Distinctive Features Include Self-Care Initiative, Medical Humanities and International Medical Mission Trips
October 5, 2022, St. Louis, Mo. – Fontbonne University is expanding its College of Education and Allied Health Professions this fall with a new four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Combining a strong liberal arts foundation with rigorous and holistic nursing coursework and clinical experience, Fontbonne’s nursing program is designed to prepare graduates to practice in a diverse spectrum of health care settings including hospitals, primary care settings, senior living communities, public health clinics, telehealth/virtual care, case management, home health, and more.
In the most recent US News & World Report rankings released September 12, 2022, Fontbonne moved up 23 points in Best Value in the Midwest and 18 points in Social Mobility, which refers to success in enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded Pell Grants. These rankings are a testament to Fontbonne’s commitment to being an affordable institution by maintaining a low net cost and offering generous scholarships and need-based financial aid.
One of the nursing program’s most distinctive features will be its Self-Care for Student Nurses Initiative, which recognizes that compassionate, person-centered care begins with the self-care and mental and emotional well-being of those who are providing the care.
Other distinctive features include the option for students to add a Medical Humanities minor to the BSN curriculum, which will give them a competitive edge in their careers. In addition, the program offers nursing students the opportunity to participate in international medical mission trips to provide hands-on experiences caring for underserved and diverse populations.
“In conjunction with Fontbonne’s Centennial, the university is focusing on new ways to expand student opportunities and academic resources across the campus in every department. We are particularly proud that the State Board of Nursing has noted that one of the things that distinguishes our program is the emphasis on medical humanities. It’s why we say, ‘Soar Higher’ at Fontbonne,” said Dr. Gale Rice, Dean for Fontbonne University.
High school graduates, transfer students and practicing professionals who wish to earn a baccalaureate degree from Fontbonne will experience small class sizes with a low student-to-teacher ratio that is unmatched by other programs in the region. In addition, students will train in state-of-the-art simulation labs where they can apply lessons learned in the classroom in high-tech, computer-controlled settings.
Clinical nursing partners include renowned regional healthcare institutions such as Missouri Baptist Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital, Mercy, SSM Health and others, providing students with practical experience with patient interactions to ensure career readiness as professional nurses.
“Nursing is the perfect career for individuals who want to make a difference by providing compassionate care while filling a critical need for qualified nurses nationwide,” said Lisa Merritt, DNP, RN, CPNP, CHSE, who serves as director of nursing and associate professor in the College of Education and Allied Professions at Fontbonne University. “Along with the need for nurses to serve a more diverse community, Fontbonne is seeking students from historically under-served populations in nursing, including but not limited to African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Indigenous Peoples, Alaskans and others from racially diverse backgrounds.”
In addition to Nursing, Fontbonne’s College of Education and Allied Health Professions includes Deaf Education, Dietetics, Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, Health Education and Promotion, Nutritional Science, Social Work, Special Education, and Speech-Language Pathology.
For more information on Fontbonne’s nursing program, email nursing@fontbonne.edu. Additional information on Fontbonne University can be found at www.fontbonne.edu