Train to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and begin a rewarding career in the health care industry without months of training. There’s no slowing down the demands for qualified nurse assistants across the country, and with numerous long term care facilities in Mississipi, it’s a good time to become a CNA. As a nurse assistant, you’ll assist residents at long term care facilities with the activities of daily living. Many nurse assistants go on to become licensed nurses after further study. Mississippi’s Department of Health oversees the training, testing and certification of nurse aides and maintains an up-to-date Nurse Aide Registry in partnership with Pearson Vue. Following are some important guidelines for becoming a CNA in Mississippi.
CNA Classes in Mississippi:
Certification Requirements
The Mississippi State Department of Health, Bureau of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification, requires all nursing assistants to complete training and competency testing for listing on the nurse aide registry as a requirement for employment. Training and competency testing go a long way in improving the quality of health care at long term care facilities. Mississippi, in accordance with federal regulations, allows a grace period of 120 days (4 months) where a nurse aide can provide direct care services while pursuing training. However, if you use this option, you must meet the requirements for training and testing within four months of hire.
Employers have the responsibility of verifying a prospective employee’s status on the registry before hire. The employer must also update the employee’s status if there are charges of abuse, neglect and misappropriation of patient property. Student nurses, graduate nurses, foreign nurses, and military-trained nurse assistants can apply for exemption from training and take the competency exam for inclusion on the registry. Out-of-state CNAs, who do not meet the requirements for reciprocity, can also skip training and take the test to transfer their license from another state.
Prerequisites to Training
There are no federal and state guidelines with regard to prior education to bar you from nurse assistant training. For this reason, you can start a new career as nurse assistant even if you do not possess a high school diploma. With that in mind, it is left up to the training provider to determine the requirements for entry. While there are many training providers that will enroll non-high school graduates, there are many more that will administer an enrollment exam to test your reading, writing and comprehension abilities. If you don’t have a diploma, you should consider taking the GED test to improve your chances of employment, wages, and opportunities for advancement, which is only available through further study.
Following are some other prerequisites to training:
- Must be 18 years or older
- Current criminal background check
- Photo ID
- Passport sized photos
- TB test within the past 6 months
- Physical capability to stand for hours and lift up a minimum of 40 pounds
- Proof of immunization (Varicella, Hep B, MMR)
- Liability insurance
- CPR
Mississippi Certified Nurse Aide Training Requirements
Prospective nurse aides must complete a minimum 75 hours of training at a state-accredited training provider before taking the competency exam. The training comprises of classroom, lab and clinical hours to prepare graduates for their role as a part of a health care team. In the classroom, instructors cover essential topics, such as anatomy, physiology, vital signs, body mechanics, observation and reporting, communication skills, infection control, death and dying. Students also learn personal care skills that will help them to assist patients with grooming, bathing, feeding, and mobility.
Students must attend 100 percent of the clinical practicum, which gives them the chance to put their knowledge to work. The clinical experience takes place at an off-site skilled nursing facility where students work in teams, under the direction of a licensed nurse, to provide direct care services. During the 75-hour or more training program, students acquire knowledge and practice the skills that will help them succeed on the state exam. Training programs last 3 to 8 weeks based on the provider’s schedule and contact hours. Graduates are eligible to take the competency evaluation for entry on the state registry.
Cost of CNA Training Mississippi
The cost of nurse assistant training in Mississippi ranges from $800 to $2500. Luckily, there are several state-funded programs that offer free training for qualifying individuals. Local nursing homes, hospitals and assisted living facilities may also sponsor training for prospective employees. Advertised training costs at colleges, universities, and for-profit institutes rarely include the cost of textbooks, uniform, course materials and supplies. Students also need to budget for related expenses, such as the background check fee, liability insurance, immunization, TB test, CPR training, physical exam and state certification.
While nurse aide training rarely qualifies for traditional sources of funding, you can research grant and scholarship opportunities in your area. Also, you can ask your employer to sponsor your training and testing if you work in a certified nursing home. Finally, you can apply for reimbursement of your training and testing costs if you obtain employment within 12 months of certification.
Nurse Aide Testing
There are two parts to the Pearson Vue administered nurse aide competency exam; the written (or oral) examination and the skills evaluation. Both exams will be administered on the same day for first-time testers. You must pass both parts of the exam for inclusion on the state registry.
The written exam comprises of 70 multiple-choice questions, which you must complete in 120 minutes. You can request the oral exam, at the time of application if you have difficulty reading English. The oral exam contains 60 multiple-choice questions and 10 reading comprehension English questions to test your understanding of common English words.
The 25-minute skills evaluation tests your performance of 5 skills; hand washing and four other skills assigned at random. You must successfully complete all five skills in order to pass the exam. The nurse evaluator will expect you to perform the critical steps in each skill. A list of the skills and critical steps for each are available in the candidate handbook. You can take the test up to three times. If you fail the exam by your third attempt, you must complete a nurse assistant training program before you can take the test again.
