There are many educational pathways available in Mississippi for those pursuing employment in the nursing sector. Nursing salaries in the state range from $20,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on position. Each nursing role has its own educational and testing requirements, which we’ve detailed further below.
Nursing assistant
Mississippi
We've organized a comprehensive list of Mississippi nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major Mississippi city.
Mississippi school overviews
Mississippi nursing programs and careers
The Memphis suburbs of Mississippi have a number of opportunities for aspiring nurses to enter the healthcare field. Students must first choose which nursing role best suits their aspirations and personality.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
The master of science in nursing (MSN) program is an advanced qualification for nurses to further their careers in specialized fields such as nursing administration, nursing education, and family practice nursing. An MSN-educated nurse can enter high-paying advanced practice roles. For example, Mississippi’s nurse practitioners earn a median annual salary of over $90,000, while its nurse anesthetists receive almost $150,000 in average annual pay. We highlight some of the state’s best MSN programs below.
Mississippi University for Women
Although an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) is sufficient for licensure as a registered nurse (RN), healthcare employers are increasingly preferencing candidates with a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). In fact, the Institute of Medicine recently set a bold target that 80% of registered nurses should hold a BSN degree by the year 2020. Communication skills and leadership abilities are fundamental for tackling the country’s increasingly complex healthcare situations. In fact, the U.S.
Mississippi’s healthcare providers are in short supply for registered nurses (RNs). The state’s aspiring RNs have two options for prelicensure education: a two-year associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) and a four-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Both programs prepare students to pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination. However, the ADN program is a faster pathway to nursing employment, and it keeps open the possibility of further education (e.g., an RN-to-BSN completion program) at a later date.
Education pathways
Jackson’s major healthcare employers, such as the US Department of Veterans Affairs, are frequently in the market for newly minted nurses. Aspiring nurses have several different role options for launching their local nursing careers.
Certified nursing assistant (CNA)
Many nursing job opportunities are available in the Gulfport / Biloxi / Pascagoula area, as local employers like the Department of Veterans Affairs actively seek new nurses to join their ranks. Local nurses are also very well compensated, with a higher median salary for each role than the corresponding state average.
The nursing roles
Nursing employment entails specific patient care responsibilities. Nurses in junior roles normally carry out practical duties under the guidance of a more senior nurse.
The Mississippi healthcare sector employs approximately 50,000 nurses in several different types of roles. Both private and public employers are contributing to the rapid expansion of the nursing profession. Important employers within the state include the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Tenet Healthcare.
Many potential students worry about the all-in cost of nursing education. To demystify the process, we explain below the major costs required to pursue a nursing degree or certificate, as well as the potential return on this investment.
Tuition
Private colleges and universities often cost more than their public counterparts since they do not receive state subsidies. However, Mississippi’s nursing employers hold the state’s private schools in very high regard. Aspiring nurses should therefore strongly consider the benefits offered by Mississippi’s private nursing schools.
Advantages of private colleges and universities
Although the associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) is sufficient for becoming a registered nurse (RN), it is becoming increasingly important for RNs to pursue bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs in order to stay competitive in the field. The current job market demands nurses with advanced training, practiced communication skills, and strong leadership in order to tackle the increasingly complex healthcare situation in the U.S. Many employers, including the U.S. Army and Navy, require a bachelor’s degree in order to work in their facilities.