Best Online CNA Classes in Mississippi
Learn about some of the highest-quality online CNA classes in Mississippi, understand the road to certification, and find answers to common questions.
If you’re thinking about starting a career in healthcare, becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) is a great way to test the waters. You can gain valuable experience you can apply to a more advanced nursing position down the road and also get the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives. Demand for CNAs is also steadily growing — according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the profession is expected to grow 4% over the next 10 years with 58,400 new jobs.
But best of all, most CNA programs are affordable and can be completed in a matter of weeks, so you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars or multiple years in school just to get started.
We can guide you if you’re looking for the right online CNA classes in Mississippi to expedite your career change. Below, we introduce you to some excellent programs, clarify the certification process, break down your salary and employment outlook, and answer some of the most common questions from prospective CNA students. Ready to dip your toes in? Let’s start exploring.
Inside Mississippi’s Standout Online CNA Classes
When you’re looking for online CNA classes in Mississippi, make sure to do thorough research. Look for programs that offer flexibility, affordability, scholarship opportunities, or financial aid, and a complete educational experience that will prepare you to pass your certification test. To jump-start your search, read on to learn about colleges we have highlighted that offer high-quality online CNA classes in Mississippi.
East Mississippi Community College
East Mississippi Community College offers its certified nursing assistant program in the evening at its Mayhew campus. Classes meet twice a week from 4-9 p.m. for nine weeks; this nontraditional schedule makes it much easier for students to fit studies around work and other responsibilities.
On top of these 18 classroom sessions, students must also complete 16 hours of clinical work and a three-hour CPR course. After graduating and passing the certification exam, CNAs may work as nurse assistants, long-term care aides, or home health aides. Aside from the cost of supplies, test fees, and health requirements, the total cost of the program is $685.
In addition to completing the application, prospective students must provide their immunization record and pass a background check and drug screen. They also must meet a number of health requirements, including getting a tuberculosis skin test, COVID vaccination, hepatitis B vaccination, and flu shot.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
The CNA course offered at MGCCC is delivered in a hybrid format to help students complete their studies with more flexibility. The program includes 84 hours of online theory courses and on-campus training (including a CPR course) and 16 hours of clinical work at a long-term healthcare facility. This combination of education and training prepares graduates to pass the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam and seek employment at many types of healthcare agencies, including nursing homes, home health providers, and community clinics.
Tuition for the program at MGCCC is $610, but applicants must also pay for a background check through the campus police ($65) and a drug screening through the on-campus clinic ($35). Other requirements for admission include a high school diploma or GED, a physical, TB test, and immunization record.
Pearl River Community College
Prospective students who are interested in the 11-week CNA program at Pearl River Community College have several location and schedule options. It is offered at all three campuses—Poplarville, Hattiesburg, and Hancock County — and each one features different attendance options, including daytime, nighttime, and hybrid. Some campuses even host select sessions on Saturdays.
The number of hours required for the program vary between 96 and 120. Through a combination of classroom instruction and clinical hours, the course prepares graduates to pass their certification exam.
The program costs $750 in total, but this amount includes the CNA student workbook, basic life support CPR course, and the NNAAP exam fee. Tuition assistance is also available through the Career STEP program that pays for short-term workforce training for qualified people. To be eligible for Career STEP, applicants must be parents between the ages of 16 and 59 who live in the Twin Districts Workforce Area and demonstrate financial need.
How to Become a CNA in Mississippi Online
You’re already working on the first step of your journey toward becoming a CNA—researching high-quality online CNA classes in Mississippi — but maybe you’re a bit less clear on the entire certification process. Continue reading to learn more about all of the steps you’ll take to become a certified nursing assistant.
Step 1: Meet Basic Background Requirements
Background requirements vary a bit from program to program. In general, to be eligible for enrollment in online CNA classes in Mississippi you will need to be at least 16 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. Aside from this, all programs require a drug screening, a background check with no disqualifying offenses, immunization records, and TB testing. Some may also require you to pass a physical.
Step 2: Graduate from an Approved CNA Program
This step is vital because it will prepare you for your job duties and give you the knowledge you need to pass the certification exam. In addition to theory courses that you’ll complete either online or in person, all approved CNA programs will require you to complete clinical work that provides you with real-world experience and training. To obtain a list of approved courses, contact the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Step 3: Take the NNAAP Examination
To work as a nursing assistant, you will need to pass the NNAAP Exam. It has two parts — a multiple choice portion (you can choose a written or oral format) and a skills demonstration portion. The questions in part one cover three different categories: physical care skills, psychosocial care skills, and the role of the nurse aide. In the skills demonstration portion, you will role-play in an authentic caregiving scenario with a fellow examinee to demonstrate five key skills.
