Mississippi Nursing Schools
No matter which healthcare specialty you want to work in, you may find that nurses are a key part of any healthcare setting. Not only do they spend the majority of their time with patients, they utilize evidence-based practice protocols to maximize efficacy. There are several levels of education within the field of nursing, from short-term LPN programs to doctoral nursing programs.
If you’re considering furthering your education at nursing schools, Mississippi may be a great place to get started.
With Mississippi’s mostly rural population, the need for health care professionals is great. As a result, many employers have started trying to hire more nurses and schools have started to increase their number of nursing students. One local school recently opened a new nursing school in southern Mississippi, hoping to double the amount of nursing graduates in this part of the state.
Mississippi nurses do a lot to influence health care legislation. Every year, Mississippi nurses hold an annual legislative and policy summit in which they communicate with legislators to create laws that are best for nurses and patients.
The Clarion Ledger notes that numerous Mississippi schools understand the importance of boosting the state’s nursing workforce. As a result, many schools are creating new pathways for students who want to become nursing professionals.
Nursing Education in Mississippi
Throughout your nursing education, you should take a wide variety of courses that prepare you for different aspects of this career field. After learning core theories and skills in nursing, you may move on to specialty fields and advanced techniques. Early in your education, you can plan on taking courses like Health Assessment Throughout the Life Span, Health Promotion, Pathophysiology, Pharmacotherapeutics, Professional Nursing and Evidence, and Foundations of Nursing Practice.
Later courses in your curriculum build on the information gained in these classes. High-level courses in your curriculum may include Adult Health, Child-Adolescent Nursing, Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice, Population Based Nursing, and Maternal-Newborn Health.
Clinical experience is at the core of this field. Requirements depend on which school you choose to attend, but plan on completing at least 400 hours of clinical work. LPNs, who may only need one year of schooling or so, may have fewer hours. Associate’s-level nursing students may spend two years in nursing school, while bachelor’s-level students should anticipate spending at least four years in nursing school.
After you get accepted to your program of choice, you may want to start applying for grants, scholarships, and student loans. The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid has a branch specifically devoted to nursing students and state-sponsored grants for nursing students. The Mississippi Student Nurses Association offers a range of scholarships each year. Through the Mississippi Rural Health Association, you may apply for scholarships that are specifically intended for students who are willing to work in a rural area after graduation.
Nursing Degree Programs in Mississippi
Below you will find a list of links that lead to specific information about nursing programs in Mississippi. Below the list of links, on this page, you will find a general overview of the programs.
Transition programs for nurses:
Graduate programs for nurses:
- All Masters in Nursing Programs in MS
- All DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs in MS
- All Nurse Practitioner Programs in MS
Entry level nursing programs:
- All LPN/LVN Programs in MS
- All Associate Degree Nursing Programs in MS
- All Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in MS
- All Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in MS
- Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Programs in MS
Mississippi LPN Programs
- Admissions requirements: A high school diploma, a clear background check, a negative TB skin test, and proof of vaccinations
- Credit hour range: At least 30 credits
- Online degree options: Unavailable; clinical work is required for graduation and licensure
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-PN
If you’re interested in becoming a licensed practical nurse, you may be able to benefit from a fast-paced education program that gets you into the workforce quickly. LPN programs often last just one year, allowing you to become a licensed practical nurse with 30 credits earned over a period of two semesters. You do focus on clinical practice, since you must be able to work independently with patients while taking directions from registered nurses. You may be able to use your earned credits to save time on your ADN or BSN degree down the line.
BSN Programs in Mississippi
- Admissions requirements: A high school diploma, a clear background check, a negative TB skin test, and proof of vaccinations
- Credit hour range: 120 to 140 credits
- Online degree options: Unavailable; clinical work is required for graduation and licensure
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-RN
Becoming a registered nurse is a very popular choice for aspiring nursing professionals. Registered nurses are in high demand in facilities throughout Mississippi, since they use the latest evidence to drive their practice and provide support to physicians. A Bachelor’s degree offers many benefits that you don’t get with an Associate’s degree. Associate’s programs cover some of the most popular specialties in nursing, but Bachelor’s programs go deeper and expand your training. As a result, you may be able to explore more demanding nursing positions and take on more responsibility.
