The Frontier School Of Midwifery and Family Nursing

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Mar 16, 2009

I am considering becoming an FNP or Midwife and I am begining the process of applying to schools. A co-worker told me about this school (The Frontier School Of Midwifery and Family Nursing) and I am interested in it especially since it is online. I have never heard of it before so I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of it or went there or known someone who has gone there. You can also get your DNP there and they coordinate your clinicals for where you live. Any information would be appreciated.

I've heard nothing but good things about this program. The first midwife program in the US. The reason I didn't apply there was because I felt funny about the idea of practicing pelvic exams on each other. Although nothing wrong, this exceeded my comfort level. I've heard they have changed their policy and you can ask not to participate if you do not feel comfortable.

caitiecait · Mar 17, 2009

hmm pelvic exams.. not quite sure if Id feel comfortable lol but actually Im leaning more towards family nurse practitoner. Have you heard about that program at Frontier?

caitiecait · Mar 17, 2009

Also Tammy79 RN I see that you graduated from University of Southern Indiana's FNP Distant Learning Program. How is that school? And how is distant learning?

MissDoodaw · Mar 17, 2009

Hi,

All my info is secondhand -so please take it as such, but I am passing it on b/c maybe it will help you. I am an FN student. I am doing my women's health/ob clinical now w/ a wonderful nurse midwife. There is a student there who is a frontier nurse midwife student. It sounds like a tough program with a heavy workload, but I think she is happy with it. She has to do way more births than a lot of other programs -so make sure you are good with that if you are considering this program. I also think she had to get hospital priviledges on her own and this took more time than one might expect, but they have come through.

Good Luck!

Dr. Tammy, FNP/GNP-C · Mar 17, 2009

Also Tammy79 RN I see that you graduated from University of Southern Indiana's FNP Distant Learning Program. How is that school? And how is distant learning?

Great program. I would strongly recommend.

ivanh3 · Mar 18, 2009

hmm pelvic exams.. not quite sure if Id feel comfortable lol but actually Im leaning more towards family nurse practitoner. Have you heard about that program at Frontier?

The school is rather historic as others have pointed out. I applied there for their first class of ADN-MSN tract students, and I really liked my interactions with school. I chose another school in the end, but a large part of that related to me having an associates degree. At the time they were not granting ADN-MSN students a BSN and I really wanted both. If you already have a BSN that would not apply to you. While I have heard much about their midwife training, I have not heard directly from any students, but I will say this. While most of the distance NP programs have strengths and weaknesses when compared to each other, much is evened out by the fact that clinicals are local, and that is where you are really going to get the most of your training. Many people here get very fired up about their programs, and a little pride in your school is fine, but my opinion is that it really comes down to the student and how much they are willing to put in and take out of any program. I love my program (Graceland), but the vast bulk of my education has taken place at the clinical site which has been rewarding.

Ivan

nurseannabelle · Mar 18, 2009

I am a Frontier FNP Graduate. :up: I would highly recommend the school :up: . It is a rigorous program, but well worth it. The curriculum is very asynchronous, so you will need to be self directed and driven. This worked very well me, as I have 5 kids and worked through the entire program. Other schools I have attended claim to be asynchronous, but seem to have multiple forum/assignment entry deadlines each week :banghead: . Another thing that is a little different than other schools is that the first part of the program you complete all your didactic works, then all your clinical hours are at the end. Other schools have you take a class with your clinical hours together. I liked that it was split up and my preceptor commented that I seemed to have had a better grasp on the multiple health care challenges as opposed to someone who had not taken all their classes first.

You will have to go on campus twice, once in the beginning and once before clinicals. Everyone stays in a dorm style building which was an awesome networking/friendship making time :chuckle. FNP's and Midwife's alike both do pap's on each other, however you can opt out to have one performed on yourself. However, you will have to do one on a classmate. It's not as bad as you might think and to be honest I'd rather do the first one in a controlled environment instead of on a patient at the clinic.

Someone stated previously that they arrange your clinical site--that is not true. They gave me a list of names of other NP's that have served as preceptors in the past, in my area, but I had to set things up. However Frontier did mail and track the paperwork. The biggest thing that helped me was that Frontier pays a stipend to the preceptor:yeah:, other schools don't do this. So, when my preceptor needed to choose between me and another student, she chose me. I'd like to say this was only because I was better, but let's be real; I'm sure that stipend made a difference. Frontier was also a little more specific than other schools about having your clinical hours completed with another NP, not a MD. Their objective is admirable, we are planning on becoming NP's not MD's, and MD's do function differently than NP's.

Frontier just started their DNP program. Currently, they are limiting the enrollment to past graduates and only to a limited number of students. It will take a couple years, before they can/will broaden their horizons. I was told that I would have to wait to get in:cry:. I ended up starting the DNP program at another school. The school I am attending is very good and I have no complaints, however I would have chosen to stay with Frontier if I had that option.

Good luck!

SydneyJo1 · Mar 18, 2009

So, about the whole pelvic exam thing. Were there any male FNP or Midwifery students in the group? If so, how was that handled?

nurseannabelle · Mar 18, 2009

FNP & Midwifery students were all together for the physical assessment check out which includes the pap. We didn't have any male students in my group, so I'm not sure what they usually do. I got the impression that in other classes, where there were males, someone volunteered to allow them.

debbren · Mar 25, 2009

Hi there,

I would love to know what direction you have decided on...I am in the beginning stages of looking into schools with distance as well. Frontier has always had a great reputation....

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · Mar 26, 2009

I'm a FNP student at Frontier - very happy with my decision. The school is full of amazing history and excellent administrators & faculty who want you to succeed.

As far as the paps go on each other - it's part of the learning process and it can be debated 1000 different ways. I'll cross that portion of my education when I get there because who knows - something might change before then and we might use a simulator by then rather than each other. Not anything to get terribly worried over