Master’s Degree Program for Nurse Midwives Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing

The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing (FSMFN) has been at the forefront of developing innovative distance education programs for nurse midwives and nurse practitioners. This chapter provides an update on the progress made in building these programs, which are tailored to mature, self-directed adult learners who prefer community-based distance learning. FSMFN’s mission is to prepare compassionate and ethical nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to serve medically underserved and rural populations, offering flexibility for students to learn within their home environments.

FSMFN operates under the concept of a “university without walls,” allowing students to gain the education needed without leaving the communities they plan to serve. Students learn through an innovative, community-based education model that integrates online coursework, on-campus residencies, and clinical practice in their local communities. This flexible model enables nurses to become advanced practitioners while continuing to work and remain in their home settings.

Program Structure

FSMFN’s community-based programs are organized into four levels:

1. Level I: Foundational courses, offered year-round online, allowing students to begin and finish at their own pace.
2. Level II: Management-focused courses, also offered online.
3. Level III: A two-week on-campus residency at the FSMFN campus in Hyden, Kentucky, where students undergo intensive skills training and verification.
4. Level IV: Clinical practice, where students apply their skills in community-based clinical sites, evaluated and approved by the FSMFN faculty.

Throughout their education, students interact with peers and faculty through the FSMFN Web portal, known as the Banyan Tree, which facilitates coursework, social support, and scholarly discussions. Clinical practice is a critical component of the curriculum, requiring a minimum of 675 hours of hands-on experience under the guidance of clinical faculty and preceptors. After completing their clinical requirements, students take a comprehensive exam, which, once passed, leads to graduation.

FSMFN’s programs have been highly successful, with over 1,070 nurse-midwives and 24 family nurse practitioners graduating by 2004. This model has empowered nurses across the U.S. to become advanced practitioners without needing to relocate.

History of Distance Learning at the Master’s Level

FSMFN’s graduate programs are specifically designed to cater to self-directed learners who are often working professionals with personal commitments. The school’s distance education model is rooted in the belief that students learn best in their home environments. The program structure offers flexibility, allowing students to progress through courses at their own pace while balancing professional and family obligations.

FSMFN’s early focus was the Community-Based Nurse-Midwifery Education Program (CNEP), a certificate program with an option for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree through an affiliation with the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University (FPBSON/CWRU). This partnership allowed students to complete their MSN by taking additional courses at the FPBSON/CWRU campus. However, as FSMFN expanded its geographical reach to students across the U.S. and internationally, this arrangement became less practical, prompting FSMFN to pursue the development of its own MSN program.

Strategic Planning Goals for the MSN Program

In 1999, FSMFN began strategic planning for the development of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, focusing on nurse-midwifery and family nurse practitioner tracks. The strategic goals for the MSN program included:

• Providing a high-quality education using distance learning technologies.
• Ensuring that students could remain in their home communities during their education.
• Adopting a 5-year timeline to implement these goals.

Twelve strategic goals were outlined, aimed at developing the necessary infrastructure and resources to support the new MSN program, and to transition the certificate programs into fully accredited master’s programs.

Design, Implementation, Evaluation, and Improvement of the Revised Graduate Curriculum

To meet accreditation standards and ensure the quality of the MSN program, FSMFN undertook a comprehensive curriculum revision in 2000. The new curriculum was designed to meet the requirements of accrediting bodies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM), the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), and other relevant organizations.

Curriculum Revision Process

The curriculum revision was led by Carol Panicucci, PhD, FNP, who was appointed as the coordinator of the graduate curriculum. The process involved:

• Identifying competencies required by professional organizations and accrediting bodies.
• Avoiding duplication of content across courses.
• Strengthening the women’s health content for the Family Nurse Practitioner program and primary care content for the Nurse-Midwifery program.
• Adding two new courses to provide a foundation in primary care theories and research for MSN students.

The revised curriculum emphasized core competencies, clinical skills, and business management principles, ensuring that graduates were equipped to open and operate their own practices. The curriculum was designed to be flexible, allowing students to learn at their own pace while maintaining academic rigor.

Evaluation and Improvement

To ensure continuous improvement, FSMFN developed an annual evaluation process for the MSN curriculum, including:

• Course analysis and graduate outcome reviews.
• Biannual peer evaluations of each course.
• Review of student course evaluations, national exam results, and curriculum maps to identify areas for improvement.

After each course review, the faculty made adjustments based on feedback and data analysis. The updated courses were then sent to the curriculum committee for final approval and integration into the FSMFN website. The review process was supported by a multi-media team, ensuring that any new technology or resources requested by faculty were implemented.

Comprehensive Curriculum Evaluation

FSMFN uses a systematic plan to continuously evaluate the MSN program, assessing the curriculum through:

• 1-year and 5-year graduate surveys.
• Employer surveys.
• Certification and comprehensive exam results.

This evaluation framework ensures that the MSN program remains relevant, up-to-date, and aligned with the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.

Conclusion

The Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing has been a pioneer in offering distance education for nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners, creating a flexible and innovative learning model that allows students to stay in their home communities while pursuing advanced degrees. With a strong focus on community-based learning, FSMFN’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program equips students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to serve rural and underserved populations. Through strategic planning, curriculum revision, and continuous evaluation, FSMFN has established itself as a leader in nursing education, offering a model that addresses the needs of today’s working professionals while maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.