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Practical Nursing

Fall 2026 application is for:
Days – Ashland, DeSoto, Oxford, & Senatobia
Evening/Weekend – DeSoto & Oxford

Important Notice for Tennessee Residents:

Please be advised that the Tennessee Board of Nursing now requires more than 100 additional clinical hours (50 in Maternal Child and 50 in Mental Health) for licensure eligibility, a requirement that exceeds the Mississippi Board of Nursing standards. As a result, Tennessee residents are not eligible to take the NCLEX under Mississippi licensure requirements as a TN resident NOR can they transfer their MS license to TN without taking the required clinical hours as noted above. To meet licensing requirements, you must establish Mississippi residency and take the NCLEX in Mississippi. 

PN FALL 2026 APPLICATIONS

The Practical Nursing Program FALL 2026 application process opens FEBRUARY 2nd at 8:00 AM and closes APRIL 24th at noon - ALL applications and HESI scheduling MUST be done so prior to the deadline. There are no extensions.

To meet criteria to apply, you MUST:

  • Be 18 years of age by January 1, 2026
  • Have a High School Diploma or GED on file with NWCC Admissions office
    • Official transcripts must be on file prior to submitting application
  • The student must have an ACT Composite Score (English, Math, Reading, & Science) of 16 or greater on file with the Office of Admissions and Records.
  • If you do not meet the above criteria, your application will not be processed and will not receive the HESI instructions

If you have been enrolled in another college/university and were taking a Healthcare program and you were UNSUCCESSFUL at completing that program, you MUST have a Letter of Good Standing from that program director sent to the campus you have applied for – information will be provided in an email once you have submitted your application. DO NOT have letters sent until you have submitted your application the PN Program.

Letter of Employment Proof Form If you have employment experience that is HEALTHCARE related - the form MUST be completed prior and uploaded with your application for points to be awarded. NO forms will be taken once application has been submitted.

HESI testing dates will be between May 11th and 14th. You MUST take the test on the campus you are applying to attend.

*NO test dates will be changed once you submit the HESI date you selected – it MUST be scheduled on the same campus you put on your application. Also, if you miss your scheduled testing date and time, there is no guarantee that you will have an alternative testing date available.

Acceptance Letters Being Sent: May 29, 2026
Seat Acceptance Deadline: June 5, 2026, by 10:00 AM

Mandatory Fingerprinting and Orientation (2 different appointments) will be based on campus you have been selected to attend. Fingerprinting will take place at Highland Hills Hospital in Senatobia, Mississippi. You will receive this information from the Lead instructor at the campus you applied for. The fingerprinting for Evening and Weekend will be July 1-2nd and the Day Programs will be July 6-9th. Orientations will take place July 13-16th based on campus you applied for. Again, all appointments are MANDATORY.

Oxford campus questions – contact Mrs. Katina Johnson, Lead at Kajohnson@northwestms.edu
Senatobia campus questions – contact Mrs. Jessica Barham, Lead at Jesbarham@northwestms.edu
Ashland campus questions - contact Mrs. Tasha Chills, Lead at Tchills@northwestms.edu
DeSoto campus questions - contact Ms. Paula Geeter, Lead at Pgeeter@northwestms.edu

Please include your full name and NWCC student identification number in the "SUBJECT" line of email.

Program Information

The Practical Nursing Program is designed to provide the student with knowledge and skills necessary to function as a Licensed Practical Nurse. This program prepares the individual to assist in providing general nursing care requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences, and of nursing procedures that do not require the skills, judgment, and knowledge required of a registered nurse. This care is performed under the direction of a registered nurse or licensed physician.

Students who successfully complete the program will be eligible to apply for LPN licensure. The State Board of Nursing, to which the student applies for licensure, may deny any individual the right to take the NCLEX-PN based on previous criminal records.

  • The Day Program is a 12-month program
    • Fall start is offered at Senatobia, DeSoto, Oxford and Ashland
      • August to July
    • Spring start is offered at Senatobia and Oxford
      • January to December
         
  • The Evening/Weekend Program is an 18-month program
    • It is offered at DeSoto and Oxford
    • Evening/Weekend starts in August on the even years

The NWCC Practical Nursing program has not made a determination on whether the degree meets the state requirements for other US States, Territories, or District of Columbia. Professional license requirements for Mississippi, other states, and jurisdictions may be found on the Board of Nursing Professional Licensure Requirements website.