Mississippi MSN Schools
- Admissions requirements: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Mississippi nursing license
- Credit hour range: At least 30 credits
- Online degree options: Available in some topics, such as nursing leadership and nursing informatics
- Licensing exams: Determined by each specialty’s national certification board
Upon earning your Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you may be ready to take your career to the next level. If you want to go into leadership, informatics, or advanced clinical practice, you may earn a graduate degree at nursing schools in MS. Students who go into administrative specialties may be able to finish their education at online nursing programs in Mississippi.
DNP and PhD Nursing Programs in Mississippi
- Admissions requirements: A Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Mississippi nursing license
- Credit hour range: An average of 90 credits
- Online degree options: Available in some nursing specialties
- Licensing exams: Determined by each specialty’s national certification board
At the highest level of education in the field of nursing, you find doctoral programs. There are two main routes you may follow as a doctoral student. The first is a PhD, which is primarily focused on research and academia. The DNP is a clinical degree that concentrates on your role as a practitioner.
Nursing Colleges in Mississippi with Nursing Bridge Programs
As you learn more about nursing programs, you may wonder if your previous postsecondary education can help you save time on your education. If you have already earned a nursing degree or a non-nursing degree, you may be a good candidate for bridge programs. Bridge programs are designed for non-traditional students who don’t want to repeat classes or spend more time than necessary in school.
Perhaps you started your nursing career with a licensed practical nursing diploma or an Associate’s degree in registered nursing. Both of these options give you the opportunity to get experience and learn how to function in a healthcare setting. You may realize, though, that a Bachelor’s degree in nursing is the best option for you.
If you go into an LPN to BSN program, you could finish your degree in less than three years. RN to BSN programs are considerably shorter, often lasting just 18 to 24 months. Some RN to BSN programs are only open to nurses with a certain amount of full-time nursing experience. These programs are often meant to be completed fully online, giving you more freedom in your work schedule. If you know that you want to advance to a Master’s degree, explore RN to MSN programs.
Did you start your career with a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree? No worries, a BSN may still be a viable option for you. Accelerated BSN programs are a fast-paced, convenient option that are often meant to be finished in 12 to 18 months.
Tips for Choosing the Top Nursing Schools in Mississippi
While comparing nursing schools in Mississippi, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of choices you have at your disposal. However, looking beyond the surface may make it easier for you to weed out schools that don’t suit you and focus your efforts. By this point, you should know which nursing degree fits your previous education. This is the first step; you can then strike out schools that don’t offer your program of choice.
You may also want to contact the Mississippi Board of Nursing to learn more about local nursing programs. Ensuring that your program is an approved education provider may give you the most straightforward path to licensure.
Theory education is important, of course, but it’s not the only component of your nursing education. You also want to make full use of your clinical hours. The time you spend in clinical settings can shape your career and help you discover which specialty best suits your interests and talents. When you reach out to local schools, ask about how many clinical hours students have by the time they graduate. Learn about the facilities where students get their clinical experience and discover whether students have access to specialized clinical experiences.
It’s time to take the next step and find out how you can become a nursing professional.
2017 Career Outlook for Nursing Professions
You may be interested in becoming a nurse because of the ongoing growth in this field. This isn’t just a trend; the demand for nursing professionals has been on the rise for several years. Your personal job outlook may be dependent on which career path you choose and which part of Mississippi you work in. Between 2014 and 2024, job openings for licensed practical nurses may jump 8% (O*Net, 2017). When you finish your licensed practical nursing education, you may take positions in nursing homes, hospitals, or clinics. The average salary for a licensed practical nurse is $36,840 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017).
After you have finished your registered nursing baccalaureate education, you may get your RN license and start working. Demand for RNs is growing in Mississippi; O*Net predicts a 14% increase in job openings by the year 2024 (2017). On average, registered nurses bring in $57,010 per year (BLS, 2017). This degree may be very flexible, permitting you to work in a variety of settings and clinical specialties. Over time, your work experience may help you take on more demanding positions and responsibilities.
Nurse practitioners in Mississippi bring in a mean income of $99,880 per year (BLS, 2017). The demand for nurse practitioners is extremely high, presenting a potential opportunity for graduate-level nurses. Job openings may increase 28% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2017). To go this route, you may attend a doctoral or Master’s-level nurse practitioner degree program. The impact of nurse practitioners is huge in Mississippi, particularly in the state’s many rural communities (Vicksburg Post, 2017). As a nurse practitioner, you may be able to provide high-level care to those who often have limited access to healthcare. Since NPs can work independently, they can help shrink the primary care shortage in rural parts of Mississippi.
