COLUMBUS – Mississippi University for Women and Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle continue to address Mississippi’s nursing workforce needs by preparing nurses with the skills needed to mentor the next generation of nurses.

Six nurses from BMH-Golden Triangle were honored during a pinning ceremony Sept. 4, certifying them as clinical coaches.

“This innovative approach to both education and current practice speaks to the highest level of quality patient care for which both our college and Baptist strive” said Brandy Larmon, dean of the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences at The W. “Today marks a milestone in our historic partnership for the Golden Triangle.”

Clinical coaches serve as role models and mentors and provide guidance, support and direct supervision to W student nurses participating in the Mississippi Clinical Advancement and Residency Experience, a nursing education and workforce initiative designed to strengthen the connection between nursing education and clinical practice.

To become clinical coaches, Baptist nurses completed a two-course certificate program offered through The W that combined online learning with hands-on clinical experiences, allowing participants to develop knowledge that is immediately applicable while working directly with nursing students.

Baptist Critical Care nurse and clinical coach Cody Bolton said he considers it an honor to help new nurses find their way around the hospital and be the best equipped they can be, especially their first year right out of college. “I think it is a privilege to help them be the most prepared they can be, especially that first year. They can become familiar with charting and know where the supplies are.”

A clinical coach can also help the new nurse decide what area of nursing they want to pursue, he added.

“Through the program, experienced registered nurses further their skills in clinical teaching, communication, feedback, leadership and professional development while receiving ongoing support and observation from our nursing faculty,” said Mary Helen Ruffin, chair of the MUW Associate of Science in Nursing program and program coordinator.

By using an apprenticeship model, M-CARE allows nursing students to complete a portion of their required clinical education in a practice setting while paired one-on-one with an experienced registered nurse who serves as a clinical coach.

“Our hope is to continue growing the apprenticeship program and this partnership so that more students have the opportunity to develop meaningful connections with clinical practice at Baptist Golden Triangle before graduation,” Ruffin said.

Baptist Golden Triangle Chief Nursing Officer Alicia Grant said this partnership between the hospital and MUW helps the hospital recruit and retain nurses and is crucial in a time of a state and national nurse shortage. The hospital is the second in Mississippi to partner with a college school of nursing for a clinical coach program.

“It is a perfect opportunity to grow our nurses right here in our community. MUW has always been a great partner for us. I look forward to continued success with this program,” Grant said.

Five additional nursing students are currently enrolled in the program.

By the time students graduate, they will have completed more than 970 hours of hospital clinical practice.

Undergraduate nurses from the Vandergriff College of Nursing and Health Sciences achieved a 97% job placement rate in 2026, with more than 90% of students obtaining licensure in Mississippi.