The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has earned a No. 16 national ranking for its BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the 2021 ratings by DNPPrograms.com. USM is the only Mississippi college or university listed in the rankings.
Each year the online resource guide analyzes schools with DNP programs using a methodology focused on program quality, student outcomes, and reputation. Numbers were run for 350 schools using the most recent data. The complete list can be found here: https://www.dnpprograms.com/bsn-to-dnp-programs/.
“The ranking highlights that our nurse practitioner programs are among the premiere programs in the region for preparing advanced practice registered nurses to provide high quality health care. It also acknowledges the exceptional work of the faculty,” said Dr. LaWanda Baskin, Interim Director, School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice at USM.
Dr. Lachel Story, Dean of USM’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, notes that the University transitioned its MSN family nurse practitioner psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs to DNP programs three years ago in preparation to meet a national accreditation mandate ahead of most schools.
“We felt this transition was particularly important in our state so that nurse practitioners are educated at the highest level in preparation to practice within their full scope to meet the healthcare needs of our residents,” said Story. “This ranking is important as it recognizes that our students are receiving a high-quality educational experience, and that quality preparation will have a positive impact on the health of Mississippians.”
Launched in 2015, DNPPrograms.com has quickly become one of the more popular online resources for students and working nurses interested in doctoral nursing education. To learn more, visit: https://www.dnpprograms.com/about-this-site/ to learn more.
To learn more about all degree programs offered by USM’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, call 601.266.5445 or visit: https://www.usm.edu/nursing-health-professions/index.php
