Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024
The nursing field in Mississippi is growing and has a number of different opportunities that are exciting and rewarding.
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LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurse) make up a large portion of those. LPN programs offer more flexible and affordable options to enter the health care industry without a 4-year degree requirement to become a registered nurse.
- LPNs in Mississippi make about $20.72 per hour and on average $37,195 annually
- The LPN job outlook is good with a projected 9% increase by 2029
- In Mississippi, LPNs make up 21% of all licensed nurses
- Most Mississippi LPN programs can be completed in as little as one year for full-time students and two years for part-time attendees
Across Mississippi, you’ll be able to find LPN programs at schools in several major cities, including Jackson and Biloxi, and you’ll find these offer training as an LPN that can lead to potential employment opportunities.
Overview of LPN Schools in Mississippi
Mississippi has dozens of schools with LPN programs. Each of them offers different options to fit your unique styles and needs. Whether you plan to complete a program on a part-time or full-time basis, Mississippi has a school that works for you.
LPN programs cover the following topics:
- Nursing ethics
- Science
- Patient care
- Nursing skills
- Infection control
Accreditation
It’s very important to make sure the LPN program you choose to complete is accredited. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) is a national organization that accredits schools and LPN programs. Accreditation can also be completed via the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
LPN Admissions Requirements
Different programs will have different specific admissions requirements. You should check with the school you plan to attend for further details. Most programs will at least require:
- High school diploma, GED, or equivalent certificate
- Proficient score on TEAS-V exam
- Pass a background check
- Pass a drug test
LPN Tuition & Costs
There are several different programs across the state of Mississippi with affordable tuition options. Tuition varies based on school, hours, living accommodations, and supplies needed for the courses, among other factors. As an example, The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s tuition costs $484.88 per hour.
Some schools will offer financial aid and scholarships to help with the cost associated with attending their programs.
LPN Licensing Requirements in Mississippi
In Mississippi, the practical nursing program is a quick way to become a nurse. Most LPNs complete their training within one to two years and get their licensure immediately after they complete their courses.
Checklist to become a Mississippi LPN:
- Earn your LPN Degree (combination of courses and hands-on practice)
- Apply for licensure with the Mississippi Board of Nursing
- Pass the NCLEX-PN exam
Mississippi-licensed RNs and LPNs are required to renew their licenses every two years.
NCLEX-PN Exam
LPN course graduates who apply for licensure in Mississippi must pass the NCLEX-PN exam. The exam is administered by the National Council Licensure Examination and covers four main categories:
- Safe and effective nursing care environment
- Safety and infection control
- Psychosocial integrity
- Physiological integrity
A passing grade is required to become a licensed nurse.
LPN Reciprocity
LPNs entering Mississippi from other states can become licensed in Mississippi through endorsement. Candidates are required to show proof of licensing in another state. Candidates from outside the United States are required to complete the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) evaluation before taking their licensure exam.
LPN Salaries in Mississippi
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) in Mississippi earn an average of $20.72/hr and $37,195 annually, which is a bit lower than the national average of $48,820.
Here are the average salaries of LPNs in Mississippi’s major metropolitan areas according to the BLS:
- Jackson ($42,110 per year)
- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula ($40,340 per year)
- Northeast Mississippi nonmetropolitan area ($38,740 per year)
The field of nursing in which an LPN works influences salary. For example, LPNS who work in medical and surgical settings typically earn more than those who work in physicians’ offices. Geriatric health care LPNs are particularly in high demand due to an aging population. Nurses who work the night shift, weekends, and holidays can expect to earn a higher wage.
Job Outlook for LPNs in Mississippi
Mississippi, like most states, has a high demand for nurses right now. The increasing demand is due to an aging population and healthcare issues. As such, students who want to enter the field of nursing will have a number of potential paths for their careers. The training opportunities and avenues to find employment are endless.
Continuing education and career advancement are important, and Mississippi has programs that offer LPNs just that. This might mean becoming a registered nurse or entering advanced practice specialties such as anesthesiology. Experts expect these specialties will remain in high demand, especially in underserved areas.
Overall, the future for Mississippi healthcare workers and those in nursing is very bright. If you choose to pursue a career as an LPN in Mississippi, you can expect long-term job security and ways to advance.
Top LPN Schools in Mississippi
Coahoma Community College
3240 Friars Point Rd
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 627-2571
Coahoma Community College’s Licensed Practical Nursing program prepares nursing students for successful completion of the NCLEX-PN while providing them with hands-on practice.
Hinds Community College
608 Hinds Blvd
Raymond, MS 39154
(601) 857-5261
Hinds Community College offers a highly intensive, high-quality LPN program that teaches students to provide general nursing care in a range of niches.
Northwest Mississippi Community College
4975 Highway 51 N.
Senatobia, MS 38668
(662)-562-3200
Graduates from the Northwest Mississippi Community College LPN program enter the professional world ready for entry-level positions in a wide number of healthcare positions. NWMCC LPN students are assigned a faculty adviser that helps monitor their course progress and advises them on future career decisions.
Southwest Mississippi Community College
156 College Dr
Summit, MS 39666
(601) 276-2000
The LPN program offered at SMCC is designed to train students to take care of a patient’s general nursing needs in a number of healthcare settings. LPN students at SMCC acquire basic knowledge of biological, physical, behavioral, psychological, and sociological science.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
51 Main St
Perkinston, MS 39573
(601) 928 5211
The Practical Nursing program at MGCCC includes a combination of one semester of prerequisites followed by three semesters of intense nursing study and application.
East Mississippi Community College
512 Kemper St
Scooba, MS 39358
662-476-5000
East Mississippi Community College’s Practical Nursing Program gives students a combination of classroom and lab instruction that covers areas such as basic nursing skills, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, medical/surgical nursing, and so on.
Meridian Community College
910 Hwy 19 N.
Meridian, MS 39307
(601) 483-8241
Meridian Community College’s Practical Nursing Program is a one-year certificate program that involves education, training, and clinical experiences to prepare students to apply skills and knowledge and to become licensed in the profession.
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
HF McCarty Dr
Wesson, MS 39191
(601) 643- 5101
This one-year program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to administer safe, effective nursing care. Copiah-Lincoln students are exposed to a well-balanced program of scientific foundations necessary to work as practical nurses.
East Central Community College
15738 Hwy 15 South
Decatur, Mississippi 39327
1-877-GO-2-ECCC
East Central Community College is located in Decatur. It’s a small school with about 1,676 undergraduate students enrolled. The East Central acceptance rate is 100%, making it a great place to get a start in nursing.
Itawamba Community College
602 W Hill St, Fulton, MS 38843
(682) 862-8000
The LPN program provides technical and bedside care skills to students as they work under the supervision of registered nurses.
Additional Resources
Explore the following resources for more information on becoming an LPN in the state of Mississippi:
Mississippi Board of Nursing
The Mississippi Board of Nursing regulates the practice of nursing through licensure as provided for by the Mississippi State Code.
National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
This organization develops the NCLEX and other exams required for nurses to receive licensing.