Post-baccalaureate registered nurse residency

Upon completion of the residency, the RN will:

• Successfully transition from entry-level advanced beginner nurse to competent professional nurse, who provides safe, quality care as defined by Patricia Benner’s “Novice to Expert” theory (1984)
• Demonstrate competency in effective decision-making skills related to clinical judgment and performance
• Incorporate research and other scientific evidence into practice
• Demonstrate competency in clinical leadership at the point of care
• Practice collaboratively as members of the inter-professional healthcare team
• Formulate an individual career development plan promoting life-long commitment to professional nursing

Program Duration

The PB-RNR is a twelve (12) month program during which the residents have 100% protected time to master the complexities of caring for Veterans.

Curriculum Model

The curriculum defines, separates, and integrates both classroom and experiential learning opportunities and consists of 80% experiential learning activities and 20% didactic learning activities. The curriculum is based on a Three Level Progression Model:

• Foundation Level
• Enrichment Level
• Transition Level

Didactic Sessions
Residents will attend regular didactic sessions. Didactic sessions consist of a variety of academic/learning activities, didactic classes, simulation, and pre/post-clinical conferences for experiential learning and evaluation.

Interprofessional Collaboration
Nurse residents will collaborate with pharmacy, medicine service and specialty service along with ancillary staff as members of an interdisciplinary team.

Professional Development
Networking, collaborating, meeting new colleagues, and building relationships is key to professional development and career advancement within the program.

Scholarly Project
Evidence-based practice is a central tenet of the program and residents are deeply engaged in quality enhancement and/or system redesign projects during their training at VA Altoona, leading to improved patient and organizational outcomes as well as providing opportunities for scholarly presentations and publications.

Ideal candidates have excelled academically and come highly recommended. Our applicants should be motivated to work in patient-centered team based clinical care, engage in practice-based learning and quality improvement, have strong interpersonal communication skills, exhibit professionalism, and participate in interprofessional collaboration and leadership development. We are especially seeking applicants who have a strong interest in care of the Veteran population. 

Specific eligibility requirements are:

• One year commitment (August to August)
• Graduated with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited nursing program (CCNE or ACEN) within twelve (12) months of the residency start date with 3.0 GPA
• First paid RN position
• Pennsylvania State RN licensure (must have prior to July 15th)
• Current BLS certification
• US citizenship
• Proficient in spoken and written English
• Notice: If you are a current government employee, please contact the program director prior to completing your application. A conversion status change from employee to trainee, including changes in benefits, will be required to participate in the residency programs.

The stipend (salary) is reviewed annually and set by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA).  Salary will be discussed during the interview phase. 

• Eligible for full-time VA paid trainee benefits, including Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Healthcare (opm.gov), some medical plans offering limited dental coverage.
• 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave bi-weekly
• 11 paid federal holidays
• No weekends or night shift duties
• Trainees are not eligible for shift differentials

Health Profession Trainees are not entitled to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), military leave or Paid Parental Leave.  

• The James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center is preparing for an accreditation visit by the Commission on Collegiate Nurse Education (CCNE) in Spring 2026. CCNE will review the Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse residency (PBRNR) program. A team of reviewers will be on-site 2/23/26 – 2/25/26 to perform the evaluation.
• As CCNE seeks input from the public and our stakeholders, we encourage you to submit any comments regarding the residency program pertaining to the CCNE accreditation standards. Written third party comments will be accepted by CCNE until 21 days prior to the evaluation. All written third-party comments must be received by CCNE by 2/2/26.
• All third-party comments submitted to CCNE must be written in English, consistent with CCNE's policy on Conduct of Business in English.
• Comments are shared only with the CCNE evaluation team appointed to review the noted nursing program.
• Written comments may be submitted to either of the following:
  thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org
  or 
  Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  Attn: Third Party Comments
  655 K Street NW
  Suite 750
  Washington DC 20001
• Thank you for your continued support. 

Laura Litzinger, MSN, RN, NPD-BC

PB-RNR Residency Program Director
James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
Phone: 814-943-8164 ext. 14147
Email: laura.litzinger@va.gov