Nursing (RN-BSN) BSN

Program-at-a-Glance (Undergraduate)

Credit Hours:

Total Hours: 120

Major Area of Study: 30

Cost per Credit Hour:

$416.59

Calculate Your Tuition

Completion Time:

2 semesters

Accreditation:

CCNE

Special Requirements:

(1) Completed associates degree program; (2) registered to practice nursing in a compact state with an unrestricted RN license; location restrictions apply, see FAQ section for details about compact states.

Learn more about this program:

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As an RN, you have the foundational knowledge to excel in the healthcare industry. With the online nursing RN to BSN degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, you can enhance your knowledge and skillset to take your career to the next level. The online RN to BSN degree is designed with you, the working RN professional, in mind. You can begin this program in the fall or spring and complete the degree in only 2 semesters! There are no required chemistry courses. All of our courses and all course prerequisites are available fully online.

Our accredited, fully-online Nursing RN to BSN degree program is designed to give you the knowledge and skills to build upon your prior education and earn your BSN while staying in your current place of employment! This program will introduce you to a wide range of subjects like pathophysiology, health assessment and promotion, patient safety, healthcare systems, and more that will expand your knowledge and allow you to move forward with your career.

Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are standing by to assist you. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!

Scholarship opportunities are available for our RN-BSN students! Scholarships are available from the School of Professional Nursing Practice. For more information you can contact them at (601) 266-5454. 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!

What can you do with a nursing degree?

With an RN-BSN degree, you can embark on a rewarding career in nursing. RN-BSN qualifies you for many nursing roles but also provides a solid foundation for career growth and further education.

Fall Start Schedule

Fall Semester Schedule

Intercession

NSG 417: Health Care Systems, 3 credits

Session 1: 7 Weeks

NSG 447: Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing, 3 credits

Session 2: 7 Weeks

NSG 457, Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Practice Experiences, 4 credits

15 Weeks

NSG 418: Evidence-Based Practice, 3 credits

15 Weeks

NSG 488: Leadership, 3 credits

Spring Semester Schedule

Session 1: 7 Weeks

NSG 332: Role Development as a Nurse Scientist, 3 credits

Session 2: 7 Weeks

NSG 330: Health Assessment & Promotion: Theory and Lab, 4 credits

15 Weeks

NSG 311: Pathophysiology, 3 credits

15 Weeks

NSG 354: Population Health Nursing Theory and Praxis, 4 credits

Spring Start Schedule

Spring Semester Schedule

Intercession:

NSG 417: Health Care Systems, 3 credits

Session 1: 7 Weeks

NSG 332: Role Development as a Nurse Scientist, 3 credits

Session 2: 7 Weeks

NSG 457*: Patient Safety & Quality Improvement Practice Experiences, 4 credits

15 Weeks

NSG 311: Pathophysiology, 3 credits

15 Weeks

NSG 488: Leadership, 3 credits

Summer Semester Schedule

 10 Weeks

NSG 330: Health Assessment & Promotion: Theory and Lab, 4 credits

10 Weeks

NSG 354*: Population Health Nursing Theory and Praxis, 4 credits

10 Weeks

NSG 418: Evidence- Based Practice, 3 credits

10 Weeks

NSG 447: Ethical and Legal Issues in Nursing, 3 credits

Please be aware that you could be required to take prerequisites, all of which are available online, in order to start this degree. To find out which prerequisite courses you have or need, you can email an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) to April Franklin at april.franklin@usm.edu, or call (601) 266-5454.

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I apply?

To get started with the application process, start here.

Does this program lead to initial or an upgraded license in Mississippi or any other state?

Licensure requirements and approval are determined by each state’s licensing board. For general information about professional licensure, please review the Online Programs & Professional Licensure Page. If you have professional licensing questions regarding licensure relative to one of our online programs, please read our Professional Licensure Disclosure and then fill out the Professional Licensure Inquiry Form. If you have other questions regarding licensure, please email professional licensure.

Is this program available to people located outside the US?

This program is not ideal for students outside the United States. Applicants must be registered to practice Nursing in a compact state with an unrestricted RN license. Compact state information can be found by visiting the Nurse Compact site.

Why should I enroll in the RN-BSN program?

The RN-BSN Program provides you with opportunities to:

Improve your practice as a BSN nurse
Climb the career ladder at your health care agency
Pursue advanced degrees, i.e., MSN, DNP, PhD
Become a Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, a Nurse Executive, a Faculty Member

Will I receive credit for the course work I've completed through the Associate Degree?

Yes. At Southern Miss, 34 credits (called ‘validation credits’) are given to RN-BSN students as a way of respecting the previous course work already taken in your associate degree. You will register for these validation credits during your program of study.

When can I start the RN-BSN Program?

Spring Semester (Application Deadline: October 1st)
Fall Semester (Application Deadline: May 1st)

Because of the recent restructure of this program, we no longer begin classes during the Summer.

Do all prerequisites have to be completed before being admitted into the program?

Yes. All prerequisites must be completed before starting the program. However, at the time of application, only two of the three natural sciences must be completed.

Am I required to work as a nurse before being admitted into the program?

No.

Are scholarships available for the RN-BSN Program?

Scholarships and financial aid are available: A full range of financial assistance is available through the Southern Miss Office of Financial Aid. For information about the Nursing Education Loan Repayment (NELR) scholarship for RN to BSN go to Nursing Education Forgivable Loan. The deadline dates for this scholarship application are October 1- March 31. Additional scholarships are available through The University of Southern Mississippi. For more information, contact your advisor.

Can this degree be completed fully online?

Yes, all courses in the program are available totally online; however, there are two clinical experiences that are completed in your health care agency or through community health services. Students are not required to visit campus for any in-class lectures.

What if I still have questions about the university?

If you have questions about tuition, transfer credits or anything else about the university, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!

Admission Requirements

The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.

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:

1) Applicants must have graduated from an accredited associate degree nursing program.

2) Applicants must have a current unrestricted Mississippi RN license or current unrestricted multi-state RN license from a compact state.

3) Applicants must have at least a “C” 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.

4) Applicants may only retake/repeat one (1) required science course one time (for which a “D” or an “F” grade was earned).

5) Applicants may only retake/repeat one (1) associate degree nursing (ADN) course one time (for which a “D” or an “F” grade was earned).

6) 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).

Admission Requirements: