Mississippi Nursing Colleges, Degrees & Licenses
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“A good nurse can help make a bad situation tolerable. It is the highest level of customer service in any industry. This is not because we want them to be returning customers but nurses want to ensure patients receive the best care.”
Haratio Keys, BSN, Director of Hospital Development, Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency
Mississippi, a state deep in the American South, is one of many states facing an acute shortage of nurses. A recent Mississippi Hospital Association survey noted that Mississippi hospitals had a total of roughly 3,000 nursing vacancies. This count equates to approximately 20 percent of the state’s entire nursing workforce.
As often happens elsewhere in the United States, a major cause of workforce attrition is inadequate compensation and other benefits. Many healthcare workers, including nurses, left Mississippi during the pandemic for better-paying opportunities. This workforce exodus, combined with surges in Covid activity, reduced staffing, so many hospitals throughout the state had to reduce bed capacity to better align with available staffing.
In addition to the likely growing need for maternal and pediatric care in Mississippi resulting from the state’s changed abortion policy, the state faces several other challenges. A frequently cited issue is inadequate staffing. This issue is closely interrelated with compensation. When some nurses leave their jobs in search of better pay, such departures often exacerbate staffing problems for the employers they leave behind.
Other issues include hospital management and inadequate resources such as mental health support, hazard pay, and formal support programs for newly hired nurses. Because various factors can interact with one another and thereby further exacerbate overall on-the-ground circumstances, nursing workforce strategy must be comprehensive, thoughtful, and open to input and guidance from a variety of interested stakeholders.
The current challenges to the nursing profession in Mississippi can also be experienced as an invitation and opportunity for renewal and improvement of professional nursing education. Individuals interested in nursing in Mississippi will discover a state replete with demand for skilled nurses. Read on to discover Mississippi’s top undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, salary expectations, and licensing requirements for nursing careers in this state, as well as an expert’s perspective.
Meet the Expert: Haratio Keys, BSN
Haratio Keys is an accomplished healthcare professional serving as the director of hospital development at the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency. With a strong foundation as a registered nurse, he brings extensive experience in hospital and healthcare operations.
Keys is a skilled leader recognized for his expertise in nursing education, healthcare management, and fostering collaborative relationships with physicians and multidisciplinary teams. A proud alumnus of The University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he earned his bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to advancing healthcare excellence. His professional journey includes significant roles as a nursing supervisor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he honed his leadership and patient care coordination skills.
NursingColleges.com: What is something most people don’t know about the nursing profession?
Keys: Nursing is one of those professions where you have to be willing to serve others. The hospital is the last place an individual or family wants to be. Nursing has to be patient and family-centered. A good nurse can help make a bad situation tolerable. It is the highest level of customer service in any industry. This is not because we want them to be returning customers but nurses want to ensure patients receive the best care.
NursingColleges.com: What is one piece of advice you’d give to a prospective nursing student?
Keys: If you have a heart of service and appreciate helping others, nursing is a great profession. My advice is do not go into nursing because you think it is a great-paying occupation. The nursing profession needs someone who is compassionate, caring, and understanding. When completing the not-so-fun things during a shift, like changing linens, changing a dressing, or assisting with activities of daily living, I say to myself, “If this person could do it on their own, they would.”
Accredited Undergraduate Nursing Programs in Mississippi
Delta State University (DSU) is a four-year public institution with a student population of approximately 2,700. The University began as a teacher’s college. Located in the heart of the Mississippi River Delta, DSU offers a variety of academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, and much more. Students interested in the nursing profession can find degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students seeking a master of science in nursing (MSN) can choose from two options. These are a traditional BSN program and an online RN to BSN program. Students have the option to study either part- or full-time in both programs.
The DSU pre-licensure BSN program is designed for students with no professional nursing experience. The curriculum, marketed as web-enhanced, is offered in-person and is complemented by some online assignments and activities. Graduates are well prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam to secure licensure.
The online RN to BSN program accepts students who are registered nurses and have an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a nursing diploma. The curriculum provides students the training necessary to advance in their careers with some graduates moving into leadership roles. Students complete their clinical experience requirement in a placement close to where the student lives.
