Master’s in Nursing Schools in Mississippi

If you’re currently working as a nurse in Mississippi and wondering how you can take your career to the next level, consider earning a Master’s degree in nursing. An advanced nursing degree can position you as a leader in your facility, allow you to do more to help your patients, and deepen your knowledge of varying nursing specialties. Select those schools from our listings that offer the graduate degree programs you are interested in, and request information to get started.

Featured Programs:

Mississippi Nursing Programs

As you begin your search for a Master’s-level nursing program in Mississippi, you may be wondering what qualifications you need to get admitted. The schools will look at your previous academic performance, so you want your transcript to be as strong as possible. Many schools also have a clinical practice requirement; you may need to complete one year or more of full-time nursing work before you can begin an MSN program.

Mississippi has an eclectic range of programs for you to choose from. There are direct care programs like psychiatric nursing, adult nurse practitioner, and nurse anesthesia. If you want to go into the education field, you can complete a nursing education degree. Administrative nursing degree options include executive nursing, nursing leadership, and nursing policy and administration.

You can plan on taking a complex curriculum of courses no matter which degree you choose. Commonly required courses include Financing of Health Care, Diversity in Advanced Nursing, Performance and Quality Management, Nursing Care for Children, and Evidence-Based Research in Nursing.

You may begin the scholarship application process as soon as you get accepted to an MSN program in Mississippi. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation awards the Mississippi Car Tag Stipend and the Mississippi Nurses Foundation Research Grant. Rise Up Mississippi funds several different nursing scholarships. The Mississippi Association of Student Nurses provides information on multiple nursing scholarships.

Working With Your MSN in Mississippi

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) states the transformation of our nation’s healthcare system is causing more healthcare to be provided outside of the hospital. They believe that the higher education of nurses is essential to ensure this trend remains safe and effective. Advanced practice nurses and nursing faculty are critically needed in MS, making this a great state to work in as a graduate prepared nurse.
If you are interested in going into direct care with your Master’s degree, you may want to consider primary care. The Primary Care Office of Mississippi notes that there are many underserved areas in Mississippi where advanced health care practitioners are in high demand.

The Mississippi Department of Employment Security notes that the job outlook is promising for nurses of all levels:

Nurse Educators are master’s prepared nurses who develop health education programs, as well as teach and educate nursing students. You may have the opportunity to work in a college, university or hospital teaching continuing education.

Family nurse practitioners provide patient care by analyzing and interpreting a patient’s symptoms, histories and their diagnostic tests. If you graduate from an accredited university and pass a national certification exam, you may also be qualified to prescribe controlled substances. Employment may be available in a physician’s office, clinic, public health department or hospital.

Returning for your graduate degree in nursing in Mississippi can reward you with a new career that meets your goals and may increase your income.

Nursing Schools in Mississippi

University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS

University of Mississippi Medical Center
Jackson, MS

What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program

The U.S. Department of Labor has identified nursing as one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation, and Mississippi, like other states, has a need for more nurses. While bachelor’s prepared nurses are desired, the need for master’s prepared nurses is even greater, as they represent a bridge between the gap in providers and patients in the state.

In Mississippi there are several American Association of Colleges of Nursing accredited colleges, with a wide variety of MSN programs to choose from. If you are considering returning to college for a graduate degree, this may the perfect time as it can open the door to new career opportunities. Contact the schools on our site that offer the programs you are interested in learning more about to get started!

There are numerous types of nursing graduate programs from which to choose, such as Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Educator, Community Health Nursing, Nurse Executive and Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Mississippi has several master tracks to choose from, and you can have flexibility in your schedule as the majority of the courses are online. The graduate program is also affiliated with over 200 hospitals, health departments, community health centers, mental health facilities, schools, community clinics, and private practice, which offers graduate students a variety of opportunities when completing their clinical hours.

