Nurse practitioners provide comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages and fill a vital role in today’s healthcare industry. Mississippi offers degree programs in the family nurse practitioner (FNP) specialization at two universities: Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. Delta State has a doctoral (DNP) program in the FNP specialty area, and the University of Southern Mississippi has both a master’s (MSN) and a post-master’s certificate. These programs are available to registered nurses (RNs) with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in nursing.
Additional FNP programs are available to aspiring FNPs in Mississippi; however, a significant portion of these programs must be completed on campus, meaning that they are not the best option for those seeking a distance-learning option. The MSN and post-master’s certificate FNP programs at Delta State and the University of Mississippi Medical Center are briefly described below for those with more flexibility in their schedules and for whom a mix of online and face-to-face instruction is best.
The online family nurse practitioner programs in Mississippi are all accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Featured Online Programs (RN License Required)
Read on for a description of the online FNP degree offerings and information on FNP licensing requirements in the state of Mississippi.
Program Information: Online FNP Programs in Mississippi
Delta State University offers a DNP-FNP for registered nurses with associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The 31-credit program includes coursework in advanced theory and ethical issues in advanced nursing practice, epidemiology/population health, advanced statistics for clinical practice, healthcare policy and economics in clinical practice, business management, and quality care in clinical practice. The required number of clinical practicum hours varies but averages about 420.
Please note that the RN- or BSN-to-DNP tracks do not meet our criteria for being “online enough” due to unclear language around the extent of online components. All applicants must submit GRE scores.The DNP-FNP at Delta is currently available to residents of all states except Kentucky.
The College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Mississippi administers online MSN and post-master’s certificate programs for RNs seeking the family nurse practitioner credential. The master’s program is 45 credits, while the certificate comprises 28.
The research-based curriculum is 90 percent online with two on-campus visits. These include an orientation at the beginning of the program and a one-day clinical intensive per semester. RNs can complete their clinical hours in approved Mississippi healthcare facilities. GRE scores are required of MSN applicants as well.
Located in Jackson, the University of Mississippi Medical Center administers an MSN program for both ADN and BSN degree-holders, as well as a post-master’s certificate. Home of the first nursing school in the state, UMMC prepares FNPs to administer primary care with a focus on promoting health and preventing disease.
These FNP programs are offered in a hybrid format, with a combination of on-campus and online components, which may be suitable for students who prefer a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. Online courses may be delivered synchronously, in real-time, or asynchronously, with learning tasks completed at students’ convenience. The 630 hours of clinical practice must be completed in the state of Mississippi. Flexible course study plans based on individual needs are available.
FNP Licensing Requirements in Mississippi
The Mississippi Board of Nursing requires the following of aspiring APRNs:
- A graduate degree from an accredited school of nursing
- National certification (by exam) as a family nurse practitioner
- An initial application and corresponding documents
- 720 hours of clinical practice under the guidance of a qualified preceptor
- Biennial renewal in December of even-numbered years
As a final note, to apply for prescriptive authority, family nurse practitioners must:
- Register with the U.S. Drug and Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Be in possession of a uniformed controlled substances registration certificate from the DEA
- Pay a $100 fee
