FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2012
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Report a testament to the excellence of MUW’s nursing programs

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The ongoing quality of Mississippi University for Women’s nursing programs was highlighted in the Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs.

Recently released by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs, the report looks at several quality indicators such as graduation and National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) passing percentages for each nursing school in the state.

Once again MUW received high marks in all areas, particularly for pass rates on the NCLEX and certification exam.

Admissions into the baccalaureate nursing program over the past five years have grown 149 percent with a 30 percent growth in the master’s nursing program and 25 percent increase in the associate nursing program.

The university also saw an increase in the number of nursing graduates over a five year period in all three programs: 109 percent increase in the baccalaureate program, 47 percent increase in the graduate program and 20 percent increase in the associate program.

Over a three-year period, NCLEX pass rates have averaged 98 percent in the baccalaureate nursing program and the associate nursing program. MUW nurse practitioner certification rates have averaged 99 percent, again among the highest in the state.

MUW had high retention rates and was among the top when it came to degree completion rates by degree level.

Dr. Sheila Adams, dean of the College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology, said, “The nursing programs at Mississippi University for Women have an established and ongoing history of producing excellent graduates who are respected in the workplace. Our graduates have made significant contributions to healthcare not only in Mississippi but all over the United States.”
   
Adams also pointed to the university’s nursing accreditation status.
 
“We continue to have excellent outcomes with our accreditation visits. On our most recent accreditation visit there were no areas of concern and no recommendations. Strengths listed included faculty members’ passion for teaching, strong clinical experiences for students, strong focus on leadership preparation, well prepared graduates, strong student pride in their educational preparation, strong community and university support, excellent leadership and excellent licensure and certification pass rates.”

The university’s nursing department offers three degree programs: the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). All three programs have been continually accredited by state, regional and national accrediting bodies. The ASN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. The BSN and MSN are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, which is now the preferred national accrediting body for baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs.

In spring 2013, Mississippi University for Women nursing students will have the option of obtaining a terminal degree in nursing, the Doctor of Nursing Practice, which will allow them to function at a higher level in today's complex healthcare system and provide them with the knowledge base necessary to design systems that provide safe, cost-effective patient care.

For more information about MUW’s nursing programs, please contact the Office of Admissions at (662) 329-7106 or visit www.muw.edu/nursing.