Forrest General Hospital’s Nurse Extern Program Graduates 20
Nurse Extern Program graduates
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (July 25, 2025) Twenty senior level nursing students who participated in the 2025 Forrest General Hospital Nurse Extern Program complete their training at the end of July. The students hail from Delta State University, Pearl River Community College, Mississippi University for Women, and The University of Southern Mississippi. They complimented the program saying they have gained valuable experience during their time working alongside staff at FGH this summer, which will help them better care for patients in the future.
The 2025 Nurse Extern Program, which began May 19, concluded with a reception July 25. The nurse externs work under the supervision of an RN preceptor to further develop their nursing skills. They will return to school this fall, with 12 of the 20 graduating in December. Instructors included Kim Smith, MSN, RN, (USM); Brandi Linares, MSN, RN, (PRCC); Christy Jenkins, MSN, RN (DSU), and Tara Sullivan, BSN, (MUW).
The purpose of the program, which requires 320 work hours, is to provide students with an opportunity to enhance competencies, assist nursing students to experience a typical work environment, and prepare them to assume responsibilities of a full-time registered nurse, and encourage retention of nursing graduates.
“We have enjoyed having you here this summer,” said Adrian Crabtree, RN, BSN. “This is a significant achievement, and I hope you have all learned something that was invaluable that you will be able to carry with you throughout your nursing career. We are super grateful that we have five nurse externs who will be returning to the nurse student-tech program and we also have five additional nurse externs who will be going to the nurse-student tech program. We hope to see you again in the future once you have graduated and passed your NCLEX come back here and work as an RN. We have built a lot of relationships with you.”
Forrest General’s 2025 Nurse Externs are: Katlyn Beal, Halle Breland, Trinity Calhoun, Makensie Grosche, Mike Huddleston, Kylee Kearley, Makinzee Melton, Shelby McCreary, Cassidy Nall, Raven Smith, and Caitlyn Thornhill, all from PRCC; Bri Beauchamp, Cameron Chancelor, Kyra Dixon, Demery Dodson, Demeia Pulliam, and Madison Stuart, all from USM; Kylee Flores, and Maggie Pearce, DSU; and Sadie Williams, MUW. Huddleston is an ER Tech at Highland Community Hospital in Picayune who transferred into the Extern program and will transfer back to HCH.
Madison Stuart of Collins spent two months of her program in Forrest General’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) — an experience she described as incredible. Although she had always imagined working in Labor & Delivery, a brief two-hour clinical rotation in the NICU completely changed her perspective. Madison believes the shift was divinely guided. When she applied for the program, she was told NICU placements were highly competitive and not guaranteed. So, she went home, prayed about it, and felt an overwhelming sense of peace. Just a few days later, she received an email letting her know she’d been placed in the NICU.
“I spent two months in the NICU during the summer, and it was truly phenomenal,” Madison said. “I was paired with the best preceptor, Hannah Taylor, who was absolutely fantastic and taught me so much. She helped me fall in love with this incredibly special place. It was not only an amazing learning experience but also a true blessing to care for some of God’s tiniest — and mightiest — warriors.”
In the NICU, Madison had the chance to experience a wide range of responsibilities. “A lot of people think it’s just holding and cuddling babies all day, but it’s an intensive care unit — there’s so much more to it,” she said. “I cared for the babies, of course, but also for their families. They’re exhausted and overwhelmed, and you want to support them, too. It’s been such a sweet and meaningful experience. I told a friend I couldn’t even begin to explain it all — it’s just been that special. Watching those little ones finally go home… it almost brings you to tears. You’re just so happy for them.”
One full-circle moment that stood out for Madison was witnessing a baby who had been born essentially brain dead make a full recovery and leave the hospital as a healthy, thriving infant. “It was incredible,” she said. “I saw a little bit of everything — from a one-pound baby to a 24-week preemie to a nine-pound newborn — all in the same day.”
Madison shared that while her previous clinicals involved a lot of critical thinking, this experience gave her the chance to truly apply those skills in hands-on ways. “It really helped me grow into the nurse I want to be,” she said. “I feel like it shaped me in such a meaningful way.” With graduation coming up in December, she’s eager to start her career. “Before I finished, they offered me a job to stay on, so I’ll be working as a tech in the NICU now. I’m so excited — it truly feels like a God thing. I’ve always loved taking care of people, and I believe this is one of the most meaningful ways to do that.”
For Cassidy Nall, working in the Emergency Department wasn’t something she ever imagined — but it turned out to be an incredible learning experience. In fact, she’s come to love the fast-paced environment.
The PRCC student from Hattiesburg had the opportunity to experience a little bit of everything, from starting IVs and inserting catheters to assisting with blood transfusions, treating broken bones, responding to codes, helping with intubations, and even handling heart attacks. “You really see people from all walks of life,” she said.
Cassidy says she would absolutely recommend the externship program to any nursing student. “If you get the chance to do this, take it,” she said. She appreciated the variety within the Emergency Department — from psych to trauma — which gave her valuable exposure to different areas of care. “I feel so much more confident in my skills now. I’m ready to be a nurse,” she added, “though it’s a little tough knowing I have to wait until I graduate in May 2026.”
Her passion for nursing began when she saw firsthand how a great nurse made a difference in her dad’s hospital care. Originally planning a career in dentistry, she shifted paths to nursing — “so I could care for more than just the mouth, but the whole person.”
Caitlyn Thornhill of Foxworth spent her externship on 6T, working with stroke patients who were in the early stages of recovery — many of whom couldn’t yet eat, drink, or even lift their arms. “It was a unique experience to learn alongside them during such a critical part of their healing,” she said.
Partnering closely with her preceptor, Caitlyn also gained hands-on experience with medication administration and performing head-to-toe assessments.
The PRCC student said the program boosted her confidence in essential nursing skills, including patient communication, giving injections, and managing daily responsibilities. “I’ve been encouraging others to take part in this program if they get the opportunity — it’s definitely worth it.”
A collaboration between the Schools of Nursing and the hospital, Holmes said the Nurse Extern Program is a great way to help senior-level student nurses increase confidence and competence in skills and patient care. “It gives them a realistic picture of providing patient care in a hospital setting, learning time management, prioritizing and documenting care, and it eases their transition into their role as a new registered nurse,” she said.
This program would not be possible without the support of nursing administration, patient care managers, and registered nurses who are willing to serve as preceptors for nurse externs, according to Linda Holmes, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, education specialist at Forrest General. This year’s preceptors included:
Robin Rawls, 5T; Sally Robinson and Mary Catherine Galloway, 4FB; Abby Cleveland and Amelia Dickson-Pugh, L&D; Jaleigh Ehrgott, Gabby Marin, John Chambliss, Landon Monk, Courtney Henderson, Victoria Kitchens, and Kaitlyn Tisdale, all from Education; Jennifer Lopez and Tyler Byrd, Peds; Pietje Markus and Kris Chambliss, ICU; Madison Broome, 9T; Lela Newsome, 2T; Hannah Taylor, NICU; And Stephanie Woods, 6T.
For more information about working at Forrest Health, visit forresthealth.org/careers.
ABOUT FORREST GENERAL HOSPITAL
Forrest General, a leader in medical excellence in South Mississippi, is the flagship hospital of Forrest Health. The 547-bed, Level II Regional Trauma Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, provides regional health services to a 19-county service area. Founded in 1952, the hospital’s mission—to do what is best for the patient—is grounded in “We CARE” values of caring and compassion.
