Is Frontier Nursing University Worth It? Nurses Review

Frontier Nursing University focuses on graduate and doctoral-level nursing programs via didactic web-based coursework and hands-on clinical experiences. Frontier Nursing University was founded in 1939 as the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery. FNU has since grown to become one of the largest not-for-profit universities in the United States for advanced nursing and midwifery education.  Read on to learn more about Frontier Nursing University’s program and if it’s right for you.

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Stats 

Private or Public: Private

General Tuition: $646 per credit hour

Acceptance Rate: 66%

Application Deadlines: Rolling

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, Kentucky Council of Postsecondary Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

Additional Info:

• Rankings:

  • #3 Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Master's Programs, US News & World Report 2022

  • Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs, US News & World Report

  • Top 10 Best DNP Family Nurse Practitioner Programs, US News & World Report

  • Top 30 Best Health Schools - Nurse-Midwifery, US News & World Report

  • Top 50 Best Graduate Nursing Schools - DNP, US News & World Report

  • #1 Lowest Student Loan Default Rate in Kentucky, LendEDU

• Total number of students: 2,500

• Graduation rate: 80%

Contact Information

• Address: 2050 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383

• Email: FNUadmissions@frontier.edu 

• Phone Number:  (859) 279-0890 or (859) 251-4700

• Social platforms:

  • Facebook

  • Instagram

  • LinkedIn

  • Twitter

  • YouTube

Degrees Offered

Nurse-Midwife

• Tuition: $36,575

• Program Length: 24 Months

• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Family Nurse Practitioner

• Tuition: $34,580

• Program Length: 24 Months

• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner

• Tuition: $32,585

• Program Length: 24 Months

• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• Tuition: $34,176

• Program Length: 24 Months

• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Doctor of Nursing Practice

• Tuition: $19,950

• Program Length: 15 Months

• Online Options Available? Hybrid

Specialties Offered

MSN

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

• Nurse-Midwifery 

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Post-Graduate Certificate 

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

• Nurse-Midwifery 

• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

DNP

Is Frontier Nursing University a Good Nursing Program?

Frontier Nursing University’s nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) for all MSN degree programs, which means that it adheres to the highest educational standards for nursing programs in the US. 

Frontier boasts an impressive track record and history of excellence within the nursing community. This is important when determining the next steps for your nursing education. 

Some important statistics about the university include, 

• 82 years of experience providing nursing and midwifery education

• 16,000 preceptors nationwide

• 96% of 150+ faculty members are certified nurse-midwives and/or nurse practitioners

• 9,000+ alumni from all 50 states and several foreign countries

• 13,000 clinical sites nationwide

What Do You Need to Get Into Frontier Nursing University?

As a graduate, post-graduate, and doctoral university, Frontier’s programs are very competitive, especially the midwifery program. According to the website, classes fill quickly due to the affordable tuition and reputation of the programs. FNU accepts new classes throughout the year but also has waitlist options if a cohort is already filled. 

Students must complete the following for acceptance into the program:

• Be a registered nurse with educational preparation from a regionally accredited institution whose nursing programs are accredited through ACEN or CCNE at the time of graduation. 

• Registered nurses with a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing will be considered for admission to the MSN Program.

• Registered nurses without a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing, who have graduated from a diploma or associate degree nursing program and have a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, will be considered for admission to the MSN Program with the additional requirement of a portfolio of relevant employment and academic experience.

• Be a registered nurse with a current, active license in the United States with no encumbrances. 

• Have one year of Registered Nursing Experience. For RNs with less than one year of RN experience, the Admissions Committee may consider other significant experience in health care including working as a doula, childbirth educator, and/or lactation consultant.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and/or who have completed their tertiary education in a non-English speaking institution must take the internet-based TOEFL (IBT). 

• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from the most recent degree earned (nursing or related field).

