School of Professional Nursing Practice

Majors

Health Sciences (Health Care Studies) BS  

Nursing (RN-BSN) BSN  

Nursing BSN  

The SPNP offers the following programs: Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BS), Nursing (RN-BSN), and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The school also has a second-degree Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway.

• The Health Science program is designed for students who wish to work in healthcare but not necessarily in a nursing capacity. The program allows for a broad education necessary for a rewarding career in healthcare and/or for preparation into graduate programs such as Physician’s Assistant, Athletic Training, Public Health, and many other rewarding healthcare related programs. The first two years of the Health Science program focus on liberal art and science. The program is designed to meet nursing prerequisite requirements.
• The RN-BSN program is designed for registered nurses who have graduated with an associate degree and wish to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The RN-BSN is a completely online, two-semester program. Students may enter the program in Fall or Spring semester.
• The BSN program is a traditional nursing program. The first two years of the program focuses on liberal art and science prerequisites. The program culminates in upper-division nursing courses during the last two years of study. Students are admitted to the program in Fall or Spring semester. The traditional nursing program is five semesters in length including one summer.
  • Early High School Admission is an early admission process into the traditional BSN program for high school seniors. Specific admission criteria are required (See Nursing BSN – Early High School Admission)
  • Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is a pathway which enables a student with a previous baccalaureate or higher degree to earn a BSN degree. The focus of prerequisites is on science courses that support the required nursing core courses. The program culminates in upper-division nursing courses during the three semesters of study. 

Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Programs

The BSN programs require all students to be USM students prior to submitting an online application for nursing admission. Each BSN program requires specific application criteria and deadlines (see BSN, ABSN, and RN-BSN for specifics).

BSN Academic Probation/Dismissal/Progression

The following policies apply to all BSN students admitted and enrolled in the nursing plans of study (BSN, ABSN, RN-BSN):

Students are required to earn a grade of “C or higher” in each nursing course including courses with a clinical component.

1. Students are allowed two withdrawals from the nursing program; any additional withdrawals/failures will be cause for dismissal.
   1. Students with a lapse of enrollment of one semester will be required to update all clinical requirements and prove proficiency in coursework previously taken.
   2. Students with two or more semesters of lapsed enrollment are required to reapply as new applicants.
2. Students are allowed one repeat of the same nursing course; repeat is dependent on availability of space in the course.
   1. Students who earn a second grade below a “C” in a repeated course will be dismissed from the nursing program.
3. Students are only allowed two individual course repeats. Any additional unsuccessful course attempts will be cause for dismissal.
4. Students must successfully pass all courses with a clinical component in one semester before progressing to clinical courses in the next semester.
   1. Students must enroll in and complete NSG 472L and NSG 486 in the final semester of the BSN plan of study.
   2. Students must enroll in and complete NSG 423 and NSG 449L in the final semester of the ABSN plan of study.
5. Students delivering unsafe care in a clinical setting, breaching academic integrity, violating the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics, or displaying unprofessional behavior may be dismissed from the nursing program based on sanctions presented by the SPNP Professional Conduct Committee.

Current policies are in the SPNP Student Handbook for Undergraduate Nursing Programs.

Students may appeal any dismissal to the Admissions, Progression and Retention (APR) Committee.

BSN Readmission

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

• Student’s standing in both academic and clinical courses prior to withdrawal
• Student’s current GPA
• Availability of space in the course
• Program resources

BSN 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, skills kits, insurance, on-boarding clinical requirements, and student nurse organization fees are estimated as follows:

In addition, students are required to purchase a laptop computer that complies with current recommendations from iTech and educational resources utilized in the nursing program.

1. Travel: Students are responsible for arranging transportation to off-campus facilities and other agencies that constitute part of the program.
2. Insurance: Students 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 and the responsibility of the student.

BSN Health Requirements

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

See the SPNP Student Handbook for Undergraduate Nursing Programs for specific requirements.

BSN Certification/Training

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

The number of students admitted each application period to BSN programs (RN-BSN, BSN, or ABSN) will vary according to the resources available. The admissions process will reflect the mission of The University of Southern Mississippi, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, and the School of Professional Nursing Practice.