CNA Classes Near Southaven & DeSoto County, MS

Southaven · Olive Branch · Horn Lake · Hernando — Career Academy, Memphis

Last updated: August 2026

14 Miles from Southaven. State-Approved. 4-Week Day or 6-Week Evening. Serving All of DeSoto County.

There are no accredited CNA programs inside Southaven, Olive Branch, Horn Lake or Hernando city limits. The nearest in-person CNA training to DeSoto County residents is Career Academy in East Memphis — a 20- to 30-minute drive up Highway 51 or I-55 north. The program runs 4 weeks (day) or 6 weeks (evening), costs $1,350 all-inclusive, and requires no GED.

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Where Career Academy Is, From DeSoto County

We're located at 3355 Poplar Avenue, Suite 100G, in East Memphis — right off Poplar near Highland. From most parts of Southaven, the drive is between 14 and 17 miles depending on which side of town you start from.

Starting Point	Distance	Typical Drive
Southaven Town Center	~14 miles	20–25 min
Southaven (Stateline Rd)	~12 miles	18–22 min
Horn Lake	~15 miles	22–28 min
Olive Branch	~17 miles	25–32 min
Hernando	~22 miles	28–35 min

Free on-site parking is available. The evening program ends at 9 PM, so most Southaven and Horn Lake residents are home before 9:45 — closer to 10 from Hernando.

Can a Tennessee CNA Work in Mississippi?

Yes — with a short reciprocity step. Mississippi accepts CNA certifications from Tennessee through an endorsement / reciprocity application filed with the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Tennessee's 120-hour CNA program exceeds Mississippi's minimum training requirement, so the training itself satisfies MS standards — the reciprocity step is the formal license transfer, not retraining or retesting. Most Career Academy graduates who plan to work in DeSoto County file the MS reciprocity application alongside or just after their first job offer in Mississippi.

Always check the Mississippi State Department of Health for current reciprocity requirements before submitting your application.

Where DeSoto County CNAs Work

DeSoto County's healthcare sector is anchored by two hospitals and a number of nursing facilities — with Memphis hospital systems an easy commute away for higher-paying roles.

Employer	Type	Note
Baptist Memorial Hospital–DeSoto	Hospital	Major hospital inside Southaven city limits.
Methodist Olive Branch Hospital	Hospital	About 15 minutes east of Southaven, on Goodman Rd.
Diversicare of Southaven	Skilled nursing	Long-term and rehabilitation care in Southaven.
The Pavilion at Crossgates	Skilled nursing	Independent and assisted living in Brandon-Southaven area.
Memphis hospital systems	Cross-state commute	Baptist, Methodist Le Bonheur, Regional One — typically $19–$24/hr.

For full Memphis-area salary data, see our CNA Salary in Memphis breakdown by employer.

Schedule Options for DeSoto County Commuters

4-Week Day Program

Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM–2:30 PM. Drive up in the morning, home by mid-afternoon. Best for students not currently working a day job.

$1,350 · 120 hours · 20 in-person days

6-Week Evening Program

Mon–Fri, 5:00–9:00 PM. Work your day job in DeSoto County, then commute up to Memphis for class. Most students home by 9:45 PM.

$1,350 · 120 hours · 30 in-person days

What's Included in the $1,350 Tuition

CNA training textbook

Clinical skills supplies

CPR/BLS certification

Tennessee state exam registration

24 clinical skills sign-offs

State exam prep review

Payment plan: 3 × $450, no interest, no payment before your first day. Workforce funding through WIOA, SNAP E&T, VA, and MyCAA may cover full tuition — see if you qualify.

Ready to Start? New Cohorts Every Month.

The drive is short, the program is real, and you'll be certified in 4–6 weeks.

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CNA Classes Near Southaven & DeSoto County — Frequently Asked Questions

Are there CNA classes in Southaven, MS?

There are no accredited CNA programs inside Southaven city limits. The closest accredited CNA training to Southaven residents is Career Academy in East Memphis — a 15- to 25-minute drive depending on traffic. Career Academy is approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and is a registered Tennessee state exam testing site.

Are there CNA classes in Olive Branch, MS?

No accredited CNA program operates inside Olive Branch. The closest is Career Academy in East Memphis — roughly 17 miles, typically 25 to 32 minutes via Goodman Road and I-55 or Highway 78. Olive Branch residents who want to work at Methodist Olive Branch Hospital still commonly train in Tennessee and then file the Mississippi reciprocity application.

Where can I take CNA classes near Horn Lake or Hernando?

Neither Horn Lake nor Hernando has an accredited CNA program. Career Academy in East Memphis is about 15 miles from Horn Lake (22–28 minutes) and about 22 miles from Hernando (28–35 minutes), straight up I-55. Both towns are well inside a normal commute for the 4-week day program; Hernando students on the evening schedule get home closer to 10 PM.

How far is Career Academy from Southaven?

Career Academy is located at 3355 Poplar Avenue, Suite 100G in East Memphis — approximately 14 miles from central Southaven. Typical drive time is 20 to 30 minutes via Highway 51 / Elvis Presley Boulevard or I-55 north. Free on-site parking is available at the campus.

Can I work as a CNA in Mississippi with a Tennessee CNA certification?

Yes, in most cases — but you'll need to apply for Mississippi recognition before working in a MS facility. Mississippi accepts CNA certifications from Tennessee through a reciprocity / endorsement process administered by the Mississippi State Department of Health. Most Tennessee CNAs apply for MS reciprocity in good standing without retesting. Check the MS State Department of Health for current requirements before applying for jobs in DeSoto County.

Where do Southaven CNAs work?

Southaven and the broader DeSoto County area have strong CNA demand at facilities like Baptist Memorial Hospital–DeSoto in Southaven, Methodist Olive Branch Hospital, and a number of nursing facilities and assisted-living communities throughout the area. Many Southaven CNAs also commute into Memphis to work at Baptist Memorial, Methodist Le Bonheur, Regional One Health, or the Memphis VA Medical Center — where hospital wages are typically $19–$24 per hour.

What's the class schedule at Career Academy?

Career Academy offers two schedules: a 4-week day program (Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–2:30 PM) and a 6-week evening program (Monday–Friday, 5:00–9:00 PM). The evening option is popular with Southaven residents who work day jobs locally and commute up to Memphis for class after work.

How much does CNA training cost?

Tuition is $1,350 all-inclusive — covers textbook, clinical skills supplies, CPR/BLS certification, and Tennessee state exam registration. A 3-payment plan of $450 is available with no interest, and no payment is due before the first day of class. WIOA, SNAP E&T, VA benefits, and MyCAA may cover full tuition for eligible students.

Does my Tennessee CNA class count toward Mississippi requirements?

Tennessee's 120-hour CNA program exceeds Mississippi's minimum training requirement (75 hours), so the training itself satisfies MS standards. The reciprocity step is the formal license-transfer application, not retraining. Career Academy graduates working in MS typically file the reciprocity application alongside or shortly after their first MS-area job offer.

Can I sit for the Tennessee state CNA exam at Career Academy?

Yes — Career Academy is a registered Tennessee state CNA exam testing site, so you train and test at the same campus. Mississippi has its own exam testing sites; if you intend to be licensed only in Mississippi, you may take the MS state exam there instead. Most graduates take the Tennessee exam, then apply for MS reciprocity if they plan to work in Mississippi.