College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology

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Sheila V. Adams, Dean

Purpose Statement

The purposes of the College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology are reflected in the philosophies and outcomes of each program. The college provides high quality undergraduate and graduate professional programs in nursing and speech-language pathology. Classes are small, emphasizing a personalized learning environment that prepares graduates for competitive professional careers or graduate school. These purposes are directly related to the University’s mission to provide high quality undergraduate and graduate education in a variety of liberal arts and professional programs.

Nursing Programs (Associate, Baccalaureate and Masters)

Purpose Statement

The purpose of the Nursing programs is to provide education that prepares nurses for several levels of practice. Preparation is offered at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s levels in a personalized and stimulating environment conducive to strong academic and leadership preparation, community service, achievement of clinical expertise, and life-long learning. As a part of the educational process, students develop an awareness of gender-related issues and multicultural diversity. The purpose relates to the Mission of the University by providing professional education for several levels of students with an emphasis on academic and leadership preparation for women and men in a personalized environment. The purpose, philosophies, and outcomes of the department and the three programs are consonant with the purpose and aims of the University and are derived from the faculty’s beliefs about the nature of education and nursing practice. Information on comparison of expenses and fees with other Mississippi Nursing Schools can be found in Nursing Education Opportunities in Mississippi at the web site http://www.mshealthcareers.com/news/nursingopp.htm.

Accreditation

The Associate of Science in Nursing, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and the Master of Science in Nursing programs all hold state accreditation from the Mississippi Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL, 3825 Ridgewood Road, Jackson, MS 39211; 601-432-6486, http://www.ihl.state.ms.us. The Associate of Science in Nursing Program also is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC, 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30326. 1-800-669-1656, extension 153, or via the web at nlnac.org/home.htm.) The Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing Programs also are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC, 20036-1120. 1-404-975-5000, or via the web at www.aacn.nche.edu/accreditation).

Facilities

The general education and nursing courses for the ASN program, the Generic BSN program, and the MSN program are taught on the main campus of Mississippi University for Women. Nursing courses for the BSN Advanced Placement option are taught from the Advanced Education Center on the Tupelo campus. Facilities utilized for undergraduate clinical nursing experiences include institutions and agencies usually within a sixty-five mile radius. Students are not guaranteed an assignment in any one clinical area.

Advanced Placement Options

Licensed Practical Nurses with a current unencumbered Mississippi license and at least one years work experience in a clinical setting are eligible for advanced placement in the Associate of Science in Nursing Program. They must have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite courses, first year non-nursing courses, NU 112 Pharmacology, NU 144 Nursing Transition, and NU 145 Nursing Transition Clinical. NU 112, NU 144, and NU 145 are offered during the second term of summer school. Upon completion of NU 144 and NU 145 the LPN will have validated 16 hours of credit in nursing and may enter the second year of the Associate of Science in Nursing curriculum. Sixty (60) semester credit hours are required for graduation. Thirty (30) hours must be earned at MUW.

Registered Nurses who are graduates of Associate of Science in Nursing and diploma programs with a current unencumbered license are eligible for advanced placement in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program when they have satisfactorily completed all but 12 hours of the prerequisite courses. NU 359, the professional transition course, is offered both in the fall and summer semesters. Upon completion of this course, the RN will have validated 24 hours of credit in nursing and would then enter the senior year.

Procedures for Advanced Placement Options

1. Students must complete all requirements for admission to the University and be accepted into the Associate of Science/Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs.
2. Students seeking advanced placement in the Associate of Science in Nursing Program must complete the prerequisite and first year non-nursing courses.
3. Students seeking advanced placement in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program may enter after completing 50 hours of core course work.

Transfer of Credit

Equivalent courses that students have taken at an accredited two or four year college will usually be accepted for credit. For students entering the Associate of Science and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program, D grades may be accepted by the University for transfer credit, but are not accepted as passing grades in the Department of Nursing due to state accreditation standards for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program and program requirements for the Associate of Science in Nursing Program. Science courses older than six years will not be accepted unless the applicant can provide information regarding utilization of knowledge in an on the job situation. This will be evaluated on an individual basis. Nursing courses are evaluated on an individual basis. Students transferring from another School of Nursing must provide a letter verifying eligibility for readmission to the nursing program from which they are transferring. If a transfer student has failed a nursing course in another nursing program that will count as the student’s first failure in terms of eligibility for readmission to the nursing program.

General Requirements/Responsibilities:

The following apply to all undergraduate nursing programs at MUW.

Attendance

Refer to student handbook and individual course instructor.

Health

All students in clinical nursing courses are required to:

• provide documentation of having an annual health examination.
• provide documentation of having had two MMRs (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) or proof of serological immunities.
• provide documentation of having had an annual TB test.
• provide documentation of having a Tetanus Toxoid within the last 10 years.
• take the Hepatitis B Vaccine or sign a waiver.
• present a clear finding (negative results) on the drug/alcohol screen.

All students admitted to the Department of Nursing are subject to the Department of Nursing Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy and to any clinical agencies’ drug policy.

Insurance

All students in clinical nursing courses must provide proof of automobile, health, and malpractice insurance.

Transportation

Students are responsible for providing and paying for their own transportation for clinical and field experiences.

Other

All students in clinical nursing courses must have current American Heart CPR certification, and instruction in OSHA requirements related to universal precautions and HIPAA guidelines. All students are required to have a criminal background record check in accordance with Mississippi Statue 43-11-13 regarding health care workers. If a student has any felonies or disqualifying events, he/she will be subject to exclusion from the Department of Nursing. All applicants submit to a criminal background check and a drug/alcohol screen prior to entering the program. Failure by an applicant to indicate suitability on the background check or to present a clear finding (negative results) on the drug/alcohol screen will result in prohibition from entering (exclusion from) the nursing program.

In order to successfully complete the nursing program, all nursing students must be able to successfully demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of a nursing student as described in the Knowledge and Skills Required of a Nursing Student which is available in the Nursing Department Offices. If a student is not able to meet these standards, he/she may initiate a meeting with the Director of Academic Support Services for review of his/her case to see if reasonable accommodations are possible as per the normal university procedures. If reasonable accommodations are made and the student continues to be unable to meet one or more of the standards, the student will not be able to successfully complete the requirements of the program.

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