Top LPN Programs in Mississippi

Mississippi LPN Schools, License Requirements, Job Outlook, and Salary

Mississippi, although a small state with nearly 3 million population, possesses a good number of LPNs as compared to other larger states. The state safeguards the health of the community by implementing various health-related policies and strengthening the healthcare and nursing industry. LPNs form an important part of the healthcare industry as they are the right hand of doctors and assist them in various tasks. The LPN schools in Mississippi are well-equipped to provide an excellent training that enables the candidates to achieve perfection in the field. Most of the colleges provide the option of online classes and weekend course.

The work profile of an LPN involves measuring blood pressure, temperature, pulse and looking after the basic needs of the patients that include taking care of their personal hygiene. These professionals are supposed to have enough stamina so that they can stand for long hours and lift, move and turn the heavy objects, etc. Along with this, emotional stability is an essential trait that helps deal panic situations. Given below is the list of accredited nursing schools that offer practical nursing programs in Mississippi.

LPN Programs in Mississippi

OUR METHODOLOGY +

A nursing school ranks on the top according to the following criteria-

• Higher Passing Rate of Alumni in NCLEX
• Financial Aid that a school provides
• Higher number of students

The nursing schools were then included in the ranking on the basis of following factors-

• Well-developed Architecture
• Better Infrastructure
• Superior Technology
• Ranking in US News and World Report
• Teachings offered by world-class faculty
• Inclusion of world-class facilities
• World-class Opportunities

We hope that the list will help you to opt the best college as per your preferences in the state. The programs available in these colleges will give you an opportunity to begin your journey as a successful nurse.

Licensure Requirements

The candidates who desire to become an LPN can enroll in any of the colleges mentioned above. However, this is not the end of your hard work. You need to acquire a license in order to start working as a practical nurse. Below are the ways by which you can apply for a license.

License by Examination

After completion of the LPN program, students need to qualify the NCLEX-PN test. Here is the procedure to apply for the test:

• First, the candidate has to register with the Pearson VUE, the company that conducts the NCLEX-PN test.
• The Mississippi Nursing Board entitles you to sit for the licensure test on checking the documents and eligibility.
• On being approved by the nursing board, the Pearson VUE emails the ATT (Authorization to Test) to the candidates.
• Then, the student can schedule the date of examination and appear for the exam with a valid ID and the ATT letter.
• The fee charged is as follows-
  LPN application-$60, examination fee-$200 and criminal background check fee-$75.

On clearing the exam, the LPNs can start their career at private clinics or hospitals. In Mississippi, nursing license verification is performed by the employers before hiring the candidates. They use Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry (a database of all the licensed nurses) for this purpose.

Out-of-State LPNs

Mississippi is a member of the nurse licensure compact (NLC) since 2001, which enables the out-of-state nurses to continue the practice in the state without any additional license or a licensure exam, provided the nurse's primary state of residence should also be a member of NLC.
If the nurse from any other compact state wants to practice as an LPN in Mississippi, they are allowed to practice for 90 days till the LPN license for Mississippi is not issued. Sometimes, a multi-state license is also issued to nurses who qualify certain parameters.

If the nurses hold an active license in another state that is not compact, they can apply for a Mississippi licensure through endorsement.

• In order to get the endorsement, fill the application form for endorsement and attach a passport size photograph. Mention the primary state of residence and get it notarized. The candidates should simultaneously register with the NCLEX-PN conducting agency and schedule the exam.
• The attested verification of the original licensure form should be submitted to the licensing agency where you got your licensure initially. Provide complete information including your name and original license number so that the information related to your license can be found easily.
• Next, the candidate must supply the transcript mentioning the date of starting, completion of the program and the degree received, to the Mississippi Board of Nursing from the nursing college. The transcript provided by the candidate is not accepted by the board.

International LPNs

Those LPNs who have graduated from another country must submit a proof of nursing education and credential evaluation on Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). If the nurses have completed the LPN program in English, submit a CES professional report, else submit a CP report. In addition to this, the foreign nurses must also have a social security number. The candidates would be issued a temporary work permit that is valid for 90 days and cannot be renewed.

If the Nurse Holds a Multi-state License from Another State
If the license has been revoked, suspended, restricted or if the applicant is charged with any disciplinary action (that has not been cleared), the nurse would not be allowed to practice in the state till the time the disciplinary action is not cleared. Employers can verify the status of the LPNs license through the official site of the Maryland Board of Nursing.

