2023 - Best Nursing Schools in Mississippi

The Mississippi University for Women offers a 4-year BSN program in addition to an Advanced Placement RN to BSN program, ideal for registered nurses who are interested in advancing their nursing careers. Though the school’s name implies that it offers single-sex education, since 1982 men have been welcome to attend.

The school’s BSN program focuses on preparing students to be skilled leaders who are agents for change in illness prevention and patient care. Those who graduate from the program will have a comprehensive educational foundation that opens the doors to opportunities for further study, such as a master’s degree in nursing.

The BSN program is aware of the continually changing world, and places a focus on the prevention of illness, maintenance of health, and a responsibility for managing long-term and terminal disruptions to health.   Additionally, the Mississippi University of Women emphasizes the nurse’s role as a client advocate and an important liaison on healthcare teams. Students can enroll in the summer, as well as in the fall.

The University of Mississippi School of Nursing was founded in 1948, and has developed and expanded their offerings ever since. Today, their offerings are extensive. On the Bachelor’s level they offer a BSN, Early-Entry BSN, Accelerated BSN, and an RN-BSN program. On the Master’s level they offer an MSN and Post-Masters, RN-MSN, and RN-MSN Early Entry program. On the Doctoral level they offer a DNP, BSN-DNP, Post-Masters DNP Early Entry, PhD in Nursing, and BSN-PhD.

Their School of Nursing develops nurse leaders through evidence-based practice and research, innovative local partnerships, and unique community-based systems. They believe that nurses should be versatile, knowledgeable, life-long learners who are able to advocate for their patients.

The traditional BSN program admits students annually in the fall, though the RN-BSN admits students for the spring, summer and fall semesters. For master’s programs the application deadlines and enrollment times vary based on program concentration. The University of Mississippi's nursing program boasts a strong faculty with a diversity of skill and experience, as well as state-of-the-art equipment for their students.

The University of Southern Mississippi has multi-level nursing programs within their CCNE accredited College of Nursing and Health Professions. They offer a 4-year BSN program, an online RN to BSN program, as well as various programs on the master’s and doctorate levels. On the master’s level they offer nursing degrees with different specializations, including Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. On the doctorate level, USM offers nursing degrees with concentrations on clinical nursing, leadership, and anesthesia. The master’s level concentrations are applicable to the doctorate level as well.

The College of Nursing and Health Professions places a strong emphasis on innovative and evidence-based learning and teaching. USM has cultivated an academically robust nursing school that challenges its students with ethical and legal implications, professionalism, research, and leadership. The program also has a simulation lab, giving students hands-on experiences with high-fidelity mannequins.

Students can enroll in the fall, though eligible transfer students can  enroll in the spring.

Delta State University is a public university in Cleveland, MS, in the Mississippi Delta. Established in 1924, Delta State has blossomed into a diverse college with a plethora of offerings for its students. The Robert E. Smith School of Nursing has several programs. They offer a BSN track, in addition to the following online offerings: RN to BSN, MS in Nursing, Post-Master’s Certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Delta State prides itself for its skilled faculty within the nursing school, who have various nursing specialities and are committed to providing high quality education in the classroom, online, as well as in clinical environments. Simulation practicals are also incorporated into the program, facilitated by their extensive Skills and Simulation Labs. These labs include a variety of mannequins, supplies and equipment, including mannequins with abdominal, heart, lung sounds, wounds, and nursing care applicability. Students may enroll in the fall and in the spring.

Alcorn State University’s nursing department was founded in 1977 and is located in Lorman, MS. They offer an ADN program, a BSN program, as well as an MSN program. All of ASU's nursing degrees are ACEN accredited and rooted in a three-pillared foundation of scholarship, teaching, and service. The faculty at ASU is committed to fostering a tight-knit community of scholars and experts, supporting students each step of the way.

There is further emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of the nursing role, which ASU views as both a science and an art. Students will build their education up from the humanities as well as psychological and sociological coursework before delving into nursing theory and science. ASU's campus community is vibrant and diverse, offering a collaborative environment to maximize learning and professional outcomes. Students can enroll into ASU's nursing programs in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

William Carey University is a private, Christian school that offers three tracks towards earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). They have a pre-licensure BSN program, LPN Advanced Placement program, and an RN to BSN program. On the graduate level, WCU offers an MSN, an MSN and MBA dual program, and a Doctor of Philosophy, which concentrates on Nursing Education and Administration.

William Carey operates on a trimester system, meaning that there are fall, winter, spring, and summer trimesters, each being 10 weeks long. WCU's BSN program takes six trimesters to complete, and students can enroll in the fall and in the spring.

