Memorial Receives Accreditation for Critical Care Curriculum for RN Residency Program
GULFPORT, Miss. – Memorial Health System receives accreditation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs for its Critical Care RN Residency Program, a distinction that recognizes excellence in preparing newly graduated nurses for the demanding field of critical care nursing.
Memorial Health System Critical Care RN Residency Program is accredited as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation in Practice Transition Programs.
The accreditation affirms that Memorial’s program meets rigorous national standards for nurse residency programs and demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based education, mentorship, clinical excellence, and healthy work environments that support the successful transition of nurses from the classroom to professional practice.
The Critical Care RN Residency Program, hosted by Memorial Hospital Gulfport’s Intensive Care Unit, provides an intensive six-month experience designed to equip nurses with the specialized skills, critical thinking abilities, and confidence needed to care for critically ill patients.
“This accreditation reflects the exceptional work of our nursing leaders, educators, and clinical teams who have invested countless hours into creating a program that supports new nurses while ensuring the highest standards of patient care,” said Mary Brobst, Chief Nursing Officer for Memorial Health System. “Achieving ANCC accreditation places our program among an elite group of residency programs nationwide and reinforces our commitment to developing highly skilled critical care nurses.”
To earn accreditation, Memorial underwent a comprehensive review process that evaluated the program’s curriculum, outcomes, policies, evidence-based practices, ongoing evaluation methods, and organizational support. The ANCC recognized the program’s adherence to best-practice standards and its focus on creating a structured, supportive environment where new nurses can safely develop the competencies needed to thrive in critical care settings.
Ashley Williams, Clinical Education Programs Manager, emphasized the direct impact the program has on patients and the future nursing workforce.
“Our patients are ultimately the beneficiaries of this Critical Care Nurse Residency Program because they are receiving the care we are training these nurses to provide,” Williams said. “This program allows us to deliver a comprehensive, supportive, and patient-centered transition from classroom learning to bedside practice. Over six months, residents explore every aspect of critical care nursing while developing clinical judgment, refining hands-on skills, and receiving mentorship from experienced nurses. By the time they complete the program, they are prepared mentally, physically, and emotionally for the privilege and responsibility of caring for the most critically ill patients in our community.”
The accreditation follows Memorial’s continued investment in nurse residency programs and workforce development initiatives. Earlier this year, Memorial celebrated the graduation of the inaugural class of its Medical-Surgical Nurse Residency Program, reinforcing the health system’s commitment to cultivating the next generation of nursing professionals.
Memorial leaders expressed appreciation to the organization’s Board of Trustees, administration, nursing leadership, educators, preceptors, and bedside nurses whose collaboration helped achieve this national recognition.
“This accomplishment demonstrates what is possible when an organization commits to nursing excellence,” Brobst added. “Most importantly, it ensures that patients across the Mississippi Gulf Coast continue to receive care from nurses who are supported, highly trained, and prepared to deliver the highest quality care.”
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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.