CNA Classes & Jobs in Hattiesburg, MS

Everything you need to start a CNA career in Hattiesburg: local training programs, the Forrest Health hiring pipeline, current wages, and a free study plan for the Mississippi NNAAP exam.

Hattiesburg Mississippi skyline illustration
Hattiesburg, Mississippi — MSA population ~150K
Median CNA wage
$13.00/hr
~$27,040–$37,440/yr
Major employer
Forrest Health
Largest healthcare system in the metro
Metro population
150,000
Greater Hattiesburg metropolitan area

Working as a CNA in Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg is part of the Mississippi CNA registry, which means your training and certification follow the same NNAAP standards used across the U.S. The local healthcare market here is anchored by Forrest Health, which consistently hires new graduates and offers competitive starting wages around $13.00/hour. After a year of experience and a strong track record, CNAs inHattiesburg commonly move into specialty roles (ICU support, rehab, memory care) at $3–$7 above the entry rate.

Mississippi CNA training requirements

To work as a CNA in Hattiesburg, you'll need to complete a state-approved training program (typically 75–180 hours depending on Mississippi's requirements), pass the NNAAP written and clinical skills exams, and register with the Mississippi Nurse Aide Registry. The full Mississippi CNA certification guide covers application steps, fees, testing locations, and renewal cycles.

What the NNAAP exam tests for Hattiesburg CNAs

Every CNA in Mississippi takes the same National Nurse Aide Assessment Program (NNAAP). It's a 70-question written exam plus a 5-skill clinical checkoff. The exam doesn't change by city, but how you study for it should match the skills local employers care about. Forrest Health and other major systems inHattiesburg weight hand hygiene, transfers, vital signs, and feeding highest when hiring.

Pass the NNAAP on your first try

Try the free practice exam

ExamReady gives you the full 1,500+ question bank, all 22clinical skills walkthroughs, and a full exam simulator built around the same NNAAP you'll take in Mississippi. 7-day free trial, no card required to start.

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Other Mississippi cities

Full Mississippi guide

For state-level training requirements, application fees, exam vendor contacts, and renewal procedures, read the complete Mississippi CNA certification guide.

Read the Mississippi CNA guide →