Nursing

Is a Degree in Nursing Right for You?

The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree prepares you for a career as a registered nurse. The curriculum is based upon courses in the liberal arts and sciences and culminates in upper-division nursing courses during the last two years of study.

Early admission to the BSN program allows students who meet specific criteria and choose The University of Southern Mississippi as freshmen to know that they will be admitted to the BSN program when they complete nursing prerequisite courses, as long as they maintain eligibility for early admission. This option is available at both the Hattiesburg campus and Gulf Park campus. The students admitted via this option are referred to as Dean’s Scholars. See the undergraduate bulletin for Early admission eligibility criteria.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

 One of the requirements for the BSN program is the Kaplan Admission Test.  The Admissions Test is a tool to determine students' academic ability to perform effectively in a BSN program. The Kaplan Admission Test is a 91 question, multiple-choice assessment that evaluates the basic reading, math, writing, and science skills of students seeking entry into a nursing program leading to RN licensure. 

The cost for the Kaplan test is $50 at the time of online registration per test administration. This fee is non-refundable. Applicants may take the test one time per admission period.  Kaplan scores are non-transferrable from the College of Nursing & Health Professions.

 Kaplan suggests the following preparatory text - (available at local bookstores or through Amazon.com) Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exams: Your Complete Guide to Getting Into Nursing School.

•  Hattiesburg Campus Testing
• USM Kaplan Admissions Test Registration Form
• Preparing for the Kaplan Admissions Test

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What Will I Learn?

Once accepted into the nursing program, the last two years of study include both coursework and clinical practice.

Students learn about professionalism, ethics, legal issues, research, and leadership. In addition, students demonstrate competence in assessment skills and the nursing care of patient populations across the lifespan in various healthcare and community settings.

Students practice what they are learning in the classroom during simulation experiences with high-fidelity mannequins in the state of the art simulation lab on campus and work with patients in healthcare settings.

There are two BSN degree program options:

• Traditional BSN Program: Successful completion of this nursing program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and permits the student to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RN (NCLEX-RN) licensure.
• RN-BSN Program: This program enables Registered Nurses (RNs) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) degree to pursue the BSN degree. An alternate option in this program enables students who are currently enrolled in a Mississippi ADN program to concurrently take non-clinical RN-BSN courses and then take clinical RN-BSN courses after licensure.

Faculty Highlight: Jill Rushing, BSN Program Coordinator

Ms. Jill Rushing is an instructor in the School of Professional Nursing Practice and the BSN Program Coordinator. Ms. Rushing's areas of expertise include Trauma ICU, Neuro ICU, and Emergency Room. Her favorite courses to teach include NSG 472: Complex Conditions and NSG 480: Critical Care Elective.

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