MGCCC and Singing River Health System hold orientation kickoff for first LPN Apprenticeship in Mississippi

GULF COAST, MISSISSIPPI – Monday, May 9, 2022 – Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Singing River Health System held an orientation kickoff for 20 Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) apprentices at MGCCC’s The Bryant Center on May 9. Officials from both Singing River and MGCCC were at the kickoff, marking the beginning of the first apprenticeship for LPNs in the state.

During the 16-month program, apprentices will complete the theory and lab requirements at The Bryant Center on Mondays and Wednesdays and participate in mentored on-the-job-training clinical training before taking the NCLEX licensure exam to become an LPN.   Apprentices in the program were selected by Singing River and will work for the health system after program completion.

“The health care labor issue isn’t due to a lack of interest in the profession,” said Dr. Joan Hendrix, associate vice president, School of Nursing and Health Professions. “It’s overwhelmingly due to personal barriers that prevent interested individuals from obtaining the training and certification required to complete a health care career offered in a more traditional fashion.  Registered apprenticeships help eliminate these barriers by providing opportunities for participants to earn while they learn. Although not commonly acted upon in health care, particularly in nursing, we believe it’s the right time, and others will quickly follow this model. We’re excited to partner with Singing River Health System.”

– Dr. Joan Hendrix, MGCCC Assistant Vice President, School of Nursing and Health Professions

“Singing River Health System is excited about launching the first-ever LPN apprenticeship program in the state of Mississippi in partnership with MGCCC,” said Jessica Lewis, Executive Director of Human Resources at Singing River Health System. “This partnership allows our future LPNs to obtain the required clinical hands-on training, while working in the field simultaneously and be paid while they learn.  We look forward to the future growth opportunities this apprenticeship will bring to all our future LPNs who complete the program.

– Jessica Lewis, Executive Director, Human Resources at Singing River Health System