The LPN Advanced Placement program is an opportunity for LPNs to strengthen their educational and career advancement. The program is part time, allowing working nurses to incorporate further education into their schedule. The part time program takes ten trimesters, or thirty months to complete. Students can enroll in the fall only. The RN-BSN program is an online program to meet the needs of working RNs and takes twelve months to complete. Students may enroll in the fall and in the spring.

Mississippi College is a private Christian institution in Clinton, MS. It offers a CCNE accredited BSN program, an accelerated BSN program, an online RN to BSN program, as well as an online MSN program. The four-year BSN track consists of 30 hours general education courses, 37 hours of nursing prerequisites, and 63 hours of nursing courses. MC’s nursing curriculum is grounded in faith-based practices, preparing students to deliver patient-centered, quality care to diverse populations.

The accelerated BSN program is ideal for those who have already completed a first undergraduate degree from an accredited college. Students who are enrolled in the accelerated track will complete the course of study in 4 semesters. The 12 month online RN to BSN program offers flexible courses in a supportive online learning environment, aiming to develop compassionate and knowledgeable nurse leaders.

The online MSN program fosters the further education of nurses, who want to earn the CNL distinction to elevate their careers and nursing capabilities. Students can apply for enrollment into the nursing programs twice a year, for the fall and spring semesters.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College was established in 1915 as an agricultural high school in Wesson, Mississippi. Today it serves a seven-county area including Adams, Copiah, Franklin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lincoln and Simpson counties. CLCC has a nursing division that offers an ACEN accredited ADN program that was first rolled out in the fall of 1994. The Division of Nursing aims to provide comprehensive education and preparation for nursing positions within our health care system. 

The program emphasizes a student-centered educational environment by prioritizing high quality instruction as well as high expectations from its students. CLCC's ADN program further focuses on the necessary versatility of nurses and their ability to adjust to unexpected circumstances in order to maintain maximum patient outcomes. Degree requirements to earn an ADN from Copiah-Lincoln consist of 72 hours, which are comprised of nursing hours as well as general education hours. It’s admissions process runs on an annual basis, enrolling students in the fall only.

The Mississippi University for Women offers a 4-year BSN program in addition to an Advanced Placement RN to BSN program, ideal for registered nurses who are interested in advancing their nursing careers. Though the school’s name implies that it offers single-sex education, since 1982 men have been welcome to attend.

The school’s BSN program focuses on preparing students to be skilled leaders who are agents for change in illness prevention and patient care. Those who graduate from the program will have a comprehensive educational foundation that opens the doors to opportunities for further study, such as a master’s degree in nursing.

The BSN program is aware of the continually changing world, and places a focus on the prevention of illness, maintenance of health, and a responsibility for managing long-term and terminal disruptions to health.   Additionally, the Mississippi University of Women emphasizes the nurse’s role as a client advocate and an important liaison on healthcare teams. Students can enroll in the summer, as well as in the fall.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a public institution. The school offers five ACEN accredited programs in the nursing discipline: an ADN program, a Health Care Assistant (HCA) program, a Practical Nursing (PN) program, and LPN to RN hybrid and non-hybrid programs.

The ADN program is designed to help students gain the understanding of holistic patient care that incorporates compassionate care, cultural sensitivity, and adapts to the physiological, psychosocial and spiritual needs of clients. Students will also become familiar with research and critical thinking skills to cultivate reliable clinical judgment.

MGCCC focuses on matriculated the well-rounded, general nurse who is a strong and trustworthy healthcare provider, and is able to be an excellent team member in various healthcare settings.

Southwest Mississippi Community College offers an ACEN accredited ADN program. The coursework strikes a balance between clinical and laboratory experience, current nursing theory, as well as general education. Their mission is to prepare nurses who are able to provide excellent care in a variety of health care settings. Students at Southwest will be cultivating their critical thinking skills in order to become professional members of an interdisciplinary health care team. The nursing school also places an emphasis on healthcare innovation and adaptability, giving students ample opportunity to challenge themselves in clinical simulations.

There are two opportunities for enrollment each academic year, in the fall and in the spring semesters. For those who are Licensed Practical Nurse, there is an LPN to RN bridge program as well, which can be applied for through their regular admissions processes twice a year. Those interested in the bridge program have the opportunity for advanced placement, allowing them to matriculate from the program at an accelerated pace.

Northeast Mississippi Community College is a public school located in Booneville, Mississippi. The college opened its doors in 1948 as an agricultural and junior college. Since then, NMCC has evolved into a multi-disciplinary college, including a nursing division. The nursing school offers an ACEN accredited ADN program, as well as a Practical Nursing (LPN) program. NMCC’s ADN program offers students a well-rounded education that focuses on instructional hours in local clinical facilities.

