Mississippi launches campaign to boost nursing workforce
The Mississippi Board of Nursing and Office of Nursing Workforce have launched a new marketing campaign called ONWard to increase the state’s nursing workforce. The initiative aims to attract young people to the profession and support current nurses in advancing their careers.
Over the next three months, the phased campaign will include targeted digital and social media outreach, enhanced website content, and video storytelling. The effort also seeks to raise awareness about nursing programs and career pathways, according to MSBON Executive Director Dr. Phyllis Polk Johnson.
State Sen. Daniel Sparks, a Republican and chair of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee, expressed support for the campaign. He emphasized the importance of healthcare in economic development, noting that it ranks high among priority sectors for growth and job creation. Sparks also highlighted that advancing nurses’ careers can lead to higher earnings.
Enrollment in nursing programs declined slightly between the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years, with about 20 fewer students, the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning reported last year. Meanwhile, shortages remained significant, with about 1,500 unfilled nursing positions in 2023. Turnover and license cancellations—totaling around 840 from 2024 to 2025—are contributing to staffing gaps, as some nurses relocate, retire, or change careers.
Governor Tate Reeves said the campaign is a strategic investment to strengthen Mississippi’s healthcare infrastructure. He noted that a robust workforce is essential for economic prosperity and praised the campaign’s focus on education and training. The initiative also plans to increase presence at nursing conferences and university events across the state.
Lacey T. Gentry, chair of the Nursing Workforce Committee and a professor at William Carey University, said the campaign aims to attract students and support current nurses through resources and scholarship opportunities. Sparks acknowledged the challenge of recruiting experienced nurses into teaching roles, which tend to pay less than clinical work, but emphasized the importance of expanding educational capacity to meet workforce needs.
Source: Original Article
