Mississippi State University has received $1.06 million from the AccelerateMS Nursing and Allied Health Grant Program.
Grant funds will be used to construct an interprofessional simulation space on the university’s evolving health sciences campus in Meridian.
The facility will prepare future physician assistants, mental health providers, and social workers, as well as support the curriculum needs of the university’s proposed Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program.
“We are honored AccelerateMS recognizes the impact our health sciences programs have on the vital medical community in Meridian,” Terry Dale Cruse, associate vice president and head of MSU-Meridian, said. “Furthermore, this grant expands the university’s ability to take care of what matters through our innovative Master of Science in Nursing pre-licensure program.”
The year-long Accelerated MSN achieved Phase I approval from the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning earlier this year and is currently progressing toward Phase II approval, which is expected in early 2024.
Phase II approval will allow the program to admit students, which could occur as early as Fall 2024.
“A higher educated nursing workforce results in better patient outcomes. AccelerateMS reinforced our efforts to achieve that aim through our proposed pre-licensure MSN program,” Mary Stewart, dean of nursing, said. “Mississippians will benefit from this generous award.”
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program graduated 18 students in May 2023 and is currently conducting interviews for its fourth cohort to start in January 2024.
Additionally, the university has received IHL approval for its first doctoral program in Meridian. More than 20 students enrolled in MSU-Meridian’s Doctor of Psychology curriculum this fall.
The AccelerateMS grant will be combined with $4 million the Riley Foundation has already given to support simulation space needs for health care programs.
