Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency

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.

Mission statement:

The overall mission of this residency is to:

•  Increase access to high-quality primary care for veterans receiving care in the VHA by training newly graduated NPs in a supportive VA-based educational program that prepares them for full and autonomous care of veterans receiving care across various healthcare settings.
•  Provide newly graduated NPs with an individually tailored curriculum that expands on their current clinical foundation providing enhanced knowledge, independence, comfort, and clinical skills that are necessary to serve as experienced providers within the VHA healthcare system.
• Educate new NPs on a model of veteran-centric primary care consistent with the VA’s principles of the population’s healthcare needs
•  Increase the number of NPs ready to serve in leadership in the VA.

Program Goals

• Gain additional experience in managing veterans primary care and complex health conditions. 
• Evolve foundational critical thinking and diagnostic skills
• Work collaboratively with mentors and specialty services as an interdisciplinary health care team within VA Black Hills.
• Engage in a meaningful quality improvement project
• Provide a supportive, structured transition to independent practice upon program completion.
• Advocate for holistic client centered care for Veterans.   
• Construct and provide culturally appropriate health care strategies and practices to Veterans using evidence-based theoretical, scientific and contemporary knowledge.    
• Demonstrate leadership skills to improve Veteran health outcomes, facilitate change in health care systems and appraise ethical-legal dilemmas.   
•  Create systems to promote safety and minimize risks of harm to Veterans and providers.    
• Use information technology to interpret data, communicate, evaluate decision making, and promote continuous improvement.
• Advocate for professional behaviors that advance the profession and improve health care

Program Outcomes

• Residents will be better prepared to meet the diverse health care needs of the Veteran population by the completion of the program 
• Residents will have fostered solid relationships with VA staff improving collaboration, decision making, and improving workplace satisfaction.
•  Residency program will introduce new providers to the VA and improve recruitment and retention of new nurse practitioners
• Residency will improve utilization of VA resources and programs by providing direct integrative experiences   
• Residents will be more confident and competent in critical thinking, diagnostic skills, and leadership

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, 2025) (download below)
2. Interest Statement-See PC-NPR Program Application (Must submit by May 30, 2025) (download below)
3. Curriculum Résumé included but not limited-Include with Application (Must submit by May 30, 2025)
   • Education & Awards/Honors
   • Work Experience
   • Research & Publication
   • Leadership Service
   • Life Experience/Professional membership
4. Unofficial nursing school transcript (Must submit by May 30, 2025)
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, 2025)
   • 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 2025-2026 is September 1, 2025**

Salary and Benefits

• Salary competitive with local new NP graduate salaries – AY 2025-2026 $77,796/year or $37.40 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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