Southwest Mississippi Community College Nursing Program Review
Pike County Agricultural High School; established in 1918 was the school that was destined to become Southwest Mississippi Community College (SMCC) later in 1988. Between those years, the school became a junior college before it finally changed to a two-year college serving the residents in the Southwest region of Mississippi. The high school started offering college education 1929 and expanded the curriculum to two-year college by 1932, hence transforming into a junior College and finally as a community college in 1988.
Nursing Programs at Southwest Mississippi Community College
There are five nursing programs offered in Southwest Mississippi Community College under the Division of Associate Degree Nursing. Two of them are associate degree tracks, certificate programs in practical nursing and health care assistant each and a pre nursing program. The education programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and Mississippi Institute of higher education.
Associate Degree Nursing
The program prepares competent professional nurses through a curriculum of general education, nursing theory and clinical practice. Entry level nursing students are prepared to write the NCLEX-RN exam after completion of a total of 72 nursing and general education credit hours. The program takes two-years of full time study for students who have completed prerequisites courses prior to admission. Nursing and supporting courses are offered concurrently during the two years. Licensed Practice nurses wishing to become registered nurses can apply for the program below to facilitate their transition.
LPN to RN Bridge
The LPN Bridge program gives a chance to licensed practical nurses to enter professional nursing. As such, the students take a summer session LPN to RN transition course after which, they are given 6 credit hours in advanced standing. Students also receive advanced standing for most freshman prerequisites courses and therefore, join the Associate of Nursing degree program at the sophomore level. Two more semesters to make up 72 credits are required to complete the program and become eligible to write the NCLEX-RN exam.
Practical Nursing
This is a one- year program comprising of 45 semester credit hours leading to a certificate in practical nursing. It prepares students to take the NCLEX-PN exam so as to be licensed to work as practical nurses. Students must note that the school does not cater for expenses that result from traveling to clinical sites and health agencies; all expenses are met by the individuals.
Nursing Assistant/ Health Care Assistant
At Southwest Mississippi Community College, the health care assistant (HCA) is a one semester program comprising of 16 credit hours. Successful completion of the program awards the student a certificate of completion. Graduates can also apply for the National Nurse Aide Assessment exam and be entered in the Nursing Assistant Registry.
Pre-Nursing (BS)
With 65 general education credits, students are prepared to take a Bachelor of Science degree from other four-year colleges and universities. The program is meant to cover the freshman and sophomore years curriculum required for completion of a four-year BSN. The pre nursing program at Southwest Mississippi Community College is specifically designed to cover the 1st and 2nd year requirement of the traditional BSN program at University of Mississippi Medical Center or any other state approved four-year college. However, students willing to complete their junior and senior years at the University of Southern Mississippi have take a slightly different curriculum from the generic majority pre-nursing program.
Contact:
Southwest Mississippi Community College
1156 College Drive, Summit,
MS 39666
