Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing-FNP Program

Cinqly, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2009

I was also looking into their FNP program. I was looking at their website and it seems like there is quite a bit on required on-campus involvement for the online degree. If anyone can comment on that it would be appreciated!

Smark35 · Aug 22, 2009

I am a midwifery student at Frontier, so I can only tell you about my experience. All students start with the same masters core curriculum, however, so I can tell you that your education will be a good one. There are two required on-campus sessions required for applicants who enter with a bachelors degree, and 3 for applicants who enter with an associate degree. One session, Frontier Bound, is attended before you begin your program of study. The other, clinical bound, is attended before you begin your clinical practicum in your community. Associate students (bridge students) attend a 3rd session in the middle of those at the end of the bridge year prior to the start of the masters classes, called crossing the bridge.

These on-campus sessions are packed full of activities, and while they center on helping you to forge a bond with the students who will become your online support network, they also incorporate many valuable experiences to help you on your educational path. You'll meet your instructors face to face, meet with financial aid and your advisor. There are seminars on how to navigate their system, sessions with the librarian on how to use the online library and databases, test taking tips, college writing, and of course, seminars on your chosen specialty. Frontier Bound is a fantastic experience...imagine being in a room with many other intelligent, motivated women (and a few men) who have decided now is the time to begin their journey. It's a fantastic experience and I made what I'm sure will be lifelong friends. (We found time in our busy schedules for wine and a campfire.) Clinical Bound is more about teaching you the hands on skills you'll need before you start your practicum. This is where they go over the things that may be difficult to learn in an online format. I haven't been to clinical bound yet, I can only tell you I've seen some hilarious looking pictures that were taken there.

Frontier is a great school, and I wish you luck in your journey.

ms_sheesh · Aug 23, 2009

Thanks Smark. Good luck on your journey to becoming a midwife.

Berkshire1995 · Sep 5, 2009

I am a student in the FNP program. I have to tell you, this school is awesome! The professors are truly dedicated to helping you succeed! I know of others who have graduated and they tell me they were more than well-prepared! Good luck and trust me, this is a highly regarded school!

ms_sheesh · Sep 7, 2009

Thanks, Berkshire. I have already sent in my application. My fingers are crossed. Hopefully all will go well.

NurseFL · Sep 9, 2009

please let me know how things went. I plan on applying as well.

Berkshire1995 · Sep 17, 2009

Ms Sheesh....have you heard yet? I am so excited for you! I LOVE this FNP program and feel so fortunate to have found such an academically and clinically excellent school! You couldn't FIND better or more well-prepared professors who TRULY take an interest in you and want you to suceed! I wish you all the best. You can contact me via private message and I will then give you my other e-mail. I am happy to share my experience with you. I am just so happy to be in a school which has a philosophy of supporting adult learners and in celebrating our milestones!

All the best to you!

Barb

ms_sheesh · Sep 17, 2009

Hi Barb,

I actually applied for Class 73 so I won't hear anything from them until the end of November. ( I think they are still handling applications for Classes 71 and 72). But I had the interview already and things went pretty well. I get excited thinking about it. It's great that you are willing to share your experiences with me and I would really appreciate that. However, I can't PM you just yet. I have to post a few times more before I able to use that function. However if you don't mind PM-ing me, I would appreciate that too.

colleenm · Sep 18, 2009

I LOVE this FNP program and feel so fortunate to have found such an academically and clinically excellent school! You couldn't FIND better or more well-prepared professors who TRULY take an interest in you and want you to suceed!

Hi Barb. I am in my 4th semester of an ADN program, and my goal is ultimately to be a FNP. I have read several threads on allnurses.com regarding Frontier School. It seems like a wonderful place, and a great online learning environment. There are many programs throughout the country (both online or face-to-face). I'm just wondering if you will share why you decided on Frontier. You see, I have heard from many people that you should go for the school with the biggest/most easily recognized name. Not to take anything away from Frontier, but many people I've asked about it have never heard of it. From what I've read here, and the passion I've heard people on allnurses speak about Frontier I would love to go there. I just worry about being marketable when all is said and done, and wonder if the degree from Frontier would be as well respected (to a future employer that is) as one from, say, University of Illinois or University of Wisconsin. Is there some information someone could point me to that details what the nursing world thinks of Frontier's credentials?

Cinqly, BSN, RN · Sep 19, 2009

Hi Barb. I am in my 4th semester of an ADN program, and my goal is ultimately to be a FNP. I have read several threads on allnurses.com regarding Frontier School. It seems like a wonderful place, and a great online learning environment. There are many programs throughout the country (both online or face-to-face). I'm just wondering if you will share why you decided on Frontier. You see, I have heard from many people that you should go for the school with the biggest/most easily recognized name. Not to take anything away from Frontier, but many people I've asked about it have never heard of it. From what I've read here, and the passion I've heard people on allnurses speak about Frontier I would love to go there. I just worry about being marketable when all is said and done, and wonder if the degree from Frontier would be as well respected (to a future employer that is) as one from, say, University of Illinois or University of Wisconsin. Is there some information someone could point me to that details what the nursing world thinks of Frontier's credentials?

I can't speak for Frontier, but having had previous degrees in music I can say there will always be someone who cares about the "name". In music it was Juilliard, Eastman, Indiana, etc. I'm sure it's the same in nursing. But at the end of the day there are a HECK of a lot more jobs in nursing than there will EVER be in music. Because of that alone, I would venture to guess that if you are smart, qualified, have a good resume, and sell yourself you will look just as good as any applicant from a top tier school. Sure, there might people some people that look at a name on a resume and assume things, but you know what they say about ASS-U-ME-ing. I think that as technology improves, people get busier, and more of us get degrees online name recognition will come with these smaller schools. If it is a good school, I say go for it. Just my :twocents:

P.S. I've never heard of any of the schools you mentioned as being top schools for nursing. Maybe I'm ignorant, or maybe I just measure schools by a different standard. :omy:

iceaxe1029 · Sep 20, 2009

In my humble opinon Frontier's name and reputation is widely know in the advanced practice nursing community. You will quickly realize this when accepted to the program and attend frontier bound. Some facts about the program: The FNP and Midwifery (top 10) program have consistantly ranked amongst the top grad schools in their respective catagories. Also, the heritage, tradition, and commitment Frontier comes from is second to none. After all, they were this country's first midwifery and family nursing program. If you want to learn more about the tradition google "Mary Breckenridge". She was the founder of the school and Frontier Nursing Service. Best of luck on your journey..........