A Tour of the Campus of Frontier Nursing University

The official opening of Frontier Nursing University’s campus, located in Versailles, Kentucky, in 2022 marked not only the return of on-campus student activities but also the return of major campus events. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony, land acknowledgment ceremony, and commencement were all held in September. While the actual commencement ceremony was held at nearby Rupp Arena in Lexington, all three September events presented an opportunity for FNU to open its doors and introduce the beautiful campus to many first-time visitors.

During these events, guests were encouraged to tour the campus, enjoy the rural setting, and learn about the campus’ various buildings and features. Now, we invite you to take your own tour and learn a little bit more about our home in Versailles.

The Community Center and The Learning Center

Next on the tour of campus is the Community Center. This Center contains a large auditorium for campus-wide events, accommodating up to 120 people. Smaller breakout rooms accommodate about 25 people per room. During the pandemic, this Center served as a COVID vaccination site for the community in cooperation with the Woodford County Health Department.

Welcome Center and 5K Trail

Where else to begin the tour but at the Welcome Center? This is where students check in as they arrive on campus for Frontier and Clinical Bounds. Just behind the Welcome Center is the trailhead for the 5K trail around campus. The trail features several connector trails and a scenic walk around the wooded campus. The trailhead is also the location of the Land Acknowledgment sign, which acknowledges this as the traditional territory of the Cherokee and Shawnee people.

The Learning Center is home to the university’s simulation labs. It is here that students who are ready to begin their clinical experience in community sites first spend a week on campus attending Clinical Bound where they practice their clinical skills. FNU employs standardized patients who follow a script written by faculty to create a realistic patient interaction for the student. Students also utilize mannequin-style models to practice hands-on skills, such as hand maneuvers for attending births and suturing techniques. These simulations allow students to experience patient interactions in a simulated environment and prepare them to see actual patients in real clinical settings. Simulations are conducted for students in nurse-midwifery, family nurse practitioner, women’s health nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner students.

President’s House

The President’s House was built in 1854 and extensively renovated in 2021. Despite the name, the university president does not reside at the President’s House. Instead, the house offers ample indoor and exterior space to host various events, and four bedrooms to accommodate guests.

Student Services

The Student Services building houses the FNU Library, Academic Advising, and IT services.

Dining Hall and Gift Shop

While most of the campus buildings were renovated, the Dining Hall is newly constructed. Here, three meals a day are prepared by our chef and his staff when hosting oncampus student sessions and events. The dining hall offers seating for 120 people. The campus gift shop and gym is located downstairs from the dining room.

Bell Pavilion

A long-standing tradition at Frontier is the bell-ringing ceremony held at the end of each Bound week and after commencement. Before returning home from their visits to campus – Frontier Bound and Clinical Bound – students convene at the Bell Pavilion and take turns one-by-one ringing the bell to signify the beginning of a new chapter.