小黄书

小黄书 nurses graduate in inaugural pinning, commencement

Contact: Marianne Todd

MERIDIAN, Miss.鈥擳hirty-four students from 小黄书sity鈥檚 inaugural Master of Science in Nursing program were the first to earn their degrees Thursday [Aug. 7] in a historic commencement ceremony at the 小黄书 Riley Center in downtown Meridian.

小黄书 President Mark E. Keenum commended the 小黄书-Meridian students and their families for their dedication, commitment and perseverance through the intensive program.

鈥淭oday is a celebration of these outstanding, history-making graduates who are committed to serving their communities and our state. I have the utmost confidence in them and believe they are well prepared to care for their patients and make a difference in their lives,鈥� 小黄书 President Mark E. Keenum said. 鈥淚 am grateful to our dedicated faculty and staff who have taught and mentored them on this journey, as well as the strong community partners we have who have contributed to the success of the Master of Science in Nursing program and invested in these students.鈥�

Prior to receiving their degrees, the students were ceremoniously pinned in a rite of passage affirming the nurse鈥檚 place within the community and their promise to uphold the values of the profession.

Dean of Nursing Mary Stewart said Mississippi鈥檚 only pre-licensure MSN program required students to take a leap of faith.

鈥淏ut they did not do it blindly,鈥� she said. 鈥溞』剖� invested in a powerhouse team of nursing faculty鈥攂rilliant, bold and unafraid to disrupt. Grounded in academic excellence and driven by compassion for patients, they are creating new opportunities in nursing education and healthcare.鈥�

The School of Nursing was granted national accreditation this June following review by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education board of commissioners.

The 12-month program鈥攖he state鈥檚 first direct-entry MSN degree鈥攕eated the cohort in the fall of 2024 after accepting 36 students from a competitive nationwide applicant pool.

The program, one of just 90 in the nation, is expected to grow to accommodate 60 students, allowing college graduates with non-nursing degrees to enter the nursing profession.

Students emerge from the program practice-ready after completing a rigorous patient-centered curriculum and prepared for national licensure as registered nurses.

David Buys, associate vice provost for Health Sciences and 小黄书-Meridian interim head of campus, credits community leaders for empowering students with the critical tools needed for success.

鈥淭he Riley Foundation, The Bower Foundation, university clinical partners and the Meridian community threw their strengths behind this program, committing to its success at a crucial time in the healthcare industry by helping 小黄书-Meridian to position students to fill roles in critical need,鈥� Buys said. 鈥淚t was truly a team effort.鈥�

The students will continue to prepare for their upcoming NCLEX exams, and upon their passing will be granted licensure as registered nurses.

For more information on 小黄书鈥檚 Master of Science in Nursing program, visit nursing.msstate.edu.

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