Alexandria Shaw
  • Class of 2013
  • Coffeeville, MS

Alexandria Shaw qualifies for RN-MSN Early Entry program

2012 May 16

Alexandria Shaw of Batesville was among six of the first Northwest nursing students in the school's history to qualifiy for the prestigious University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) RN-MSN Early Entry program, according to Dr. Denise Bynum, a nursing instructor at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Northwest is one of only two community colleges in the state that has a partnership with UMMC for the Early Entry program. Hinds Community College is also involved in the program.

In order to qualify, students must have a minimum overall 3.0 GPA, a 21 on the ACT and must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) prior to admission to the RN to MSN program. Students are evaluated near the end of their first semester, and those who qualify are invited to apply. The students who have qualified are Adyn Dancy and Hilary Barringer of Marks, Jenny Cole of Senatobia, Alex Shaw of Batesville, Adam Clay of Oxford and Darla Moneymaker of Walls.

"This is a bridge program that allows the student to earn their master's degree in 7 to 9 semesters," Bynum said. The master's tracks available for students include Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nursing and Health Care Administrator and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. "The UMMC RN-MSN program provides RNs with an associate's degree a flexible program that allow them to continue meeting their work and other obligations while pursuing graduate education," Bynum said.

"Presently, greater than 90 percent of our graduates seek advanced degrees in nursing after graduating our program. As a matter of fact, six of our current faculty members were formerly associate degree students at Northwest. They earned their bachelors and masters degrees, and now they are back teaching with us. We believe that the early entry RN to MSN program in collaboration with UMMC is an excellent opportunity for students demonstrating exceptional academic potential to meet their educational goals," said Dr. Ellen Williams, dean of the Northwest Nursing Division.

For more information on Northwest's nursing program, contact Williams at 662-562-3453 or visit www.northwestms.edu.

Pictured : These six Northwest Mississippi Community College nursing students are the first in the college's history to be accepted into the RN-MSN Early Entry program at The University of Mississippi Medical Center. This competitive program is for first-year nursing students who qualify for this bridge program that will put them on track for a master's degree in nursing. Pictured left to right are Adyn Dancy of Marks, Jenny Cole of Senatobia, Alex Shaw of Batesville, Adam Clay of Oxford, Hilary Barringer of Marks and Darla Moneymaker of Walls. Northwest is one of only two Mississippi community colleges who have students in the program. (Photo by LaJuan Tallo)