Frontier Nursing University

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) is a private graduate school specializing in nurse-midwifery, family nursing, and women's health care. Founded in 1939 by Mary Breckinridge, it was established to provide advanced practice nursing education, primarily focusing on midwifery and family nursing in rural and underserved areas. The university is located in Hyden, Kentucky, USA, and offers distance education programs to students across the country.

History[edit | edit source]

Frontier Nursing University was originally founded as the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) by Mary Breckinridge in 1939. Breckinridge, inspired by her experiences with the British nurse-midwives, aimed to improve the health care of mothers and children in the Appalachian region of Eastern Kentucky, one of the most impoverished and medically underserved areas in the United States at the time. The FNS introduced nurse-midwifery to America and played a crucial role in raising the standards of maternal and child health care in rural areas.

In 1970, the Frontier Nursing Service established the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing, which later evolved into Frontier Nursing University. The institution expanded its academic offerings to include a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), among other programs, focusing on the education of nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives.

Academics[edit | edit source]

Frontier Nursing University offers graduate-level programs through its College of Health Sciences. The academic programs include:

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), with pathways to becoming a family nurse practitioner (FNP), women's health care nurse practitioner (WHCNP), or certified nurse-midwife (CNM).
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), designed for nurses seeking a terminal degree in nursing practice.
Post-Master's Certificates in various specialties for nurses who already hold a Master's degree in nursing.

FNU utilizes a distance education model, allowing students to complete their coursework online while completing clinical practicums in their local communities. This model facilitates access to advanced nursing education for students in rural and underserved areas across the United States.

Campus[edit | edit source]

The main campus of Frontier Nursing University is located in Hyden, Kentucky. The campus houses the Wendover Bed & Breakfast Inn, which is the historic home of Mary Breckinridge and serves as a living museum and lodging for visitors. The campus also includes facilities for student orientations, clinical simulations, and administrative offices.

Accreditation[edit | edit source]

Frontier Nursing University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The university's nurse-midwifery program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (ACME).

Notable Alumni[edit | edit source]

Frontier Nursing University has produced a significant number of nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives who have made notable contributions to healthcare in rural and underserved areas, both nationally and internationally.