staff spotlight | Frontier Nursing University

Staff Spotlight: Jamie Wheeler, MA

January 17, 2019 By frontieredu

A key piece of the Frontier Nursing University (FNU) graduate online nursing specialty programs is securing a preceptor and clinical site. Clinical Site Facilitator Jamie Wheeler, MA, spends her days connecting students with the preceptors and clinicals that best suit their unique needs.

Because the preceptor and clinical search can be very challenging and stressful for students, Jamie’s role allows her to focus on one student at a time. She provides them with tools and resources to navigate through the clinical search and credentialing processes.

Jamie is also passionate about leading webinars and educating her students. Each term, she presents a webinar called “Clinical Search 101: Tips for Locating Sites and Preceptors” that helps students prepare for their time in clinicals.

“I enjoy giving each student my full attention and helping to walk them through the process of securing sites and preceptors,” she said. “I love building rapport with our students and making this challenging time a little less stressful for them.”

Jamie has been in her position with FNU for six years, coming from a Student Affairs background at the University of Kentucky.

She chose Frontier because of its mission and dedication to serving rural and underserved populations. As a rural, northern Wisconsin native, Jamie felt at home at FNU and has found community amongst the staff and students.

“I truly have terrific colleagues and friendships here,” she said. “I am part of an amazing team!”

Jamie was also thankful for the FNU community as she became a mother. Though midwifery care was not initially on her radar, Jamie decided to seek a nurse-midwife for her pregnancies. In the two-minute video below, she talks about her decision and the impact it had on her birthing experience.

“Frontier was a wonderful place to be through two healthy pregnancies. It was awesome to have CNMs that answered my questions and supported me,” she said.

While she’s not in the office, Jamie loves cooking, baking, reading, being outside and spending time with her husband and two young daughters.

Thank you for the dedicated work that you do for our students, Jamie!

Staff Spotlight: Andrew Dezarn

May 24, 2018 By frontieredu

Andrew Dezarn has been “answering the call” at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) for eight years this May. Andrew is the Associate Director of Financial Aid at FNU, contributing to the mission every day by providing students with ways to fund their education and professional growth.

Andrew grew up just 30 miles away from FNU’s Hyden, Ky. campus in Manchester, Ky., where he first heard about FNU. With a bachelor’s in history, he was drawn to FNU as an established, positive force in southeast Kentucky and beyond.

Andrew’s role in the financial aid office is as satisfying for him as it is helpful for the students he meets with.

“Working in financial aid allows me to help students achieve their goals of becoming FNPs and midwives,” said Andrew. “Financial aid can be intimidating for a lot of people, so it’s nice to be able to guide our students through the process and hopefully make it less stressful for them.”

Andrew works with four other co-workers in the Financial Aid Office and loves being a part of FNU’s mission.

When he’s not providing financial advice for FNU students, Andrew spends time with his friends and family, particularly his niece. He also loves reading about, watching shows on, and fixing up cars.

Thank you, Andrew, for serving the Frontier community!

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.

FNU Announces 2017 Fall Term Circle of Caring Award Winners

February 8, 2018 By frontieredu

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is pleased to announce Tonya Nicholson as the faculty recipient and Kayla Turner as the staff recipient of the Fall Term Circle of Caring Award.

This award is a recognition for Frontier faculty and staff who go above and beyond everyday duties and strive to uphold FNU’s mission and Culture of Caring.

Nominations for this inaugural award were submitted anonymously by faculty, staff and students. A committee then voted on each nomination based on the following Culture of Caring characteristics: professionalism, mutual support, respect, positive communication and inclusivity.

Tonya Nicholson serves as the Associate Dean of Midwifery and Women’s Health at Frontier, using her decade of nurse-midwifery experience to aid her teaching.

The following statement was included in Tonya’s nomination:

“Tonya has twice sent me handwritten cards of encouragement regarding my son’s medical treatment that we have been going through for two years now. These unexpected notes that come in the mail are such a thoughtful gesture and really make me feel supported by her, especially since she has experienced her own child’s long recovery and all that entailed. I know that she sends notes and cards to others on a regular basis, and I’m sure they also make those individuals feel uplifted.”

