College of Nursing

Katherine Nugent, Director
Dean, College of Nursing
118 College Drive, Box 5095
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
601.266.5445

Kathleen Masters
Associate Dean
601.266.5500

Sandra Bishop
Associate Dean
228.865.4517

Anderson, Bishop, Boykins, Brown, Butts, Chatham, Coyne, Davis, Elliott, Gautreaux, Geisz-Everson, Gilmore, Gore, Green, Harbaugh, Harris, Harrison, Holman, Hossley, Hughes, Johnson, Kopp, Lundy, Lutz-Graves, Masters, McDonald, Mitchell, Morris, Nugent, Powell, Rich, Rogers, Rushing, Story, Stuart, Sumrall, Vincent, Welch

Mission

The mission of Southern Miss School of Nursing is to enhance the health and well-being of the people of the state of Mississippi by preparing graduates at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level of education who are prepared to advance the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service.

Vision

The vision of the Southern Miss School of Nursing is to excel in baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral education, innovative clinical practice, and the creative use of technology to advance nursing practice, education, and scholarship

Organization and Administration

Dean’s Office

The dean is the chief administrative officer of the College of Nursing and is responsible for its operation and relations with all stakeholders. Associate deans and assistants to the dean coordinate curriculum, research, external relations and a variety of administrative matters.

Academic Units

The College of Nursing provides educational programs at three sites – Hattiesburg, Gulf Park and Meridian – to prepare professional practitioners in the discipline of nursing for diverse populations; to promote service activities to the community, the nursing profession and the university; and to foster research and scholarly activities to expand nursing knowledge and practice. The curricula prepare the beginning generalist in professional nursing and the advanced practitioner for leadership in health care systems.

The three academic units comprising the College of Nursing include the Department of Collaborative Nursing Care which houses the baccalaureate entry level program and the RN-BSN program; the Department of Advanced Practice which houses the Family Nurse Practitioner Program, the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program, the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Program, and the Nurse Anesthesia Program; and the Department of Systems Leadership and Health Outcomes which houses the Nurse Executive Program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Program.

The College offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs consistent with its mission statement. Each academic program is responsible for academic advisement of its majors. Since curricular requirements vary for each major, students desiring degrees from the College of Nursing should follow the course plan outlined in each track. Detailed information on individual curricula of the baccalaureate programs follow.

Programs within the College must meet criteria of accrediting agencies and thus may have additional application procedures or admission requirements beyond those of the university. The programs within the College require students to have professional liability insurance purchased through fees assessed each semester by the university. Please consult with directors of the individual programs to obtain specific information.

Clinical and field experiences require a criminal background check. A felony conviction may disqualify a candidate from participating in clinical experiences. A felony conviction may also disqualify a candidate from licensure. For additional information, contact the academic department that houses the program. Any fees incurred are the responsibility of the candidate.

The College of Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

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. Successful completion of a criminal background check, immunizations and controlled substances drug screen before beginning the nursing plan,
6. 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
7. 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 441  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:

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.

Degree Plans and Semester-by-Semester Guides