5 Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Mississippi – 2024

Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

When it comes to the provision of primary healthcare services, Mississippi is a historically underserved state. Many of the state’s health care planners believe that Mississippi’s 4,000 nurse practitioners maybe are the solution to providing better access to primary care within The Magnolia State. Presently, graduates of accredited nurse practitioner schools in Mississippi may practice in conjunction with a collaborative agreement with a physician that defines clinical management guidelines. Mississippi NPs can expect to earn nearly $117,260 annually and the need for their services is projected to grow by nearly 29 percent in the next ten years. You can find out everything you need to know about the best nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi for 2024 if you continue reading.

WHAT ARE THE BEST NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS IN MISSISSIPPI (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 5 Best NP programs in Mississippi for the year 2024.)

1) Delta State University - Cleveland

Programs Offered: MSN, DNP, and Post-Master’s Certificate

Do you wish to graduate from one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi that also offers competitive tuition costs? If yes, you may want to shortlist Delta State University that provides affordable and high-quality advanced nursing education. Also, the flexibility of online coursework and choice of part-time and full-time classes make it rather feasible for working nurses to juggle work commitments while pursuing an NP degree. Furthermore, you can even complete clinical rotations within your community with the approval of faculty. If you are keen on becoming a nurse practitioner in Mississippi at Delta State you can enroll in either the MSN, DNP, or post-master’s certificate, depending on your goals and educational background.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

Are you an RN who has worked as a nurse for at least one year? Have you completed your BSN with a GPA of 3.00? If your answer is yes to both these questions, then you can apply to this MSN program and gain advanced skills in primary care. Not only will you climb the career ladder with this degree, but you will also be able to apply the advanced knowledge to promote health and prevent diseases for individuals and patients across the lifespan. To graduate from this MSN-FNP program you must complete 49 credits in core MSN, advanced practice nursing, and specialization specific courses.

DNP Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

You will barely find any online nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi or for that matter even in the nation that can take your ADN straight to the DNP level, seamlessly through one program. Well, with this unique DNP program you can achieve the pinnacle of nursing education, either after an ADN, BSN, MSN, or after an MSN-FNP. Regardless of at what point you enter; your coursework will be offered online with the option of part-time and full-time classes.

While the RN to DNP path requires completing 107 credits and 1440 clinical hours, entering the program after a BSN requires you to earn 80 credits. Whereas if you enter post an MSN, the credit requirements range from 70 to 81, with the option of transferring 9 MSN credits. If you are already certified as an FNP and keen on completing the DNP coursework, then you require completing 31 credits and 420 clinical hours to graduate from this program. Depending on the path you enter, you require anywhere from 3 to 9 semesters to earn your DNP.

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

If you have completed your MSN with a minimum GPA of 3.00, you can take this post-master’s certificate and add the FNP specialization to your nursing practice. To graduate you must complete 41 credits in advanced practice core and FNP specific courses.

2) Mississippi University for Women - Columbus

Programs Offered: MSN and Post Graduate APRN Certificate

Considered by many as one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi, Considered by many as one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi, by graduating from Mississippi University for Women Nursing School’s MSN or post-graduate certificate program you can acquire advanced skills required to become a nurse practitioner in Mississippi. Here, you will be prepared for evidence-based practice and nursing leadership to improve and restore health for individuals, families, and communities. Clinical excellence is achieved by practicing patient-care skills in the nursing school’s state-of-art simulation lab, equipped with simulated patients and a hospital. This safe environment where you gain close to real-world clinical exposure enhances critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

To start with, you must be an RN with at least two years of work experience as a nurse to be eligible for this program. Also, you must have completed your BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Upon enrollment, you will complete 39 credits in 12 months, after which you stand eligible to take the FNP certification exam. Your coursework includes courses in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, theoretical issues & ethics in nursing, nursing research & evidence-based practice, diagnostic reasoning, and healthcare policy & politics. FNP courses mainly teach you primary healthcare management of individuals across the lifespan.

Post Graduate APRN Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

Whether you are an MSN prepared RN or an APRN who is keen on working as an advanced primary care provider, with this certificate program you can build upon your previous nursing degree to graduate as a family nurse practitioner, eligible to take the certification exam. APRNs can add the FNP specialty by completing 23 credits, whereas non-APRN MSN graduates must complete 30 credits in advanced practice core and FNP-specific courses.

3) University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg

Programs Offered: MSN, BSN to DNP, and Post-Graduate Certificate

Some of the well-known nurse practitioner schools in Mississippi proudly report nearly 100% pass rate on the NP certification exams. The University of Southern Mississippi is one such nursing school that trains NP students for success post-graduation by preparing them with the skills and knowledge that matter in today’s complex healthcare environment. Program graduates are playing leadership roles, improving health outcomes for diverse populations, both locally and globally. With an online coursework and only one campus visit per semester, working nurses will find it rather convenient to fit in this academic schedule into their busy lives. Southern Miss is currently offering three types of nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi - MSN, BSN to DNP and Post-Graduate Certificate.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

An RN who has one year of clinical experience along with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 makes you an ideal candidate for this MSN program. To graduate with an MSN degree in either the FNP or PMHNP specialty you will require completing 44 credits across five semesters.

