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

Terry Sims and Alice Dalena
Frontier Nursing University (FNU) Preceptor Terry Sims, FNP, was honored as FNU’s “Featured Preceptor” for the 2019 Spring Term. Terry was nominated by Alice Dalena (FNP Class 152), who graduated this past February.
Terry’s career began as a paramedic before going on to become a Registered Nurse. His experiences in emergency medicine as well as a brief stint as his county’s assistant coroner developed in him the ability to stay calm under pressure and maintain a positive attitude.
For the past 11 years, Terry has worked in rural South Carolina helping patients at Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Primary Care Great Falls. According to Alice, he sees up to 40 patients each day but takes the time to genuinely care for each one.
The rural town of Great Falls, S.C. once had a thriving economy due to the presence of a now-closed cotton mill, but has come on hard times in recent years. The population is prone to deficiencies typical of rural areas that FNU has always been passionate about remedying: poverty, lack of healthcare education and the need for a complete spectrum of healthcare.
At the MUSC clinic, Terry not only attends to his patients, but also performs his role as preceptor for up to three students at a time. Rather than being overwhelmed with his full plate, Alice reports Terry has a great sense of humor and takes time to patiently work with students, quizzing them on information.
Alice now has the privilege of working alongside her former preceptor at MUSC Primary Care. “I am forever thankful that Terry will always be my mentor,” she said.
Thank you, Terry, for being committed to helping so many FNU students while offering your patients the highest quality of care!
Visit Frontier.edu/Preceptors to read about previously recognized preceptors or to nominate a preceptor.