Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2015-2016 Undergraduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Department of Collaborative Nursing Care


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Nursing

Susan Hart, Chair
118 College Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39406
601.266.5288
 

Brown, Chatham, Coyne, Gautreaux, Gore, Green, Hart, Holman, Hossley, Hughes, Johnson, Lin, Lutz-Graves, Masters, McDonald, Newton, Powell, Rushing, Tinnon, Welch

Baccalaureate Program

The baccalaureate program offers preparation in general education and 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 citizen and professional practitioner. Part-time studies are available; however, full-time students will be given priority for class space.

Successful completion of the 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 licensure. If a student has a felony conviction, the student may not be able to complete the degree because the student may not be able to perform the clinical experience.

Admission

All students entering the College of Nursing directly from high school and all students transferring to the college 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.

Students having completed at least 75 percent of the prerequisite nursing courses may make application to the College of Nursing for progression to the nursing major. Application forms may be obtained through the Office of Student Services, room 214, Harkins Hall. The deadline for return of completed applications is as follows:

The fall term admission is February 1. (BSN and RN-BSN)

The spring term admission is September 1. (BSN and RN-BSN)

The summer term admission is February 1. (RN-BSN only)

There are no exceptions to these filing dates.

In addition to filing an application, the following minimum requirements must be met for consideration for admission to the College of Nursing:

  1. A national composite ACT of 21 or above; a corresponding score on the ACT taken prior to October 1989 or the SAT is acceptable (not applicable to RN-BSN students),
  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,
  4. Successful completion of all prerequisite courses before beginning the nursing plan,
  5. Kaplan Nursing Admission (BSN only),
  6. Successful completion of a criminal background check, immunizations and controlled substances drug screen before beginning the nursing plan,
  7. Earned at least a C in each nursing course from associate degree in nursing program or diploma program with a minimum of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (RN-BSN only), and
  8. May only repeat one associate degree/diploma nursing course one time. (RN-BSN only)

    Note: Only one natural science course may be repeated one time

The number of students admitted each semester will vary according to the resources available. The admissions process will reflect the mission of The University of Southern Mississippi and the College of Nursing.

Academic Probation/Dismissal/Progression

The following policies apply to all students admitted and enrolled in the College 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 and 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 in the Student Handbook for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Nursing.
  4. Students who violate codes of moral or ethical conduct will be dismissed from the nursing program. See current policies on professional integrity and impaired student nurse policy in the Student Handbook for  Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Nursing.
  5. Students must successfully pass all courses with a clinical component in one semester before progressing to clinical courses in the next semester of the nursing plan. BSN students must enroll in and complete NSG 486  and NSG 488  in the final semester of the program of study.
  6. A student withdrawing from a nursing course after the last day to drop without academic penalty must have a grade of C or better to receive a WP (withdraw passing).

    For any class in which the student has earned below the minimum requirements for a grade of C, the student will be assigned a WF (withdraw failing) upon withdrawal.

    The student will be assigned the same grade in both the clinical and its co-requisite theory course.

Readmission

Students who have previously enrolled in nursing courses, have a break in attendance of one or more terms, and leave in good standing may reapply. Applicants are invited to file an application for readmission to the College of Nursing. The deadlines for return of completed applications for readmission are February 1 and September 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.

The following are considered when an application for readmission is received by the College of Nursing:

  • student’s standing in both academic and clinical courses prior to withdrawal
  • student’s GPA
  • availability of space in the course
  • program resources

Student Advisement

Each student admitted 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, provide counsel and sign the application for degree.

Expenses

The general fees and expenses are the same for nursing students as for other university students. Additional expenses incurred by nursing students such as uniforms, books, insurance and student nurse organization fees are estimated as follows:

  Junior Year Senior Year
  $1,500 $1,000

In addition, nursing students are required to purchase a laptop computer that complies with current recommendations of the USM Office of Technology Resources.

Travel: Students are responsible for arranging transportation to off-campus hospitals and other agencies that constitute part of the program.

Insurance

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.

Health Requirements

A physical examination, selected immunizations and evidence of immunity to varicella 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 the Student Handbook for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs in Nursing for specific requirements.

Certification/Training

CPR certification is required for the remainder of the time required to complete the program. Students must remain current in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) training.

Registered Nurse Students*

Registered nurse students must complete the same Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree prerequisites and health requirements as all other degree candidates in the College of Nursing. The prerequisites may be taken at The University of Southern Mississippi or at another accredited college or university. See the university Bulletin for limitation of transfer credits.

For registered nurse students, the NCLEX RN licensure exam will be used to validate previously earned nursing credit. At the successful completion of the first semester of the RN-BSN curriculum, students will register for NSG 307 , NSG 361 NSG 362  and NSG 363 . An unrestricted Mississippi nursing license is required for admission to this program.

For further information, write or call

College of Nursing
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5095
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.5445

* Registered nurse student is a student who (1) is a graduate from either an associate degree program in nursing or a diploma nursing program; (2) is registered to practice nursing in Mississippi with an unrestricted RN license and (3) is admitted to and enrolled in The University of Southern Mississippi with the nursing major.

Programs

    Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Nursing