Frontier PRIDE attends AANP 2016

The 31st annual American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) conference and exhibit was held in San Antonio, TX on June 21-26, 2016 with hundreds of attendees from all over the country. Frontier Nursing University students, Elena Prendergast and Rachel KoranskyMatson, represented FNU and the diversity program as recipients of the annual Student Ambassador essay contest hosted by FNU’s Diversity PRIDE Program. The essay contest is an initiative aimed at fostering student-leadership retention, professional networking and continued nursing education. The overall conference goal of AANP encouraged opportunity for FNU students to enhance their skills, and also experience the clinical side of providing innovative care to patients.

FNU PRIDE Student Ambassadors kicked off the AANP conference by joining in the celebration of Kitty Ernst's 90th birthday at FNU’s reception. The AANP national conference offered the latest in continuing education for nurse practitioners. Sessions covered national news issues such as drug additions, Medicare reimbursement, home health care, mental health issues from adolescents to dementia, advances in genomics, and over-prescribing of antibiotics. PRIDE student Elena shares her amazement with AANP’s sessions. “…to really sit in a room and realize the impact that nurse practitioners have on our healthcare system and on patients, was really what brought it all home to me.” FNU received a high volume of interest from attendees at the exhibiting booth. Prospective students expressed interest in FNU’s new Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing program. The event also provided a platform to inform students of FNU’s Diversity PRIDE student organization. One highlight at AANP was a focus on cultural fusions from Indigenous tribes, Mexico and Spanish-American cultures that was visible within the architectural theme of the conference. The networking opportunities at AANP also increased student prospects for future employment. PRIDE student Elena shares her excitement, “I am happy to say, because of AANP and the connections I made there, I am now gainfully employed as a nurse-practitioner part-time!” Elena will be working at a local college within her hometown in Augusta, GA. The educational and networking opportunities at the AANP annual conference continue to serve as a platform to increase FNU’s visibility and Diversity Initiative collaborations. PRIDE student Rachel shares on social media, “Thank you for the amazing educational experience. This was an amazing opportunity.” Click here to view the PRIDE student ambassador video diary for AANP. Contributor, Wilvena McDowell-Bernard, FNU Diversity PRIDE Program Coordinator/Student Services , 8/8/2016