Family nurse practitioners in Mississippi can work with patients of all ages and focus on many different healthcare specialties, including pediatrics, geriatrics, and emergency care. The median salary earned by graduates of FNP programs in Mississippi is $116,590, and there is great demand for their services. In fact, employment opportunities for FNPs are anticipated to increase by 43 percent within the next ten years. There is a significant shortage of primary healthcare providers, particularly in the more rural parts of the Magnolia State, which, as an FNP, you’ll be ideally positioned to address. These are career advantages worth having! Learn more by reviewing the guide below to the 4 best FNP programs in Mississippi.
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 4 best campus-based and online FNP programs in Mississippi.)
RN-to-MSN Program Details: Are you a registered nurse considering a career transition to a higher degree? Have you thought of becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner or Family-Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner? If so, I recommend considering the University of Mississippi Medical. At UMMC, you will find some of the best FNP programs in Mississippi, including the RN-to-MSN program.
The FNP program is offered through a combination of on-campus, online, and hybrid learning modalities. The Advanced Health Assessment course and clinical hours are completed in person, while all other courses are online or hybrid. Online classes may be synchronous or asynchronous at the instructor’s discretion. The RN-to-MSN FNP program admits students in the summer and typically takes six semesters to complete. The program is a 66-credit pathway and includes 630 clinical hours.
The FP/MPHNP program features primarily online courses. However, some intensives require campus attendance twice per semester. The six-semester program admits students in the summer each year. The program features a 62-credit curriculum with classes, including Clinical Assessment of Persons with Mental Health Problems-Family, Informatics & Healthcare Technology, and Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics. The program includes 540 hours of clinical practicum.
MSN Program Details: The University of Mississippi Medical Center also offers a post-bachelor’s to MSN track with the option to specialize as an FNP or F-PMHNP. Both pathways offer fall admission and take an average of five semesters to complete.
The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner path features a blended learning format that combines online, campus-based, and hybrid learning methods. Online courses may be synchronous or asynchronous. Hybrid courses meet on campus up to four times each semester. The MSN-FNP program features a 50-credit curriculum consisting of classes, including Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics, Health Policy & Population Health, Informatics & Healthcare Technology. In the FNP pathway, you will complete 630 clinical hours.
The MSN-Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program is a 46-credit pathway. This program offers online classes with campus-based intensives twice per semester. In the F-PMHNP track, you will study Clinical Management of Individuals with Mental Health Problems, Clinical Assessment of Persons with Mental Health Problems, and Informatics & Healthcare Technology. The program includes 630 clinical hours.
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: At the University of Mississippi Medical Center, you can earn the highest level of clinical nursing practice and specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner through the BSN-to-DNP program. Both pathways admit students in the fall semester and take eight semesters to complete.
Each pathway begins with core courses like Biostatistics, Clinical Applied Epidemiology, and Advanced Physiology & Pathophysiology. As you progress in your chosen concentration, your curriculum will incorporate specialty-specific courses and clinicals designed to prepare you for your chosen DNP role.
The BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program offers coursework through a combination of online, campus-based, and hybrid learning. Online courses may be synchronous or asynchronous, at the instructor’s discretion. Hybrid courses may require up to four campus visits per semester. The program features a 79-credit curriculum with classes, including Reproductive Health for Advanced Nursing Practice, Therapeutic Management of the Pediatric Patient, Therapeutic Management in Primary Care, and Leadership in Health Systems. Additionally, you will complete 1,230 clinical hours.
The post-bachelor’s DNP F-PMHNP program is a 75-credit pathway. Courses are delivered in an online format. However, you may be required to attend campus up to two times per semester to participate in intensive sessions. In this program, you will study Health Informatics for the Advanced-Level Nurse, clinical Assessment of Persons with Mental Health Problems, Clinical Applied Epidemiology, and Theoretical Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice. This pathway also includes 1,230 clinical hours.
Post Graduate Certificate Program Details: The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers two post-graduate certificate options for qualified nurses who wish to become a Family Nurse Practitioner or Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The post-graduate certificate program is designed for RNs who hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and seek academic preparation either in a new specialty or in a subspecialty of advanced nursing practice.
