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
• Gulf Park 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. 

Faculty Highlight: Maria Brown, BSN Program Coordinator

Maria Brown, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM is a lecturer in the School of Professional Nursing Practice. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Association of Women's Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and serves a counsel advisor for Colling, Gilbert, Wright, and Carter Law Firm of Orlando, FL. Mrs. Brown has taught at The University of Southern Mississippi since August 2005 in various nursing courses, but her main focus is in maternal-newborn and inpatient obstetric nursing. She is currently enrolled in the PhD in Nursing program at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

The School of Professional Nursing Practice has determined that completion of the Bachelors in Nursing (Traditional Program) prepares a student to take the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®).  Passage of the national exam is required for licensure in all 50 U.S. states and U.S. protectorates.  It is each individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice as educational requirements may vary widely including, but not limited to, the number of clinical hours required by the state as well as specific coursework.  Nursing boards may also require additional information, including, but not limited to, documentation verifying citizenship and/or right to work (i.e. social security number) as well as criminal background checks/fingerprinting. 

To obtain the contact information for the nursing professional licensing boards, please see the National Council of State Boards of Nursing contact page.

For questions regarding licensure, please contact Maria Brown, BSN Program Coordinator 601-266-5463; Maria.D.BrownFREEMississippi

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