Step 4: Start Working as a CNA
Although CNAs most commonly work in elder care facilities such as retirement communities, nursing homes, and assisted living centers, you can also find employment in a variety of other healthcare settings including hospitals, home health agencies, and mental health facilities. You will be working closely with patients to assist them with daily living activities like bathing, dressing, and eating. You may sometimes have to lift and move patients, take their vital signs, and help maintain a clean environment.
Step 5: Renew Your CNA License Periodically
If you are practicing in Mississippi, you will have to renew your CNA certification every 24 months. To be eligible to renew, you must prove that you have worked for pay as a CNA in a qualifying facility for at least one eight-hour period in the previous 24 months. The certification renewal process consists of completing and submitting a Nurse Aide Registry Renewal Form and paying the $26 fee.
Salary and Career Prospects for CNAs in Mississippi
As you embark on your career as a CNA in Mississippi, it’s important to consider what your earning potential and employment prospects might look like. Let’s take a close look at the data to understand the current salary and career growth trends for CNAs in the state.
When it comes to wages, CNAs across Mississippi can reasonably expect to earn a median wage of $27,430. Taking a look at different regions reveals that the job pays the most in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula metropolitan area, where CNAs earn a median wage of $28,360. Median earnings are the lowest in Jackson, where CNAs bring in around $26,600. The very highest-earning CNAs in the state are those who fall into the 90th percentile in the Gulfport area; these individuals earn well above the median at $38,520 a year.
In terms of employment outlook, CNAs in Mississippi should find plenty of job opportunities. Based on projections, the profession is expected to grow 19.5% in the state over the next 10 years. This rate wildly outpaces the projected national growth rate of only 8.3%. Clearly, CNAs will be in high demand throughout Mississippi.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | $20,800 | $27,430 | $34,110 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS | $22,580 | $28,360 | $38,520 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $21,240 | $27,140 | $33,810 |
| Jackson, MS | $20,800 | $26,600 | $35,070 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | New Jobs (2020-2030) | Growth Rate | Avg. Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 115,300 | 8.3% | 187,000 |
| Mississippi | 2,510 | 19.5% | 1,950 |
Source: Projections Central
Answering Your Questions About Online CNA Classes in Mississippi
Prospective students like you may have a lot of questions about online CNA classes in Mississippi. For example, how long will it take? And how much will it cost? Continue below to learn the answers to these and any other lingering questions.
Are Mississippi CNA programs accredited/approved?
Yes, the Mississippi State Department of Health is responsible for approving certified nursing assistant and nurse aide training programs. To find out which courses are approved, email the Nurse Aide Office at the MSDH to obtain a list of programs that meet state requirements.
Are there free CNA classes in Mississippi?
Surprisingly, it is possible to find free CNA classes in Mississippi. In fact, some healthcare facilities might even pay for your education if you agree to work for the facility for a set period of time after you are certified. Other free classes, such as the training through Mississippi Job Corps, simply require you to meet certain eligibility criteria.
Can I become a Mississippi CNA completely online?
Although it is possible to find hybrid options, there are no 100% online CNA classes in Mississippi. This is because working as a CNA requires hands-on training that you can only learn through in-person clinicals. These experiences teach you things you can’t learn from just a book and fully prepare you for the work you’ll be doing.
How long is a CNA program in Mississippi?
Although it varies, the average CNA program in Mississippi usually takes around six to nine weeks. A few programs, including those offered through healthcare facilities, may take as few as four weeks. Others may take longer, such as the program at Northwest Mississippi Community College, which you can complete in four months.
How much are CNA classes in Mississippi?
As previously mentioned, some courses can be completed for free, but most other courses typically cost anywhere from $400 to $700. However, prices can soar well above these figures. For example, the program at Mississippi Delta Community College costs $1,570 for tuition alone.
What’s the fastest you can become a CNA in Mississippi?
The shortest programs in Mississippi take four weeks. Typically, these programs are offered through healthcare facilities, while those offered at community colleges and technical schools tend to be a bit longer. With yet another example, the paid training at South Central Regional Medical Center takes four weeks — three weeks in the classroom and one week in clinicals.
