Online CNA Classes in Mississippi: Top Schools & Program Details
Online CNA classes in Mississippi can help you start your healthcare career with flexibility and convenience. In this guide, you’ll learn about affordable CNA courses available across the state, plus answers to common questions about certification, accredited programs, renewal requirements, and what CNAs do day-to-day.
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Comparing Online CNA Classes in Mississippi
If you’re interested in beginning a career in healthcare as a Mississippi resident, becoming a CNA lets you gain hands-on experience and make a real difference in people’s lives. It’s also a great starting point if you plan to advance to a higher nursing role later on.
Before working as a CNA, you’ll need to complete a Mississippi-approved nursing assistant program. The best programs offer a complete educational experience that prepares you to pass your certification exam. While fully online programs aren’t available, most offer a hybrid format, allowing you to take some coursework online and complete required clinical training in person.
Because CNA work requires hands-on clinical skills, every program includes in-person training through on-campus labs or at approved healthcare facilities.
Certified Nursing Assistant Program — East Mississippi Community College
East Mississippi Community College offers its CNA program in the evening at the Golden Triangle Campus, with a mix of in-person and synchronous online classes. This flexible schedule helps students balance training with work or family responsibilities.
The course teaches the skills needed to work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other facilities. Training is delivered by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and other qualified caregivers. In addition to 18 classroom sessions, students complete 16 hours of clinical work and a 3-hour CPR course.
Duration: 9 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $685
Admissions Requirements:
- State ID
- Immunization record (or required vaccinations)
- Background check and drug screening
Curriculum:
- Patient care support
- Blood pressure and other vital signs
- Documenting patient health issues
- Medical procedure support
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Certified Nursing Assistant Program — Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
MGCCC’s CNA course includes 84 hours of online theory and on-campus training, including a CPR session, plus 16 hours of clinical work in a long-term care facility.
Students learn the CNA role within the continuum of patient care, including direct patient support and communication with nurses and other caregivers. This hybrid model prepares graduates for the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam and potential employment in settings such as nursing homes, home health agencies, and community clinics.
Duration: 9 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $610
Admissions Requirements:
- Background check and drug screening
- High school diploma or GED
- Physical with TB test
- Provide immunization record
Curriculum:
- Patient care support
- Vital signs
- Working with medical equipment
- Supervised medical procedures/support
CNA Program — Pearl River Community College
Pearl River Community College offers both online and in-person CNA options across its Poplarville, Hattiesburg, and Hancock County campuses. Some locations even host Saturday sessions, providing additional flexibility.
Depending on the campus, programs range from 96 to 120 hours. Tuition includes a CNA student workbook, a basic life support CPR course, and the NNAAP exam fee. Students may also qualify for financial support through the Career STEP program, which funds short-term workforce training for eligible parents in the Twin Districts Workforce Area.
Duration: 11 weeks
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $750
Admissions Requirements:
- TB skin test
- 10-panel drug screening
Curriculum:
- Patient care support
- Recording patients’ health concerns
- Measuring patients’ vital signs
- Support work with nurses
Your Questions, Answered: CNA Training in Mississippi
Here are answers to common questions from CNA students about finding an approved program, preparing for the exam, and understanding job expectations.
Do I need to attend an accredited CNA program in Mississippi?
Yes, you should attend a state-approved program in Mississippi. In Mississippi, CNA programs are approved by the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). This ensures you receive the required real-world training to pass the certification exam and perform essential job duties.
Some colleges offering CNA programs may also be accredited by regional accreditors, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). However, for CNA training, MSDH approval is what matters most.
To verify approval, contact MSDH or review its list of certified nursing assistant programs.
What do “synchronous” and “asynchronous” online classes mean?
Synchronous classes meet at scheduled times; asynchronous classes you take on your own schedule. CNA programs in Mississippi are hybrid, meaning they include a mix of online learning, campus sessions, and clinical training. When you take an online component:
- Synchronous: live sessions at specific times
- Asynchronous: self-paced modules you complete anytime
Most programs offer both, giving students flexibility while maintaining structured training.
Which exam do I need to take to become a CNA in Mississippi?
You will take the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam to become a CNA in Mississippi. The exam includes:
- A multiple-choice section, available in written or oral formats
- A skills demonstration, where you role-play caregiving scenarios and demonstrate five essential skills
Passing the NNAAP allows you to become certified and appear on the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry.
Expert Insight
I was most nervous about the skills section of the exam. But I found that going through the motions of each skill at home, step by step, cemented the material in my mind. When it came time to do them during the exam, that preparation kicked in and carried me through.
Where do CNAs work in Mississippi, and what kind of care will I provide?
Most CNAs work in long-term care settings, but other options exist. As a CNA, you can find roles in:
- Assisted living centers
- Retirement communities
- Hospitals
- Home health agencies
- Mental health facilities
Daily work usually includes:
- Assisting with bathing, dressing, and eating
- Taking vital signs
- Helping move and lift patients
- Maintaining clean and safe environments
- Supporting nurses with certain procedures (under supervision)
You’ll work closely with patients, so compassion, communication, and patience are key skills.
Expert Insight
Another major part of a CNA’s job is toileting and toileting hygiene, meaning helping people on and off the toilet or changing and cleaning those who are incontinent. It’s helpful to know this ahead of time, so you’re not taken by surprise.
When do I need to renew by CNA license in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, you’ll need to renew your CNA license every 24 months. To renew, you must prove you’ve worked at least one 8-hour shift as a CNA in an approved facility during the previous 24 months. Your employer can provide this documentation, and most are happy to help, since it ensures their team remains certified.
Renewal requires completing a Nurse Aide Registry Renewal Form and paying a $26 fee.
Mississippi CNA Pay and Opportunities
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $31,390 | $39,530 | $50,140 |
| Mississippi | $23,570 | $30,460 | $38,790 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $25,000 | $31,200 | $44,840 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $24,290 | $29,990 | $35,560 |
| Jackson, MS | $23,520 | $31,150 | $39,210 |
Source: Nursing Assistants, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,361,300 | 1,417,800 | 56,500 | 4.20% | 202,400 |
| Mississippi | 10,800 | 11,830 | 1,030 | 9.50% | 1,710 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
