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