- Location: Cleveland, MS
- Duration: Two to seven semesters
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi University for Women (MUW) was first chartered in 1884. MUW is noteworthy in the annals of American history as it was the first state-supported college for women to be founded in the United States. Originally known as The Industrial Institute and College (II & C), MUW was designed to offer a hybrid program featuring high-quality collegiate education for women and practical vocational training. Such a program was genuinely groundbreaking for its time, as the cultural norms of the time considered it inappropriate for women to pursue such training.
The undergraduate nursing program is ranked at the top of the top ten majors at MUW. MUW offers two options for undergraduate nursing education. These are the 128 credit hour BSN generic option and the RN to BSN advanced placement option. The generic program trains students to become nurse generalists capable of working in roles where they will offer leadership in preventing illness and health promotion. Nurse generalists are also trained to work as agents of change who can nimbly respond as the healthcare system adapts and evolves to meet the needs of various patient populations.
The advanced placement option is for registered nurses seeking to advance their education, increase career opportunities, and further develop critical skills such as leadership and critical thinking skills. Given the critical issue of student loan debt, prospective students will also find MUW appealing as graduates of the university’s nursing programs have less debt than any other regional university in the South.
- Location: Columbus, MS
- Duration: Nine months to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM), often known locally as Southern Miss, is well known as one of the nation’s leading research institutions. It is recognized as a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university. The USM School of Professional Nursing Practice (SPNP) undergraduate nursing degree curriculum is designed under SPNP’s values of caring, professionalism, integrity, excellence, and diversity. Graduates enter the job market with the training necessary to provide quality care to patient populations across the human lifespan.
Students have three undergraduate nursing degree options. Each nursing program option has a separate application and includes prerequisite requirements. The three options are the traditional BSN program, an RN-to-BSN program, and an accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathway. Graduates of the traditional BSN program are prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become registered nurses. The SPNP has an early admission process for this program for high school seniors who choose USM as freshmen. Students apply to this program during their senior year of high school.
The fully online RN-BSN program is designed to accommodate the particular needs of working RNs. This program provides training in pathophysiology, health assessment & promotion, patient safety, healthcare systems, and more. Finally, the ABSN pathway is designed for students with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. This program is offered on the Gulf Park campus. As with the traditional BSN program, ABSN graduates are prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Location: Hattiesburg and Gulf Park, MS
- Duration: One to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Mississippi College (MC), ranked at the top of the list of best colleges and universities by WalletHub, is a private Christian university based in Clinton, Mississippi. Established in 1826, MC is the oldest college or university in Mississippi. MC offers a learning experience designed to foster the development of students’ academic abilities, social lives and faith. Students motivated to enter nursing based on their Christian faith will likely be a good match for MC nursing education. MC offers three BSN programs. These programs are the traditional BSN program, an accelerated BSN program, and an online RN-to-BSN program. All programs feature training in clinical reasoning and patient-centered care inspired by Christian faith, evidence-based practices, the use of technology and informatics, and management and leadership principles necessary for success in many nursing roles.
The traditional nursing BSN program is a four-year program consisting of 30 hours of college core courses, 37 credits of nursing prerequisites, and 63 credits of nursing courses. The ABSN program is a four-semester program designed for students who have a prior bachelor’s degree. Coursework completed in this first degree is used as credit towards the general education and core course requirements for the ABSN degree. Students must complete 30 credits of nursing prerequisite courses and 60 credits of upper-division nursing courses to graduate. All nursing prerequisite courses must be completed before admission to the nursing program. Finally, the online RN-to-BSN program is a 12-month, 30-credit-hour program. Graduates will find work in many settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools, health care centers, and other environments.
- Location: Clinton, MS
- Duration: One to four years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Accredited Graduate Nursing Programs in Mississippi
The Delta University Robert E. Smith School of Nursing offers an online master of science in nursing (MSN) program featuring concentration options as an educator or practitioner. The educator concentration is open to registered nurses with an RN license who have a BSN. This program requires approximately 40 credit hours and a 390 clinical hours. The family nurse practitioner (FNP) concentration is a 48-credit program with a 780-hour clinical training requirement.
