The College of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing. The Nursing Program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Baccalaureate Program
The Nursing BSN offers broad preparation in general education, as well as 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 a citizen and professional practitioner.
The nursing program is structured so that lower-division course work may be acquired through the Gulf Coast Community College system or any accredited two- or four-year college. All students must complete lower-division requirements before being admitted to the upper-division nursing major. The upper-division major is a sequential curriculum that requires two years of full-time study in the theory and practice of nursing.
Successful completion of the nursing program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and permits the student to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination-R.N. Applicants who have been convicted or have charges pending against them for a felony or misdemeanor in any state may be denied to sit for the licensure examination by the state Board of Nursing.
Admission
All students entering the College of Nursing directly from high school and all transferring to the school 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.
Application forms may be obtained through the Gulf Coast Nursing office. The deadline for return of completed applications is February 1 for fall term admission and September 1 for spring term admission. There are no exceptions to these filing dates.
In addition, the following minimum requirements must be met for consideration for admission to the College of Nursing:
- An enhanced 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)
- An overall grade point average of 2.5 on courses prerequisite to the nursing major
- A minimum of a C in each prerequisite course applicable to the nursing curriculum. Note: Only one natural science course may be repeated one time.
- Successful completion of all prerequisite courses before beginning the nursing plan
- Successful completion of criminal background check, immunizations and controlled substances drug screen before beginning the nursing program
- 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
- 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 year 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 to the College of Nursing:
- 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 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.
- 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.)
- Students who violate codes of moral/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.)
- 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.
- 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 deadline for return of completed applications for fall semester readmission is February 1, and spring semester readmission is 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
- School resources
Student Advisement
Each student applying 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, and sign the application for degree.
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.
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, student nurse organization fees, etc., are estimated as follows:
| Jr. Year |
Sr. Year |
| $1,500 |
$900 |
Health Requirements
A physical examination and 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 College of Nursing Handbook undergraduate and graduate programs in Nursing for specific requirements).
Certification and 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.
Special Requirements
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.
Students are responsible for arranging transportation to off-campus agencies for required laboratory experiences. Fees are assessed to cover costs of the HESI Achievement Tests, administered in the junior and senior years.
Graduate Admission
Applicants for admission to the graduate program must fulfill the general university requirements for entrance to the Graduate School. Requirements to the College of Nursing are as follows:
- Graduation from a baccalaureate program that is NLN- or AACN-accredited
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 from the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 on undergraduate nursing courses
- Completion of an introductory statistics course
- Adequate scores on the verbal and analytic portions of the Graduate Record Examination
- Licensed as a registered nurse and experienced as an RN.* Exceptions to the admission requirements must be approved by the major adviser, the director of the College of Nursing and the Graduate School. Current state unrestricted licensure as an RN must be in the state in which course clinicals are conducted.
- License must be unrestricted.
- Successful completion of criminal background history affadavit before beginning the nursing program.
* One year experience is required for the nurse practitioner program.
Progression
Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average (figured on a 4.0 scale) or above in order to progress in the program.
Student Advisement
Each student admitted to the program will be assigned a faculty adviser. The adviser will approve the student’s plan of study each semester, provide counsel, and sign the student’s application for degree.
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 Gulf Coast Campus
The University of Southern Mississippi
730 East Beach Blvd, Box 5128
Long Beach, MS 39560
228-865-4517
* 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
Department of Collaborative Nursing Care
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