School of Professional Nursing Practice

Majors

Health Sciences (Health Care Studies) BS

Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Programs

The baccalaureate nursing 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 effectively assume the role of citizen and professional practitioner. Part-time studies are available; however, full-time students will be given priority for class space.

There are three pathways to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

Nursing BSN: This nursing pathway leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and permits the student to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to practice as a registered nurse.

Nursing (RN-BSN) BSN: This nursing pathway enables Registered Nurses (RNs) with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

Nursing (ABSN): This nursing pathway acknowledges students who have earned a baccalaureate or higher degree to be granted a second baccalaureate degree based upon requirements of an applicable Bulletin. The actual number of hours to be taken must include at least 30-32 semester hours in residence. The actual number of hours to be taken, as well as the specific degree requirements will be established by the School of Professional Nursing Practice. All students will be required to complete the Second Baccalaureate Degree Plan document prior to the start of the pathway. This document must be signed and approved by the Director of the Accelerated Baccalaureate Nursing Pathway. In addition, the document will remain on file in the office of the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions

Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Admission Procedures

All students interested in nursing are subject to the admission procedures and standards of the University. Students admitted to the University who wish to pursue entrance into the BSN program are encouraged to begin as freshmen in the health sciences program (see above). In this program, students can complete all pre-requisites for application to the BSN program.

Students having completed at least 75 percent of the prerequisite nursing courses may complete and submit their application to the BSN program. Admission to the program is competitive and is not guaranteed, regardless of grades or other dimensions of academic performance. Students who meet all prerequisites and fulfill minimum requirements (see below) may apply, and the class admitted to the BSN program is selected from the applicant pool. If admitted to nursing, students will change their major to the BSN and become students in the BSNprogram.

Application forms may be obtained online. The deadline for return of completed applications is as follows:

BSN and ABSN:

The deadline for fall term admission is February 1. The deadline for spring term admission is September 1.

RN-BSN:

The deadline for fall term admission is May 1, for spring term admission is October 1.

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 baccalaureate nursing program, applicable if within:

A national composite ACT of 21 or above; a corresponding score on the ACT taken prior to October 1989 or the SAT is acceptable (BSN);
An overall grade point average of 2.5 on prerequisite courses to the nursing major (BSN, ABSN);
A grade of “C or higher” in each prerequisite course applicable to the nursing curriculum (BSN, RN-BSN, ABSN);
Successful completion of all prerequisite courses before beginning the nursing plan (BSN, RN-BSN, ABSN);
Current Nursing Entrance Exam. See SPNP website for details (BSN, ABSN);
Successful completion of a criminal background check, immunizations and substance screening before beginning the nursing plan of study (BSN, RN-BSN, ABSN);
Earned a “C or higher” in each nursing course from the associate degree nursing program with a minimum of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (RN-BSN);
May only repeat one associate degree nursing course one time (RN-BSN); and
Only one natural science course may be repeated one time (BSN, RN-BSN, ABSN).

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 and Health Professions.

Early Admission

Early admission to the BSN program allows high school students who meet specific criteria and choose The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) 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. The students admitted via this option are referred to as Dean’s Scholars.

The criteria for early admission include each of the following

Application for early admission postmarked by the first Monday in April during the student’s senior year of high school
High School GPA of at least 3.5 out of 4.0 as computed by USM Admissions
Minimum ACT score of 25 (the applicant must turn in a copy of their ACT with the application
Entering as a first-year student at USM
Mississippi High School Dual Enrolment and/or Advanced Placement (AP) credit classes and/or transfer courses accepted up to the total of 15 hours, for specific, matched, and accepted nursing prerequisite courses. (All other courses and hours must be taken at USM)

The criteria to maintain eligibility for early admission:

Maintenance of an overall 3.3 or higher GPA each semester in required nursing prerequisite courses.
Maintain at least 15 credit hours each fall and spring semesters at USM
No course may be repeated
Continuous enrollment as a full time USM student during the academic year (fall and spring semesters)
Maintenance of eligibility for admission to the BSN program
Must remain in good academic standing (cannot be on probation, probation continued, or suspension) at USM
The current Nursing Entrance Exam is not required for qualified early admission students.

Each student who has been accepted for early admission is required to apply to the nursing program by September 1^st for a spring semester start date and by February 1^st for a fall semester start date.

If a student fails to maintain requirements for early admission, the student may apply to the BSN program by the posted deadlines along with the general pool of nursing applicants. All applicant requirements including current Nursing Entrance Exam and due dates must be met.

Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Academic Probation/Dismissal/Progression

The following policies apply to all students admitted and enrolled in the baccalaureate nursing program:

A student may repeat only one nursing course one time depending on availability of space in the course.
The student who receives a second grade below a C in a nursing course is dismissed from the program. Notification of dismissal will be sent to the student. The student may appeal the dismissal to the Admissions, Progression and Retention (APR) Committee.
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 Programs in Nursing.
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 Programs in Nursing.
Students must successfully pass all courses with a clinical or lab component in one semester before progressing to clinical or lab courses in the next semester of the nursing plan of study. BSN students must enroll in and complete NSG 472L and NSG 486 in the final semester of the plan of study.
ABSN students must be enrolled in and complete NSG 423 and NSG 449L in the final semester of the plan of study.
For the purpose of progression in the nursing program, students may not withdraw more than twice during the undergraduate plan of study.

Readmission

Students who have previously enrolled in nursing program, have a break in attendance of one or more terms, and leave in good standing may reapply. Applicants are invited to file a completed application for readmission by the deadlines listed above for regular admission. 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 nursing:

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

Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing 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
	$2,000	$1,500

In addition, nursing students are required to purchase a laptop computer that complies with current recommendations from iTech.

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.

Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Health Requirements

A physical examination, selected immunizations and evidence of immunity are required for admission to the upper-division nursing major. Tuberculosis and substance screenings are required yearly for the remainder of the time required to complete the program. See the Student Handbook for Undergraduate 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.