Introduction to the School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice

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Thank you for your interest in advanced practice nursing at The University of Southern Mississippi. We are delighted that you are considering a graduate degree at the College of Nursing and Health Professions. The School of Leadership and Advanced Practice Nursing encompasses the following programs:

Nursing (Leadership) - Doctorate (ONLINE) - prepares scholars to contribute to the science and practice of nursing through systematic research inquiry and theory development.

Nursing (Clinical) - Doctorate (ONLINE) - prepares advanced practice nurses for the highest level of nursing practice through the application of nursing knowledge to improve health care for all populations.

Nursing (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner) - Doctorate (ONLINE) - prepares nurse experts in advanced practice for role preparation as primary care providers in family (FNP) and mental health (PMHNP) care settings.

Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner) - Doctorate (ONLINE) – prepares nurse experts at the highest professional level in advanced practice for role preparation as primary care providers in family (FNP) and mental health (PMHNP) care settings as well as to advance the application of nursing knowledge to improve health care in diverse populations.

Nursing (Nurse Anesthesia) - Doctorate - prepares graduates with the advanced knowledge in the area of clinical specialization of nurse anesthesia. The DNP prepares the CRNA to assume leadership positions in education, administration, and clinical practice.

Each program emphasizes leadership in nursing practice and prepares nurse scholars for leadership in clinical, educational, and administrative positions.

Advanced practice nurses are registered nurses who have gained advanced preparation for expanded clinical practice. Advanced practice nurses must be grounded in theory and utilize research and evidence as guides to their clinical practice. Advanced practice nursing programs at Southern Miss share rigorous and demanding expectations with a scholarly approach to the discipline and a commitment to the advancement of the profession.

At Southern Miss, advanced practice nursing education includes the roles of family nurse practitioner (FNP), psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA). Once a student successfully completes one of the advanced practice programs, he or she may sit for the national certification examination in that emphasis area.

In keeping with the vision of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Southern Miss, the School of Leadership and Advanced Practice Nursing strives to excel in the preparation of advanced practice nurses at the master’s and doctoral level through practice, scholarship and research.

Our mission is to educate advanced practice nurses who are prepared as experts in clinical practice and as leaders in scholarship, research, and service to enhance the health and well-being of the people we are entrusted to care for.