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.

Emergency Medical Technology-Basic is an instructional program that prepares individuals to function in the pre-hospital environment. The EMT-Basic program provides instruction in basic life support care of sick and injured persons. This includes: airway assessment, communications, documentation, general pharmacology, hemorrhage control, ambulance operations, and splinting of adult, pediatric and infant patients; and special care of patients exposed to heat, cold, radiation or contagious disease.

Northwest Mississippi Community College - Desoto Center provides aspiring Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN/LPN) with a well-structured program that rigorously instills in them the necessary medical and practical skills. The course ensures that after completion, the students will emerge fully equipped to excel in their professional nursing careers. Furthermore, this program encourages students to uphold high ethical standards, exhibiting the values expected of licensed vocational nurses. The successful completion of the course permits the graduates to apply for the LVN/LPN license, which is a crucial step along their career path as Licensed Vocational Nurses. In essence, the program offered by Desoto Center thus serves a dual objective: to launch nursing careers and to maintain the integrity of the profession through ethical practice.

If you have a current Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse license and you're looking to take your medical profession skills further, Northwest Mississippi Community College - Desoto Center offers you a bridge program that you can pivot to. This program is tailored to assist LVNs or LPNs to transition smoothly and become Registered Nurses (RNs). Gaining your RN certificate opens doors for better job prospects, increased pay, and an opportunity to specialize in different areas within the nursing profession. Macro level societal changes such as an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic disease, and a more health-conscious society, mean that demand for RNs is expected to rise in the future. This makes it a perfect time to invest in upgrading your skills, and the program at Northwest Mississippi Community College - Desoto Center equips you with the tools needed to excel in this rewarding profession.