From Classroom to Career: Nurse Student Tech Program Builds the Next Generation of Nurses

At Forrest Health, future nurses don’t wait until they walk across a graduation stage to start their careers – they begin while still in nursing school.

Through the Forrest Health Nurse Student Tech Program, students are immersed in real patient care early, gaining hands-on experience that sets them apart and creates a direct path from classroom to career.

Currently, 142 Nurse Student Techs are gaining experience inside the hospital – learning how to care for patients, building confidence, and discovering where they belong in healthcare. The program has become a key part of Forrest Health’s effort to grow its own workforce, with participants enrolled in nursing programs across the system.

“We are incredibly proud of our Student Nurse Tech Program – a program thoughtfully designed to support and nurture our next generation of nurses through a structured, yet flexible program,” said Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer Kimberly Reddish, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN (Alum), CENP.

Designed for students who have completed at least their first semester of nursing school, the program blends real-world experience with flexibility. Participants apply, interview, and, if selected, begin working as patient care technicians while continuing their education. Students from Pearl River Community College, The University of Southern Mississippi, William Carey University, Jones College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Southwest Community College, Meridian Community College, and Alcorn State University are currently enrolled.

Unlike traditional roles, Student Tech positions are PRN, allowing students to build schedules around classes, clinicals, and study time. For many, that flexibility removes a major barrier.

“They’re hesitant to commit to a 12-hour shift,” said Program Director Hali Beasley Pineda. “So we work around their schedules. They can pick up shifts when it works for them, and that’s a big satisfier.”

But the program offers more than convenience; it provides a deeper understanding of the profession students are preparing to enter.

“I really wanted to bridge the gap between what I was learning in class and how it’s actually done in a clinical setting,” said Sophia Abbott, a nursing student at The University of Southern Mississippi. “Being able to apply those skills with real patients and see how every situation is unique has made a huge difference in my learning.”

Student techs assist with day-to-day patient care, including feeding, bathing, and helping with activities of daily living. They take vital signs, perform blood glucose checks, and draw blood – developing practical skills they will carry into their nursing careers. Just as important, they become familiar with the hospital environment, learning how teams function, building relationships, and gaining confidence in a fast-paced setting.

For many, it is their first exposure to a large healthcare system. Forrest Health, including its flagship, Forrest General Hospital, and six regional hospitals, provides opportunities for students both during and after the program.

“A lot of them come in timid and unsure,” Pineda said. “Some haven’t had clinicals here yet, so this may be their first time in a hospital this size. There are always those ‘Whoa, this place is huge!’ reactions. But you can watch them grow. Their confidence builds, and they learn how to communicate with patients and staff.”

That growth is noticeable beyond Forrest Health. Nursing instructors who partner with the organization often say they can identify students in the program by their confidence and skill level.

“This program has really helped build my confidence,” said Gabriel Cocroft, a Pearl River Community College student from Sumrall. “After my first semester, I was struggling, but once I started working, everything started to click. My grades improved, and I was able to connect the dots I was missing. I can honestly say this program has made a huge difference for me.”

The program also gives students the opportunity to explore different areas of interest. Many choose to work on multiple floors, gaining exposure to a variety of specialties before deciding where they want to begin their careers. Others prefer to work on the same floor as their clinicals, building familiarity and confidence.

“It’s good training to learn the floor first before moving on to more specialty areas,” Pineda said.

During their final semester, students can shadow nurses in specialty areas such as ICU, Labor and Delivery, or the Emergency Department to help guide their next steps.

Pineda plays a key role in that journey, serving as a mentor and resource as students navigate both nursing school and their early careers. She regularly meets with students, answers questions, reviews resumes, and connects them with leaders across the organization.

“It takes a village,” she said. “And that’s what we try to create for them here.”

That sense of support is paying off.

Students in the program are given early access to RN job opportunities, often interviewing with nurse managers before positions are opened to external applicants. Many secure roles months before graduation, creating a seamless transition from student to professional nurse.

In December 2025, 74% of Student Tech participants accepted RN positions with Forrest Health after completing the program. This spring, more than 60 student techs are expected to graduate, with more than 32 already accepted and additional applications still under review.

“I feel very confident in the hospital setting now,” said Cesar Cabrera, a PRCC student from Ellisville. “This program has helped me with everything – from talking with patients to time management. Having that experience, plus already having a job lined up after graduation, makes the transition to becoming an RN a lot easier.”

Once they pass the NCLEX, the exam required to become a licensed nurse, many are able to move directly into their RN roles without repeating general orientation, thanks to the experience they’ve already gained within the system.

“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome these individuals into a profession and an environment at Forrest Health that prioritizes support, mentorship, and growth,” said Reddish. “This program is just the beginning of a meaningful journey. With dedicated mentors and compassionate leaders guiding the way, our Student Nurse Techs are stepping into a future filled with opportunity, continuous learning, and professional development.”

Applications for next semester’s program opened in April. Pineda said she hopes to replace the 63 May graduates who will be advancing their careers.

For Forrest Health, the program has become a powerful recruitment tool at a time when the need for nurses remains strong.

And for students, it offers something just as valuable – a clear path forward.

That journey is celebrated each semester with a milestone event known as Signing Day.

The event brings together students, their families, and Forrest Health leaders to recognize those who have accepted RN positions.

“It’s our own Signing Day like schools have,” said Pineda.

One by one, students are called forward, their names announced along with the departments where they will begin their careers. They celebrate alongside the people who helped them reach this point.

It’s a moment that reflects everything the program is designed to do, not just train future nurses, but welcome them into the profession.

And for many of those students, it’s not the end of their journey at Forrest Health.

It’s just the beginning.