Each pathway consists of support courses, didactic specialty courses, clinical courses, and practicums. Because this program is a post-graduate pathway, you will receive an individualized plan of study based on your previous academic accomplishments. For example, if you have a nurse practitioner certification in another specialty, your plan of study will be shorter than the plan of students without an NP certification. The program track director for your specialty will work with you to determine the appropriate plan of study to help achieve your academic goals.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Earning a graduate degree can be costly. One of the awesome things about the University of Mississippi Medical Center is there are several options for prospective students that can help reduce or eliminate the expenses related to pursuing a degree. For example, the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning offers several nursing scholarships. Also, the Mississippi Nurses Foundation offers scholarships, grants, and stipends, and Health the Resources and Services Administration offers scholarships.MSN Program Details: If you are looking for an FNP program in Mississippi where you can earn a Master of Science in Nursing, Alcorn State University is an excellent option! The program is designed as a full-time pathway that can be completed in five semesters, including one summer session. New classes are admitted in the fall semester of each academic year.
The MSN-FNP program utilizes online and hybrid teaching methodologies. In this program, you will take classes, including Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement, Clinical Management of Women’s Health, Health Policy & Ethical Decision Making, and Clinical Management Across the Lifespan. The curriculum consists of 49-semester credits and includes a thesis or nonthesis project. Additionally, you will complete at least 750 direct patient care hours.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The post-master’s certificate program at Alcorn State University is another excellent option for master’s-prepared registered nurses desiring to become Family Nurse Practitioners. This program offers two tracks. The first track is a 20-credit hour pathway and is designed for students who have completed the three Ps: Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Physical Assessment, and Advanced Physical Assessment Lab. The second track is a 23-30-credit hour pathway and is available to students who have not yet taken the three Ps.
Once the three Ps coursework is complete, you can complete the program in just three semesters. Classes begin in the summer, and students graduate the following spring. Each semester incorporates a clinical element. By the time you complete the certificate program, you will have completed at least 600 clinical practicum hours.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• One of the things I love about Alcorn State University is that it offers excellent support to nursing students through its outstanding Student Support Services program. The program is federally funded and designed to increase retention and graduation rates and to enhance student skills. The Student Support Services program provides counseling, academic support, and financial assistance all aimed at promoting your success!MSN Program Details: If you are a master’s-prepared RN searching for the best FNP programs in Mississippi, Mississippi University for Women is a school worth considering. MUW admits students to its Master of Science in Nursing program in the fall, and the program takes three semesters to complete, including one summer. While some courses may be offered online or in a hybrid format, most classes for the MSN-FNP program are primarily in person. Classes typically meet on Mondays, with some workshops required on an additional day of the week.
The program features a 39-credit curriculum. You will study the Science of Diagnostic Reasoning, Advanced Primary Care Procedures, Population Health in Advanced Nursing Practice, and Primary Care Management. You will be required to complete a clinical research project or thesis. Clinical practicums are arranged by program faculty in your geographic area, when possible. The MSN-FNP program includes 672 hours of direct patient care clinical practicum.
Post-Graduate APRN Certificate Program Details: If you are a registered nurse with a master’s degree who wants to become a Family Nurse Practitioner, the Post-Graduate APRN Certificate program at Mississippi University for Women has some options that may interest you! The program builds upon MSN courses and course objectives, designing a program to meet the needs of professional nurses desiring a broader scope of practice encompassing family care. While some assignments and coursework is completed online, classes usually meet synchronously on campus on Mondays.
The school offers two pathways to earn an APRN certification and specialize as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The first option is designed for graduate-prepared nurses who hold a current nurse practitioner in a specialty other than Family Practice. This option is a 23-credit pathway. If you have a master’s degree in nursing but are not already a nurse practitioner, you can pursue the 30-credit pathway. The post-graduate APRN certification program includes 660 hours of preceptor-supervised clinicals. Clinicals are arranged by graduate program faculty in your geographic area.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• Classes at the Mississippi University for Women are taught by doctorally-prepared nurses with years of experience in both clinical nursing and nursing education. The breadth of knowledge they bring to the classroom will guide you as you prepare to take your career to the next level and become a Family Nurse Practitioner!MSN Program Details: The MSN Family Nurse Practitioner program at Delta State University is another outstanding FNP program in Mississippi. The program admits students in the fall semester annually and offers both part-time and full-time study options. Students who enroll part-time typically take six semesters to complete the program, while students who enroll full-time usually graduate in four semesters.
The program features online courses combined with scheduled campus-based seminars and in-person clinical practicums. The MSN-FNP program is a 48-credit pathway. You will take classes, including Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care, Informatics in Clinical Practice, Research & Evidence-Based Quality Improvement, and Advanced Theoretical & Ethical Issues in Nursing.
