According to the Mississippi Board of Nursing (MBN), there were 39,840 licensed active RNs in the state as of 2010. Mississippi is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, meaning that Mississippi nurses can practice in 24 states once licensed. About 60 percent of Mississippi RNs work in hospitals. Other sites with a large number of RNs working include nursing homes, community and public health centers, home health agencies, and physician offices. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that physician offices and home health are the fastest growing segments for RN employment.
The MBN reports 56 percent of Mississippi RNs hold a diploma or associate degree, while about 44 percent hold a baccalaureate degree or higher. A 2011 study by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that nearly one-third of hospitals and other healthcare employers now require new hires to have a BSN, while 77 percent of employers express a strong preference for BSN graduates.
Schools to consider
University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg). This is an online program with admissions accepted three times a year. Some clinical hours and laboratory time are required. Classes include health policy and economics; leadership and management; public health; and ethics and critical thinking.
Mississippi University for Women (Columbus). Students in the online program also have the option of attending campus classes occasionally during the semester if desired. It takes three semesters to complete the upper division nursing classes once all prerequisites have been met. Clinical components focus on community, leadership, and research, rather than direct patient care.
Delta State University (Cleveland). This online RN to BSN program accepts admissions in the summer term. Students may complete the program in one year of full-time attendance; part-time schedules are also available. Two to three days of on-campus sessions are required.
