10 November 2026
ELLISVILLE, MS – Jones College will use a $770,000 state award to build a training academy for the nurses, paramedics and other health workers who teach students on the job, the college said Monday, Nov. 9. The goal is to train at least 150 of these clinical instructors across South Mississippi and open more spots where students can finish their hands-on training.
The award was first announced Oct. 21 by Gov. Tate Reeves as one of 60 Rural Health Transformation Program grants. Pine Belt Guide reported on the full list of Pine Belt awards at the time. Monday’s Jones College release gives the first detailed look at how the Ellisville school plans to spend the money.
What is the short answer?
Jones College is creating what it calls a Regional Interprofessional Preceptor Academy and Clinical Placement Network. A preceptor is an experienced worker, such as a nurse or paramedic, who supervises a student during clinical training at a hospital, clinic or ambulance service. The college says too few preceptors and too few placement slots keep students from finishing their programs. Its target is at least a 20% increase in active preceptors or available clinical placement slots.
The college says its $770,000 was the largest amount awarded to any Mississippi community college in this round, which totaled $32,606,496.32 statewide, according to the governor’s office.
Why does a shortage of clinical instructors matter?
Health care students cannot graduate on classroom work alone. Nursing, EMS and radiology students must log supervised hours with real patients. Each of those hours needs a working professional willing and trained to supervise. When a region runs short of those professionals, colleges can only place so many students, even if more want to enroll.
The Jones College release describes the shortage of preceptors and placements as a limit on how many students can complete their training. That bottleneck matters in rural South Mississippi, where hospitals and EMS agencies are already looking for workers.
“The strength of our rural communities depends on the strength of the healthcare systems that serve them,” Jones College President Dr. Jesse Smith said in the release.
Which programs will the money help?
The college says the work will support nursing, emergency medical services for EMTs and paramedics, radiologic technology, pharmacy technology and other allied health fields. Smith said the award will help the college “expand clinical training opportunities, develop qualified preceptors, and strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers.”
Preceptor training will be offered through online courses, in-person workshops and simulation exercises at the college’s Healthcare Simulation Center, according to the release.
“Stronger preceptors create stronger clinical learning environments,” said Dr. Benji Sessums, dean of the School of Health Sciences at Jones College.
How will the placement network work?
Along with the academy, the college plans a central clinical placement network. The release says it will connect students with participating health care providers in one system, rather than leaving each program to line up its own sites.
Partners are expected to include rural hospitals, EMS agencies, clinics, pharmacies, physician practices and long-term care facilities. The release does not name specific partners yet. Pine Belt Guide is seeking details on which providers have signed on and how many students the network expects to place.
Where will the $770,000 go?
The release lists several uses: curriculum development, simulation training, placement coordination, technology and approved financial incentives for providers who take part. It does not break down how much goes to each item or how large the provider incentives will be. Pine Belt Guide is seeking that breakdown from the college.
After the first phase, Jones College says it plans to keep the academy going as an ongoing training and certification program. The release does not say how that later phase will be paid for.
How does this fit with other Pine Belt awards?
Jones College was one of seven Pine Belt recipients in the Oct. 21 round. Those awards totaled $4,444,850 by Pine Belt Guide’s count. The others include Forrest General Hospital, the Southeast Mississippi Rural Health Initiative, South Central Regional Medical Center in Laurel, Greene County Hospital, Peak Physical Therapy in Jones County and South Mississippi State Hospital in Lamar County, according to the governor’s office.
Two of those, South Central Regional Medical Center at $841,500 and Peak Physical Therapy at $215,000, are also in Jones County. That puts more than $1.8 million of this round’s money with Jones County-based recipients.
The Rural Health Transformation Program is paid for by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Mississippi received a first-year award of $205,990,180.16, the governor’s office said.
“We thank Governor Tate Reeves and state leaders for recognizing the importance of investing in rural healthcare,” Smith said.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Jones College receive?
$770,000 from Mississippi’s Rural Health Transformation Program.
What is a preceptor?
An experienced health care worker who supervises students during hands-on clinical training.
How many instructors will be trained?
At least 150, according to the college.
Which students benefit?
Nursing, EMS, radiologic technology, pharmacy technology and other allied health students.
Where can I learn more?
The college directs questions to jcjc.edu.