Kayla Turner is the Hyden Campus Receptionist at Frontier. She answers all phone calls, processes the campus mail, completes office supply inventory and ordering, provides administrative support to faculty, and is the first face many new students see when they arrive on campus.

This statement was also submitted with Kayla’s nomination:

“Kayla has gone the extra mile to help the admissions department check in students, make name badges, etc. She also ran to the aid of the cooks when they had a kitchen fire. Kayla volunteered to use her own time, off the clock, to go purchase 50 coats for FNU to give to needy children in Hyden. She didn’t just make a quick stop at one store. She shopped around in different stores, choosing coats of quality, for the right price, and buying as many as possible so that every child on her list received a nice coat. This is not the first time I have witnessed her mutual support, respect, professionalism and inclusivity. It is an honor to work with such a responsible and helpful person.”

Tonya and Kayla will receive a framed certificate and a $50 gift card, and will be featured in various Frontier communications.

Thank you, Tonya and Kayla, for embodying the FNU spirit of community and caring.Do you know an FNU staff or faculty member that goes above and beyond? Nominate them now for the Circle of Caring Award!

Staff Spotlight – Carisa Lipp

October 12, 2017 By frontieredu

Carisa Lipp has been working with students at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) since the establishment of Frontier’s advising center in 2014.

With a bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies, Carisa has enjoyed initiating and maintaining relationships with nursing students for over three years. The goal of the Academic Advising team at FNU is to meet regularly with all students to provide support and guidance from the point of admission to graduation.

Carisa came to Frontier after working with Health Access Nurturing Development Services, also known as HANDS. HANDS is a public health program for first-time parents. According to Carisa, the program opened her eyes to the importance of maternal and family health in shaping an entire family.

Now, Carisa’s passion for supporting students is what helps her excel as an academic advisor.

“I enjoy student interaction and love the premise of helping families and children,” she said. “I believe a friendly smile or voice can be the motivation to keep moving through a difficult course or term.”

Her work to make people feel supported extends beyond the FNU community. Carisa actively volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Outside of work and volunteering, Carisa spends time with her new husband and three kids at a variety of soccer games, basketball games, track meets and play practices.

Thank you, Carisa, for serving the Frontier community!

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.

Staff Spotlight: Katie Moses

July 25, 2017 By frontieredu

At Frontier Nursing University (FNU),the first stop for potential students is through the admissions office. Katie Moses, an FNU admissions officer, is the frontline of customer service for these applicants as they consider pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree at Frontier. She and the admissions department, fluent in all facets of Frontier’s operations, walk applicants through each step of the admissions process and often go the extra mile to explain procedures, policies and detailed aspects of campus life at FNU.

“We literally, and figuratively, answer the call every day to grow Frontier’s influence in the nursing field,” Katie said.

Katie, who has been in her role at FNU for seven years, enjoys working with applicants through the admissions process as they seek to further their education in their chosen field. She wants to help students accomplish their nursing dreams, no matter the size.

“It is an honor to aid in one’s journey of self-fulfillment and betterment in any regard,” said Katie. “That is exactly why I am here.”

When seeking a career in higher education, Katie chose FNU because of its prestige within the Leslie County community and its strong reputation. She was welcomed by the friendly faculty and staff, and the quaint campus layout made her feel immediately at home.

Outside of the Frontier admissions office, Katie enjoys painting, sewing, reading, singing, playing upright/electric bass, and spending her time with her dachshund, Pepper, and her husband, Jeremy.

We are proud to have staff like Katie Moses that are dedicated in their service to FNU students and the FNU community as a whole.

Staff Spotlight: Jamie Wheeler, MA

Staff Spotlight: Andrew Dezarn

FNU Announces 2017 Fall Term Circle of Caring Award Winners

Staff Spotlight – Carisa Lipp

Staff Spotlight: Katie Moses

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