The core mission of NMCC’s program is to prepare competent, caring professionals, who have the knowledge necessary to become a registered nurse and an excellent member of a healthcare team. The program can be completed in 5 semesters, though students may choose to complete the curriculum at a slower pace, as long as they complete it within 5 years of initial admission.

LPNs interested in obtaining an ADN from NMCC may be eligible for advanced placement, offering a more challenging curriculum. Students may enroll in the fall and in the spring for all of NMCC’s nursing programs.

Coahoma Community College is located in Clarksdale, MS. Coahoma is a historically black college, and adheres to the tradition of providing excellent education to African Americans. Their nursing division offers an ACEN accredited ADN program. This program is tailored to LPNs, and is comprised of 2 general education semesters, 2 semester of nursing courses, and a summer term.

Coahoma's ADN curriculum has a clinical focus that incorporates academic knowledge, nursing theory, and simulated experiences. The program emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity and future-forward thinking. Learning outcomes are rooted in patient-centered care and professionalism. Students will cultivate leadership skills, communication techniques, teamwork methods, as well as familiarity with technology and modern advancement in the nursing field.

Coahoma Community College's mission is to prepare caring and independent nurses with critical thinking skills who can participate in their healthcare communities as a valuable member. Students can apply once a year for fall enrollment.

Itawamba Community College is a public school in Fulton, MS that first opened its doors in 1920 as a high school with an agricultural focus. Today, Itawamba offers a plethora of programs in various disciplines, including a two year ADN program within their nursing division. Graduates of the program will receive an ADN degree and are eligible to take the NCLEX exam for Registered Nurses. The program offers one class per year beginning each fall.

ICC’s nursing program offers a comprehensive curriculum that integrates basic and complex principles of knowledge, practice and application of nursing care. Students enrolled in the program will develop academic skills and application strategies to become caring, competent and professional registered nurses. Itawamba Community College's focus lies on preparing graduates to pass the licensure exam on the first write, sending out exemplary, well-rounded registered nurses who are capable of being reliable members of health care teams in various settings.

Northwest Mississippi Community College is a public community college in Senatobia, Mississippi. The institution first opened its doors in 1928, and has grown tremendously since then. The Division of Nursing offers an ADN program that is ACEN accredited, as well as an LPN-RN Transition program. The Division of Nursing strives to prepare community-oriented nurses that can provide excellent, patient-centered care in diverse settings. They also place emphasis on laboratory and clinical learning environments to stimulate student education and to increase outcomes. The program's facility features highly technical simulation and skills laboratories, and provides students with professional career preparation through nursing seminar classes and Student Nurses Association memberships.

Graduates of their ADN program are eligible and well-prepared to write the NCLEX-RN examination. The college also offers summer sessions for students who want to fulfill their curriculum requirements during the summer months. Students may enroll twice a year, in the fall and in the spring.

Mississippi Delta Community College is a public community college with its main campus in Moorhead, Mississippi. The Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN) was introduced and established in 1964.

Their program places emphasis on preparing well-rounded, professional nurses who are able to deliver quality care in a variety of health care settings. These settings may include adult medical-surgical units, intensive care, pediatrics, gerontology, psychiatry, oncology, orthopedics, emergency care, cardiovascular, neurology, and education. MDCC emphasizes the importance of a supportive and collaborative community that is inclusive and respectful of different backgrounds. This inclusivity extends to patient care; graduates are prepared to accommodate the needs of diverse patient populations.

Alongside the significant exposure students will have to environments in which nurses practice, MDCC’s program emphasizes the many roles a nurse often takes on within these settings, including that of a caregiver, advocate, educator, communicator, and manager of care. Mississippi Delta Community College’s ADN program is ACEN accredited, and students may enroll once a year in the fall semester.

East Central Community College is located in Decatur, Mississippi, and serves a five-county district: Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Winston counties. It opened in September 1928. ECCC offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, which is ACEN accredited.

ECCC's program combines nursing theory with the knowledge, skills, and cultural awareness necessary to deliver quality care in a complex society. ECCC's program further places a strong focus on local healthcare needs within the rural surroundings of East Central Mississippi. Students are prepared to provide and manage care for individuals and groups in a variety of health care settings.

The core concepts that the program instills in its students are vast, including patient-centered care and professionalism, as well as communication techniques to facilitate healthy and collaborative environments. ECCC's ADN program aims to prepare students for leadership roles, and arms them with a solid foundation in systems-based practice, informatics, quality improvement methods, and evidenced based practice. The program offers comprehensive preparation for the NCLEX exam, as well as tailored education that corresponds with local health care trends and demands. ECCC’s ADN program admits students once annually in the fall.