Graduates can seek certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners or the American Nurses Credentialing Center. The MSN curriculum is designed to develop further the foundational training and skills of baccalaureate-trained nurse generalists. Graduates are prepared for advanced practice roles that may feature highly specialized clinical skills designed to serve niche patient populations. The curriculum also trains students for education at the doctoral degree level.
The MSN curriculum consists of online courses and on-campus seminars. Online coursework offers students consistent opportunities to dialogue with fellow students and faculty. Students may select a clinical learning placement close to their home community if faculty approves it. The curriculum seeks to train students in many skills including, but not limited to, applying theoretical and hands-on knowledge to both provide quality patient care and influence healthcare policy, developing and implementing population-based strategies to meet global healthcare objectives, integrating quality and safety principles in patient care, cultivating effective partnerships with other care providers and organizations, coordinating resources within health systems, and much more.
- Location: Cleveland, MS
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
University of Mississippi Medical Center
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Nursing offers an MSN program designed to accommodate the needs of a diverse student body. Students choose from one of seven master’s tracks within the three areas of nurse practitioner, educator, and administrator.
The MSN program offers schedule flexibility to accommodate working professionals, a primarily online curriculum, and low tuition costs. UMMC stands out in Mississippi for several reasons. It is the state’s first school to offer bachelor’s and master’s nursing programs, is on the state’s only academic health science campus, and has its only Level 1 trauma center and the state’s only children’s hospital. In addition, the MSN program actively partners with hundreds of different health and healthcare provider organizations within the state. Students can thus expect to find a large number of opportunities where they may gain clinical and research experience.
The seven tracks include nursing and health care administration, nurse educator and five practitioner-focused tracks. The practitioner tracks are acute/primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, and family psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner.
The curriculum for all these tracks combines coursework, specialized training according to the track’s focus, and a clinical placement where students gain critical hands-on experience. Given the wealth of resources located in Jackson, any student seeking to establish a career in a specialized niche field of nursing will most likely find the resources and mentoring needed within the University of Mississippi Medical Center and its affiliated network of partner organizations.
- Location: Jackson, MS
- Duration: Two to three years
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Mississippi College offers a master of science in nursing degree program with a clinical nurse leader (CNL) track. Nurses with both a BSN and an unencumbered, current RN license are eligible for application. A CNL is a master’s educated nurse trained to practice across the continuum of care. CNLs are responsible for evaluating patient outcomes and assessing risk and typically have the authority to change patient care plans.
The program comprises 36 credits of coursework consisting of qualifying, core and specialized track courses. Students can complete the program on a part- or full-time basis. To graduate, students must also complete 400 clinical hours under the supervision of a preceptor, a clinical immersion experience, and satisfactorily perform on the required comprehensive exit exam predictor for certification. Once graduates pass the CNL certification examination they can work in a CNL role.
- Location: Clinton, MS
- Duration: 24 to 39 months
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Nursing School Accreditation
In the field of higher education, the process of accreditation is a practice in which a respected third-party attests to the integrity and capacity of academic programs and the institutions of higher education in which they function to provide education of sufficient quality to reliably prepare students to become professionals capable of successfully offering their skills within the labor market. Accreditation thus provides appropriate recognition, operational continuity, and information vital to academic institutions and the larger regulatory framework in which educational institutions function.
Accrediting educational programs and their related institutions is also critical to students. Accreditation provides prospective and current students peace of mind. Accredited academic programs give applicants confidence that their decision to pursue additional education will be a worthwhile investment of their time and money. Academic nursing programs are typically accredited by one of two accrediting organizations. These are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
In Mississippi, nursing professionals both seek and renew their licenses through the Mississippi Board of Nursing. Mississippi has been a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member state since July 2001. The NLC allows a registered nurse holding a multi-state license to work in any state that is a member of the NLC. In other words, a multi-state license allows a nurse to practice in both a home state (state of residency) and all NLC member states. While holding a multi-state license in an NLC member state has certain very real advantages, it is important to remember that the NLC requires nurses to abide by the nursing practice laws and rules of whatever state or states in which they practice. Nurses must always be licensed in the states where they provide nursing services at the time such services are rendered.
