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Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency

The program is a 12-month Post-Graduate training program for new graduates of Adult, Gerontology, or Primary Care Nurse Practitioners seeking their first job as a certified nurse practitioner. This residency is designed to prepare NPs to become confident and competent primary care providers with emphasis on the needs of the veteran population. The program provides a combination of didactic seminars, quality improvement projects, specialty rotations, clinical practice with graduated independence, and skills training individually tailored for each resident.

The Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Residency is an educational partnership between VA Black Hills Health Care System and South Dakota State University School of Nursing in collaboration with VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations(OAA).

This one-year residency is available annually and is based on full time employment as a trainee within VA and is designed for NP graduates who hope to practice in the Veterans Health System.

NP Residency Mission Statement

 

To operate a post graduate program that helps transform newly graduated NPs into confident, independent providers while providing an avenue to recruit and retain quality providers trained to understand the needs of the veteran population.

Program Goals

  1. To develop competent and confident nurse practitioners that understand  the unique needs of the nation’s veterans.
  2. To evolve new graduate NPs critical thinking and diagnostic skills while providing resources and facilitating life-long inter-professional relationships and collaboration between specialties.
  3. To promote the recruitment of new graduate nurse practitioners within the VA by providing a positive and healthy learning environment.
  4. To increase the number of quality nurse practitioners and improve the national shortage of healthcare workers within the VA healthcare systems. 

Program Outcomes

  1. 65% of residents will demonstrate improved confidence and increased knowledge of the veteran population by the end of the residency program noted in their self- evaluation.
  2. By the end of the 12-month program, 65% of residents will score a 5 or greater on all competency assessments.
  3. Program will recruit and fill 65% or greater of available residency positions each year.
    1. 65% of available resident positions will have completed the 2080-hour program requirement each year.
  4. 60% of residents will be hired by the VHA upon completion of their 12-month program.

    1. 40% of hired residents will remain employed at the VHA for at least 1 year following their hire date. 

       

 

Application Qualifications

  • Recent graduate within the past 12 months from a credentialed Adult/ Gerontology/ or Family Practice Nurse Master’s degree or doctorate degree program
  • National certification as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care or Family Nurse Practitioner with AANP or ANCC **waiver may be an option
  • State APRN / CNP licensure **waiver may be an option
  • US Citizenship
  • Must be applicants first job as a nurse practitioner
  • Must be able to complete or pass a drug screen, background investigation, and  physical exam required for the hiring process

** A 12 week waiver may be given in some situations for applicant to complete board certification and state CNP licensure, please reach out to the program director for details

** Please note that due to COVID-19 Pandemic- special consideration in regard to deadlines and or requirements for program graduation/ completion, transcripts, potential start dates, and licensure expectations will be considered based on individual needs. If you or your program has been delayed by the pandemic and would like to be considered for the program, please contact the program director. **

Application requirements

  1. Completed PC-NPR Program Application (Must submit by May 30, 2026) (download below)
  2. Interest Statement-See PC-NPR Program Application (Must submit by May 30, 2026) (download below)
  3. Curriculum Résumé included but not limited-Include with Application (Must submit by May 30, 2026)
    • Education & Awards/Honors
    • Work Experience
    • Research & Publication
    • Leadership Service
    • Life Experience/Professional membership
  4. Unofficial nursing school transcript (Must submit by May 30, 2026)
  5. Official nursing school transcripts (Required later during credentialing/hiring process if selected)
  6. A copy of APRN License (Required later during credentialing/hiring process if selected)
  7. Three (3) letters of recommendation (Must submit prior to May 30, 2026)
    • At least one (1) letter must come from an academic/ clinical instructor or former preceptor
    • At least one (1) letters must come from a place of employment/co-worker.

 

 

**Program start date for the fall cohort 2026-2027 is September 8, 2026**

***Attach Application Here***

Salary and Benefits

  • Salary competitive with local new NP graduate salaries – AY 2026-2027 $80,747 year or $38.82 hourly
  • Salary is paid by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) and rates may increase depending on the current year allocation rate.
  • Government Health Care Medical Plan and Benefits
  • 11 paid holidays
  • 4 hours of PTO and 4 hours of sick leave accrued per pay period (increased accrual for those with previous federal service)
  • 0730-4pm M-F. No call, nights, holidays or weekend expectations.

Submission:

Completed Application submitted via email to karron.zopp@va.gov
We look forward to reviewing your application,
Karron Zopp, NP
VA BHHCS Primary Care NP residency director
605-347-2511 ext. 17968
karron.zopp@va.gov


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