The admissions criteria to most MSN programs in Mississippi typically includes:

Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited institution, which includes upper division theory and clinical practice courses in nursing
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
Undergraduate or graduate level statistics course
Satisfactory score on the GRE, including a score of 3.5 or higher on the analytical section
Clinical experience as a registered nurse for one year intensive care is required only for Acute Care Adult–Gerontology Nurse Practitioner applicants
Evidence of current unrestricted RN licensure to practice in the United States and eligibility for licensure in Mississippi
Graduates of foreign schools whose academic language is not English must complete the TOEFL exam to demonstrate competence in written and spoken English

The Acute Care Adult–Gerontology Nurse Practitioner may be a program for you if you enjoy a fast-paced challenging environment. This track would prepare you to deliver acute and critical care to adult clients in a variety of settings and requires 630 hours of guided experience under the mentorship of qualified professionals. Graduating from this program allows you to take the ANCC or AACN national certification exam in order to obtain a state advanced practice license as a nurse practitioner. You can complete this program on part-time or full-time basis.

The academic curriculum includes 48 credit hours and the following courses:

Application and Interpretation of Acute Care Diagnostic Modalities
Discipline of Nursing
Advance Health Assessment
Finance and Leadership in Health Care Systems
Practicum in Adult Acute Care Nurse Practitioner I (45 clinical hours)
Research Design and Methods for Advanced Nursing Practice
Advanced Physiology/Pathophysiology
Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics
Practicum in Adult–Geri Acute Care Nurse Practitioner II (135 clinical hours)
Health Care Quality Improvement
Informatics & HC Technology
Role Development and Role Enactment for Advance Role Practice in Nursing
Adult-Geri Acute Care Assessment, Management and Evaluation II
Practicum in Adult-Geri Acute Care Nurse Practitioner III (225 clinical hours)
Health Policy & Population Health
Practicum in Adult-Geri Acute Care Nurse Practitioner IV (225 clinical hours)

Upon graduation you can take your accreditation examination from the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses to become a licensed nurse practitioner in Mississippi.

If you need financial help for your education, visit the Financial Aid Office at your university and complete a FAFSA application, which is a federal grant program that is based on your income. The government also has low-interest loans, loan repayment programs and various scholarships available through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

The University of Mississippi Medical Center awards nursing scholarships that are based on financial need and also on academic performance. The scholarship (NELM) for the master’s degree can help you finance your education, which is a great idea if you plan to enter a program.

A graduate nursing degree, regardless of which specialty you choose, may give you the opportunity to work in an expanded role that is satisfying, and it may increase your income. You can find a variety of programs, and we recommend checking out all of your options for getting an MSN in Mississippi today to get started.

Mississippi RN to MSN Bridge Programs

There are many benefits to working in the nursing field, not the least of which is the variety of opportunities available for those who are willing to work hard and further their education. If you’ve been working as an RN in Mississippi and you’re ready to take your education further, now could be a great time to enroll in an RN-to-MSN bridge program. This degree program permits you to earn a BSN and an MSN at the same time, leading to possible career paths in nurse midwifery, nurse anesthesia, nurse leadership, and many other fields. Request information from the nursing schools listed on our site to learn more about RN-to-MSN programs in Mississippi and what they entail!

As an RN-to-MSN student, you can plan on spending about three years in school. The first year of the program typically focuses on BSN-level courses, while the final two years of the program allow you to work toward your Master’s in Nursing degree. There are many different degree tracks to consider, depending on which school you decide to attend. If you want to work in direct care, you may choose from paths like nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, and nurse midwife. Tracks that prepare you for a career in management include nursing administration and nursing leadership. Nursing education is a track that may ready you to work with undergraduate nursing students.

You may take a variety of in-depth advanced nursing courses to earn your MSN. Early courses in your curriculum may include Discipline of Nursing, Advanced Health Assessment, and Health for Advanced Nursing Practice. As you move through the curriculum, you may take courses like Therapeutic Management in Primary Care, Health Care Quality Improvement, Finance and Leadership in Health Care, Healthcare Policy & Population Health. Clinical work is of the utmost importance in an MSN program, whether you’re getting experience as an administrator in a hospital wing or as a nurse practitioner in a clinic.

