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.
Tia Andrighetti DNP, CNM had her first encounter with Frontier Nursing University (FNU) during her collegiate days at Pennsylvania State University. It was there that she worked with a Frontier pioneer providing maternity care. She knew from that point on she wanted to train at FNU and become a nurse-midwife.
Tia decided to attend FNU, Class 9, and completed the Certified Nurse-Midwifery program. Part of her clinical rotation took place at Boca Community Hospital in Boca Raton, Fla. Her experience there led her to become a Regional Clinical Faculty (RCF) member at FNU where she advises students and guides them through the nurse-midwifery program process. Tia also worked at East Pasco Medical Center in Zephyrhills, Fla.
In addition to her time at Penn State and FNU, Tia studied at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She returned to FNU to earn her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in Class 2. Tia says this is where she really came to apply all of her previously acquired knowledge in a practical manner. Her DNP project included simulations to emulate real situations and challenges faced in birth settings
Tia’s first job as a CNM was at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, Conn. She lived in Florida at the time but sought a job in the New England area. Tia turned down several jobs before accepting her position at L&M, which was a full scope midwifery practice employed by physicians. Tia and her fellow nurse-midwife had a daily “midwife tea” where they compared professional opinions and experiences, reported on patients in their service, all while growing closer on a personal level.
Tia left her job at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital to work at Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital in Lebanon, N.H., working with one OB/GYN running the hospital's clinic .
Along with her extensive nursing and midwifery experience, Tia has taught in the nursing world for quite some time. She taught BSN OB clinicals at the University of New Hampshire before arriving at FNU. For her work as an RCF, Tia has received the Student Choice Award twice. She says the most rewarding aspects of teaching are the “aha moments” when students come to an understanding of the concepts being taught, as well as “midwifing the student.” Her advice to incoming students is to “realize the seriousness of what you are undertaking – and enjoy the ride!”
Tia is a member of several professional organizations. She was an American College of Nurse-Midwives-affiliate vice president, and previously served as secretary and treasurer. She is also involved in these organizations: , the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning, the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, and the Northern New England Perinatal Quality Improvement Networks. In addition, Tia reviews articles for the Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health and was named Reviewer of the Year in 2015.
When she’s not working, Tia enjoys spending time with her children and family, traveling, gardening and reading.
