Nursing
Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families, and communities. When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress; assist physicians during treatments and examinations; administer medications; and assist in convalescence and rehabilitation. RNs also develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of degree do I have to have to be a Registered Nurse (RN)?
In 1998,there were over 2,200 entry level R.N. programs. There are three major educational paths to nursing: Associate degree in nursing (A.D.N.), Bachelor of science degree in nursing (B.S.N.), and diploma. A.D.N. programs, offered by community and junior colleges, take about 2 years. About half of all RN programs in 1998 were at the A.D.N. level. B.S.N. Programs, offered by colleges and universities, take 4 or 5 years. About one-fourth of all programs in 1998 offered degrees at the bachelor’s level. Diploma programs, given in hospitals, last 2 to 3 years. Only a small number of programs, about 4 percent, offer diploma level degrees. Generally, licensed graduates of any of the three program types qualify for entry level positions as staff nurses. In fact,many career paths are open only to nurses with bachelor’s or advanced degrees. A bachelor’s degree is usually necessary for administrative positions and is a prerequisite for admission to graduate nursing programs in research, consulting, teaching, or a clinical specialization. The nursing program at Mississippi College is a Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN)
What are the course requirements to get into Nursing School at Mississippi College?
First you must complete all prerequisite courses, which may be completed at schools other than Mississippi College. For those enrolled at Mississippi College, the course numbers are given below:
| Mississippi College Nursing School Prerequisites | Mississippi College Course Numbers |
| English Composition; 6 sem. hrs. | English 101 and 102 |
| Literature; 6 sem. hrs. | English 211 and English (212 or 213) |
| History; 6 sem. hrs. | (History 101 and 102) or (History 211 and 212) |
| Fine Arts; 3 sem. hrs. | Art 125 or Music 125 or Theater 125 |
| Old Testament; 3 sem. hrs. | Bible 110 |
| New Testament; 3 sem. hrs. | Bible 120 |
| Physical Education; 2 sem. hrs. | See Catalog |
| Guide Elective; 3 sem. hrs. | See Catalog |
| Behavioral Science Electives (Child, Adolescent or Developmental Psychology); 3 sem. hrs. | Psychology 302 or 305 or 314 |
| Chemistry with Lab; 8 sem. hrs. | (Chemistry 101 and 102) or (Chemistry 122 and 123) |
| Anatomy and Physiology; 8 sem. hrs. | Biology 203 and 204 |
| Microbiology with Lab; 4 sem. hrs. | Biology 251 |
| Principles of Sociology; 3 sem. hrs. | Sociology 205 |
| Introduction to Psychology; 3 sem. hrs. | Psychology 201 |
| Nutrition; 3 sem. hrs. | Nutrition 340 |
| College Algebra; 3 sem. hrs. | Math 101 |
| Introduction to Computer Science; 3 sem. hrs. | Computer Science 114 |
Is there an entrance exam to get into Nursing school?
Yes. You have 3 exams to take: the NLN exam, which covers math, science and vocabulary; the Nelson-Denny exam, which covers reading comprehension; and the Critical Thinking exam. These exams can be take on the same day, but you can take them on separately if you wish. They are offered 3 time a year, usually January, June and August. You may take the June exams for entrance into the Nursing program at MC for the following fall term. But all other application material, application, references etc., must be in by June 1.
How long is the Nursing Program at Mississippi College?
A typical student will spend 4 years to complete the BSN degree. The prerequisites are completed the freshman and sophomore years. A student enters the Nursing program the fall term of his/her junior year. The nursing course work is completed the junior and senior years.
Are there different types of Nurses?
Hospital nurses form the largest group of nurses. Most are staff nurses, who provide bedside nursing care and carry out medical regimens. They may also supervise licensed practical nurses and aides. Hospital nurses usually are assigned to one area such as surgery, maternity, pediatrics, emergency room, intensive care, or treatment of cancer patients. Some may rotate among departments.
Office nurses care for outpatients in physicians’ offices, clinics, surgicenters, and emergency medical centers. They prepare patients for and assist with examinations, administer injections and medications, dress wounds and incisions, assist with minor surgery, and maintain records. Some also perform routine laboratory and office work.
Nursing home nurses manage nursing care for residents with conditions ranging from a fracture to Alzheimer’s disease. Although they usually spend most of their time on administrative and supervisory tasks, RNs also assess residents ’medical condition,develop treatment plans, supervise licensed practical nurses and nursing aides, and perform difficult procedures such as starting intravenous fluids. They also work in specialty-care departments, such as long-term rehabilitation units for strokes and head-injuries.
Home health nurses provide periodic services, prescribed by a physician, to patients at home. After assessing patients’ home environments,they care for and instruct patients and their families. Home health nurses care for a broad range of patients, such as those recovering from illnesses and accidents, cancer, and child birth. They must be able to work independently and may supervise home health aides.
What is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)?
Most LPNs provide basic bedside care. They take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration. They also treat bedsores, prepare and give injections and enemas, apply dressings, give alcohol rubs and massages, apply ice packs and hot water bottles, and insert catheters. L.N ’s observe patientsand report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. They collect samples from patients for testing, perform routine laboratory tests, feed them, and record food and liquid intake and output. They help patients with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene, keep them comfortable, and care for their emotional needs. In States where the law allows, they may administer prescribed. All States require LPNs to pass a licensing examination after completing a State-approved practical nursing program. A high school diploma is usually required for entry, but some programs accept people without a diploma.
Most practical nursing programs last about 1 year and include both classroom study and supervised clinical practice (patient care). Classroom study covers basic nursing concepts and patient-care related subjects, including anatomy, physiology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, psychiatric nursing, administrationof drugs, nutrition, and first aid. Clinical practice is usually in a hospital, but sometimes includes other settings.
What kind of license exam is there for Nursing?
Following graduation in June, you will take the State National League of Nursing licensing exam order to become a licensed RN. That exam is usually given in July.
What is the difference between a Nurse and a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners provide basic primary health care. They diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications in all States and the District of Columbia. Other advanced practice nurses include clinical nurse specialists, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse-midwives. Advanced practice nurses have met higher educational and clinical practice requirements beyond the basic nursing education and licensing required of all RNs. You can earn a Master's Degree in Nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and become a licensed nurse practitioner. It is a two year program. Typical salary of a nurse practitioner is about $60,000 per year.
What do Nurses (RN) earn?
Median annual earnings of registered nurses were $40,690 in 1998. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,430 and $49,070 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,480 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,300 a year. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in 1997 were as follows:
- Personnel supply services - $43,000
- Hospitals - 39,900
- Home health care services - 39,200
- Offices and clinics of medical doctors - 36,500
- Nursing and personal care facilities - 36,300
Many employers offer flexible work schedules, child care, educational benefits, and bonuses.