Key Takeaways
- Hattiesburg is home to two major nursing programs -- the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University -- making it a significant nursing education hub for the Mississippi Pine Belt region.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses earn a national median of $81,220 per year, with Mississippi wages tracking somewhat below the national median but offset by very low cost of living.
- Forrest Health (formerly Forrest General Hospital) is the largest healthcare employer in the Pine Belt and a primary clinical training site for area nursing programs.
- Mississippi faces a documented nursing shortage, and Hattiesburg nursing graduates have strong employment prospects at regional hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
- William Carey University offers a distinctive nursing program with a faith-based mission and a focus on rural and underserved healthcare contexts common in Mississippi.
- Graduate nursing programs in Hattiesburg open pathways to nurse practitioner roles, which are especially valued in Mississippi's underserved rural communities.
Hattiesburg as a Nursing Education Center
Hattiesburg, Mississippi is a mid-size city anchored by two universities and a regional healthcare complex that serves the entire Pine Belt and beyond. With a population of roughly 50,000 in the city proper and a metro area that draws from multiple surrounding counties, Hattiesburg punches above its weight in educational and healthcare infrastructure.
For aspiring nurses, this concentration creates a favorable environment. Two accredited nursing programs at the bachelor's and graduate levels compete -- in the constructive sense -- to recruit and train nursing students. The regional hospital system provides clinical training capacity. And graduates enter a Mississippi healthcare market that has a documented, severe nursing shortage that shows no signs of abating.
This guide covers the nursing programs available in Hattiesburg, the healthcare employers who hire local graduates, and the career paths that open after licensure in the Mississippi Pine Belt.
University of Southern Mississippi -- School of Nursing
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is Hattiesburg's flagship state university, and its School of Nursing is one of the most comprehensive nursing programs in Mississippi. USM offers multiple nursing pathways:
Traditional BSN Program
USM's pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is a competitive program that admits students after completion of a substantial prerequisite science sequence. The traditional BSN includes four semesters of nursing coursework following prerequisite completion, with clinical rotations at Forrest Health, Merit Health Wesley (Hattiesburg), and other regional facilities.
USM's BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the gold standard for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. CCNE accreditation is important because some employers -- particularly hospitals seeking Magnet designation -- give preference or require BSN preparation with CCNE accreditation.
RN-to-BSN Completion Program
For registered nurses who hold an associate degree (ADN) and wish to advance their education, USM offers an RN-to-BSN completion program that is largely online. This flexible format allows working nurses to advance their education while continuing to practice, typically completing the additional coursework in 12 to 24 months. The RN-to-BSN trend is accelerating nationwide as hospital systems adopt BSN hiring preferences and clinical ladder requirements.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
USM's graduate nursing program offers MSN tracks that can lead to advanced practice roles including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), nurse educator, and nursing administration. The family nurse practitioner track is particularly significant for Mississippi, where NPs serve as primary care providers in rural communities and federally qualified health centers that face physician shortages.
MSN-prepared nurse practitioners in Mississippi can earn $95,000 to $120,000 per year, representing a dramatic income premium over staff RN positions. For USM nursing students committed to maximizing career earnings while staying in Mississippi, the NP pathway is one of the clearest routes.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
USM also offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program for advanced practice nurses seeking the terminal clinical degree. DNP graduates are prepared for executive leadership, evidence-based practice leadership, and the most advanced clinical roles. The DNP is increasingly the expected credential for nurse practitioners entering practice.
William Carey University -- School of Nursing
William Carey University is a private, faith-based institution in Hattiesburg whose nursing program reflects the university's mission of service, particularly to underserved populations. William Carey offers undergraduate and graduate nursing education with a distinctive culture that emphasizes compassionate, mission-driven care.
BSN Program at William Carey
William Carey's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a full four-year program that integrates the university's Christian mission with comprehensive nursing education. Clinical rotations take place at regional healthcare facilities including Forrest Health and other Pine Belt partners. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
William Carey's program appeals to students who are drawn to a smaller, faith-affiliated educational environment. Class sizes tend to be smaller than at USM, and the program's culture emphasizes personal attention and mentorship. For students planning to practice in rural Mississippi communities -- where faith and healthcare intersect in meaningful ways -- William Carey's approach can be a particularly strong fit.
Graduate Nursing Programs at William Carey
William Carey also offers graduate nursing education, including MSN programs. The university's focus on serving rural and underserved communities aligns well with Mississippi's healthcare needs, and graduate programs emphasize the knowledge and skills needed to practice effectively in resource-limited settings.
