkhart, Jonas Scholar

Lana Bernat, DNP, CNM, CPHQ

Lana Bernat, DNP, CNM, CPHQ

Class 22, graduated Sep. 2017 – Hawaii – DNP Jonas Veterans Scholar – $10,000

Lana Bernat participated as a Jonas Veterans Scholar. For her Jonas project, Lana researched CenteringPregnancy group prenatal care, which brings women due at the same time out of exam rooms and into a comfortable group setting, in conjunction with military families. She also interviewed the founder of CenteringPregnancy about her extensive work with group prenatal care. Based on her extensive research, Dr. Bernat’s doctoral project improved model fidelity of a CenteringPregnancy program in a military facility. Dr. Bernat engaged both patients and the facility’s healthcare professionals, which in turn increased CenteringPregnancy program enrollment, increased group size, and improved teamwork perception.

“Words of thanks seem very inadequate when you reflect on the incredible contributions from the Jonas family to our nursing profession,” Bernat says. “Think about the number of patients and communities touched by the Jonas family. I am one small person, but as members of this amazing Jonas community, we are making a difference everywhere. I am humbled, honored, and grateful to have a place in the family. I feel a sense of responsibility to carry on their commitment for excellence by continuing my work in quality and, in the future, nursing education.”

Congratulations to our 2016-2018 cohort!

Student Spotlight: Kevin Brunacini, APRN, FNP-C

February 1, 2018 By frontieredu

Kevin Brunacini, APRN, FNP-C doesn’t have IV bags, electric beds, or machines to work with in his practice. Instead, he uses his computer, and through the screen is able to serve vulnerable and rural populations.

Kevin, a Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice student at Frontier Nursing University (FNU), owns and operates a virtual consultatory medical and nutritional practice called The Diet Doc in Northern Kentucky. The aim of the practice is to transform patients from the inside-out as they become their own best nutritionist through empowered health behaviors.

A little over three years ago, Kevin noticed a problem in several of his patients: weight maintenance. Having lost and kept off 121 pounds himself, he set out to help patients achieve the same kinds of feats without the same kind of resources or education that he had.

The Diet Doc is Kevin’s solution, a way to teach the true psychology of eating through curriculum and one-on-one appointments, so that patients can have enduring weight loss success.

Kevin is working towards his DNP so that he can better advocate for his patients.

“Ultimately, it will lead to better care delivery, improved patient outcomes and further autonomy, and strengthen the credibility of the profession,” said Kevin.

He currently serves his community, a mix of rural and urban populations, by presenting nutrition and health education seminars through local health advocacy groups. He also submits written contributions to these groups and others, and provides one-on-one nutrition consultations with especially vulnerable populations. Kevin was the recipient of the Residential Partner of the Year Award of the Life Learning Center in 2017.

He chose Frontier for its highly-regarded DNP program, as well as its history and prestige.

“Due to my unique practice focus, Frontier encouraged an entrepreneurial focus in order for me to learn about the DNP essentials and apply them towards improving my practice and clinical skills,” Kevin said.

Throughout the first half of his DNP, Kevin has already found the Frontier network to be a strong force in his education.

“It can be alienating on your own, but to be surrounded by others who have succeeded before me and believe I can succeed encourages me even more to be part of the Frontier legacy,” he said.

Thank you, Kevin, for your dedication to serving a unique and vulnerable population! We are proud to have you as an FNU student.

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 health care to underserved and rural populations.