Top Mississippi RN to BSN Programs
Increasingly, employers at hospitals and other healthcare organizations are requiring nurses to hold BSN degrees. In fact, by the end of 2020, 80 percent of nurses will be expected to hold BSN degrees, according to the Institute of Medicine. To stay on top of the trend, forward-thinking nurses around the country are headed back to school to advance their educational credentials so remain competitive in their field and increase their earning potential. Colleges and universities have also taken note of the trend and have responded by making it easier for nurses to earn BSN degrees. Today, RNs can earn their BSN degrees from the comfort of their own home, in just one or two years, while they continue to work full-time. With many colleges and universities offering RN to BSN programs across Mississippi, however, choosing a top program to enroll in can be a tedious task. To help make that process as easy and as stress-free as possible, we've put together a list of Mississippi's top RN to BSN programs.
How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Mississippi
Selecting an RN to BSN program is a crucial decision that should be taken with care. While looking through Mississippi's top programs, take the following factors into consideration:
- Program success rate
- Program acceptance rate
- Gainful employment data upon graduation
- Program accreditation
- Tuition and mandatory fees
- Class sizes
- Age of the institution
- Student satisfaction rate
- Internship opportunities
- Instructor experience/credentials
- Cost of living in the immediate area
Testing and Certification
In order to obtain a nursing license, ADN graduates are required to first pass the NCLEX-RN exam. It's for this reason that students aren't required to take the exam for a second time following the completion of an RN to BSN program.
List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Mississippi
1. The Mississippi University for Women
Established in 1884, The Mississippi University for Women is a public university in the city of Columbus that now serves both women and men. MUW offers students an affordable and flexible RN to BSN bridge program that can be completed entirely online or in a hybrid online/in-person format. During their studies, RN to BSN students will take courses like Introduction to Health Promotion, Advanced Nursing Concepts, and Theory, Research, and Evidence Based Practice.
Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:
- Baptist Memorial Hospital - Golden Triangle
- Columbus Children's Clinic
- Columbus VA Clinic
Tuition:
The Mississippi University of Women offers its RN to BSN students a flat tuition rate of $10,000.
2. Delta State University
Situated along the Mississippi Delta in the city of Cleveland, Delta State University is a public university that was founded in 1924. DSU offers an online RN to BSN program that also allows students to have clinical experiences in their geographical location. The program, which emphasizes nursing leadership and management, can typically be completed in just two semesters. Part-time course scheduling is also available. The university accepts applications year-round.
Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:
- Bolivar Medical Center
- North Sunflower Medical Center
- Delta Regional Medical Center
Tuition:
To find out more about DSU's program tuition, contact the university's Robert E. Smith School of Nursing at (662) 846-4255.
3. Belhaven University
Originally established in 1883, Belhaven University is a private Christian university located in the city of Jackson that offers an online, 33 credit hour RN to BSN program that can be completed in one calendar year. BU's program, which incorporates a Christian worldview across the program, seeks to equip ADN-educated nurses with advanced knowledge of nursing concepts like leadership, management, research, and community health. Some courses students will take while enrolled in the program include Professional Writing for Nurses, Pathophysiology for RNs, and Christian Interpretation of Life.
Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:
- Baptist Medical Center
- Dominic Hospital
- Merit Health Central
Tuition:
Students who enroll in Belhaven University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay approximately $25,825 in tuition plus fees.
4. William Carey University - Hattiesburg
William Carey University, first established in 1892, is a private Christian college with campuses in Hattiesburg as well in the Tradition community near Gulfport. WCU - Hattiesburg offers an affordable, 30 credit hour RN to BSN program that can be completed in four trimesters or twelve months. Courses that students will encounter during the program include Applied Assessment & Health Promotion for RNs, The Role of the RN in Interdisciplinary Teams, and Community Nursing, among others. New students are admitted into the program twice per year.
Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:
- Forrest General Hospital
- Hattiesburg Clinic
- Heart South: Medical Center of Petal
Tuition:
WCU - Hattiesburg offers students its RN to BSN program at a tuition rate of $8,500 plus fees.
5. Mississippi College
Founded in 1826 and situated in the city of Clinton, Mississippi College is the oldest college in the state and the second-oldest Baptist-affiliated college in the entire country. MC offers its students a highly flexible, 30 credit hour RN to BSN program that can be completed entirely online in a 12-month span. Students who enroll in the program have the luxury of studying at their own pace and can take as many or as few courses at once as they wish. The program's coursework includes topics like Research in Nursing Practice, Christian Perspectives in Ethics, Nursing Leadership/Management, and others.
Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:
- Central Mississippi Medical Center
- Batson Children's Hospital
- Select Specialty Hospital
Tuition:
Mississippi College offers students its RN to BSN program at a tuition rate of $8,950 plus fees.
