Thomas Reed, RN
June 26, 2025
Mississippi’s nursing education landscape provides a range of pathways for both newcomers and seasoned professionals to build rewarding healthcare careers. Whether you’re earning your first credential as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or training to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s community colleges, universities, and healthcare systems offer curricula that balance rigorous academics with real‑world clinical practice. With options for hands‑on rotations at Jackson’s leading hospitals or flexible online coursework for busy learners, Mississippi’s nursing programs equip graduates with the skills, credentials, and competitive salary potential needed to thrive across its diverse medical settings.
Hattiesburg, MS - Private 4-year - wmcarey.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
William Carey University's Pre-Licensure BSN program in Hattiesburg, MS, is a campus-based offering that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam and a career as a Registered Nurse. Emphasizing critical thinking and holistic patient care, it requires a 2.75 GPA and completion of prerequisite courses for admission. Accredited by CCNE, this program is ideal for those beginning their nursing education, with no entrance exam specified in the data.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
William Carey University's 2nd Degree Hybrid BSN program is designed for individuals with a bachelor's degree in another field, offering a hybrid format with online coursework and in-person clinicals. Full-time students can complete it in 18 months, part-time in 30 months, requiring a 2.75 GPA and a bachelor's degree for admission. It prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN, with scholarships available for qualified students, and no entrance exam is mentioned in the provided information.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
William Carey University's Healthcare Transitions Hybrid BSN program targets licensed or certified healthcare workers, blending online and in-person elements for flexibility. Admission requires a healthcare license, a 2.75 GPA, and prerequisite courses, with full-time completion in 18 months or part-time in 30 months. Focused on NCLEX-RN preparation, it is tailored for Mississippi and Louisiana residents, and no entrance exam is indicated in the data.
Columbus, MS - Public 4-Year - muw.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at Mississippi University for Women provides two tracks: a generic option for newcomers and an advanced placement option for LPNs transitioning to RN roles. It emphasizes hands-on experience in acute and chronic patient care, adhering to current nursing standards through a campus-based curriculum with direct faculty access. No specific entrance exam is mentioned for this associate-level program.
Concentration: Generic Option - Campus Based - Visit Website
Mississippi University for Women's ASN Generic Option is a two-year campus program for aspiring nurses, featuring optional externships and a preceptorship to enhance direct patient care skills. Graduates are eligible for the RN licensing exam and can pursue further education like RN-to-BSN. With over 1,600 graduates nationwide, it is recognized for excellence in nursing education. No entrance exam is specified for this associate-level program.
Concentration: Advanced Placement Option (LPN to RN) - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Advanced Placement Option (LPN to RN) at Mississippi University for Women is a fast-paced three-semester program in Columbus, MS, designed for LPNs to become RNs. It focuses on managing direct patient care in various settings, emphasizing current nursing standards and practices for career advancement. Prospective students should check the university's website for admissions details. No entrance exam is mentioned for this associate-level program.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mississippi University for Women's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers two tracks: a four-year generic option for new students and a flexible advanced placement option for registered nurses, with full-time (12 months) or part-time (18 months) paths. It focuses on preparing nurse generalists with leadership skills in health promotion and prevention, accredited to meet emerging healthcare needs. Entrance exams such as ACT or SAT may be required for admission to this baccalaureate program.
Alcorn State, MS - Public 4-Year - alcorn.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program at Alcorn State University provides two completion paths: a four-semester Generic Option and a three-semester LPN Advanced Placement Option, focusing on safe, competent nursing care through evidence-based practices and cultural appropriateness. It develops leadership, management, and communication skills for collaboration in healthcare teams, without mention of entrance exam requirements for associate-level programs, ensuring readiness for diverse clinical environments.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Alcorn State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers a Generic Option over four semesters and an RN to BSN track completed in two semesters, emphasizing evidence-based practice, leadership, and culturally competent care. Students gain hands-on experience in diverse clinical settings, integrating technology and focusing on safe, quality healthcare. Admission requires meeting specific criteria, including ACT or SAT entrance exams for bachelor's level programs, preparing graduates for advanced nursing roles with a strong foundation in professional integrity.
