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.

We are thrilled to honor Dr. Cherese Severson, DNP, FNP-BC, of Nampa, ID, as our featured preceptor this term. Lindsey Wells, FNP student class 103, says that Dr. Severson "allows for a comfortable learning environment in which the student can flourish and gain confidence in their abilities to become a practitioner." Dr. Severson has been an advocate for independent practice not only in the state of Idaho, but nationwide. She is the co-chair of the Idaho Nursing Action Coalition (INAC), which advocates state and nationally for independent practice for APRNs. She has taken FNU students over the past 4 years and, as per her policy, only takes FNU students as she believes that, "FNU students are the best prepared when it comes to clinic." Recently Dr. Severson expanded her competency to include antepartum in part to assist FNU students in obtaining the required elements for this population.

Dr. Severson’s lifespan care includes vulnerable and high risk patients. She regularly publishes health education articles in the Idaho Press Tribune on current topics that affect the public's health. Her roles and accolades are numerous and include AANP Idaho State Representative for 5 years, AANP NP Award for Clinical Excellence, publications in JAANP (The Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners), and the first nurse practitioner speaker for the International Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology, held in Dalian, China in 2013, among others.

Amanda Dozier, FNP student class 113, says that Dr. Severson "goes above and beyond the call of duty for her preceptees. These extras include a dermatology procedures day hosted at her home for area FNU students. She is encouraging, complimentary, and loves to educate her students. Yet, she provides suggestions for improvement and helps us think through our assessments and our plans to be sure we aren't missing anything. She's willing to give us our wings while providing a soft landing place if we fall. She is truly one of a kind."

Dr. Severson will receive a Starbucks gift card as a small token of our appreciation for her being a great preceptor.