Become Nurse In Mississippi + Requirements & Licensing
Mississippi stands out as an excellent state for those seeking opportunities in the healthcare industry. With a growing demand for healthcare professionals, it offers numerous prospects for individuals aspiring to become nurses. This comprehensive guide aims to provide a detailed understanding of the steps and requirements involved in obtaining a nursing license in Mississippi.
Entry-Level Practice Nurses
1. Decide on Your Nursing Education Path
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If you are eager to enter the workforce swiftly, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) diploma program, lasting just one year, is the expedited option. Alternatively, aspiring Registered Nurses (RNs) can pursue a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
2. Complete Your Chosen Degree
The LPN program’s first year focuses on fundamental nursing skills, while the ADN delves deeper into nursing management. For the BSN option, the final two years concentrate on specialized courses, such as women’s health and bioterrorism.
3. Pass the NCLEX Examination
Upon graduation, LPNs must pass the NCLEX-PN exam, and RNs must successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Advanced Practice Nurses
To become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Mississippi, follow these steps:
1. Earn a Master’s Degree with a Major in Nurse Midwifery, General Nursing, or Nurse Anesthesia
Choose a recognized concentration, and ensure the program is fully accredited by a national accreditation agency approved by the Mississippi Board of Nursing. APRNs are granted prescriptive authority automatically due to the inclusion of advanced pharmacology in approved courses. However, a separate application is required for prescribing controlled substances, with stringent requirements for practice hours and education. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) must select a population focus in their degree, with various specialized areas recognized by the Board.
2. Become Nationally Certified
Achieve national certification related to your chosen specialization through a recognized national certification agency. Mississippi recognizes the following APRN roles:
– NP (Nurse Practitioner)
– CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife)
– CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
The following national certification agencies, each of which will have specific registration requirements, are recognized by the Board:
- The ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center), which recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) and the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).
- The AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners), which recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP.
- The AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses), which recognizes the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
- The NCC (National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties), which recognizes the Women Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).
- The PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, which recognizes the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care and Primary Care.
- The AMCB (American Midwifery Certification Board), which recognizes the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).
- The National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), which recognizes the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
APPLY FOR LICENSURE
To apply for licensure, it is mandatory to provide your social security number. The completion of the Initial Application for Certification to Practice as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is required, along with the submission of all essential documentation and fees. Paper copies of both your Registered Nurse (RN) and APRN licenses will not be issued. Instead, you can conveniently monitor the status of your license through the online portal.
If you haven’t attained national or state certification but aspire to practice, you have the option to apply for Graduate Certification. To do so, you must fulfill the Initial Application for Certification to Practice as APRN, granting you a 120-day certificate from the date of completing your graduate degree. Additionally, you must demonstrate that you are actively pursuing full certification.
Prior to achieving certification as an APRN, completion of 720 supervised clinical working hours is mandatory. Once accomplished, you gain the autonomy to practice independently and can apply for prescriptive authority for controlled substances. During the initial 720 hours, prescription capabilities are limited to non-controlled substances. If you possess six months of clinical experience from another state, the 720-hour requirement is waived.
A comprehensive criminal background check is a prerequisite before the issuance of your license.
While it is possible to obtain APRN certification without a practice agreement, submitting such an agreement is necessary for legal practice. Details about this agreement must be incorporated into your Initial Application, with any subsequent modifications to the agreement being reported to the Board online.
For those seeking prescriptive authority for controlled substances, indicating this on the application form is imperative. Additionally, you must fulfill additional fees and register with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), entailing an associated fee.
RENEW YOUR LICENSE
Biannual renewal of APRN certificates is obligatory in even years by December 31, coinciding with the renewal of your RN license. Both renewals can be conveniently processed online.
Mississippi mandates APRNs to engage in 40 contact hours of Continuous Education (CE) related to their specialization every two years. Two of these hours must focus on the pharmacology of controlled substances if you possess prescriptive authority for these substances. Additionally, compliance with stringent CE requirements from your national certification body is essential to keep your license current.
An email notification will be sent to remind you of the impending expiration of your license. The renewal cost for both your APRN and RN certificates is $100 each. Furthermore, the submission of various documentation is required to complete the license renewal process.
713 Pear Orchard Road, Suite 300, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: (601) 957-6300
Fax: (601) 957-6301
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