School of Professional Nursing Practice

Welcome

Welcome to the School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP). I am excited to share details about our school. 

First, The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The baccalaureate degree programs offered at the SPNP is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This means students in the SPNP can expect programs with high standards and the highest of quality.

The SPNP offers three programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN-BSN, and Health Sciences. It also has a second-degree Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway.

There has never been a greater need for nurses and other healthcare professionals to care for those within our community. The SPNP has exceptional faculty who are committed and passionate about teaching healthcare professionals as well as preparing future leaders. The SPNP partners with local healthcare agencies in order to provide quality clinical experiences to ensure students safely and competently transition into practice. The SPNP has one of the largest simulation centers in the State of Mississippi. This allows students opportunities to learn and practice in safe environments prior to entering clinical facilities.

• The BSN program is our 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 may enter the program in Fall or Spring semester. For further information, contact Office of Student Services at 601.266.5454 or spnp-advisingFREEMississippi 
• The RN-BSN program is designed for 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 either in Fall or Spring semester. For further information, please email spnp-advisingFREEMississippi.
• The Health Sciences 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 a graduate program such as Physician’s Assistant, Athletic Training, Medical School, and many other rewarding healthcare positions. For further information, contact Office of Student Services at 601.266.5454 or spnp-advisingFREEMississippi 
• The ABSN pathway enables a student with a previous baccalaureate degree 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, Office of Student Services at 601.266.5454 or spnp-advisingFREEMississippi  

Take your time, look around our website, and contact us if you are interested in a career in healthcare.

Dr. Arlene C. Jones

School Mission

The School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP) is committed to providing an inclusive environment to educate students at the baccalaureate level to practice professional nursing in a variety of settings across the four spheres of care. By respecting unique backgrounds, characteristics, and beliefs, graduates are prepared to advance health outcomes through the provision of equitable, patient-centered care to diverse individuals, communities, and societies.

School Vision

The vision of the SPNP is to be a supportive, dynamic learning environment that prepares compassionate, practice-ready nurses to lead change and improve healthcare by providing high-quality, equitable, patient-centered care to all.

School Values

Caring – Building relationships on a foundation of mutual respect that promotes the overall well-being of patients and students while advocating for their physical, psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs. 

Professionalism – Upholding the image of nursing and promoting standards of care by advocating for patients, students, and the needs of our community of interest. 

Integrity – Modeling honest and just behavior consistent with ethical values. 

Excellence – Maintaining high standards of professional and academic performance while promoting safe care for patients, students, and communities.

Diversity – Creating an inclusive environment that celebrates the uniqueness and differences among persons, ideas, and values.

Strategic Goals and Initiatives

Create a culture of excellence to foster student success

1.1. Provide a comfortable, engaging, student-centered learning environment
1.2. Recruit and retain outstanding and diverse students
1.3. Promote mentoring relationships between faculty and students
1.4. Analyze Relevant student data to develop strategies for retention

Provide high-quality education to prepare students for professional nursing practice

2.1. Sustain viable, relevant, and innovative programs within the school
2.2. Reflect current trends in technology to provide innovative teaching methods
2.3. Evaluate outcomes and adapt the curriculum to promote critical thinking and clinical    judgement
2.4. Facilitate undergraduate scholarship
2.5. Mentor students in professional nursing practice

Foster and strengthen innovative, collaborative clinical and community partnerships

3.1. Collaborate with community partners to promote and advance health
3.2. Initiate and sustain community partnerships to ensure quality learning experiences
3.3. Maintain a community partner advisory board

Cultivate and support an environment of scholarship for faculty

4.1. Allocate fiscal and departmental resources to support faculty development and scholarship
4.2. Develop strategies to increase faculty scholarship
4.3. Recruit and retain tenured, tenure track, and non-tenured track faculty
4.4. Provide support and mentoring in tenure and promotion process
4.5. Increase inter-professional collaboration and research endeavors

Provide a healthy workplace environment for faculty and staff

5.1. Examine impact of workload on satisfaction
5.2. Maintain transparent communication
5.3. Ensure required number of faculty per student ratio
5.4. Foster a culture which values faculty input
5.5. Preserve an expectation of civility

Students earning a BSN degree meet the following end-of-program American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essential Competencies for graduation:

1. Knowledge for Nursing Practice

2. Person-Centered Care

3. Population Health

4. Scholarship for Nursing Discipline

5. Quality and Safety

6. Interprofessional Partnerships

7. System-Based Practice

8. Informatics and Healthcare Technologies

9. Professionalism

10. Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development