The classes you take aim to help you meet a set of learning outcomes determined by your school. You may need to show your dedication to patient-centered, evidence-based care in many different ways. Furthermore, you may look at patient outcomes through the lens of quality improvement systems in health care.

As a Mississippi nursing student, you may be able to cover some of your educational expenses with a variety of scholarships and grants available throughout the state. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation awards numerous scholarships each year to nursing students, including the Mississippi Car Tag Stipend Program and the Dare to Soar Scholarship. There are also loans and scholarships available for nursing education students through Rise Up Mississippi. Consider joining the Mississippi Association of Student Nurses for another scholarship resource.

As an advanced practice nurse, you may need an extended license through the Mississippi Board of Nursing. You may be expected to prove your abilities through a licensing exam in your area of expertise. Professionals that may need special licenses include nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.

Completing a master’s degree in nursing can have many advantages, both for you and for the nursing community as a whole. You may find that furthering your education helps encourage a dedication to high standards in the nursing field and improves care outcomes for patients. It all starts with a great education. Earning an MSN degree may increase your earning potential as well.

Contact RN-to-MSN schools in Mississippi to get started!

Mississippi Direct Entry MSN

Becoming a nurse is a noble career goal, but it’s one you may have put off if you already earned a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field. It is not too late to become a nurse, and you can do it without having to repeat courses and spend another four years in school getting another Bachelor’s degree. No matter what your current bachelor’s degree is in, a direct entry MSN program in Mississippi may be a great option for you. You can contact schools directly from our site to learn more about your local options.

When you start an 18-to-30 month Accelerated MSN program in Mississippi, it’s important to note that you don’t jump right into Master’s-level coursework. Instead, you must first reach the same level of nursing competency as a BSN graduate. The first year or so of your training may focus on BSN classes like Clinical Inquiry, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, and Collaborative Care for Families. Upon completing these courses, you must sit for the NCLEX-RN and get your RN license before you continue on in your education.

If you have a specific MSN specialty in mind, you’ll want to ensure that you choose a school with the nursing specialty of your choosing. Some schools offer only one MSN concentration as a way to streamline the degree-earning process. Others offer multiple options. Popular options include nurse practitioner, nursing leadership, and nurse education. Courses you may take as an MSN student include Clinical Nursing Leadership, Health Policy, Public Health Nursing, and Evidence-Based Practice. Other classes in your curriculum will likely be specifically be related to your concentration.

To be eligible for graduation from a direct entry MSN program, you will be expected to meet your school’s clinical requirements. Typically, the total amount of clinical hours is between 800 and 1,000 hours. While many of these hours help you earn your RN license, others give you direct experience in your field, preparing you for your new career!

When you pursue a degree in a growing profession like nursing, you may be able to look forward to a range of financial aid options. Student loans are a popular choice, but before you turn to loans, exhaust your loan and grant opportunities. Mississippi is home to employers, associations, and schools that offer nursing scholarships. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation hosts the Mississippi Car Tag Stipend Program, the Arthur Davis Scholarly Writing Scholarship, the Mississippi Nurses Foundation School of Nursing Scholarship, and several other grants. Rise Up Mississippi offers the Nursing Education Scholarship for new nursing students. There are several Mississippi hospitals with nursing scholarship programs, including Rush Health Systems, St. Dominic Hospital, Central Mississippi Medical Center, and Mississippi State Hospital.

You may have a great job outlook ahead of you after you complete your MSN. Though job growth rates are considerably different between professions, they are all very positive when compared to other industries. For many people, an MSN can lead to an increase in earning potential.

Nursing is a career that’s overseen at the state level, so you’ll want to make sure you’re registered with the Mississippi Board of Nursing. They have strict laws regarding Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and you must demonstrate your knowledge in many different areas of practice before you can begin your career.

No matter which type of nursing you’re involved in, your dedication and passion can make the field of nursing better. As more and more hospitals move to hiring MSNs and giving nurses more responsibility, your advanced degree can help you shape the future of nursing. Contact the schools you find that offer Direct Entry MSN programs in Mississippi to begin.