Continuing education is generally required to maintain a current nursing license. Suppose a nurse decides to move out of state or pursue work in a different specialization. In that case, the nurse may need to fulfill additional education or other requirements to continue practicing in a different role. As licensure requirements typically vary by state as well as what type of nursing an individual practices, it is essential for prospective nursing professionals to clearly understand these requirements as part of their discernment process before embarking on a particular course of study.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Mississippi?
These numbers represent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest data available as of February 2025. Certified nurse-midwife salary data is provided by Salary.com.
Licensed Practical Nurse Salaries
| United States | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 630,250 | 9,380 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $60,790 | $49,050 |
| 10th percentile | $45,670 | $37,540 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,730 | $48,260 |
| 90th percentile | $77,870 | $60,170 |
Registered Nurse Salaries
| United States | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 3,175,390 | 28,910 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $94,480 | $75,510 |
| 10th percentile | $63,720 | $54,580 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,070 | $69,370 |
| 90th percentile | $132,680 | $100,160 |
Nurse Anesthetist Salaries
| United States | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 47,810 | 260 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $214,200 | $201,280 |
| 10th percentile | $139,980 | $130,100 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $212,650 | $213,790 |
| 90th percentile | >$239,200 | >$239,200 |
Nurse Midwife Salaries
| United States | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 6,960 | No data available |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $131,570 | No data available |
| 10th percentile | $87,320 | $93,275 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $129,650 | $110,220 |
| 90th percentile | $177,530 | $138,294 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries
| United States | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| Number employed | 280,140 | 4,020 |
| Average annual salary (mean) | $128,490 | $117,490 |
| 10th percentile | $94,530 | $85,990 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $126,260 | $110,540 |
| 90th percentile | $168,030 | $157,050 |
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Licensure in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
In order to obtain an LPN license in Mississippi, candidates must:
|
LPN license renewals in Mississippi are every even-numbered year by December 31. To renew, LPNs must submit an application and pay the $100 renewal fee |
Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Board of Nursing | In order to obtain a RN license in Mississippi candidate must:
| Renewals for RN licenses in Mississippi are every even-numbered year by December 31. To renew, RNs must pay the $100 renewal fee and submit a completed application. There are no continuing education requirements for active nurses. |
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Licensure in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
CNS license applicants in Mississippi must:
|
License renewal in Mississippi occurs biennially and applicants must document continued national certification. The CNS must maintain documentation for continued education of a minimum of five contact hours of continuing education directly related to controlled substances and 40 contact hours relevant to the practice area. Renewal applications are $100 |
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) Licensure in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be eligible for a CNM license in the state of Mississippi applicants must meet the following requirements:
|
CNM license renewal in Mississippi occurs biennial, and applicants must document continued national certification. The CNM must maintain documentation for continued education of a minimum of five contact hours of continuing education directly related to controlled substances and 40 contact hours relevant to the practice area. Renewal applications are $100. |
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Licensure in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be eligible for an APRN license in Mississippi, applicants must:
|
License renewal for APRNs occurs biennial in Mississippi and applicants must document continued national certification. The APRN must maintain documentation for continued education of a minimum of 5 contact hours of continuing education directly related to controlled substances and 40 contact hours relevant to the practice area. Renewal applications are $100. |
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA) Licensure in Mississippi
| Licensing Authority | Eligibility & Details | Renewal Requirements |
|---|---|---|
|
To be eligible for a CRNA license in the state of Mississippi, applicants must meet the following requirements:
|
License renewal for CRNAs in Mississippi occurs biennially and applicants must document continued national certification. The CRNA must maintain documentation for continued education of a minimum of five contact hours of continuing education directly related to controlled substances and 40 contact hours relevant to the practice area. Renewal applications are $100. |
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterAt NursingColleges.com, Rachel Drummond has applied her extensive experience in education and mindfulness to elucidate the importance of self-care for nursing students since 2022. Through her writings, she underscores the role of mental and physical well-being in fostering resilient and compassionate healthcare professionals.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.