Certification Costs
- Written and skills exam – $101
- Oral and skills exam – $101
- Written retest – $32
- Skills retest – $69
- Oral retest – $32
- Re-certification – $26
- Reciprocity – $26
Walk with the following items on exam day:
- Arrive 20 to 30 minutes before the exam
- Two forms of proper identification
- Social security number
- Three No. 2 pencils and eraser
- Watch with a second hand
- Scrubs and closed-toe shoes are necessary for the skills evaluation
Out-of-State CNAs
If you’re an out-of-state CNA, you can transfer your license to Mississippi through reciprocity. You’re eligible for reciprocity only if your prior training and competency requirements in your old state are in line with OBRA ’87 regulations. You must be currently listed on the state’s nurse aide registry as ACTIVE and in good standing to be eligible for reciprocity.
- Download and fill out the reciprocity application
- Provide copies of your license, training and previous employment from the old state
- Your status on the old registry must be active
- If your certification is in expired status, you will need to take the competency exam in Mississippi
- The registration fee is $26
The DOH will deny your application if there are findings of neglect and abuse on your record.
Testing for Reciprocity Applicants
If the Board denies your application for reciprocity due to an expired certification, you will need to re-test to be added to the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry. You’ll need to complete a Mississippi state approved nurse aide training program in full if you fail the exam, in part or in full, before applying for a re-test. After completing the program, you may re-test under Eligiibility Route E1 – New Nurse Aide. The fee for taking the test is $101.
Renewal
Your CNA license remains valid for two years. The application for renewal takes at least two weeks to process, so submit your request for renewal early.
- Provide proof of at least eight hours of work for compensation at a skilled nursing facility. The work must be completed in the 24 months preceding the application for recertification. The employer must fill out the employer section of the renewal form.
- Download and complete the application for recertification
- Update your address and name on the application and provide accompanying documents to validate the changes
- The fee for renewal is $26 and is non-refundable.
Contact the Registry:
Mississippi Department of Health
Health Facilities Licensure & Certification
570 East Woodrow Wilson
Osborne Building, Suite 200
PO Box 1700
Jackson, MS 39215-1700
Phone: (601) 576-7300
Registry Managed by Pearson Vue
PO Box 13785
Philadelphia, PA 19101-3785
Phone: (888) 204-6213
State Approved CNA Training Programs in Mississippi
Aberdeen, MS CNA programs:
Care Center of Aberdeen
505 Jackson St, Aberdeen, MS 39730
662 369-6431
Itawamba Community College
50057 Airport Rd, Aberdeen, MS 39730
662 252-2071
Batesville, MS CNA programs:
Finch-Henry Job Corps Center
821 Hwy 51 South, Batesville, MS 38606
662 563-4656
Bay Springs, MS CNA programs:
Jones County Junior College
3209 Highway 15, Bay Springs, MS 39422
601 964-9393
Booneville, MS CNA programs:
Northeast MS Community College
10 Clilmingham Boulevard, Booneville, MS 38829
662 720-7249
Northeast MS Community College
101 Cunningham Blvd., Booneville, MS 38829
662 720-7249
Brandon, MS CNA programs:
Brandon Court
100 Burnham Road, Brandon, MS 39042
601 664-2259
Brandon Nursing And Rehab
355 Cross Gate Blvd, Brandon, MS 39042
601 825-3192
Byhalia, MS CNA programs:
Great Oaks Rehabilitation
111 Chase Street, Byhalia, MS 38611
662 838-3670
Calhoun City, MS CNA programs:
Calhoun Co. Career & Tech Center
302 N Madison St. Calhoun City, MS 38915
662 628-1143
Carson, MS CNA programs:
Dennis Fortenberry Career Center
5082 HWY 42 West, Carson, MS 39427
601 792-5005
Carthage, MS CNA programs:
Leake County Vo-Tech Center
703 Northwest Street, Carthage, MS 39051
601 267-8442
Centreville, MS CNA programs:
Wilkinson County Senior Care
116 South Lafayette St, Centerville, MS 39631
601 645-5253
Clarksdale, MS CNA programs:
Coahoma Community College
90-Ohio Street, Clarksdale, MS 38614
662 627-2571
Cleveland, MS CNA programs:
Cleveland Career Development and Technology
601 3rd Streeet, Cleveland, MS 38732
662 843-8818
Medical 2 Career College
601 3rd Streeet, Cleveland, MS 38732
1-877-741-1999
Collins, MS CNA programs:
Covington County Nursing Center
1207 South Fir Avenue, Collins, MS 39428
601 765-8262
Columbia, MS CNA programs:
The Myrtles Nursing Center
1018 Alberta Avenue, Columbia, MS 39429
601 731-1745
The Grove Nursing Home
11 Pecan Drive, Columbia, MS 39429
601 736-4747
Corinth, MS CNA programs:
MS Care Center Of Alcorn County
3701 Joanne Drive, Corinth, MS 38834
662 287-8071
Crystal Springs, MS CNA programs:
MS Job Corps Center
400 Harmony Road, Crystal Springs, MS 39059
601 892-3348
Decatur, MS CNA programs:
East Central Community College
275 West Broad Street, Decatur, MS 39327
662 536-1150
De Kalb, MS CNA programs:
MS Care Center Delkalb
205 Willow Avenue, De Kalb, MS 39328
601 743-5888
Diamondhead, MS CNA programs:
Corporate Management, Inc.