BSN to DNP Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This BSN to DNP nurse practitioner program in Mississippi is open to BSN graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.0. It prepares RNs to play impactful roles in healthcare in two areas of emphasis; family health and psychiatric mental health. The 59 to 64 credits that you must complete mainly educate you in health promotion & disease prevention, advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, health assessment, evidence-based practice, population health & epidemiology, healthcare leadership, and economics & finance in healthcare systems. Additionally, the FNP courses take you through the health management of individuals and families across the lifespan, whereas the PMHNP specific courses teach you mental health management of individuals and families of all ages.

Post-Graduate Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

If you are keen on gaining specialized skills in either family health or the care of mental health patients, then by completing this certificate program you can expand on your role as an RN and meet the requirements to certify as an advanced practice nurse. Depending on courses previously completed by you a customized plan will be designed.

4) University Of Mississippi Medical Center - Jackson

Programs Offered: RN to MSN, MSN, BSN to DNP, and Post-Master’s certificate

Do you desire to graduate from one of the top Mississippi nurse practitioner schools that offers abundant learning opportunities and a resourceful environment? If so, the University Of Mississippi Medical Center can be your best bet as not only is the nursing school located on the state’s only academic health science campus, the university is also home to the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and children’s hospital. Also, with more than 200 affiliations with prominent clinical partners, as an NP student, you will find yourself practicing clinical skills in some of the most comprehensive interdisciplinary healthcare environments. Besides, with four NP pathways, flexible schedules, and an online coursework, you can take the next step into your nursing career without keeping your current life’s commitments on hold.

RN to MSN Concentrations: Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

As an ADN prepared registered nurse if you are keen on obtaining an NP certification without really breaking the bank, then you may want to consider this RN to MSN program which comes with an affordable tuition cost. The program comes with four specialization options in acute & primary care of adults and the elderly, family health, and psychiatric mental health. Depending on the track you choose, you require completing around 61 credits and 630 hours of clinical practice at varied healthcare settings.

MSN Concentrations: Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Acute Primary Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

To be eligible for these MSN-Nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi you must have completed an undergraduate nursing degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Depending on your interest, you can choose to specialize in any of the six population foci. The track in acute care adult-gerontology is the only such program offered in the state, training you in the critical care of adults and the geriatric population. Furthermore, if you love spending time with children, then the dual-track in pediatrics which prepares you for both, primary as well as acute care can be right for you as this is also the only such program offered in the state. Depending on the track you enter, to graduate you require completing credits ranging from 50 to 58 and clinical hours anywhere between 630 to 990.

BSN-DNP Concentrations: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

This BSN to DNP program confers upon you the terminal nursing degree through a tailormade flexible plan of study. With four areas of emphasis to choose from you can acquire the highest level of skills and knowledge to improve health outcomes within your chosen specialty. To graduate, you must complete around 79 credits and 1155 clinical hours, with the exact number depending on the track you choose.

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner

Are you searching for online nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi to get certified either in care of the elderly suffering from critical illnesses or of individuals across the lifespan? Well then with this certificate program you can build up on your MSN by completing a coursework of 32 credits, taking classes from the comfort of your home. The curriculum mainly consists of courses in advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, advanced role development for APRNs, and specialty-specific courses.

5) Alcorn State University – Natchez

Programs Offered: MSN, DNP and Post-Master’s Certificate

Counted among the leading nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi, Alcorn State University’s NP programs prepare you to provide high-quality holistic care for families in various types of primary care settings. Over the years, the school has produced many evidence-based nursing leaders who are effectively transforming healthcare across the state, especially working for the better health of rural communities. NP education here is grounded in the art and science of nursing, thereby providing students with a well-rounded curriculum. If you thrive in a challenging healthcare environment then its time you consider a career advancement with Alcorn’s MSN, DNP, or post-masters certificate programs which can help you climb the ladder rather quickly.

MSN Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

To qualify for this MSN-FNP program you must have completed a BSN degree and hold an unencumbered RN license. By completing the 44 credits you will gain the knowledge and skills to offer advanced nursing care to diverse individuals and families, especially the underserved communities. The coursework is offered only on a full-time basis and spans over five semesters, including one summer.

DNP Concentrations

This practice-focused DNP nurse practitioner program in Mississippi is designed for MSN prepared NPs already certified as an FNP. Available only as a full-time track, the entire coursework is offered online with only two face to face meets required. Graduates are prepared at the highest level of clinical practice to reduce health disparities and improve health within their communities and beyond. The 36 credits that you must complete comprises courses in advanced health informatics, population health, leadership in healthcare, healthcare policy & politics, and business management in clinical practice. You also complete the DNP project and 540 hours of clinical practice.

Post-Master’s Certificate Concentrations: Family Nurse Practitioner

By completing this 20-credit certificate program you can gain eligibility to get certified as an FNP. To be eligible, you must have completed your MSN and courses in advanced pathophysiology, pharmacology, and health assessment. During the two semesters of coursework, you will complete courses in the management of health for individuals across the lifespan.


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the Total Number of Accredited NP Programs in Mississippi?

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners reports that currently there are Seventeen accredited nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi.




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