The program also includes 780 clinical hours. Clinical practicums correspond with clinical courses and occur at various healthcare sites, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, acute care facilities, community health centers, and physicians’ offices. When possible, clinical learning opportunities may be scheduled in agencies and facilities near your home community (with faculty approval).
BSN-to-DNP Program Details: The BSN-to-DNP FNP program offers both part-time and full-time options, allowing you to choose a schedule that works best for you. If you enroll part-time, the program typically takes nine semesters to complete. If you pursue the program full-time, you can anticipate graduating in six semesters’ time.
The BSN-to-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner program features a 65-credit curriculum. The curriculum includes classes such as Leadership & Role Development in Advanced Nursing, Advanced Statistics for Clinical Practice, and Evidence-Based Nursing & Methods. Clinicals begin in the second semester and continue throughout the remainder of the program. You will complete a total of 1,200 clinical hours: 780 clinical hours related to the FNP Role and 420 clinical hours for the DNP Project.
Post-Master’s (non-FNP)-to-DNP Program Details: At Delta State University, master’s prepared nurse practitioners with a non-FNP certification can pursue a post-master’s certificate and become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time, you can complete the program in six to nine semesters.
You may transfer up to nine credits for the classes Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Health Assessment, and Advanced Pharmacology with approval. In this case, you can complete the program with just 56 additional credits. This pathway also includes 1,200 clinical hours, which are earned through direct patient care and completion of a DNP Scholarly Project.
MSN-to-DNP Program Details: If you are a current Family Nurse Practitioner desiring to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, Delta State University has a great option! The program features online classes and requires completion of a DNP Project. The program offers the option to enroll part-time or full-time. If you choose to enroll full-time, you can complete the program in as few as three semesters.
The post-master’s FNP-to-DNP program is a 31-credit pathway. Some of the classes you will take include Epidemiology & Population Health, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice: Theory, Design, & Methods, and Advanced Statistics for Clinical Practice. Students whose FNP program requires less than 580 clinical hours may be required to complete additional clinical hours in the DNP program. A GAP analysis will determine if you need clinical hours aside from those earned through your DNP project.
Post-Master’s Certificate Program Details: The post-master’s certificate program at Delta State University offers registered nurses with a master’s degree the opportunity to pursue a role as a Family Nurse Practitioner by earning a specialty certificate. The program admits students in the fall semester of each academic year. You can complete the program in four to six semesters, depending on whether you enroll part-time or full-time.
The post-master’s certificate program for FNP is a 40-credit hour program. In addition to online coursework, you will complete 780 hours of hands-on patient care in various clinical practicum assignments. All clinicals must be completed in Mississippi or Arkansas.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Students
• With so many points of entry, Delta State University has an option for almost every RN who wishes to earn a degree and become a Family Nurse Practitioner! Additionally, you have the option of earning a master’s degree and then seamlessly transitioning to the DNP program without having to change schools!| Hourly | $41.24 |
| Weekly | $1,650 |
| Monthly | $7,150 |
| Annual | $85,780 |
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Entry-Level | $41.24 | $1,650 | $7,150 | $85,780 |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $46.66 | $1,866 | $8,090 | $97,050 |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $55.08 | $2,203 | $9,550 | $114,570 |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $61.34 | $2,454 | $10,630 | $127,590 |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $73.30 | $2,932 | $12,710 | $152,470 |
