School of Professional Nursing Practice

Welcome

Greeting and Welcome to the School of Professional Nursing Practice. I am excited to share with you about our school. The School of Professional Nursing Practice houses three programs: Baccalaureate in Nursing (BSN), RN-BSN and Health Sciences.

The BSN program is our traditional nursing program. Never before in the history of healthcare has there been a greater need for nurses and other healthcare professionals to care for the sick in society. The School of Professional Nursing Practice has exceptional faculty who are committed and passionate about teaching future nurses as well as preparing nurse leaders. We partner with local healthcare facilities in order to provide you with quality clinical experiences to ensure your transition into practice.

We also have one of the largest simulation centers in the State of Mississippi. Students are provided with an opportunity to learn and practice in a safe setting prior to entering the clinical setting.

The RN-BSN program is designed for nurses who graduated with an associate degree or Diploma in Nursing and wish to purse a Baccalaureate degree. The RN-BSN program is a three semester completely online program. Students may enter the program any semester year-round.

The USM School of Professional Nursing Practice is excited to announce the start of a second-degree accelerated baccalaureate of nursing (ABSN) pathway to be delivered on the Gulf Park campus beginning Spring 2023. The ABSN will be taught face-to-face and is designed to be completed in 12 months. For further information, contact Stephanie Wyatt at 601-266-4873 or stephanie.wyattFREEMississippi.

The Health Sciences Program is designed for people who wish to work in healthcare but not in a nursing capacity. The Health Sciences Program will give you a broad education necessary for a rewarding career in healthcare and or prepare you for entry into a graduate healthcare program such as Physician’s Assistant, Athletic Training, Medical School, and many other rewarding healthcare positions.   

Take your time, look around our website and contact us if you are interested in a career in healthcare.

School Mission

The mission of School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP) is to educate students at the baccalaureate level to practice professional nursing in complex healthcare environments. Graduates are prepared to advance health outcomes for diverse individuals, communities, and societies.

School Vision

The vision of the SPNP is to be a dynamic learning environment while preparing nurses of the next generation to lead change and improve healthcare.

School Values

Caring – Building relationships on a foundation of mutual respect that promotes the overall well-being of patients and students while advocating for their physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs. Professionalism – Upholding the image of nursing and promoting standards of care by advocating for patients, students, and the needs of our community of interest Integrity – Modeling honest and just behavior consistent with ethical values. Excellence – Maintaining high standards of professional and academic performance while promoting safe care for patients, students, and communities Diversity – Creating an inclusive environment that celebrates the uniqueness and differences among persons, ideas, and values.

Strategic Goals and Initiatives

Create a culture of excellence to foster student success

1.1. Provide a comfortable, engaging, student-centered learning environment
1.2. Recruit and retain outstanding and diverse students
1.3. Promote mentoring relationships between faculty and students
1.4. Analyze Relevant student data to develop strategies for retention

Provide high-quality education to prepare students for professional nursing practice

2.1. Sustain viable, relevant, and innovative programs within the school
2.2. Reflect current trends in technology to provide innovative teaching methods
2.3. Evaluate outcomes and adapt the curriculum to promote critical thinking and clinical                  judgement
2.4. Facilitate undergraduate scholarship
2.5. Mentor students in professional nursing practice

Foster and strengthen innovative, collaborative clinical and community partnerships

3.1. Collaborate with community partners to promote and advance health
3.2. Initiate and sustain community partnerships to ensure quality learning experiences
3.3. Maintain a community partner advisory board

Cultivate and support an environment of scholarship for faculty

4.1. Allocate fiscal and departmental resources to support faculty development and scholarship 4.2. Develop strategies to increase faculty scholarship
4.3. Recruit and retain tenured, tenure track, and non-tenured track faculty
4.4. Provide support and mentoring in tenure and promotion process
4.5. Increase inter-professional collaboration and research endeavors

Provide a healthy workplace environment for faculty and staff

5.1. Examine impact of workload on satisfaction
5.2. Maintain transparent communication
5.3. Ensure required number of faculty per student ratio
5.4. Foster a culture which values faculty input
5.5. Preserve an expectation of civility