Several Baptist Memorial hospitals in Mississippi recently welcomed summer nurse externs from area colleges and universities. These paid summer positions allow nursing students to gain hands-on experience under the supervision of registered nurses. Participating hospitals include Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Baptist Memorial Hospital-Leake, Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi and Mississippi Baptist Medical Center.
Baptist DeSoto
During its summer nurse extern program, Baptist DeSoto is mentoring nursing students from Delta State University, Holmes Community College, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi College, Meridian Community College, Northwest Mississippi Community College and University of Mississippi Medical Center-Oxford. Throughout the summer, externs will work alongside Emergency department, Intensive Care unit, and Neurology and Cardiology staff to gain hands-on clinical skills and experience.
Baptist Golden Triangle
Baptist Golden Triangle welcomed 36 summer externs from Mississippi University for Women, East Mississippi Community College, Itawamba Community College and Bevill State Community College. These nursing students are entering their senior year of college and will participate in the hospital’s 320-hour summer program, which allows externs to work alongside nurses throughout the hospital, including in Behavioral Health, the Emergency department, Critical Care, Women’s Services, Surgery, Physical Therapy, Progressive Care and Float Pool.
Baptist Leake
Baptist Leake is hosting six nurse externs this summer who are gaining experience in areas throughout the hospital.
“The summer nurse extern program has been very successful for Baptist Leake. Four of the six nurse externs who participated in last year’s program are now working as nurses at Baptist Leake,” said Baptist Leake Director of Community Education/Volunteer Services Michelle McCann. “Four former nurse externs at Baptist Leake are now serving as preceptors in the program.”
Baptist North Mississippi
Baptist North Mississippi welcomed 29 nurse externs this summer. They have been placed in the Medical-Surgical unit, Intensive Care unit, Emergency department and Step-down unit.
“We have retained around 98% of externs who have come through the program after they graduate to become registered nurses, so we are really excited to have this talented cohort as our future workforce,” said Baptist North Mississippi Staff Development Specialist Katie East. “We had more than 120 applicants and selected these 29, so they are truly the cream of the crop!”
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center welcomed 38 externs from East Mississippi Community College, University of Mississippi Medical Center-Jackson, Alcorn State University, Holmes Community College Goodman and Ridgeland, Hinds Community College, the University of Mississippi, Mississippi College, Copiah-Lincoln Community College and Meridian Community College. Externs began their time at MBMC with a luncheon and orientation class.
During their externship, student nurses work alongside registered nurse preceptors to strengthen their skills and enhance their confidence and competency. They work in several areas, including Mother and Baby, Labor and Delivery, Newborn Intensive Care, Pediatrics, Senior Care, Oncology, Intensive Care, Emergency, Orthopedics, Women’s, Telemetry, Neurology, Intensive Care Step-down, Cardiology, Medical Surgical, Urology and Bariatric.
