At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.

Demetrice H. Smith, FNP-C, CNM tends to women in every stage of their pregnancies, but this has not always been the case for Demetrice.

She began her nursing career as a registered nurse in labor and delivery after completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She went on to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) and continued to work with women in prenatal and postnatal care.

It soon became apparent that an area of her practice was lacking. Demetrice found that she was missing out on a critical stage of her patients’ care – the birth. Dissatisfied with this arrangement, Demetrice decided to study nurse-midwifery at Frontier Nursing University (FNU) after hearing a program recommendation from a friend.

Since becoming a certified nurse-midwife in 2015, Demetrice is now able to care for her patients in all their pre- and postnatal needs. She is also a virtual clinic instructor for a graduate nursing program. She enjoys helping students establish a solid foundation for their nursing careers.

One thing that sets Demetrice apart as a caregiver is her ability to empathize with her patients. She has had three high-risk pregnancies and can encourage patients in similar situations not only physically, but also emotionally. Demetrice has also lost four pregnancies, and though the heartbreak was not easy to bear, it has equipped her to provide a deeper level of care for patients experiencing miscarriages. Patients feel comfortable in her care knowing that she has not only the education and expertise to assist them but also the experience to connect with them on a personal level.

Demetrice values her experience at FNU and is considering expanding her education with FNU’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree program.

“I would recommend the FNU program to anyone. The support from the teaching staff and the ancillary staff is outstanding,” said Demetrice.

The FNU community thanks Demetrice for her devotion and care for women’s health.