Nursing
Is a Degree in Nursing Right for You?
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree prepares students for a career as a registered nurse. The nursing curriculum includes a balance of courses based in liberal arts and science. The curriculum culminates in upper-division nursing courses during the plans of study.
The USM School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP) offers two nursing program options and one second-degree nursing pathway for students to earn a BSN between two campuses (Hattiesburg and Gulf Park) and online. Once admitted into the SPNP, the BSN and RN-BSN program options along with the Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway begin each Fall and Spring Semester. The BSN program option is offered on the Hattiesburg campus. The RN-BSN program option is offered completely online, while the ABSN is offered on the Gulf Park campus.
Each nursing program option or pathway has a separate application including prerequisite requirements. The SPNP has an early admission process to the BSN program for high school seniors who meet specific criteria and choose The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) as freshmen. The student will be admitted into the BSN program when he or she completes the required nursing prerequisite courses along with maintaining eligibility for early admission. Students apply to this program during their senior year of high school. The students admitted into the BSN program through this manner are referred to as Dean’s Scholars.
For further information regarding admission to the SPNP, contact Student Services at 601.266.5454.
What Will I Learn?
Once accepted into the School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP), students are enrolled in nursing courses that involve classwork and/or clinical practice. Within the courses, concepts involving ethics, leadership, practice laws, and research as well as the SPNP Values: Caring, Professionalism, Integrity, Excellence, and Diversity are taught.
Students apply what they learn in the classroom during simulation experiences utilizing high-fidelity mannequins in a state-of-the-art simulation lab on campus and by providing nursing care to patients in healthcare settings. Upon graduation, students are able to demonstrate competence in clinical skills and provide nursing care to patient populations across the lifespan in various healthcare and community settings.
There are two BSN degree program options and one second-degree BSN pathway:
This nursing pathway leads to the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and qualifies the student to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to practice as a registered nurse. Students generally complete prerequisite courses during the first two years, apply for admission to the BSN program, and upon acceptance complete the last two years of the plan of study focusing on nursing.
Admission Procedures/Requirements:
Successful completion of this nursing program enables Registered Nurses (RNs) with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) to earn the BSN degree.
Students in the RN-BSN program, already have the foundational knowledge needed to excel in the nursing field and earning the BSN degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, students can enhance their knowledge and skillset to advance in the healthcare industry. The online RN-BSN degree is designed for the working RN in mind!
Being completely online, the RN-BSN program can be completed in as little as two semesters and students are able to work toward a BSN degree while staying in their current place of employment. All nursing and prerequisite courses are available online. The program does not require any chemistry courses.
The accredited online RN-BSN degree program is designed to expand student knowledge in subjects such as pathophysiology, health assessment & promotion, patient safety, healthcare systems, and so much more to allow students to move forward with their nursing careers. Students can choose to begin this program in the Fall or Spring semester.
Looking for more information regarding the RN-BSN program? To find out about the admission process or which prerequisite courses you need, please email us at spnp-advisingFREEMississippi.
Several scholarship opportunities are available for our RN-BSN degree seeking students. Our Online Student Scholarship gives first time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!
RN-BSN Admission Requirements
The RN-BSN program is for registered nurses who have graduated from an associate degree nursing program and are registered to practice nursing in a compact state with an unrestricted RN license. So before getting started, make sure you meet those requirements!
- In addition to filing an application, the following minimum requirements must be met for consideration for admission to the RN-BSN program:
- Applicants must have graduated from an accredited associate degree nursing program.
- Applicants must have a current unrestricted Mississippi RN license or current unrestricted multi-state RN license from a compact state.
- Applicants must have at a “C” or higher in each nursing course in the ADN program with a minimum nursing GPA of a 2.0 on a 4.0-point scale and a “C” or better in each prerequisite course.
- Applicants may only retake/repeat one (1) required science course one time.
- Applicants must have successfully completed all prerequisite courses before beginning courses in the RN-BSN program (At the time of application, two of the three natural science courses must be completed).
To find out about the admission process or which prerequisite courses you need, please contact us at spnp-advisingFREEMississippi.