Mississippi CRNA Programs

In the days before anesthesia became commonplace and an ethical requirement for surgical procedures, surgery was extremely dangerous for patients. A lack of appropriate pain relief could lead to an increase in infection risk, pain that led patients to pass out, or even death. Thanks to the efforts of nurses during the Civil War, anesthesia became an accepted part of surgery and other important medical procedures.

As a Bachelor’s-level registered nurse, you may be ready to take on the demands of a career in nurse anesthesia. Nurse anesthetists may take on a variety of duties, from the administration of oral pain relievers to IV-based medications and general anesthesia. If you’re considering a career in this specialty, you should be ready to work extensively with each patient you serve. CRNAs often stay by a patient prior to the administration of anesthesia, throughout the procedure, and even after surgery is completed. You must be able to respond quickly and appropriately to emergencies, ranging from anesthetic side effects to surgical complications.

Your Bachelor’s degree may offer a solid foundation for your nurse anesthesia education, but you do need to advance your education at the Master’s degree level to qualify for nurse anesthetist jobs. If you’re ready to learn more about nurse anesthesia education in Mississippi, contact the schools you find on our site to get program details.

Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Mississippi

Before you begin the process of applying for admission to Mississippi CRNA programs, you may wish to check out their admissions requirements and make sure your application is as strong as possible. The type of experience you get after nursing school is crucial. Anticipate spending at least one to two years in the workforce after earning your Bachelor’s degree in nursing. This experience should be in a fast-paced setting like trauma care, acute care, or critical care. Your academic performance is another major part of the admissions process. A GPA of at least 3.0 is typically required, but some schools do require a GPA of at least 3.5.

While earning your Master’s degree in nurse anesthesia, you may meet several learning outcomes outlined by your school. You should demonstrate strong clinical competence in many different anesthesia settings and with different types of pain relief. In addition, you should show your leadership skills in clinical settings and in the classroom. As you become more experienced in nurse anesthesia, instructors may be watching to ensure that you can integrate nursing research into your clinical decisions.

The curriculum for your nurse anesthesia program may start with essential classes like Advanced Human Physiology, Human Anatomy for Advanced Practice, Pharmacology for Health Sciences, and Evaluating Evidence for Practice. Other commonly required courses include Chemical & Physical Principles of Anesthesia Practice, Healthcare Leadership & Management Essentials, Rural Anesthesia, and Advanced Principles of Anesthesia.

There are quite a few resources for nursing scholarships in Mississippi, including employers, nursing associations, and individual schools. Consider applying for scholarships early and often to save money for school. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation funds several grants and scholarships. You may also look into joining the Mississippi Association of Student Nurses to apply for their range of scholarships. Rise Up Mississippi offers many financial aid opportunities, including those for nursing students.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Mississippi

To make use of your education and thrive as a nurse anesthetist in Mississippi, you must get your advanced nursing license from the Mississippi Board of Nursing. To be eligible for advanced licensure, you must maintain your registered nursing license throughout your education. You can then apply to take the CRNA certification exam through the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. With the title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, you can get your nurse anesthetist license in Mississippi.

Membership in a group like the Mississippi Association of Nurse Anesthetists can help you fully explore your new career path. This group advocates for nurse anesthetists all over the state by promoting safe practice standards, offering legislative support, and supporting CRNAs through continuing education opportunities. The continuing education and networking events offered by professional advocacy groups can help you make the most of your education, meet with others in your specialty, and contribute more to the nursing community of Mississippi. You can even join as a student member while earning your nurse anesthesia degree.

Now that you know more about nurse anesthetists and what it takes to become one, you may be ready to take the next step. If now is the right time to further your nursing career, take a look at our school listings to find CRNA schools in Mississippi to choose from.

Clinical Nurse Leader Degrees in Mississippi

When you start working as a registered nurse, you figure out fairly quickly if this is the right field for you or not. If it is, you may start wondering about how you can do even more for the field and for the people of Mississippi.

Around the country, studies have been created to look at the effects of nurse leaders in different settings. The general consensus is that Clinical Nurse Leaders can improve patient outcomes, make the most of health care spending, and provide more options to patients.