5427 Gex Road, Diamondhead, MS 39525
228 255-4832
Ellisville, MS CNA programs:
Jones County Junior College
900 S. Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437
601 477-4219
Kaho Healthcare Training Facility
90 Avendale Rd, Fayette MS 39069
601 786-7717
Fulton, MS CNA programs:
The Meadows
1905 South Adams Street, Fulton, MS 38843
662 862-2165
Goodman, MS CNA programs:
Holmes Community College
9216 HWY 14, Goodman, MS 39079, United States
662 472-9105
Greenville, MS CNA programs:
MS Delta Community College
2900 HWY 1 South, Greenville, MS 38701
662 332-8011
Creations CNA Training School
129 HWY 1 South, Greenville. MS 38701
662 332-9811
Grenada, MS CNA programs:
Holmes Community College
1060 Avent Drive, Grenada, MS 39079
662 226-0830
Grenada Living Center
1800 Hill Drive, Ste E, Grenada, MS 38901
662 226-9554
Gulfport, MS CNA programs:
Gulfport Job Corps Center
3300-20th Street, Gulfport, MS 3950
228 863-7236
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
10298 Express Drive, Gulfport, MS 39059
228 897-4379
Hattiesburg, MS CNA programs:
Pearl River Community College
Forrest County Voc. Tech. Ctr, Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601 554-5537
Forest General Hospital
2508 Adeline St., Hattiesburg, MS 39401
601 288-2650
Simply the Best Kare
601 adeline Street, Ste D1-D3, Hattiesburg, MSS 39401
601-336-7214
Hazlehurst, MS CNA programs:
Pine Crest Guest Home Inc
133 Pine Street, Hazlehurst, MS 39083
601 894-1411
Indianola, MS CNA programs:
Keplere’ Institute Of Technology
612 North Sunflower Ext. , Indianola, MS 38751
662 887-6199
Iuka, MS CNA programs:
Tishomingo Manor
230 Kaki Avenue, Iuka, MS 38852
662 423-9112
Jackson, MS CNA programs:
Access Training Inc
1770 Ellis Ave, Jackson, MS 39204
601 373-3540
Chadwick N&R
1900 Chadwick Dr. Jackson, MS 39204
601 372-0231
CNA Training Center
350 West Woodrow Wilson Drive, Jackson, MS
601 364-1188
Virginia College
5841 Ridgewood Rd, Jackson, MS 39211
601 977-0960
Lakeland N&R
3680 Lakeland Lane, Jackson, MS 39216
601 982-5505
Hinds Community College
3925 Sunset Dr, Jackson, MS 39213
601 376-4951
Kosciusko, MS CNA programs:
Attala County Nursing Center
326 Highway 12 West, Kosciusko, MS 39090
662 289-1200
Kosciusko-Altala County Vo-Tech Center
450 Hwy 12 East, Kosciusko, MS 39090
601 289-2689
Laurel, MS CNA programs:
Care Center of Laurel
935 West Dr, Laurel, MS 39440
601 649-8006
Leakesville, MS CNA programs:
Greene Rural Health Center
1017 Jackson Ave, Leakesville, MS 39451
601 394-2371
Leakesville Rehabilitation and Nursing
1300 Melody Laneipo Box 640, MS 39451
601 394-2331
Liberty, MS CNA programs:
Liberty Community Living Center
323 N Industrial Park Dr. Liberty, MS 39645
601 657-1000
Louisville, MS CNA programs:
Stepping Stones Career College
311 West Main Street, Louisville, MS 39339
662 773-7631
East Central Community College
921 South Church St. Louisville, MS 39339
662 773-2292
Lucedale, MS CNA programs:
MS Gulf Coast Community College
11203 Old 63 South, Lucedale, MS 39452
601 947-4201
Madison, MS CNA programs:
Madison Career-Tech Center
142 Calhoun Parkway, Madison, MS 39130-3026
601 859-6847
CNA Consortium of MS
950 HWY 51 N, Ste C, Madison, MS 39110
601 856-5660
Mayhew, MS CNA programs:
East Mississippi Community College
8731 S Frontage Rd, Mayhew, MS 39753
662 243-1998
McComb, MS CNA programs:
Camellia Estates
1714 White Street, McComb, MS 39648
601 250-0066
McComb Nursing And Rehabilitation
415 Marion Ave , McComb, MS 39648
601 684-8700
Meadville, MS CNA programs:
