Nursing

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Choose your path to advance your career with a nursing degree from Southern Miss.

a student nurse performs a task in a lab setting

Career Options

Registered Nurse
Nurse Leader
Healthcare Manager
Community Health Nurse
Patient Care Coordinator
Public Health Nurse

Continue Your Education

Graduates may pursue advanced nursing education, leadership roles, or professional certifications. The program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination required for practice.

Top reasons
to choose
Southern Miss

The School of Professional Nursing Practice offers one BSN program with three pathways, offered across our traditional campus in Hattiesburg, our Gulf Park campus in Long Beach, and online.

Choose from Three Pathways

Traditional BSN - Available on our Hattiesburg campus and coming in Fall 2027 to our Gulf Park campus
Accelerated BSN for students who hold a bachelor's degree in another field - Available on our Gulf Park campus
RN-BSN for current registered nurses - Available fully online

Experience Simulation-Based Learning
Our Society for Simulation in Healthcare accredited Simulation Center provides immersive, high-fidelity environments featuring advanced patient manikins, task trainers, and realistic healthcare scenarios.

Graduate Career Ready
Our graduates are in high demand, with nearly 100% securing employment in the nursing field.

Experiences and skills that will shape your future

Hands-On Clinical Practice: Clinicals are scheduled across regional healthcare systems. Southern Miss features specialized hands-on training pipelines such as scholars' programs, which place students in a Dedicated Education Unit for real-world, fast-paced acute care experience.

Real-World Skill Development: In the BSN program, you’ll build leadership, ethics, and research skills.

Patient Care Across the Lifespan: You'll train to deliver tailored, patient-centered interventions addressing acute and chronic healthcare needs across all age groups—from pediatric and maternal care to adult and gerontological nursing.

Values-Driven Education: Our program emphasizes caring, professionalism, integrity, excellence, and equitable healthcare delivery.

CONNECT

Get personalized next steps and invitations to campus events.

VISIT

The best way to experience Southern Miss is to see for yourself.

APPLY

Submit your application to enroll at Southern Miss.

Professional Licensure

Graduates are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®), required to become a registered nurse in all U.S. states and territories. Licensure requirements may vary by state.

Choose Your PATHWAY

Traditional BSN

Traditional BSN - Hattiesburg Campus (coming Fall 2027 to Southern Miss Gulf Park)

60 credit hours

Students must first apply and be admitted to The University of Southern Mississippi before applying to a nursing program. Programs begin in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Students generally complete prerequisite courses during their first two years.
Applicants must meet BSN-specific admission requirements.
A BSN prerequisite checklist is available for prospective students.
USM admission must be completed before applying to the BSN program.
Official transcripts and all required supplemental materials must be submitted.

Accelerated BSN

Accelerated BSN - Long Beach

50 credit hours

This pathway is offered at our Gulf Park campus.

Students must first apply and be admitted to The University of Southern Mississippi before applying to a nursing program. Programs begin in the Spring and Summer semesters.

Applicants must:

Hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Complete ABSN prerequisite requirements.
Be admitted to USM before applying to the ABSN pathway.
Submit official transcripts and all required application materials.

RN-BSN

RN-BSN - Online

30 credit hours

Students must first apply and be admitted to The University of Southern Mississippi before applying to a nursing program. Programs begin in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Applicants must:

Graduate from an associate degree nursing program.
Hold an unrestricted RN license.
Meet RN-BSN prerequisite requirements.
Be admitted to USM before applying to the RN-BSN program.
Submit all required transcripts and supplemental materials.

We have 175+ students graduate each year.

Our graduates have a nearly 100% employment rate in the field.

High school seniors who meet specific criteria can apply for early admission.

Additional Information

AccreditatioN

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and the post-graduate APRN certificate program in nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and the post-graduate APRN certificate program in nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi is also in full compliance with the standards for approval by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.