Community College Nursing Options Near Hattiesburg
Pearl River Community College
Pearl River Community College, headquartered in Poplarville with additional campuses, offers LPN and ADN nursing programs that are accessible to students in the Pine Belt region. PRCC's nursing programs provide the most affordable and fastest pathways to RN licensure, typically completing in two years after prerequisites. ACEN-accredited ADN graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Jones College
Jones College in Ellisville (adjacent to Hattiesburg) offers practical nursing (LPN) and potentially ADN programs. Jones College serves students in Jones, Jasper, and Smith counties -- a significant catchment area for the Pine Belt healthcare workforce. Community college nursing programs in Mississippi are often undersubscribed relative to demand because many students are unaware of them or assume four-year programs are required to become a nurse.
Hattiesburg's Healthcare Employers
Forrest Health (Forrest General Hospital)
Forrest General Hospital is the 500-bed regional referral center for the Pine Belt and one of Mississippi's largest hospitals. Forrest Health is a Level II Trauma Center and offers a broad range of specialty services including cardiac care, cancer care, neuroscience, and behavioral health. The hospital is the single largest healthcare employer in the area and the primary clinical training site for both USM and William Carey nursing students.
Forrest Health offers a nurse residency program for new graduates, which provides structured orientation, mentorship, and support during the critical first year of practice. New graduate nurses at Forrest Health typically earn starting wages in the range of $25-$30 per hour, with differential pay for night, weekend, and specialty units.
Merit Health Wesley
Merit Health Wesley Medical Center is Hattiesburg's second major hospital, offering acute care services across a range of specialties. Merit Health Wesley is part of the Community Health Systems (CHS) network and provides an alternative employment option for nursing graduates who want to remain in the Hattiesburg market.
Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources
Behavioral health nursing is a growing specialty nationwide, and Pine Belt Mental Healthcare Resources is a significant behavioral health employer in the Hattiesburg area. Psychiatric nursing requires specialized skills but provides a career path with strong demand and often distinctive shift structures that appeal to some nurses.
Hospice and Long-Term Care
The aging of Mississippi's population -- which skews older than the national average -- creates significant demand for hospice nurses, home health nurses, and nursing facility staff. Hattiesburg has multiple long-term care facilities and home health agencies that hire nursing graduates. These settings offer different schedule structures and patient populations than acute care hospitals and can be excellent options for new graduates while they build experience.
Understanding Mississippi's Nursing Shortage
Mississippi consistently ranks among the states with the most severe nursing shortages. A combination of lower wages relative to other states, rural geography that makes healthcare access difficult, a high burden of chronic disease, and an aging population creates healthcare demand that outstrips the supply of nursing professionals. The BLS projects registered nursing employment to grow 6 percent nationally through 2033, but Mississippi's shortage is expected to be deeper than the national trend suggests.
For nursing students in Hattiesburg, this shortage is actually a career advantage. Graduates from accredited programs can expect strong job placement rates and, in many cases, sign-on bonuses or loan repayment assistance from employers eager to attract licensed nurses. Rural and underserved practice commitments also open the door to National Health Service Corps loan repayment, which can forgive substantial student loan balances in exchange for service in shortage areas.
Financial Aid for Hattiesburg Nursing Students
- Federal Pell Grant and Direct Loan programs (all accredited institutions)
- Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant and Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant (MTAG) -- for qualifying residents at Mississippi institutions
- Mississippi Nursing Education Loan/Scholarship -- forgiven in exchange for Mississippi practice commitment
- Forrest Health and Merit Health tuition reimbursement programs -- employer-supported advancement
- National Health Service Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment -- for practice in federally designated shortage areas
- HRSA nursing workforce grants -- targeting students committed to underserved or rural practice
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing schools are in Hattiesburg, MS? The two main nursing programs in Hattiesburg are the University of Southern Mississippi School of Nursing (BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP) and William Carey University School of Nursing (BSN, MSN). Pearl River Community College and Jones College serve the broader Pine Belt region with ADN and LPN programs.
Is it hard to get into nursing school in Hattiesburg? Admission to BSN programs at USM and William Carey is competitive. Both require prerequisite completion with minimum GPAs, TEAS entrance exam scores, and references. ADN programs at community colleges are also selective due to limited clinical capacity. Planning your prerequisites early and maintaining strong grades is essential.
What do nurses earn in Hattiesburg, Mississippi? New graduate RNs in Hattiesburg typically earn $25-$30 per hour ($52,000-$62,000 annually). Experienced nurses in specialty units earn more. Nurse practitioners with MSN or DNP degrees typically earn $95,000-$120,000 per year in Mississippi, making advanced practice a high-return investment in education.
Hattiesburg's nursing education infrastructure -- anchored by USM and William Carey, supported by regional community colleges, and fed into a healthcare market with genuine and urgent need -- makes the city a strong place to launch a nursing career. The path is demanding, the training is rigorous, and the reward is a career in one of healthcare's most essential roles in a community that genuinely needs what nurses provide.
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