Jones County Junior College is a public community college in Ellisville, Mississippi. They offer an ACEN accredited ADN program that consists of a blend of nursing and non-nursing courses and prepares students for the NCLEX examination, in addition to the demands of our healthcare systems. The curriculum incorporates courses in the humanities, biological, and social sciences, which cultivates a comprehensive knowledge base. The interdisciplinary academic grounding of JCJC's ADN program aims to prepare nurses who have a comprehensive foundation of knowledge, by which they can provide high quality care that considers the patient's needs and future outcomes.

Faculty within the nursing division teach through the use of various methods, such as lectures, demonstrations, discussions, projects, and multi-media coursework. JCJC also offers an LPN to RN bridge program, designed for Licensed Practical Nurses who are seeking advanced, and thereby accelerated, placement in the ADN program. Students are able to enroll at Jones County Junior College twice a year, in the fall and in the spring.

Holmes Community College is a public school in Goodman, MS. The school offers an ACEN accredited ADN program as well as an LPN-RN track.

The ADN program is a two-year track that aims to prepare students for nursing roles in a variety of healthcare settings. With a balance of general education, nursing theory, and clinical experience, the program provides comprehensive preparation for students to meet the expanding and evolving healthcare demands of the community. Graduates that meet the requirements of the State Board of Nursing are eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Holmes' ADN program is accredited by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning of Mississippi in addition to the aforementioned ACEN accreditation.

The program focuses on two pillars, the first one being to ensure competency, as in the understanding of a nurse’s commitment to ethical and scientific principles alongside the excellent performance of specific tasks. The second pillar is grounded in equality, with a mission to provide equal access for traditional and nontraditional students. Students may enroll in the fall or in the spring.

Pearl River Community College is located in Poplarville, MS and is a public institution. The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program is ACEN accredited, and aims to equip graduates with the knowledge necessary before embarking on a satisfying career as a registered nurse.

Students may enroll each fall and spring semester, though there are two options for completion. The traditional option spans over the course of four semesters in length. Those seeking an LPN to ADN track can opt for a single part-time semester in combination with two traditional semesters. The curriculum focuses on a combination of nursing and general educational courses. Alongside theory-based coursework, students will apply these principles hands-on in Pearl River's simulation and skills lab, as well as in a variety of healthcare agencies. Once the curriculum has been completed, students will be well prepared for the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. Pearl River boasts a student-centered environment and a dedicated faculty that challenges aspiring nurses to succeed.

Meridian Community College is a public community college in Meridian, Mississippi that first opened its doors in 1937. They offer an ACEN accredited ADN program that provides students with the intellectual and practical development necessary for a successful career in health care. For LPNs and Paramedics, MCC has an accelerated ADN track, which moves them through the curriculum in three semesters rather than four.

MCC’s program is designed for those seeking a path towards a career as a registered nurse. Upon completion of the program's requirements, students will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and are eligible to apply and take the NCLEX exam.

The program combines nursing courses with general education courses, along with hands-on clinical experience. MCC's ADN curriculum combines traditional learning with laboratory exercises and clinical experience in affiliated hospitals. Students may enroll in both the fall and the spring and must attend full-time (12 or more semester credit hours) unless admitted into the part-time program.

Hinds Community College is a community college located in Raymond, MS. The college first opened its doors in 1917 as a small agricultural high school. But today, Hinds Community College has 12,000 students in attendance and has grown into the largest community college in the state.

HCC offers a 2-year ADN program that prepares its students for nursing roles in diverse settings. Areas of focus are professional behaviors, communication, assessment, clinical decision making, caring interventions, teaching and learning, collaboration and managing care. For those who are Licensed Practical Nurses, there is a transitional option offered by HCC as well. The transitional option works with the schedules of its students to ensure they can retain their employment while furthering their education.

The program places emphasis on the ability to adapt to various health care settings, as well as the ability to take care of a diversity of populations. Students may enroll into the program in the fall and in the spring.

Alcorn State University’s nursing department was founded in 1977 and is located in Lorman, MS. They offer an ADN program, a BSN program, as well as an MSN program. All of ASU's nursing degrees are ACEN accredited and rooted in a three-pillared foundation of scholarship, teaching, and service. The faculty at ASU is committed to fostering a tight-knit community of scholars and experts, supporting students each step of the way.

There is further emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of the nursing role, which ASU views as both a science and an art. Students will build their education up from the humanities as well as psychological and sociological coursework before delving into nursing theory and science. ASU's campus community is vibrant and diverse, offering a collaborative environment to maximize learning and professional outcomes. Students can enroll into ASU's nursing programs in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.