Southeast Missouri State University Nursing School Review
Southeast Missouri State University (SMSU) was established in 1873 to meet the needs of training school teachers. The university started off as Southeast Missouri Normal School and in 1881, it was renamed Missouri State Normal School-Third District. Enrollment in the university increased and by 1972, it was offering a large number of academic programs in addition to teaching. To give a reflection of the expanded college, the name was finally changed to Southeast Missouri State University in 1972, taking back the former name ‘Southeast’.
Nursing Programs at Southeast Missouri State University
Under the university’s department of nursing, there are four nursing programs on offer. Three of the four are baccalaureate nursing tracks which include an online RN to BSN completion program, a pre licensure option and an accelerated second degree option. The Masters level program consists of two nursing specialties in Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator tracks. All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and are approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Details of the programs are as follows:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
The baccalaureate nursing program at Southeast Missouri prepares students for initial licensure as registered nurses. It is a four year degree program that aims at preparing students to become eligible to apply for the NLCEX-RN exam. The coursework of the program totals to 124 credit hours for one to graduate. University studies and supporting courses are taken during the freshman and sophomore years while nursing courses kick off at the junior level.
RN to BSN Online Program
The RN to BSN program is designed to be a flexible solution offering degree completion opportunities for RNs returning to school. It takes care of the needs of working RNs who need to work besides undertaking further studies. In this regard, the Bachelor of Science in nursing completion program at Southeast Missouri State University is an entirely online program.100% online means that students do not need to make a single visit to campus during their entire study period. Nurses are free to choose their own clinical locations within their preferred areas. And even more, no clinical hours are required for graduation.
Students can choose between the part time study plan that takes five academic semesters of the more compressed and accelerated full time plans that lasts for three semesters of 1 academic year. Courses for either study plans start each fall and spring semesters.
Accelerated BSN Program
The accelerated Bachelor of Science program at Southeast Missouri helps graduate of other baccalaureate degree programs to earn a second degree in nursing. BS or BA graduates are admitted as a cohort of a very small class of 10 students, hence is very competitive admission criteria. Upon admission, students must be ready for a challenging full time of progression into the 18 month periods of study. Course work is covered in four full time semesters, which includes one summer session. Completion leads to the award of a Second Degree Bachelor of Science in nursing and eligibility to apply for the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.
Master of Science in Nursing
The MSN program at Southeast Missouri State University offers students two options in advanced practice nursing for BSN-prepared candidates namely:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Nurse Educator tracks.
28 core MSN courses must be taken for any of the tracks above and these are covered via online or Interact Television (ITV) synchronous modes in all campuses of the university. MSN-prepared students can also apply for the Post Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner program.
Contact:
Southeast Missouri State University
1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau,
MO 63701
