Nursing History
Mary Breckinridge and the Frontier Nursing Service
Mary Breckinridge founded the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS) in Kentucky, introducing the concept of nurse-midwifery to the United States.
Service Innovations
- Provided prenatal and postnatal care in rural, underserved Appalachia.
- Established a model for community-based midwifery care.
- Used horses for mobile nursing units to navigate remote areas.
- Significantly reduced maternal and infant mortality in the region.
Clinical Impact
- Proved that nurse-midwives could safely manage childbirth.
- Highlighted the effectiveness of a nurse-led public health model.
- Set the standard for nurse-practitioner rural health delivery.
Like what you see?
Subscribe to unlock all 360 Study Cards and 15,000+ flashcards, track your progress, and study anywhere.