In order to become a licensed practical nurse in the state of Mississippi, candidates are required to attend an intensive, state-approved, nursing program.
In addition, the program must meet state educational and hands-on training requirements in order to qualify as a suitably accredited course.
Furthermore, the state of Mississippi requires that candidates sit for and pass the national exam for licensure known as the NCLEX.
5 Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Mississippi
1. Coahoma Community College
The college is located in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
The school offers a 12-month certificate program that prepares students for an entry-level position as licensed practical nurses in the health care industry.
Students are trained to give general nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse, dentist, or physician.
Students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination and gain licensure as licensed practical nurses in the state of Mississippi.
The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the practical nursing program is fully accredited by the Mississippi Community College Board.
Students gain skills and knowledge to function as practical nurses in a variety of settings through a combination of class work and clinical experience.
The course runs over two semesters and a summer season and the total tuition for the course is $8,375.00.
2. East Central Community College
East Central Community College is located in Decatur, Mississippi.
The school offers a Practical Nursing Undergraduate Certificate course which is accredited by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
This program admits one class every year in the fall.
The course runs over two semesters and one summer season and is comprised of a total of 52 credit hours.
The program was designed to be completed within nine months but can be completed in 12 months.
Tuition and fees for this course are approximately $5,226 and book fees account for $1,735.
The course aims to educate students on providing quality, safe nursing care to patients in a variety of settings.
Course materials are made up of theoretical class work and clinical experience.
Students are also trained to operate within the ethical and legal framework of the industry while exerting cognitive, psychomotor, and affective behaviors in order to intervene and provide high-quality nursing care to patients in need.
3. Jones County Junior College
Jones County Junior College is located in Ellisville, Mississippi.
This 12-month certificate course runs over three semesters and is designed to offer students the knowledge and skills required in order to function as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the healthcare industry.
The program is accredited by the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB).
The course combines knowledge and skills from a variety of scientific fields including the biological, psychological, behavioral, physical, and sociological fields, in order to best prepare students to provide the appropriate nursing care within the legal and ethical framework of the industry.
Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam.
Selection for the program is very competitive with approximately 40 candidates selected for the fall class and 40 candidates selected for the spring class.
Students must maintain an average of 80% on all coursework in order to progress through the course and quality for the national examination.
Tuition and fees for this course start at $160.00 per semester hour.
4. Hinds Community College
Hinds Community College is located in Jackson, Mississippi.
The school offers a Practical Nursing certificate course that is accredited by the Mississippi Community College Board.
The generic program is offered at the Nursing & Allied Health Center in January and August, and at the Rankin and Vicksburg campuses in January each year.
The part-time course is offered at the beginning of summer at their Nursing & Allied Health Center.
The program prepares students to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).
The program is designed to be completed within a 12-month period.
When completed within the normal time frame, in-state students will pay $4,780 for this program, while out-of-state students will pay $7,820 for the program.
5. Pearl River Community College
Pearl River Community College is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
The school offers a 12 or 18-month certificate course at three of its locations:
- Poplarville Campus
- Forrest County Campus
- Hancock Campus
Successful completion of the program allows students to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam.
The course comprises a mixture of classroom instruction and clinical experience which prepares students to offer high-quality tent care in a variety of healthcare settings.
Tuition for this school is approximately $1,625.00 per semester for in-state students who attend 15 credit hours or more.
Licensed Practical Nurse Schools in Mississippi – Summary Table
Top 5 Schools in Mississippi
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Coahoma Community College | Coahoma AHS Building #3, 3240 Friars Point Rd, Clarksdale, MS 38614 |
| East Central Community College | 275 W Broad St, Decatur, MS 39327 |
| Jones County Junior College | 900 South Court Street Ellisville, MS 39437 |
| Hinds Community College | 501 E Main St, Raymond, MS 39154 |
| Pearl River Community College | Ted J. Alexander Administration Building, 101 US-11, Poplarville, MS 39470 |
Salary
Candidates who qualify as licensed practical nurses in the state of Mississippi may expect a salary range of:
- Entry level – $36,291
- Mid-level – $44,028
- Advanced – $53,478
Average Salary of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)s in Mississippi
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Jackson | $45,296 |
| Gulfport | $44,499 |
| Biloxi | $44,853 |
| Hattiesburg | $44,221 |
| Greenville | $44,990 |
| Meridian | $44,858 |
| Tupelo | $42,692 |
| Southaven | $46,827 |
| Vicksburg | $44,841 |
| Pascagoula | $44,494 |
Regional Salary in Mississippi
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | 840 | $53,030 | $25.49 | $66,000 | $39,480 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 640 | $45,210 | $21.74 | $55,560 | $37,100 |
| Jackson, MS | 2,100 | $50,320 | $24.19 | $59,720 | $38,850 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a demand for LPNs in the state of Mississippi?
Yes, in fact, the department of labor has predicted an 11% increase in jobs over the 2018 to 2028 period.
Is accreditation of the course important?
Yes.
Look for courses accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and approved by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
How often should I renew my license in Mississippi?
Every year.
Which cities have the highest demand for LPN's in Mississippi?
- Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula
- Jackson
- Hattiesburg
Can I work in another state with my license?
Yes.
Mississippi forms part of the Nurse Licensure Compact.
This means that there are a few states that belong to this compact that allows candidates from those states to practice in each of the other member states without the need to get licensure in that state.