Because of their role in direct patient care, CNLs may notice trends and come up with possible solutions before other researchers even know that there is a problem.

Mississippi has often been criticized for having one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country (Clarion Ledger). However, in recent years, the rate of infant mortality in Mississippi has been falling faster than the national average. These sorts of accomplishments can often be credited to nurse leaders and their evidence-based policies.

Considering your future in nurse leadership? Find out more about what is expected at Master’s in nursing programs in leadership in Mississippi.

Featured Programs:

How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Mississippi?

Clinical nurse leadership graduate programs in Mississippi aim to help you meet very specific goals by the time you walk out of school with a Master’s degree. Your prior nursing experience and education allow you to enjoy a strong understanding of the health care community, its needs, and what it takes to work efficiently in this field.
Graduate nurse leadership programs build on this knowledge to help you qualify for management and leadership positions. Specific requirements are set by each school, but on average, you’ll need to earn about 36 credits to graduate.

Your curriculum should be primarily made up of courses that focus on leadership, management, policy, and research. As a student, you may enroll in courses like:

Advanced Nursing Practice: Leadership and Theoretical Frameworks
Ethics for Nurse Leaders
Health Care Policy
Health Care Organizations and Systems Leadership
Foundations of Management for Nursing Leaders

While working through each semester, you’ll discover how to transition from a nursing role to a leadership role, how to work effectively with staff, and how to provide care that meets your patients’ needs. The amount of clinical work you do is dependent on the school you attend. While some schools do not have any specific clinical requirements, others focus heavily on this aspect of practice and expect you to spend more than 1000 hours in a clinical setting.

Registered nursing licensure is still required for those seeking advanced certification. By October 31 in every even-numbered year, you can apply for license renewal through the Mississippi Board of Nursing. This is one certification requirement of the AACN. The AACN requires all CNL applicants to graduate from an approved school, have a valid nursing license, and pass a licensing exam. From there, you can renew your certification every five years.

What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do?

Clinical Nurse Leaders have the flexibility and education needed to meet a wide range of meanings within health care facilities and organizations in Mississippi. To understand your scope of practice and how you should prioritize your time as a CNL, get familiar with the guidelines created by the AACN.

As a Clinical Nurse Leader, you remain a member of your facility’s interdisciplinary care team. However, you should also act as a leader with other nurses and care providers. This may involve assigning duties, ensuring that others in your department are following evidence-based care standards, and even directing parts of patient care.

When you work in this role, you should be able to look at each patient’s care and medical needs in several different ways. Of course, you must look at the patient as an individual and anticipate their individual needs. However, you should also look at health problems in the light of community health, population trends, current evidence, family history, and patient cohorts.

You may also need to maintain an active presence in the local nursing community. The MHA Organization of Nurse Executives provides networking opportunities, training seminars, and other resources for nurse leaders throughout Mississippi.

The demands of Mississippi health care are growing every year. Be ready to meet them in your nursing career. Request information from Master’s in nursing leadership programs in Mississippi.

Mississippi Research Nursing Graduate Programs

Registered nursing is a critical part of the health care industry of Mississippi. Thanks to your education and experience, patients all over Mississippi have received top-notch care at medical facilities. You can make use of your expertise by exploring advanced nursing career options in Mississippi. In particular, the field of nursing research is responsible for many of the policy changes and standards utilized by Mississippi institutions.

Clinical studies are the backbone of nursing research in Mississippi. Throughout the state, clinical trials direct the course of medicine and empower nursing professionals to use the latest evidence in their care decisions. Whether you are interested in studying the industry, patient care standards, or another aspect of nursing, it all begins with your education.

Learn what research nursing graduate programs in Mississippi can teach you and how you can make your mark on this industry.

Mississippi Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research

To be a contributing member of the nursing research community, there is a lot that you need to know and many skills you must possess. First, you need an impeccable understanding of nursing theory, both at the basic level and at the advanced level. Second, you must be able to look at the industry with a critical eye to find potential subjects of research. Finally, you must understand how to design and carry out research in an ethical and moral way.