  • Applicants who have a GPA of 2.80-2.99 from the most recent degree earned (nursing or a related field) are required to provide a statement outlining any life experiences, employment, or other educational successes they feel should be taken into consideration for admission. In addition to the statement, supporting documentation and/or references (maximum of 3 references) are optional and may be submitted for review by the Admissions Committee.

• Background Check

• Documentation of immunizations in CastleBranch

How Hard is the Nursing Program at Frontier Nursing University?

Like every accredited nursing program, Frontier Nursing University’s nursing program is challenging and requires significant dedication to succeed.  

What Kind of Student Support Does Frontier Nursing University Provide?

Frontier Nursing University offers students a comprehensive online portal via the Banyan Tree Portal. 

One unique feature of Frontier Nursing University is its willingness to help find clinical placements and clinical preceptors for its students. This is not the case for most graduate-level nursing programs. FNU offers clinical outreach and placement services and resources to assist students in identifying potential clinical sites. 

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How Much Is the Nursing Program at Frontier Nursing University?

Frontier Nursing University nursing school fees and total costs depend on the program.  The university recommends that prospective students speak with an admissions advisor. However, there is a very clear breakdown on their website.

Tuition credit hours are charged at a flat rate of $646 per credit hour. It is then multiplied by the number of credit hours in a specific program. 

*These fees cannot be paid with financial aid funds.

 

Is Frontier Nursing University Worth It?

Many students want to know if the cost of the Frontier Nursing University nursing program is worth the expected salary. Some of the factors that students must consider before choosing a nursing program include:

• The type of healthcare institution where you will be employed

• The city and state will you live

• Whether you work part-time or full-time

• Whether you pick up overtime shifts or weekends (for a higher hourly wage)?

According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for nurse midwives and nurse practitioners was $123,780 in May 2021. Specifically, median annual wages were as follows: 

• Nurse Practitioners - $120,680

• Nurse Midwives - $112,830

However, the range varies widely depending on many of the factors mentioned above. Keep in mind that nurses who live in cities and states with a higher cost of living typically earn much higher salaries than nurses who work in more rural areas.

Another feature that may make Frontier Nursing University an excellent choice for some is that the university offers online courses that are available to students anytime and from practically anywhere to help them better balance their schedules. Students, especially adult learners, can work during their program. 

What is Frontier Nursing University’s Transfer Policy?

According to Frontier’s website, FNU students are eligible to transfer a maximum of 12 credits into their program of study if the credits were earned at a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and nursing courses earned in an ACEN or CCNE accredited program that was accredited at the time the courses were completed and meet the following criteria:

• Only didactic MSN, PGC, and DNP courses may be transferred. Clinical, and DNP project courses may not be transferred.

• Transferred courses must meet comparable course objectives, essentials, and competencies as are included in the FNU course. Courses submitted for credit for advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, or advanced physical assessment must be offered as part of a nurse practitioner or nurse-midwifery program.

• Courses will be eligible for consideration of transfer credit if the student has completed a course with a B or better with equivalent content in a prior academic graduate program.

• Courses must total the number of workload credits of the FNU course, 

• Coursework completed on a pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis will not be considered for transfer unless the course was only offered to students on a pass/fail or satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis and it is clear from the transcript that a pass or satisfactory grade is equivalent to a B or better.

• Graduate-level courses applied to undergraduate degrees are not eligible for transfer.

• Must be less than or equal to two years old at the time of admission.

Frontier Nursing School Reviews

“Solid nursing graduate programs with quality instructors who genuinely care about their students. The history of the university makes it even more special and unique. Students come from all over the world to study. Classes are rigorous yet relevant to the nursing profession.” - Doctoral Student 

“I am just beginning my coursework at Frontier Nursing University as a prospective nurse midwife. So far the online structure they have has proven to be a smooth method for learning and gaining skills. Several friends have graduated from this program and feel confident to practice as nurse midwives.” - Masters Program

“I am currently attending Frontier University For the Nurse Practitioner Women's Health Program. It's been extremely easy to navigate and get back into school. The academic advisors have been extremely helpful and quick to respond.” - Graduate Student