Meadville Nursing Home
300 Hwy 556/Route-Box 66, Meadville, MS 39653
601 384-5861
Meridian, MS CNA programs:
Reginald P White Nursing Home
1451 North Lakeland Drive, Meridian, MS 39307
601 581-8500
Meridian Community College
910 Highway 19, North, Meridian, MS 39307
601 483-8241
Monticello, MS CNA programs:
Lawrence Co Nursing Center
700 Jefferson Street, Monticello, MS 39654
601 587-2593
Natchez, MS CNA programs:
Adams County Nursing Center
587 Johns-Junkin Drive, Natchez, MS 39120
601 446-8426
Copiah-Lincoln Comm. College
30 Campus Drive, Natchez, MS 39129
601 643-8709
New Albany, MS CNA programs:
Graceland Care Center New Albany
118 S Glenfield, New Albany, MS 38655
662 534-9506
North Carrollton, MS CNA programs:
J Z George High School
900 George Street, North Carrollton, MS 38655
662 237-4701
Oxford, MS CNA programs:
Northwest MS Community College
1310 Belk Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655
662 562-3361
Oxford H&R
1301 Belk Blvd. Oxford, MS 38655
662 234-7821
Perkinston, MS CNA programs:
MS Gulf Coast Comm. College
51 Main Street, MS 39573
601 928-5211
Picayune, MS CNA programs:
Picayune Rehab & HC
1620 Read Road, Picayune, MS 39466
601 798-1811
Quitman, MS CNA programs:
Clarke County Vocational Center
910 North Acacia Avenue, Quitman, MS 39355
601 776-5219
Raleigh, MS CNA programs:
MS Care Center of Raleigh
309 Magnolia Drlhwy 35 South, Raleigh, MS 39153
601 782-4244
Ripley, MS CNA programs:
Tippah County Nursing Home
1005 City Avenue North, Ripley, MS 38663
662 837-9221
Rest Haven H&R
193 Cunningham Dr, Ripley, MS 38663
662 837-3062
Tippah Co. Center & Tech Center
2560 CR 501, Ripley, MS 38663
662 720-7249
Sardis, MS CNA programs:
Sardis Community Nursing Home
613 East Lee Street, Sardis, MS 38666
662 487-2720
Scooba, MS CNA programs:
East Mississippi Community College
1512 Kemper Street, Scooba, MS 39753
662 476-5103
Senatobia, MS CNA programs:
Northwest Mississippi Community College
10 Cunningham Blvd. , Senatobia, MS 38638
662 720-7249
Senatobia Convalescent Center
402 Getwell Drive, Senatobia, MS 38668
662 562-5664
Starkville, MS CNA programs:
Millsaps Career-Technology Center
803 Louisville Road, Starkville, MS 39759
662 324-4170
Summit, MS CNA programs:
Southwest Mississippi Community College
1156 College Drive, Summit, MS 39666
601 276-3864
Tupelo, MS CNA programs:
Itawamba Community College
2176 South Eason, Tupelo, MS 38804
662 620-5202
MS Methodist Senior Services Training Center
2800 W. Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38801
662 844-1441
Tupelo Training Center
144 S Thomas ST. Ste 204, Tupelo, MS 38801
662 841-6814
Medical 2 Career College
1830 N Gloster St. Ste A. Tupelo, MS 38804
662 844-9400
Union, MS CNA programs:
Hilltop Manor INC
101 Kirkland Street, Union, MS 39365
601 774-8233
J G Alexander Nursing Care
25112 HWY 15, Union, MS 39365
601 774-5065
Vicksburg, MS CNA programs:
Hinds Community College
755 HWY 27, Vicksburg, MS 39180
601 376-4958
Heritage House Nursing Center
3103 Wisconsin Avenue, Vicksburg, MS 39180
601 638-1514
Water Valley, MS CNA programs:
Yalobusha County Nursing Home
606 South Main Street, Water Valley, MS 38965
662 473-1411
Waynesboro. MS CNA programs:
Wayne County Vo-Tech Center
800 Collins St. Waynesboro, MS 39367
601 735-5036
Wesson, MS CNA programs:
Copiah-Lincoln Community College
1001 Copiah Lincoln Circle, Wesson, MS 39191
601 643-8709
Yazoo City, MS CNA programs:
Oasis Health and Rehabilitation
925 Calhoun Avenue, Yazoo City, MS 39194
601 746-7770
Ceasley Gentry