A Guide to Nursing in Mississippi

In Mississippi, it’s time to enjoy southern hospitality as its finest. In Mississippi. Time to perfect your southern accent. It’s hard to imagine visiting Mississippi without going to Elvis Presley’s Childhood Home. Or learn how to make the perfect biscuits with chef Regina. There’s beautiful Biloxi beach where you can soak up some rays. And no visit is complete without going to the Rodney Ghost Town. Boo!

If you are a registered nurse (or are thinking of becoming one) read on to find the information you need, from licensing info, continuing education requirements, job & salary outlook, top hospitals, and nursing associations. Let us help you find your dream job!

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In this article, we will cover:

• Licensing information
• Steps for renewing a Mississippi nursing license
• Continuing education requirements
• Job & salary outlook for nurses in Mississippi
• Top hospitals in Mississippi
• Nursing organizations & associations in Mississippi
• Basic steps for licensing and certification
• Contact information

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Licensing information

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Mississippi whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Mississippi from another state. For more information visit the Mississippi licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX fee: $200
• Application fee: $100 (RN); $60 (LPN)
• Criminal background check fee: $75

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $100 (RN); $60 (LPN); $100 (APRN initial licensure fee)
• Single state to multistate: $25
• Temporary license: $25
• Criminal background check fee: $75

License renewal fees:

• Application fee: $100; $100 (APRN, 1st license, $50 for each after)

Additionally, Mississippi is a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses.

*Fees are subject to change.

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Steps for renewing a Mississippi nursing license

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Continuing education requirements

RN: 20 contact hours every 2 years

LPN: 20 contact hours every 2 years

APRN: 40 contact hours every 2 years (10 hours must be in controlled substance)

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Mississippi Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.  

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Job & salary outlook for nurses in Mississippi

Due to the shortage of nurses, these healthcare professionals are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the profession will grow by about 9% between 2020-2030. The annual mean wage is $61,250.

We can also help you check out salary estimates to help determine if Mississippi is the right state for you.

[ MORE: Average nurse salary in Mississippi ]

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Top hospitals in Mississippi

If you’re not already picking up the phone to call movers, maybe this list of the best hospitals in Mississippi will sway you in the right direction. Here are the top hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report:

• Mississippi Baptist Medical Center – Jackson, MS: The vision of this facility is “to create an expert system of care in the Mid-South where love abounds so that God can do the impossible.” Mississippi is also on the Becker’s Healthcare’s list of “100 great hospitals in America.” Some specialties include:
  • Cancer
  • Heart failure & heart attack
  • Hip & knee replacement
  • Pulmonology & lung surgery

• North Mississippi Medical Center-Tupelo in Tupelo, MS: This facility is great for nurses. They recognize nurses by presenting the DAISY Award which is an “international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary compassionate and skillful care given by nurses every day.” Some specialties include:
  •  Colon cancer
  • Heart bypass surgery
  • Diabetes
  • Hip replacement

• St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital in Jackson, MS: Part of the mission of this facility is that “God has called us to administer compassion and health care in His name to the people of Mississippi We fulfill this effort through advanced medical services in a state-of-the-art hospital and outpatient center.” St. Dominic’s rates high on the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) surveys that measures patient satisfaction. Some specialties include:
  • Colon cancer surgery
  • Heart failure & heart attack
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

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Nursing organizations & associations in Mississippi

Once you become a registered nurse (or even if you’re in the process), joining a nursing organization or association will give you access to networking, job opportunities, and a wealth of information shared between fellow nurses. Here are a few of the organizations and associations for nurses in Mississippi:

Mississippi Nurses Association: The mission of the MNA is “to promote registered professional nursing practice through advocacy, education, research and partnership.”

The Eliza Pillars Registered Nurses of Mississippi: This organization “recognizes nurses’ commitment to bettering the state by creating access to healthcare for those primarily in minority communities who need it most and in some cases cannot afford it.”

Mississippi Nurses Foundation: The vision of this organization is “to be the charitable organization in the state of Mississippi that is most influential in impacting the professional image of nursing, sponsoring continuing nursing education, funding for nursing.”

Check out the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.

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Basic guide for licensing and certification

Step 1: Education

Attend an accredited nursing school to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN will take between 18 and 24 months to complete, while you can expect to spend roughly four years to earn a BSN. If you already have an ADN, there is an ADN to BSN bridge program that allows you to earn a BSN in 12-18 months. There is also an RN to BSN bridge which takes three semesters of nursing courses to be completed in one year. These programs will save you time and money. The more education you have, the better your chances of landing your dream job.

Step 2: Licensing

When you are six weeks away from graduation, you can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. There are 75 to 265 questions on the NCLEX-RN with a five-hour time limit for completion. If you do not pass the NCLEX-RN on your first attempt, you must wait 45 days before you can try again.

The NCLEX includes questions on the following topics to test nursing candidates’ knowledge:

1. Safe and effective care environment
2. Health promotion and maintenance
3. Psychosocial integrity
4. Physiological integrity

Step 3: Experience

This step in the process is to gain hands-on experience. This will provide you with invaluable opportunities to work with patients making you attractive to future employers.

Step 4: Certification

The final step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. Requirements for earning a certification vary so it is important to check with the governing body for information. Incredible Health offers free courses in order to obtain or renew certification requirements. Create a free account to access professional development mandates and get instant certificates.

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Contact information

Mississippi Board of Nursing
Phone: (601) 957-6300
Fax: (601) 957-6301

Website: https://www.msbn.ms.gov/

713 Pear Orchard Road, Plaza II
Suite 300
Ridgeland, MS 39157

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