Additional Admission Procedures/Requirements:
The Accelerated Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (ABSN) pathway grants a student with a previous bachelor’s degree an opportunity to earn a second-degree in nursing. Successful completion of the ABSN pathway permits the student to make application to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RN (NCLEX-RN) licensure.
What Will I Learn?
Once accepted into the School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP), students are enrolled in nursing courses that involve classwork and/or clinical practice. Within the courses, concepts involving ethics, leadership, practice laws, and research as well as the SPNP Values: Caring, Professionalism, Integrity, Excellence, and Diversity are taught.
The ABSN pathway enables a student with a previous baccalaureate degree or higher to earn a BSN degree. The focus of prerequisites is on science courses that support the required nursing courses. The program culminates in upper-division nursing courses during the three semesters of study. Students may enter the pathway in Fall or Spring semester. For further information, contact Taylor Williams at 228-214-3379 or taylor.e.williamsFREEMississippi.
ABSN Faculty in Gulf Park
The ABSN pathway is well represented by experienced nursing faculty from various nursing specialties. Faculty are committed and passionate about teaching future healthcare professionals. The SPNP has partnered with healthcare agencies in order to provide students with quality clinical experiences. Simulation in incorporated to allow students opportunities to learn and practice in safe environments prior to entering clinical facilities.
Additional Admission Procedures/Requirements:
Admission Testing Requirement
One of the requirements for applying to the BSN program or the ABSN pathway is completion of a Nursing Entrance Exam. This exam is a tool to determine students' academic ability to perform effectively in a BSN program. The exam is comprised of questions that evaluate the basic reading, math, writing, and science skills of students seeking entry into a nursing program leading to RN licensure. Exam scores are valid for three (3) years from the date of testing.
The cost for applicants to take the entrance exam is $100 at the time of online registration per test administration. This non-refundable/non-transferrable fee may be paid by credit or debit card. Applicants may take the test only one time per admission period. Entrance Exam scores are non-transferrable from the USM College of Nursing & Health Professions.
Admissions Test Registration Process
A. Register for the Nursing Entrance Exam and pay the registration fee.
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- For the current February 1, 2025 BSN/ABSN application deadline, on-site Admission Testing is closed; testing dates/times for the September 1, 2025 BSN application deadline will be available later during the Summer 2025 semester.
- Students with ODA (Office of Disability Accommodations) accommodations are required to notify Terry Whittington (Terry.M.Whittington@rrmbaojie.com) before registering for the Nursing Entrance Exam.
B. Registrants will immediately receive two emailed receipts of their 1) registration and 2) payment; the College of Nursing & Health Professions will send a confirmation email later with further instructions two days prior to the test date.
C. All participants are expected to arrive and take the exam on the day he or she registered, 30 minutes prior to exam time. Late admittances will not be allowed once testing has begun. All exams are administered at the Hattiesburg campus in the College of Nursing & Health Professions, Asbury Hall, 2nd floor, Suite 220. Participants must provide a state-issued photo ID to verify identity prior to the start of the test.
Nursing Entrance Exam Registration Form
Request info APPLY BSN/ABSN/RN-BSN
Professional Licensure Disclosure
The School of Professional Nursing Practice has determined that completion of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program options and pathway prepare a student to take the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN®). Passage of the national exam is required for licensure in all 50 states and U.S. protectorates. It is an individual’s responsibility to understand, evaluate, and comply with all requirements relating to national certification exams for the state in which he or she intends to practice as educational requirements may vary widely including, but not limited to, the number of clinical hours required by the state as well as specific coursework. Nursing boards may also require additional information, including, but not limited to, documentation verifying citizenship and/or right to work (i.e. social security number) as well as criminal background checks.
To obtain information for nursing professional licensing boards, please see the National Council of State Boards of Nursing contact page.
Availability
| Degree Plan | Availability |
|---|---|
| Nursing (RN-BSN) BSN | Online 100% |
| Nursing BSN | Gulf Park, Hattiesburg |
- Registered Nurse