DiversityNursing Blog

Versailles, Ky. – Frontier Nursing University (FNU), located in Versailles, Ky., was announced as the private college and university recipient of the 2023 Inclusive Excellence, Belonging, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Award, presented annually by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). This award recognizes outstanding contributions made by a school of nursing that champions inclusive excellence, belonging, and sustainable, innovative strategies in nursing education. FNU previously received the AACN Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Leadership Award in 2021.  

FNU Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success Dr.  Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, represented FNU at AACN’s Diversity Symposium, Feb. 5-7. In addition to receiving the award on FNU’s behalf, Dr. Alexander-Delpech presented Frontier Nursing University: Creating a Lasting Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive AACN’s Inclusive Excellence, Belonging, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Award,” said FNU President Dr. Susan Stone, DNSc, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. “We are very proud of our progress in weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into the fabric of the university. While we still have much work to do, we are intent on creating and maintaining a culture that reflects our mission and will forever be part of the identity of Frontier Nursing University.”

Recognizing the importance of DEI not only in society but also in healthcare, where data clearly shows that culturally concordant care results in improved outcomes, FNU made DEI a strategic priority over 15 years ago. The results have included a more diverse faculty and staff, as well as the enrollment of students of color rising from 9 percent in 2010 to over 30 percent today. 

“Our data tells us that we have made significant progress,” Dr. Alexander-Delpech said. “But beyond the numbers, we also have a better overall understanding and awareness of the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Everyone should feel safe, welcomed, heard, and included, and we are committed to striving to reach that standard every day.” 

Frontier Nursing University’s 14th annual Diversity Impact Conference will be held on July 18-19, 2024. The theme of this year’s conference is “Representation Matters: Breaking Down Contributing Factors of Health Inequities.” This virtual event features nationally recognized experts and is open to all interested parties. Online registration will be open at Frontier.edu beginning February 26. 

About Frontier Nursing University:

The mission of Frontier Nursing University is to provide accessible nurse-midwifery and nurse practitioner education that integrates the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We transform healthcare by preparing innovative, ethical, compassionate, and entrepreneurial leaders to work with all people with an emphasis on rural and underserved communities. FNU offers graduate Nurse-Midwifery and Nurse-Practitioner distance education programs that can be pursued full- or part-time with the student’s home community serving as the classroom. Degrees and options offered include Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), or Post-Graduate Certificates. Frontier has been named a “Great College to Work For” by the Great Colleges to Work For® program for each of the past three years (2021-2023). To learn more about FNU and the programs and degrees offered, please visit Frontier.edu.

One positive thing to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic is the renewed appreciation for healthcare workers, particularly Nurses. This appreciation is leading to an increase in Nursing school applications.

Donna Havens, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean of Nursing at Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College said, “For the first time in my career, which has been a long one, folks truly get what Nurses do and they see how important and rewarding a career it is. Some would say Nurses are the glue, especially in hospitals and healthcare organizations." 

Havens believes another reason for the uptick in applications is from the record unemployment that has resulted from the pandemic. People in struggling occupations may look to Nursing as a rewarding and stable profession. 

Widener University spokeswoman Emily A Barrett said, "Historically speaking, economic downturns translate to an increase in Nursing programs due to industry stability and growth, which is projected to rise 15 percent by 2026 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics."

Sandra Russo, Chair and Director of the Nursing program at Touro College in New York said, "This year, I have 20 students on a waiting list to get into my program, so the demand is much higher."

Kevin Finn, Dean of Colby-Sawyer School of Nursing and Public Health said, the one thing he sees in common on the applications is a desire to help. 

The incoming Nursing class is 34% larger than last fall's. The college will have 90 students enrolled in its Nursing program in September, an increase from 62 students last year.

The University of Kansas School of Nursing said it’s currently at capacity on applications. In fact, they’ve increased their Salina branch because of so many people who now want to be a Nurse.

Nurses are in demand. Getting into Nursing school was already extremely competitive before the pandemic. Nursing schools may become even more selective with the increase in applications. Future Nurses should focus on boosting their credentials.