Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program

Consistent with the Veterans Health Administration’s mission to honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being, the mission of the Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency program is to support professional role transition, integration, and socialization of newly licensed registered nurses, into professional nursing practice. The goals of the RRVAMC PB-RNR program align with the facility’s strategic goals: innovate as a learning and teaching organization and make VHA the Employer of choice. To achieve these goals, program participants receive high-quality education, training, and preceptorship/mentorship to assist in developing strong clinical judgement, safe effective nursing practice, compassion and empathy for our patient population; and a strong commitment to professional accountability, continuous quality improvement, and life-long learning.

The goals of the Louisville VAMC PB-RNR program are to:

1. Provide program participants with high-quality didactic sessions and clinical experiences that augment their undergraduate studies and assist participants in developing a evidence-based quality improvement initiative.
2. Develop competent, confident, practice-ready registered nurses equipped with the knowledge and skills to address the specific needs of our nation’s Veterans.
3. Enhance the recruitment and retention of VA nurses by providing a pipeline of highly qualified nurses.

At the conclusion of the PB-RNR Program, the graduate nurse will:

1. Transition from entry-level, advanced beginner to competent professional nurse, who provides safe, quality, ethical care to the Veterans we serve;
2. Utilize effective decision-making and clinical judgment skills;
3. Demonstrate evidence-based practice in providing Veteran-centered care;
4. Demonstrate clinical leadership skills at the point of care; and,
5. Implement an individual career plan, demonstrating life-long commitment to professional nursing.

Curriculum

The curricular framework for the program is developed around CCNE Residency Program Curriculum Standards amended in 2021. Curricular concepts are incorporated into both didactic and clinical instructional components. In addition to the prescribed assessment tools for the PB-RNR Program, competency validation will include facility-specific competency-based unit orientation and simulated experiences incorporated in the didactic component.

Didactic instructional methods include lecture, case-based problem-solving, small group activities and discussion, review of current literature, and simulations. Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is incorporated throughout the curriculum, with specific activities to examine the current professional literature and patient outcomes data in each topical area of didactic instruction. The culmination of EBP curricular content is the Residents’ improvement projects.

Benefits of the Program:

• Strengthen your nursing skills with structured expert mentorship throughout the program
• Enhance your critical thinking and leadership skills in a variety of settings
• Paid position with medical benefits
• No required night shift or holidays
• Clinical experiences and professional development opportunities in a variety of patient care areas
• 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 11 paid holidays

Applicant Requirements:

• U.S. citizen and recent graduate of BSN or MSN (entry level) nursing program accredited by CCNE or ACEN
• Obtain RN licensure 
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Commit to completing the 1-year residency program
• Must be vaccinated against COVID-19
• Submit Resume, no more than two pages
• Personal statement of 400 words “Why I wish to be selected for the Robley Rex VA Medical Center’s Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency program"
• Three Letters of Recommendation: Two from school faculty (one clinical faculty) and one letter from a Nurse Manager/Assistant Nurse Manager of Unit of Senior Capstone Experience (or if you are employed as a NA or PCA-your immediate Nurse supervisor). Have faculty email directly to PBNR Program Director
• Transcripts: Official from school emailed to PBNR Program Director
• Deadline to apply - please contact the PBNR Program Director