These critical thinking skills and advanced abilities are taught at the graduate level. You need to earn at least 30 credits over two to three years to become a clinical researcher. Since this is an academically demanding specialty, it is important that you have strong academic performance at the undergraduate level. Many programs look for applicants with GPAs of at least 3.5.

The curriculum for your chosen nursing program should help you get right into the world of research. Courses that may be part of your curriculum include Concepts of Nursing Research, Advanced Nursing Health Assessment, Qualitative Nursing Research, Quantitative Nursing Research, Ethics in Nursing Research, Leadership in Nursing, and Statistics for Health Care Professionals. You may also be expected to complete a number of practicum courses to gain the proper clinical experience.

You may look to local organizations and associations for financial aid options. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation awards the Mississippi Nurses Foundation Research Grant each year. It is worth $2,000.

The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in Mississippi

Overall, the field of clinical research is fairly stable in Mississippi.

Nursing research fills several different roles in Mississippi. Researchers hope to strengthen the field by attracting more nurses to Mississippi. Other researchers focus on how to improve the patient care experience, either through patient satisfaction or safety ratings. A recent study out of Mississippi examined patient falls that happened throughout the state. Researchers analyzed data to find common causes for patient falls. They were then able to use this data to decrease the amount of patient falls over a period of months. Obviously, nursing research has a direct impact on health care quality in Mississippi.

Are you interested in using your nursing experience to improve Mississippi’s health care system? If so, get started now by requesting information from nurse research programs in Mississippi.

Mississippi Certified Nurse Midwife Schools

What makes the difference between good health care and great health care? Personalization. The more a patient feels heard, understood, and valued, the more likely they are to return to their health care provider and engage in open dialogue with them.

That’s why certified nurse midwives are such a crucial part of women’s health care in Mississippi. Because they can spend more time with patients, CNMs are able to find out what they want from their health care and deliver it. If you are ready to use your registered nursing license in an advanced nursing career, contact the schools below to learn more about certified nurse midwife programs in Mississippi.

Patients who choose nurse midwifery care note that they enjoy the personal nature of this care. As a CNM, you may be able to offer choices in childbirth, in contraception, and even in preventative care. Discover what it takes to become a CNM and how you can change women’s lives.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Mississippi

Ensuring that you meet the prerequisites for a nurse midwifery program can help you get started in your new career more quickly. Of course, you need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and a graduating GPA of at least 3.0. You should also have one or more years of recent nursing experience, hopefully in labor & delivery or a related field. Seminars or advanced training in the care of women and newborns can be helpful as you go through the application process.

As you look through the curriculum for your CNM program, you may find that there are many courses that can deepen your understanding of the nursing field. Your education may start off with courses like Women’s Health, Introduction to Antepartum Management, Contraception, and Advanced Pathophysiology. In addition, many high-level nursing courses are required. Classes in this category include Advanced Scholarship and Research, Signs and Symptoms, Intrapartum Management, Antepartum Complications, and Family Theory. These courses give you theoretical and hands-on experience in nursing midwifery. During your clinical rotations, you may work with women who are not in their childbearing years. However, much of your time may be spent in the care of childbearing women. This part of your training may cover pregnancy visits, physical exams of pregnant women, and the process of labor & delivery.

The nursing community of Mississippi awards many different scholarships to advanced nursing students. This can help you avoid more student debt and become a member of the CNM community. Contact the Mississippi Nurses Foundation to apply for the scholarships they award on an annual basis. The Mississippi Rural Health Association may be an excellent resource for those who are willing to work in a rural area after graduation. Scholarships are also granted by the Mississippi Student Nurses Association.

Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Mississippi

Upon finishing your Master’s degree in this field, you can apply to take the nurse midwifery exam through the American Midwifery Certification Board. You may receive your national certification once you pass this comprehensive exam. After completing this step, contact the Mississippi State Board of Nursing to earn your state nurse midwifery license.

Nurse midwifery is a field that’s full of promise and opportunities for growth. Get involved today by contacting certified nurse midwife programs in Mississippi.

