Mississippi nursing faculty secures second phase of two-year salary increase
April 05, 2007

The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges received $500,000 in their appropriations bill earmarked for a pilot program to implement dual-enrollment opportunities in practical nursing programs for secondary students. The pilot will include implementation in four sites across the state, and includes the admission of 30 students at each site.

Background Information

The current shortage of nurses in the state of Mississippi includes a shortage of licensed practical nurses as well as registered nurses. Data collected by the Office of Nursing Workforce from the annual surveys of acute care hospitals and long-term care facilities indicates there is a higher vacancy rate for licensed practical nurses than that of registered nurses.

Several states have established practical nursing programs that are implemented over a two- or three-year period for high school students. Currently, the Mississippi Department of Education has undertaken a program that, in part, focuses on preparing students to enter the workforce upon graduation. While there is currently an allied health pathway in most secondary career centers, most students in the allied health pathway graduate without any employment options.

Dual-enrollment in a community college practical nursing program would provide an opportunity for a student to leave high school prepared to take the NCLEX-PNŽ, the national exam required for state licensure. Another part of the Mississippi Department of Education redesign is to better prepare students for entry into either a community college or institution of higher learning. Most of the associate degree nursing programs offered in the community colleges and senior colleges offer fast-tract options for licensed practical nurses. After meeting admission requirements, and with the completion of required support courses, dual-enrolled students can typically complete the associate degree nursing program requirements in one calendar year.

Coordination of Project

Coordination of the project to include initial planning through outcomes assessment will be essential to the success of the future statewide implementation. The Office of Nursing Workforce would coordinate the project, bringing together representatives including, but not limited to State Board of Community and Junior Colleges, Mississippi Department of Education, Practical Nursing Programs, Mississippi Council of Directors of Practical Nursing Programs, Mississippi Nurses Association, Mississippi Board of Nursing, Mississippi Health Care Association, Mississippi Hospital Association, Mississippi Primary Care Association, Mississippi Organization of Nurse Executives, Mississippi Council of Deans and Directors of Schools of Nursing, and Mississippi Department of Employment Security, for appropriate task forces and advisory committees.