Jackson, MS - Private 4-year - belhaven.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Belhaven University's campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Jackson, MS, integrates a Christian worldview with rigorous academics, emphasizing servant leadership and hands-on clinical training. Accredited by CCNE, it features expert faculty, modern facilities, and competitive tuition with scholarships. This 4-year program prepares graduates for diverse nursing roles and may require an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Belhaven University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with a Christ-centered approach, providing flexible pathways including an affordable RN to BSN option. Located in Jackson, MS, it includes small classes, state-of-the-art facilities, and CCNE accreditation. Competitive admission requires university acceptance and may involve an ACT or SAT entrance exam, focusing on compassionate, integrity-driven nursing education.
Clinton, MS - Private 4-year - mc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mississippi College offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with both traditional and accelerated options, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and 30 prerequisite credits. The program includes comprehensive clinical training and courses in clinical reasoning, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. As a CCNE-accredited, campus-based program, it does not require an ACT or SAT for admission, focusing on hands-on healthcare experiences for diverse nursing careers.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Mississippi College's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a fast-track, 4-semester program for individuals with a prior bachelor's degree, requiring a 3.0 GPA and either the HESI A2 exam or an ACT score of 21+. It includes intensive clinical rotations and coursework to prepare for the NCLEX-RN, emphasizing essential nursing skills in a campus-based, CCNE-accredited environment.
Mississippi’s LPN programs blend classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and fundamental nursing skills with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. Students gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Mississippi licensure, graduates enhance the state’s practical nursing workforce by easing RN workloads and expanding patient access. By serving both urban centers and remote Delta communities, these programs help ensure consistent, quality care throughout Mississippi.
Mississippi’s CNA tracks run about six to twelve weeks, combining classroom modules on hygiene, infection control, and patient observation with supervised practicums. Students learn to assist with daily living, conduct vital‑sign monitoring, and document changes for nursing review. Upon certification, graduates provide critical support in hospitals, nursing homes, and home‑health settings. By managing essential care tasks, CNAs enhance overall patient safety and efficiency.
Mississippi’s RN to BSN offerings merge comprehensive online instruction, covering nursing leadership, community and population health, informatics, and healthcare policy, with supervised practicum placements in both major medical centers and local clinics. Available in part‑time and accelerated formats, these programs allow registered nurses to advance their education without stepping away from their current roles. Completing the BSN enhances proficiency in evidence‑based practice and collaborative care coordination, fulfilling employer and accreditation standards for baccalaureate‑prepared professionals. Graduates gain eligibility for specialized certifications, leadership posts, and expanded public health positions, helping to strengthen care delivery across Mississippi’s diverse communities.
Mississippi’s Nurse Practitioner programs elevate a BSN-prepared nurse through a combination of advanced theoretical coursework and intensive supervised clinical residencies, typically completed in two to four years, in focus areas such as family practice, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered in flexible on-campus, hybrid, and fully online formats at universities and health systems across the state, these MSN and DNP tracks prepare graduates for both APRN certification and Mississippi licensure. Upon completion, NPs serve as primary care providers, chronic illness coordinators, and telehealth specialists in urban hospitals, community health centers, and rural Delta and Gulf Coast clinics. By injecting highly trained clinicians into physician-shortage areas and expanding access to comprehensive care, NP programs are instrumental in fortifying Mississippi’s healthcare delivery.
Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Most common entry path, rural hospitals depend on ADN nurses |
RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Mississippi |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | Preferred in larger systems, RN-to-BSN programs expanding statewide |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs require physician collaboration |
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, NPs restricted by reduced practice authority laws |
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Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Advanced Placement Option (LPN to RN) - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Generic Option - Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online Learning - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: LPN to RN transition - Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Concentration: LPN-RN Transition - Campus Based - Website
Online & Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website