Mississippi Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs

If you have a strong health care background, an interest in serving the people of Mississippi, and a nursing license, you’ve put yourself in a great position to become a health care leader in this state. Mississippi has many health care needs that can be met by nursing professionals at different levels. Becoming a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) may give you the freedom to work more independently, contribute to a body of nursing research, and meet the rural health care needs of Mississippi.

To learn about your options for CNS programs in Mississippi, contact the nursing schools listed on our site that offer this option.

As hospitals and clinics try to find ways to streamline care and minimize costs, the services of clinical nurse specialists are becoming more and more important. MedScape reports that hospitals that fully utilize clinical nurse specialists and other advanced nursing professionals often have better patient flow and better patient outcomes. To take the next step in your nursing career, learn more about clinical nurse specialist programs in Mississippi.

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mississippi

To work as a clinical nurse specialist, you must be skilled in many areas of nursing and know how to apply theory to practice. A Master’s degree in nursing can give you the techniques and knowledge that health care employers look for. To enroll in an MSN program, you need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, a valid nursing license in the state of Mississippi, and at least one year of full-time nursing experience.

Over your two to three years in a CNS program in Mississippi, you can plan on exploring research techniques, advanced care techniques, and management theory. Early in your education, you may take courses like Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Diverse Populations, Applied Statistics for Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, and Advanced Pharmacology. Other courses that may be included in your curriculum include Health Care Outcomes, Health Informatics for Advanced Practice Nurses, Diagnostic Physical Exams, Differential Diagnosis, and Management of Complex Health Problems.

Some of the courses you take as a Mississippi CNS student should focus on the population you want to serve as a clinical nurse specialist. If you want to work in gerontology, for example, you may learn about health issues that specifically affect the elderly population. Furthermore, your clinical hours should allow you to work mainly with your population of choice. Over 500 hours should be spent in a clinical setting prior to graduation.

Mississippi nursing scholarships can be a great way to save money on your education and avoid the expense of student loans. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation awards stipends and scholarships to high-performing nursing students each year. Through the Mississippi Student Nurses Association, you can look into grants, scholarships, and loan repayment options. Rise Up, Mississippi is an organization that offers forgivable nursing student loans.

Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mississippi

The Mississippi State Board of Nursing has strict licensing requirements for clinical nurse specialists. In addition to maintaining a valid registered nursing license throughout your education, you must pass a background check and a rigorous clinical nurse specialist exam. Once you have an Advanced Practice Registered Nursing license, you can officially begin your career as a CNS.

You may find that there are many opportunities for clinical nurse specialists in Mississippi.

Are you ready to further your career and better serve the patients of Mississippi? Take the first step now by contacting clinical nurse specialist programs in Mississippi from those listed on our site.

Mississippi Public Health Graduate Programs

Nurses fill some of the most important roles in health care in Mississippi. As a registered nurse, your focus up to this point may have been the care of individual patients. Although you may have noticed trends in health problems and diagnoses, your day-to-day work may simply look at how you can help each patient.

However, there is a bigger picture in Mississippi health care, and that is public health. This can be a challenging aspect of Mississippi health care, since there are many remote communities that have little access to health information and care. Through the Mississippi State Department of Health, public health nurses run awareness and education programs, track the spread of disease, and tackle health problems that are unique to Mississippi.

If this sounds like a great way to use your nursing experience, request information from public health nursing graduate programs in Mississippi.

Featured Programs:

Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in Mississippi

Becoming certified to work as a public health nurse is a process with two main areas of focus. First, you must become competent in advanced nursing practices and theories. Second, you must be able to use all of your nursing knowledge in a public health setting. As you work toward these goals, you may earn more than 30 credits at the graduate level. For most students, this equates to two to three years of study.

The classes you take at this level should expand on your undergraduate education, challenge your nursing knowledge and beliefs, and give you experience in new areas of study. Some of the classes that you may find in your curriculum include Health Care Informatics, Applied Evidence-Based Practice, Applied Biostatistics, Health Systems and Management, Health Care Policy, Social Behavioral Factors in Health, and Methods in Research & Evaluation.

