Some of the benefits of participating in this program include gaining insight into the healthcare sector, the roles of primary care providers in public health, and the challenges and opportunities of working with rural and underserved populations; the opportunity to work with and learn about diverse populations; travel and exposure outside of your home community; personal growth including responsibility, accountability, and gaining experience working in a team environment; leadership over at least one project at the clinical site; and a supportive, structured, yet adventurous summer internship experience that is reputable and great for resume building
The Courier Program is an eight week summer experience. We are still putting all the pieces in place for the summer 2023 program, but the program will run from May through July, with online course components starting a few weeks before that.
Yes! All Couriers will receive a $500 stipend for participating in this program. You will also have meals and housing covered. Please see "What is included?" for more information.
Courier Bound is an orientation to the Courier Program, rural healthcare, and the history of Frontier Nursing Service/University. This takes place during the first week Couriers are on campus.
Couriers will be reimbursed mileage that will be incurred to and from their clinical and volunteer sites. Personal travel will NOT be included in this reimbursement. Group meals and events provided by the Courier Program/FNU will be at no cost to each Courier.
Couriers will be allowed to eat in the dining hall free of charge as long as Frontier Nursing University students are on campus. A schedule will be provided during Courier Bound. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a variety of snacks are available throughout the day during that time. Couriers are asked to gather as a group and grocery shop for snacks, meals, etc. to have in the Courier house. Each Courier will be given a $75 grocery card at the beginning of the program. Every couple of weeks, money will be reloaded onto the card as needed.
Please ask the Courier Program Director for more details.
Midterm takes place during the Courier's fourth week on campus. All Couriers will meet together on campus to have workshops and discussions. Couriers will also share their Community Health Profile with other Couriers and Frontier staff.
Courier Crossing takes place during the last few days of the Courier Program. During this time, Couriers will reflect on their experiences with the Courier Program Director and each other. Couriers will also share a recap of their summer and share the special projects they worked on throughout the summer experience.
Couriers must be between the ages of 20 and 25 during the program, have completed two years of formal higher education, and must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program. This program is not advised for graduate or professional students, as it is a program to prepare students for their future.
Couriers are allowed to have jobs throughout the program as long as it does not interfere with their duties at their clinical or volunteer site. Couriers will be working as interns Monday-Thursday from 9am-4pm for example. Fridays will be reserved for educational learning and meeting with the Courier Program Director, which may not take all day. Most weekends will be free for the Couriers. Should you wish to have a job while a Courier, please let the Courier Program Director know during the application process.
It is possible to accommodate certain situations, but not always. If you have special circumstances, please contact the Courier Program Director, Lisa Colletti-Jones, at courier.program@frontier.edu.
The first step is to complete the online application. Courier applicants must upload a copy of their Driver’s License and unofficial academic transcripts. Courier applicants will also need three letters of recommendation. All letters of recommendation must be sent from the individual composing the recommendation and cannot be submitted by the Courier applicant. After these materials are received, applicants may be offered an interview with the Courier Program Director and others related to the program. Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis via zoom in March 2023. After all interviews have been completed, the Courier Program Director will send an acceptance packet with valuable information to your home address, as well as an acceptance letter to your email address. Acceptance is also contingent upon successful completion of all credentialing materials, including a drug screen and background check.
We have many alumni willing to speak about their experience with the program! Please email the Courier Program Director at courier.program@frontier.edu to request this. You can also research Frontier Nursing University's blogs and Quarterly Bulletins for more firsthand accounts.
Yes! We highly encourage family members to come visit the Couriers during the program. Nearby Lexington offers many hotels and accommodations. Please note that family visits should not impact a Courier’s service hours.
Each Courier's schedule will differ to some degree, and after the first two weeks, the schedule will be decided between the Courier and their sites. Couriers will be at clinical sites and doing community service hours Monday-Thursday, and Fridays will be devoted to Canvas Catalog coursework, working on Courier assignments, meeting with the Courier Program Director, and cleaning and house checks in the Courier House. A sample schedule for days when Couriers are completing clinic hours could look like the following: *7:45 AM - breakfast // *8:15 AM - travel to site // *9:00 AM - serve at primary clinic site (shadowing, administrative work, special project) // *3:00 PM - travel to secondary community partner and volunteer at the site // *6:00 PM - return to campus for dinner and free time in the evening to explore Central Kentucky and the community the Courier is serving in
Kentucky is full of adventure and opportunities. Some great places to visit during your time in Central Kentucky include Raven Run Park, Keeneland, Shaker Village, Castle Post, and the Bluegrass Heritage Museum. You’ll also be close enough to Louisville and Nashville for a weekend trip.There are also many other opportunities not listed here! Should you be accepted as a future Courier, your welcome packet will include information regarding the area.
Phone service and Internet is not limited on campus in Versailles. However, when at your Courier sites or community sites, internet and phone service may not always be reliable.
Our Versailles campus is willing to accommodate special dietary needs. Couriers need to communicate all dietary needs/restrictions to the Courier Program Director prior to Courier Bound.