| Hourly | $56.05 |
| Weekly | $2,242 |
| Monthly | $9,720 |
| Annual | $116,590 |
| Metro | Hourly | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula | $57.08 | $2,283 | $9,890 | $118,730 |
| Hattiesburg | $53.72 | $2,149 | $9,310 | $111,730 |
| Jackson | $57.25 | $2,290 | $9,920 | $119,080 |
| Average Mississippi FNP Annual Salary | Average National FNP Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| $116,590 | $127,510 | -$10,920 | -8.56% |
| State | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| California | $160,310 | -$43,720 | -27.27% |
| Nevada | $147,540 | -$30,950 | -20.98% |
| Washington | $144,290 | -$27,700 | -19.20% |
| New Jersey | $143,920 | -$27,330 | -18.99% |
| Oregon | $143,840 | -$27,250 | -18.94% |
| Massachusetts | $142,910 | -$26,320 | -18.42% |
| New York | $141,740 | -$25,150 | -17.74% |
| Connecticut | $135,940 | -$19,350 | -14.23% |
| New Mexico | $135,730 | -$19,140 | -14.10% |
| Minnesota | $133,980 | -$17,390 | -12.98% |
| District of Columbia | $133,820 | -$17,230 | -12.88% |
| Rhode Island | $132,440 | -$15,850 | -11.97% |
| Hawaii | $131,600 | -$15,010 | -11.41% |
| Arizona | $131,550 | -$14,960 | -11.37% |
| Delaware | $130,110 | -$13,520 | -10.39% |
| Iowa | $129,820 | -$13,230 | -10.19% |
| New Hampshire | $129,740 | -$13,150 | -10.14% |
| Texas | $129,020 | -$12,430 | -9.63% |
| Wisconsin | $127,350 | -$10,760 | -8.45% |
| Maryland | $127,010 | -$10,420 | -8.20% |
| Utah | $126,850 | -$10,260 | -8.09% |
| North Dakota | $126,790 | -$10,200 | -8.04% |
| Pennsylvania | $126,480 | -$9,890 | -7.82% |
| Illinois | $125,930 | -$9,340 | -7.42% |
| Alaska | $125,210 | -$8,620 | -6.88% |
| Vermont | $125,140 | -$8,550 | -6.83% |
| Montana | $123,690 | -$7,100 | -5.74% |
| Idaho | $123,600 | -$7,010 | -5.67% |
| Oklahoma | $123,380 | -$6,790 | -5.50% |
| Wyoming | $122,620 | -$6,030 | -4.92% |
| Indiana | $122,380 | -$5,790 | -4.73% |
| Maine | $122,000 | -$5,410 | -4.43% |
| Ohio | $121,930 | -$5,340 | -4.38% |
| Colorado | $121,060 | -$4,470 | -3.69% |
| Nebraska | $120,750 | -$4,160 | -3.45% |
| North Carolina | $120,660 | -$4,070 | -3.37% |
| Georgia | $120,230 | -$3,640 | -3.03% |
| South Dakota | $120,060 | -$3,470 | -2.89% |
| Virginia | $119,950 | -$3,360 | -2.80% |
| Michigan | $119,760 | -$3,170 | -2.65% |
| Florida | $118,800 | -$2,210 | -1.86% |
| Kansas | $118,360 | -$1,770 | -1.50% |
| Louisiana | $117,760 | -$1,170 | -0.99% |
| Mississippi | $116,590 | $0 | 0.00% |
| South Carolina | $116,050 | +$540 | +0.47% |
| Missouri | $115,790 | +$800 | +0.69% |
| West Virginia | $112,580 | +$4,010 | +3.56% |
| Arkansas | $112,550 | +$4,040 | +3.59% |
| Kentucky | $109,530 | +$7,060 | +6.45% |
| Alabama | $109,180 | +$7,410 | +6.79% |
| Tennessee | $102,930 | +$13,660 | +13.27% |
| Type of Nurse | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Nurse Anesthetist | $201,280 | -$84,690 | -42.08% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $116,590 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Registered Nurse | $75,510 | +$41,080 | +54.40% |
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Post-secondary | $68,620 | +$47,970 | +69.91% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $49,050 | +$67,540 | +137.70% |
| Nursing Assistant | $29,660 | +$86,930 | +293.09% |
| Job Title | Average Annual Salary | Difference | |
| Number | % | ||
| Dentist | $130,550 | -$13,960 | -10.69% |
| Pharmacist | $125,330 | -$8,740 | -6.97% |
| Optometrist | $124,000 | -$7,410 | -5.98% |
| Family Nurse Practitioner | $116,590 | $0 | 0.00% |
| Veterinarian | $102,660 | +$13,930 | +13.57% |
| Physical Therapist | $95,230 | +$21,360 | +22.43% |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,510 | +$26,080 | +28.81% |
| Radiation Therapist | $84,360 | +$32,230 | +38.21% |
| Chiropractor | $83,870 | +$32,720 | +39.01% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $76,680 | +$39,910 | +52.05% |
| Audiologist | $75,150 | +$41,440 | +55.14% |
| Dental Hygienist | $62,120 | +$54,470 | +87.69% |
| S.No. | Accrediting Agency |
| 1 | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) |
| 2 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) |
| 4 |
| $56.05 |
| $2,242 |
| $9,720 |
| $116,590 |
| 10-Year Job Outlook (2022-2032) |
| +42.58% |




Darby Faubion BSN, RN