The nurse is permitted to practice in the state if he meets the following conditions.

1. The nurse possesses a valid multi-state license.
2. If the state of residence is same as the state of issuing the compact multi-state license, the LPN is allowed to work in the state.
3. The license is not suspended, revoked or denied.

Mississippi Nursing License Renewal

The license remains valid for two years. Before the license expires, the board notifies the candidate through mail.

• The application for renewal should be duly filled and submitted to the board with a fee of $60 before the date of expiration.
• A documentation of at least 10 contact hours of continuing education completed in the last two years must be submitted.

The board checks the application, and on verifying it appropriately, it issues a renewed license. The renewal procedure is carried out in every odd year.

The license can be renewed online via following link:
https://gateway.licensure.msbn.ms.gov

Mississippi Nursing License Verification

Those nurses, who want to verify the license, can follow either of the options given below.
1. Online Verification System

The information at the website is updated on a regular basis to provide the candidates with accurate data. The candidates can know the status of their license by entering the following details

• Social Security Number
• License Number
• Last Name

To get the basic information like license number, name, the level of licensure, expiration, original issue dates and disciplinary status, no fee is charged. However, detailed knowledge such as original issue code, disciplinary details, and APRN practice sites can be obtained by paying a fee of $20.00 along with an additional processing fee of $2.00.

Click here for online verification of the LPN license.

2. NURSYS

If the state's board participates in the NURSYS, make the verification request online at www.nursys.com and pay through the credit card. If the state is not a member at NURSYS, send the notarized verification of the original license at the following address:

713 Pear Orchard Road
Suite 300, Ridgeland
MS 39157

Name and Address Change

If the candidate desires to change the name or address on the license, s/he can download the name change or address change form from the board’s site. Fill the form and submit it with a fee of $25 and relevant documents to-

Board of Nursing
1935 Lakeland Drive
Suite B, Jackson
MS 39216

License Reinstatement

License reinstatement is done when the license gets lapsed. Those nurses who have not practiced nursing for five years have to follow the below-given procedure in order to get a working license again.

• LPN must deposit a complete documentation of the lapsed license.
• The nurse is required to provide the documents and evidence of basic nursing competency.
• The candidate must complete a nursing reorientation program approved by the board. The nursing board can issue a temporary work permit on the subsequent filling of application and deposition of fees.
• The LPNs should complete 20 hours of continuing education from an authorized or accredited university within last 2 years from the date of application for reinstatement.
• Along with this, the candidate must also complete three semester hours of nursing credit offered by a nursing education program within last 2 years of the submission of application.

Salary of Licensed Practical Nurses in Mississippi

Salary is the most important aspect that every student considers before enrolling in any program. As per indeed.com, the average salary of the practical nurses in the state of Mississippi was $53,000 (as of Nov 24, 2016). According to the information provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean salary of an LPN was $36,730 and mean hourly wage was $17.66, in May 2015.

Information Source: salary.com

As per the above information, the salary earned by LPNs was the highest ($42,415) in the cities of Southaven and Olive Branch, whereas they earned the least ($34,083) in the city of Meridian.

Various Job Titles for LPNs with Average Annual Salaries

Job Title	Salary
Long Term Care LPN	$28,000
Renal Dialysis Nurse	$55,000
LPN Ambulatory	$36,000
Nurse RN LPN	$51,000
CNA Medical Surgical	$28,000
Nar Nursing Assistant Hope	$26,000
Clinical Nurse LPN	$39,000
LPN Primary Care	$49,000
Patient Care Technician Student	$18,000
Medical Assistant Family Practice	$30,000
Correctional Prison Facility LPN	$24,000
LPN Cma Rma	$32,000
LPN Long Term Care	$34,000
LPN LVN	$43,000
Psychiatric Nurse	$60,000

Information Source: indeed.com

The information provided by the indeed.com states that the Psychiatric Nurses received the highest pay of $60,000. On the other hand, the Patient Care Technician Students earned the least (i.e., $18,000).

Job Outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses in Mississippi

According to the statistics of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the LPNs would witness a steep rise in their demand in Mississippi. The survey conducted by the BLS also revealed the fact that approximately 7.979 LPNs were employed per 1000 jobs in the state, showing the need of more LPNs. A person with compassion, willingness to help others, and strong physical stamina can assume the role of a nurse. The nurse must be able to handle all the situations tactfully.