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Frontier Nursing University

Versailles, KY

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Wikipedia
1939
Founded
Private graduate school of nursing
Type
2,700
Total Students
Special Focus Four-Year
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Frontier Nursing University

Pioneering distance education for nurse-midwives and family nurse practitioners since 1939.

Frontier Nursing University (FNU) stands as a beacon of innovation in healthcare education, renowned for its pioneering approach to preparing skilled nurse-midwives and family nurse practitioners. It's especially celebrated for being the first graduate school of nurse-midwifery to offer a distance education program, making advanced nursing degrees accessible to a wider audience and impacting communities far and wide. For over eight decades, FNU has shaped the landscape of advanced practice nursing.

The university's rich history began in 1939 as the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery, graduating its inaugural class just a year later. A pivotal moment arrived in 1970 when it launched the nation's first family nurse practitioner education program, leading to its renaming as the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. This commitment to innovation continued in 1989/1990 with the birth of the Community-based Nurse-midwifery Education Program, solidifying FNU's role as a leader in flexible, community-focused learning.

Academically, FNU is known for its robust graduate-level programs that extend beyond traditional campus boundaries. Its groundbreaking distance learning model ensures that students, often already working professionals, can pursue advanced degrees such as the Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner option, added in 2005, without relocating. This unique approach allows students to learn and apply their knowledge directly within their local communities, fostering a practical, relevant, and deeply impactful educational journey.

Today, as Frontier Nursing University since 2011, the institution continues to build on its legacy of expanding access to high-quality nursing and midwifery education. Prospective students and their families can be confident in FNU's proven track record of preparing compassionate, competent, and community-minded healthcare leaders ready to address the nation's most pressing health needs.

Key Highlights

  • Founded in 1939 as the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery.
  • Graduated its first class of nurse-midwives in 1940.
  • Opened the nation's first family nurse practitioner education program in 1970.
  • Became the first graduate school of nurse-midwifery to offer distance education in 1989/1990.
  • Added the Community-Based Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner option in 2005.
  • Renamed Frontier Nursing University in 2011 to reflect its distinct graduate-level programs.

Timeline

1939
Founded as the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery.
1940
Graduated its first class.
1970
Renamed Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing; opened the nation's first family nurse practitioner education program.
1989
Community-based Nurse-midwifery Education Program (CNEP) launched; became first graduate school of nurse-midwifery to offer distance education.
2001
Susan Stone began her tenure as President.
2005
Community-Based Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner option added.
2011
Became Frontier Nursing University.
2023
Susan Stone concluded her tenure as President.
2024
Brooke A. Flinders became President.
🏛️
87 Years
of Excellence

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