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Nurse Practitioner Residency in Primary Care for Veterans

Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System and the Duke University School of Nursing have partnered to develop an innovative and unique primary care nurse practitioner residency program. This builds upon a long-standing collaboration between the two organizations. The Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) provides generous support for VA health professions clinical training programs and oversees the NP Residency program in collaboration with the VA’s Office of Nursing Services.

Nurse practitioners accepted into the program will learn to become specialists in the provision of primary care to the Veteran population while meeting diverse health care needs. The NP residents will advance from novice to competent nurse practitioners while developing competencies in Veterans' health care needs.

This residency program is a 12-month post-graduate training designed for the new graduate AGNP or FNP graduates. The program is structured to give mentored clinical time and dedicated learning opportunities.  The resident will gain broad exposure to Veterans health care and engage in skills training, didactic seminars, grand rounds, supervised and independent clinical practice, specialty rotations, professional development activities and enhance leadership skills.

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

While enrolled in the program, nurse practitioners will:

  • gain valuable experience in managing veterans primary care and complex health conditions
  • hone critical thinking and diagnostic skills
  • work closely with mentors and interdisciplinary health care teams within a state-of-the-art medical center
  • make a significant impact on the well-being of veterans and their families by providing high quality primary care
  • engage in a meaningful quality improvement project
  • have a supportive transition to practice upon graduation 

Application Process

The application process opens annually from November through January.   To be considered, you will need to submit the following documents:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Letter of Interest
  • Graduate school transcripts
  • 3 recommendation letters (one from a faculty member of your graduate program and two from individuals familiar with your clinical practice)

Federal Form:  Application for Health Professions Trainees (HPT’s) VA Form 10-2850D 

Contact

Durham VA Health Care System Nurse Recruiter

Durham VA Medical Center
508 Fulton Street, B10019 (118)
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: or
Fax:
VHADURnurserecruiterteam@va. gov 

Claudette

Claudette Forrest RN

Nurse Recruiter

VA Durham health care

Phone: 919-286-6858

Email: Claudette.Forrest@va.gov

Ertha Jeter

Ertha Jeter DNP, ANP-BC

Co-Director, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency

VA Durham health care

Phone: 919-286-0411 Ext 175020

Email: Ertha.Jeter@va.gov

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Michael E. Zychowicz DNP, ANP, ONP, FAAN, FAANP

Director - Primary Care NP Residency Program Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

VA Durham health care

Phone: 919-613-4692

Email: michael.zychowicz@duke.edu