You should also develop a broad public health skill set. You may discover how to evaluate health programs, run educational programs, assess and react to health threats, and effectively communicate with clinical practitioners and lawmakers. In total, you may spend several hundred hours gaining clinical experience.

The state of Mississippi has many scholarship programs for graduate-level students. The Mississippi Nurses Foundation awards grants like the Betty Dickson Health Policy Award and the Dare to Soar Scholarship, both of which are open to public health nursing students.

The Role of Public Health Nurses in Mississippi

The field of public health in Mississippi has been responsible for several major advances in the state. For example, PEW Research notes that Mississippi is one of the four states with very strict vaccine laws, a move that is expected to prevent many dangerous illnesses. Public health nurses are directly responsible for these types of advances, both in terms of public education and legislative advocacy.

Salaries vary quite a bit, depending on employer, level of experience, and amount of education.

The field of public health needs dedicated, passionate nurses to keep growing. Find out what your next step is by contacting public health nursing programs in Mississippi.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in Mississippi

Lots of healthcare professionals dream about working in healthcare policy. After all, the effects of healthcare policy are felt in every sector of the medical industry. With your registered nursing experience, you may be a perfect fit for a career in healthcare policy.

With the proper education and passion for healthcare, you can combine your hands-on experience and theoretical knowledge to create effective policies.

The legislators of Mississippi have many long-term goals they hope to achieve in the healthcare sector. Currently, they are focusing on improving the availability of care for those who have limited access to care providers (Clarion-Ledger). In addition, policymakers hope to increase the scope of telemedicine and get it funded through government sources.

Are you passionate about nursing theory and making healthcare better for people all over your state? If you’re ready to take your career one step further, scroll down to contact graduate healthcare policy programs in Mississippi.

Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Mississippi

In many graduate-level nursing careers, the work you do is a natural extension of your registered nursing career. While graduate study is still required in these specialties, it is a logical transition from nursing to a specialized clinical job. In the case of healthcare policy, however, it is a huge shift in mindset and amount of responsibilities.

Moving from the direct care sector to legislative work involves studying many new areas of healthcare. Most healthcare policy programs in Mississippi involve completing 40 to 45 credits. Your coursework may explore management, administration, policy creation and revision, and political science.

Looking at the curricula for various health policy programs may give you a strong understanding of what this field entails. Courses that are commonly required in this degree include Health Economics, Health Law and Justice, Healthcare Strategic Planning, Healthcare Marketing, Financial Aspects of Healthcare, Health Policy, Healthcare Organizational Behavior, and Environmental Health.

The courses you take should empower you to meet the learning outcomes of your chosen program. These differ from school to school. In general, you may be expected to successfully apply epidemiological knowledge to policy decisions, examine various causes of health and disease, utilize statistical concepts, interpret behavioral theories, and apply management principles to healthcare settings.

It is likely that you will still spend time working in direct care to keep your knowledge of nursing up-to-date. Through the Mississippi Board of Nursing, you’re required to renew your nursing license by October 31 of every even-numbered year. Currently, there are no continuing education requirements for Mississippi nurses.

How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Mississippi?

Once you’re a nurse with policy knowledge and experience, you can really take your career in any direction you choose. Some graduates choose to focus specifically on causes that matter personally to them, such as certain diagnoses, areas of funding, or underserved populations. Others align with nursing groups and organizations to support their advocacy work and improve the world of healthcare for everyone. You may also work with local legislators and government agencies to shape policy.

The Mississippi Nursing Action Coalition is a perfect example of how nurses can change policy. They have worked to minimize the gap caused by the nursing shortage and the lack of nursing education opportunities in Mississippi, improve leadership training options, and allow APRNs to work in their full scope of practice.

As far as local organizations go, the Center for Mississippi Health Policy is a huge name in statewide health policy. They work in research and policy development. In 2015, their focuses included policies tackling childhood obesity, early elective deliveries, and minimal access to healthcare.

If you envision a future in which all Mississippi patients get the care they need and nurses can provide care in a safe setting, you may have what it takes to succeed in policy.

Learn more by requesting information from Master’s in healthcare policy programs in Mississippi.