Nurse Practitioner Salary and Stats in Mississippi
Mississippi nurse practitioners have substantial earning potential. Many take home six figures.
The average salary is $110,740, which is just slightly less than the national average of $111,840. That makes Mississippi the 24th highest-paying state for nurse practitioners.
- Learn more about United States nurse practitioner salaries.
Across the state, the average salaries range from approximately $98,000 to $131,000.
Nurse practitioners working in Hattiesburg earn the highest average salary. Those employed in the northeast nonmetropolitan area earn the lowest.
Here are the typical salaries by region:
- Hattiesburg: $130,360
- Northwest Nonmetropolitan Area: $119.260
- Southwest Nonmetropolitan Area: $114,840
- Southeast Nonmetropolitan Area: $114,180
- Jackson: $108,300
- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula: $102,610
- Northeast Nonmetropolitan Area: $98,900
Evolving Practice Environment
Mississippi is one of 16 states with a reduced practice environment for nurse practitioners.
Current regulations require licensed Mississippi nurse practitioners to:
- Practice within a collaborative/consultative relationship with a licensed physician.
- Follow established protocols or practice guidelines.
- Participate in a formal quality assurance/quality improvement program developed in collaboration with a physician.
- Apply for prescriptive authority.
The MANP believes these rules prevent patients from accessing the primary care they need. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), restrictions on nurse practitioner practice delay care delivery, increase patient costs and limit patients’ ability to see their health care provider of choice.
The good news is that state leaders in nursing and government are actively trying to achieve full practice authority in Mississippi.
In February 2021, House Bill 1303 passed the Mississippi House and moved on to the Senate for a vote. The bill would allow nurse practitioners with at least 3,600 hours of experience (approximately two years of full-time employment) to provide primary care without collaborative agreements.
In March 2021, the Mississippi Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee decided not to consider a vote on the bill. The committee plans to examine the issue of practice authority during a session in summer 2021.
How Common are Nurse Practitioners in Mississippi?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Mississippi has the highest concentration of nurse practitioners in the country. Approximately 3 in 1,000 jobs are nurse practitioner roles.
If you're ready to start your nurse practitioner career in the Magnolia State, then you're in excellent company.
Use this blog to learn the process for how to become a nurse practitioner in Mississippi. You'll also explore the career outlook, state practice environment and most sought-after specialty.
Why Become a Nurse Practitioner in Mississippi?
Before diving into how to become a nurse practitioner in Mississippi, let’s look at why so many nurse practitioners choose to practice there.
Primary Care Demand
Mississippi has a large workforce of nurse practitioners. Yet, the state still lacks primary care providers. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that the current supply meets just 46% of the demand.
The shortage has produced a bright employment outlook for nurse practitioners, especially those certified to practice in primary care. According to the Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners (MANP), nurse practitioners are equipped to increase access to primary care.
Continue Reading:
- Nurse Practitioner Salary and Stats in Mississippi
- How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Mississippi
- Nurse Practitioner Requirements and License in Mississippi
- Find a Nurse Practitioner Job in Mississippi
