Welcome to the Frontier Nursing University All-Access Podcast! This podcast provides a closer look at Frontier Nursing University through lively and entertaining discussions with a wide variety of guests and topics.

In Episode 3 host we welcome Dr. Jess Calohan, DNP, PMHNP-BC, FAAN, Department Chair of Psychiatric-Mental Health at FNU. FNU launched the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program in 2018, and its rapid growth and success is an indicator of the need and importance of mental health providers in the United States. During the podcast, Dr. Calohan discusses the lack of mental health providers, and, in particular, the lack of diversity in mental health care. He shares his extensive experience and how it has played a role in developing the PMHNP program at Frontier. This is a lively, entertaining, and informative conversation that also includes discussion about the impact of a recently received federal grant, the impact of COVID on mental health and the PMHNP program, and some of the “hidden” support services offered by FNU.

What You’ll Learn From This Episode:

• Why FNU created the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program
• How and why the PMHNP program has grown so rapidly
• How the PMHNP program applies to the mission of Frontier
• The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in mental healthcare
• How the PMHNP program adapted to the pandemic
• The role of academic advisors and the library staff at FNU
• The impact of the behavioral health workforce education and training grant