University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Coast

School of Nursing - Gulf Coast

Baccalaureate Program The Nursing BSN offers broad preparation in general education, as well as education for the professional practice of nursing in a variety of settings. Courses in the liberal arts and humanities, the sciences, and the professional component are selected to prepare the student to assume effectively the role of a citizen and professional practitioner.
	The nursing program is structured so that lower-division course work may be acquired through the Gulf Coast Community College system or any accredited two- or four-year college. All students must complete lower-division requirements before being admitted to the upper-division nursing major. The upper-division major is a sequential curriculum that requires two years of full-time study in the theory and practice of nursing. Successful completion of the nursing program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and permits the student to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination-R.N.
Applicants who have been convicted or have charges pending against them for a felony or misdemeanor in any state may be denied to sit for the licensure examination by the state Board of Nursing. Part-time studies are available; however, full-time students will be given priority for class space.
The School of Nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Admission All students transferring to the School of Nursing are subject to the admission procedures and standards of the university. Admission to The University of Southern Mississippi as a pre-nursing student does not ensure progression to the upper-division nursing major. Application forms may be obtained through the Gulf Coast Nursing office.The deadline for return of completed applications for Fall is February 1 and for Spring is September 1.
In addition, the following minimum requirements must be met for consideration for admission to the School of Nursing:
1. An Enhanced ACT of 21 or above. A corresponding score of 19 on the ACT taken prior to October 1989 or combined SAT score of 970 is acceptable.
2. An overall grade point average of 2.5 on courses prerequisite to the nursing major.
3. A minimum of a C in each prerequisite course applicable to the nursing curriculum. Note: Only one natural science course may be repeated one time.
4. Students must complete 38 prerequisite course hours, which must include three (3) of the five (5) natural science courses, before deadine for applications and present a program plan demonstrating completion of all prerequisites by date of enrollment.
5. Successful completion of criminal background history affadavit before beginning the nursing program.
The number of students admitted each year will vary according to the resources available. Mississippi residents will receive priority in admission to the School of Nursing.
Academic Probation/Dismissal The following policies apply to all students admitted to the School of Nursing: 1. A student may repeat only one nursing course one time depending on availability of space in the course. 2. The student who receives a second grade below a “C” in a nursing course is dropped from the program. Notification of dismissal will be sent to the student. The student may appeal the dismissal to the Admissions, Progression, Retention Committee. 3. The inability to function safely in a clinical setting is cause for dismissal from the nursing program (See current policies on safe clinical practice.) 4. Students who violate codes of moral/ethical conduct will be dismissed from the nursing program. (See current policies on professional integrity and impaired student nurse policy.)
Readmission Students who have previously enrolled in nursing courses, have a break in attendance of one or more terms, and leave in good standing must file an application for readmission to the School of Nursing. The deadline for return of completed applications for fall semester readmission is March 1.
Students are subject to the curriculum plan of study as outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin of the year of readmission. Students must also meet the readmission policies of the university.
Student Advisement Each student applying to the program will be assigned an adviser. The adviser will assist the student in planning a program of study toward the degree, approve the schedule each semester, and sign the application for degree.
Expenses The general fees and expenses are the same for nursing students as for other university students. Fees are assessed to cover costs of the HESI Achievement Tests, administered in the junior and senior years. Additional expenses incurred by nursing students such as uniforms, books, insurance, student nurse organization fees, etc., are estimated as follows: Jr. Year Sr. Year $1500.00 $900.00
Health Examination A physical examination, selected immunizations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis), and varicella titer are required for admission to the upper-division nursing major. A TB skin test is required yearly for the remainder of the time required to complete the program. (See School of Nursing Handbook for specific requirements.)
Special Requirements for RN-BSN and MSN Students enrolled in courses in the upper-division nursing major of the nursing program are required to purchase professional and personal liability insurance through the university; a fee will be charged at the time of registration. Automobile liability insurance is required.
Students are responsible for arranging transportation to off-campus agencies for required laboratory experiences.
Master of Science in Nursing Program The MSN degree is offered with specialization in adult health nursing, community health nursing, family nurse practitioner, nursing service administration, psychiatric nursing and psychiatric nurse practitioner.
For more information on the MSN, contact Dr. Faye Mitchell Tel: 228.865.4517 E-mail: faye.mitchell@usm.edu
Admission Applicants for admission to the graduate program must fulfill the general university requirements for entrance to the Office of Graduate Studies. Requirements to the School of Nursing are as follows: 1. Graduation from a baccalaureate program that is NLN- or AACN-accredited 2. Minimum GPA of 2.75 from the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses 3. Minimum GPA of 3.0 on undergraduate nursing courses 4. Completion of an introductory statistics course 5. Adequate scores on the verbal and analytic portions of the Graduate Record Examination 6. Licensed as a registered nurse and experienced as an RN (two years’ experience is required for the nurse practitioner program). Exceptions to the admission requirements must be approved by the Assistant Director of Graduate Nursing Programs, the Director of the School of Nursing, and the Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies. Current state unrestricted licensure as an RN must be in the state in which course clinicals are conducted. 7. License must be unrestricted. 8. Successful completion of criminal background history affadavit before beginning the nursing program.
Progression Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average (figured on a 4.0 scale) or above in order to progress in the program.
Student Advisement Each student admitted to the program will be assigned a faculty adviser. The adviser will approve the student’s schedule each semester, provide counsel, and sign the student’s application for degree.
Special Requirements Students are responsible for arranging transportation to off-campus agencies for required laboratory experiences. Students enrolled in any laboratory course must adhere to agency guidelines and must purchase professional liability insurance through the university. The fee for the insurance will be charged at the time of registration.
For information contact: Faye Mitchell, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Coordinator School of Nursing, Gulf Coast Tel: 228.865.4517 faye.mitchell@usm.edu

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