Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program

Upon completion of the program, the nurse resident will:

• Promote commitment to the care of Veterans within the VHA system.
• Develop professional nurses with clinical competence and confidence.
• Promote a commitment to professional nursing practice through life-long learning and continued professional development.
• Provide residents with opportunities to learn evidence- based practices to ensure quality nursing care.
• Provide clinical nurse leadership opportunities at the point of patient care and on interdisciplinary teams.

Expected Outcomes of the program include but are not limited to:

1. 75% of residents that have the ability to complete the program will graduate from the program.
2. 75% of graduates will be hired by the VHA
3. The 1-year turnover rate will be below the national average for nurses with 1-2 years’ experience. National average for nurse turnover is 15.8% - ours was 1.9%.
4. Of graduates hired by the VHA and retained for one year, the two-year turnover rate will be less than the national average. National average is 15.8%.  Our turnover rate for 2 years is 2.8% of residents.
5. Achievement of > “5” on 12-month OAA Competency Assessment Self Evaluation and Preceptor Evaluation.  (Likert scale ranging from 1: Critical Deficiency, 2: Basic, 3: Novice, 4: Intermediate, 5: Advanced Beginner to 6 Competent).
6. Achievement of > “3” on 12-month OAA Confidence in Practice Assessment Self Evaluation.  (Likert scale ranging from 1: strongly disagree to 4: strongly agree). Aggregate average
7. Manager post hire satisfaction survey—Our target is > a 4 on a 1-5 Likert Scale (Likert scale ranging from 1: strongly disagree to 5: strongly agree).
8. 90% of graduates currently employed by the VHA system will function as a charge nurse or preceptor within 2 years of hire.
9. 100% of program graduates will develop and disseminate an evidence-based practice project.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the nation’s largest integrated health care system and is responsible for caring for our nation’s Veterans. As the population ages and faces new challenges, VHA is committed to making quality nursing care a priority. With the PB-RNR, VHA continues to expand its workforce and meet the needs of those entering the practice of nursing through the promotion of academic progression.  

KCVA is in partnership with the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Nursing for the Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program. The 12-Month program provides clinical and academic experiences for new graduates bridging from a baccalaureate education into a professional nurse. KCVA and UMKC partnership promotes professional role transition integration and socializations of safe care delivery, advancement in critical thinking, academic and professional excellence, and a learning environment for developing evidence-based clinical care.  

Each week throughout the program participants will be in a minimum of 8 hours of didactic/experiential coursework in a wide variety of topics including: Quality and Safety, Patient & Family Centered Care, Management of Patient Care Delivery, Management of the Changing Patient Condition, Communication and Conflict Management, Informatics and Technology, Performance Improvement and EBP, Ethical Decision Making, Stress Management, Hospital System Focus, Flow Innovations, and High Reliability Organizations. Additionally, low, and high-fidelity simulation modules are utilized to enhance training with QSEN, physical assessment, and critical thinking skills. 

Upon successful completion of the residency program RNs are given a certificate, hiring preference for open positions at any VA and the chance to interview for vacancies at the KCVA, and an automatic step increase after hire.  

Duration:  12 months
Position(s): 10
Estimated Stipend: will be discussed during interviews.
Application Deadline: Open Enrollment
Interview Required: Yes

• Health insurance
• Annual leave (vacation)
• Sick leave (days off for illness/medical appointments/family care)
• 11 paid federal holidays
• Automatic pay increase upon hire after successful completion of the program
• Hiring preference for open positions at any VA upon completion of the residency   

1. Be a US citizen and a graduate of a BSN or MSN (entry level) program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN.
2. Be a licensed RN prior to the anticipated program start date.
3. Be a licensed RN for less than one-year post graduation from your nursing program and have no RN position work experience.
4. Minimum GPA of 3.0 in your BSN school. 

• Resume  (include clinical experience from nursing program, education, previous work experience, etc.)
• Official undergraduate school transcripts in a sealed envelope
• Two letters of recommendation

1. One must be from a faculty member or program director
2. In a sealed envelope or email directly from the writer  

•  Cover Letter (1-2 pages), including: 

  a. Why you want this opportunity? 

  b. Why you desire to work with the Veteran population? 

  c. Your top 2 clinical tracks of interest. 

  d. Please describe why you are interested in post-graduate training, your future goals in Nursing, and any additional information that you think should be considered by the selection committee. 

• Professional letters of reference (minimum of three letters of recommendation) 

  a. At least two references from faculty members (on school letterhead), speaking to your academic and clinical performance. 

  b. Additionally, may include reference from a supervisor/leader who can speak to your work performance. Please ask the individuals writing on your behalf to e-mail to Sharon.Shade@va.gov.

  Copy of Unofficial Transcript 

  If pending confirmation of degree, an unofficial transcript can be submitted initially. 

  Please note if you are selected we will require an official transcript.

  If you are a Veteran: Submit your DD214

Completed application and any questions should be directed to:

Sharon Shade RN, MA  
PBRNR Program Director/Nurse Manager
816-572-7653 
sharon.shade@va.gov  

Sharon White-Lewis PhD RN

Faculty Advisor to PB RNR Program

UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies

whitelewiss@umkc.edu