Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency Program

The mission of the MH NPR is to prepare novice PMHNPs to deliver evidence-based, high- quality, patient-centric care to Veterans, while improving job satisfaction, employee retention, and a life-long commitment to professional nursing.

The overarching goal of the Residency is to provide newly graduated, licensed, and board-certified PMHNPs a foundation for practice that is embedded in scientific knowledge,

clinical expertise, and professionalism. The Residency hopes to recruit, educate, and retain PMHNPs that will improve the quality and accessibility of health care services for Veterans.

1. PMHNP residents will demonstrate increased competence in providing safe and effective advanced nursing care.

2.PMHNP residents will utilize scientific evidence to support advanced practice nursing.

3. PMHNP residents will demonstrate achievement of essential advanced nursing practice competencies.

4. The program will enhance recruitment of new graduate PMHNPs in the VHA workforce.

1. Provide a year-long training program which prepares new graduate PMHNP for independent practice.

2. Foster and support the role transition from novice to independent practice for the PMHNP.

3. Promote Resident competence and the role of a licensed independent practitioner.

4. Develop and refine professional and interprofessional PMHNP clinical practice within VA building upon person-centric principles to refine Veteran-centric principles.

5. Incorporate evidence-based practice, ethical principles, and clinical excellence in healthcare delivery to Veterans.

6. Increase confidence and role satisfaction of the new PMHNP committed to serving Veterans.

7. Support organizational and leadership goals for recruitment and retention of high-quality PMHNPs.

8. Develop collaborative, interprofessional skills and relationships utilizing team-based care approaches.

The VA is committed to improving the mental health of the nation’s Veterans and is investing in innovative programs to improve training for mental health providers. The overarching goal of the Residency is to support optimal care for our Veterans by offering educational processes and activities that are robust, evidence-based, and most likely to result in successful implementation throughout the year. Curriculum is required by VHA Directive 1400 Series; designed around Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation standards and OAA guidance for competency.

Two main models are utilized for learning; Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory and 80/20 Curriculur Model. 80% of activies are experiential and follow a phased approach to advancement. 20% of activites aredidactic with a focus on refining knowledge for practice and professional development. There is scheduled time for clinical administrative activities, ad hoc learning and development activities, evaluation meetings, self-study, flexibility to attend lectures/seminars announced after the formal schedule has been created, and experiential/observational clinical learning.

Throughout the year, residents participate in various seminars and lecture series, engage in assorted professional development activities, and rotate through different clinical areas which support continuous learning outcomes and reinforce the skills learned in the program. Schedules of learning activities and clinical placements are provided at the beginning of the year, with flexibility allowed for individualization based on resident preference, learning needs, or ad hoc requests. Residents must obtain 2080 hours for successful completion of the program

Many scheduled lectures, series, seminars, professional development activities, and clinical activities are described in separate activity descriptions and/or syllabi which provide the activity purpose, objectives, outcomes, and resources. Applicable OAA competencies and CCNE standards are also listed in the specific activity documents. Residents are provided with a comprehensive orientation at the beginning of the year which includes description of learning activities, schedules, goals, outcomes, and evaluation methods.

• Must be onsite for entire tour of duty
• Must be able to deliver care via face-to-face, video, and phone from theassigned VA locations within Eastern Colorado Health Care System
• Must be located near the Rocky Mountain Region VA Medical Center, where most clinical rotations occur
• Must be able to adapt writing style to multiple faculty

Stipend as of Fiscal Year 2025

· Denver: $90,031

A comprehensive benefits package that includes:

· Vacation days, accrued at 4 hours per pay period equating to 120hrs over the year

· Sick time, accrued at 4 hours per pay period equating to 120hrs over the year

· 11 paid holidays 

· Voluntary inclusion into group medical, dental, and vision 

· Voluntary participation in Federal Employee Group Life Insurance

· Fee exempt DEA Number (approved for activities within VA)

VA ECHCS is actively applying for accreditation with Commission on Collegiate Nurse Education (CCNE) with a proposed site visit Spring 2027. CCNE is recognized by the US Department of Education as an accrediting body of Nurse Practitioner Residency programs.

As CCNE seeks input from the public and our stakeholders, we encourage you to submit any comments regarding the residency programs pertaining to the national accreditation standards. Written third-party comments will be accepted by CCNE until 21 days prior to the evaluation.

Please submit comments to the following:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

Attn: Third Party Comments 655 K Street NW Suite 750 Washington DC 20001 -or thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org

• Applications accepted February 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026 *No late applications will be accepted.
• Interviews conducted April 14th through 30th
• Decisions sent no later than May 12th
• Residency start date pending late August 24 or September 7, 2026 with confirmation known at time to extending offers

• Required evaluation form (see below)
• NO incomplete applications packets will be accepted
• NO late applications will be accepted