Accelerated nursing program founded to combat nurse shortage

A Mississippi university is giving students the opportunity to earn nursing credentials in just 12 months. 

The University of Southern Mississippi is starting a new post-degree program for aspiring nurses. This program was created to combat a national nursing shortage. The degree will be offered at USM's Gulf Park campus at Long Beach and has the same amount of clinical experience as a traditional BSN.

Dr. Elizabeth Tinnon is the Director of the School of Professional Nursing Practice at USM. She says that this accelerated program takes "the fluff" out of typical nurse education by admitting students that already have a certain level of education.

“So these students who will be coming… already have a degree,” Tinnon said. “and with that degree and with life comes much learning and wisdom. That’s one of the big differences.”

Concerns about graduates not being as qualified as their traditional counterparts do not worry Tinnon. Dr. Kim Hoover is the Chief Operating Officer for the Mississippi Hospital Association and she says she isn't worried about that either.

“These programs have been around for quite some time,” Hoover said. “The graduates from these programs are quite prepared and all of these programs have to be accredited.”

The first cohort of the program will begin courses in January of 2023.