Memorial Hospital Gulfport Announces Launch of New Nurse Residency Program
First Cohort Selected to Strengthen Workforce, Support New Graduates, and Enhance Patient Care
GULFPORT, MISS. – JANUARY 22, 2026 — Memorial Hospital Gulfport is proud to announce the launch of its new Nurse Residency Program, a comprehensive, year-long initiative designed to support newly graduated registered nurses as they transition into professional practice. The inaugural cohort has already been selected and will begin their residency this month.
The program reflects Memorial’s long term vision for nursing: strengthening recruitment and retention, building confidence and competence, and creating clear career pathways for nurses within the organization. Memorial Health System Chief Nursing Officer Mary Brobst shared, “Launching this Nurse Residency Program is an investment in the future of nursing at Memorial. By supporting new graduates with the structure, mentorship, and clinical experience they need to grow, we are strengthening our workforce and ensuring our patients continue to receive exceptional, compassionate care.”
The Nurse Residency Program spans 12 months and includes all new graduate hires in medical surgical areas. The first 16 weeks are dedicated to a robust orientation that blends:
- Bedside clinical training with experienced Registered Nurse (RN) preceptors
- Personalized e learning and didactic coursework
- Bi-weekly check ins with clinical educators
- Monthly meetings with the program manager
- Rotations through key clinical areas including the Emergency Department, ICU, Case Management, Room Control, and Resource Nursing
“Investing in our new nurses allows us to continue investing in the health and wellness of our community,” said Clinical Education Programs Manager Ashley Williams. “This program ensures that new graduate nurses receive the solid foundation in mentorship, clinical education, and hands-on experience they need to thrive in our ever-changing field.”
The curriculum emphasizes both hard and soft skills, critical thinking, and clinical application. Learning is tailored to multiple styles including visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic to ensure each resident receives well rounded support.
The program is designed to provide enhanced mentorship for new graduates, ease the transition from student to practicing RN, improve competence and confidence at the bedside, reduce turnover, strengthen retention, and foster a healthier, more supportive work environment. Memorial Hospital Gulfport also plans to pursue accreditation through the American Nurses Credentialing Center Practice Transition Accreditation Program, underscoring its commitment to excellence in nurse development.
ABOUT MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM
Memorial Health System has been serving the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1946. Located in Gulfport, Mississippi, Memorial is a not-for-profit public community hospital organized under the laws of the state of Mississippi and is jointly owned by the City of Gulfport and Harrison County. Memorial Health System includes three hospitals (Gulfport, Biloxi, and Stone County) licensed for 481 beds, a state-designated Level II Trauma Center, two nursing centers, outpatient surgery centers, satellite outpatient diagnostic and rehabilitation centers, and more than 100 Memorial Physician Clinics. Memorial offers several of the region’s most comprehensive clinical programs and medical specialties unique to the area, including a Level III Neonatal ICU and Mississippi’s first nationally certified Primary Stroke Center. Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission, a Baby-Friendly Designated hospital, and is a member of the Mississippi Healthcare Collaborative. Visit wearememorial.com to learn more.
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