VA-STEP: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Application in Veteran Health Care

This program encourages nursing students to gain practical experience in varied nursing fields while still studying. The program helped the students in various training areas at different stages, thus instrumental to their growth. They developed confidence in their nursing skills and expressed gratitude to their mentors for their knowledge and guidance during VA-STEP. The VA team lauded the students for their achievement, highlighting that the program is an essential building block for the future of nursing at the VA while also addressing employment issues. The VA hopes these students will consider joining the VA after graduation. Students were also awarded certificates of achievement for completing the internship program.

Among these students is Sydney Roseby a nursing student at Nebraska Methodist College, who is currently mentoring under a nurse at the Omaha VA Medical Center to garner experience for her impending career. Roseby appreciates the fast-paced environment and the bonding opportunities it offers. She cherished the environment she encountered during her ER and ICU rotations that formed part of her decision to train at the VA.

Roseby is eyeing opportunities to work in the intensive care unit (ICU) or the emergency room post-graduation. She mentioned that interacting with veterans and hearing their experiences have been a significant part of her journey. "Seeing the progress, they've made in life has been the most exciting part of this experience," Roseby commented. Roseby, who has Veterans in her family, feels compelled to contribute to the veteran community in healthcare or through compassionate listening.

On a similar note, Takis Kurtis, a senior nursing student at Creighton University, is also part of VA-STEP at the Omaha VA Medical Center. Kurtis is attracted to the 'hands-on' nature of this training, which aligns with his post-graduation ambitions—working in the intensive care unit or the emergency room.

Kurtis takes pride in recommending VA-STEP to other nursing students because "the staff genuinely wants you to improve and provides ample opportunities." He appreciates the staff's balance in ensuring student comfort while entrusting them with responsibilities and autonomy. This unique experience has further solidified Kurtis' aspiration to pursue nursing, as he found the one-on-one connections and a deeper understanding of the patients' situations particularly fulfilling.

Robert Laws, a VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System nurse who serves as the VA-STEP coordinator, heads the training program, providing 400 hours of hands-on experience for nursing students. Laws aims to build comfort and confidence among students to work as part of the team, ultimately bettering veterans' care. He said he is "committed to offering the best care possible through this program." The program exposes students to many nursing specialties, granting them a holistic experience.

The program boasts a successful track record, with all graduates from the previous year continuing their roles as nurses at the VA. Laws appreciated the team spirit, "we try to foster a sense of family in nursing." Laws, an Air Force Veteran, is keen on expanding the program to accommodate four more students next year. "You'd want the best caregivers looking after you, especially for veterans," echoed Laws.

For more information on VA-STEP, visit VACareers.va.gov or click here.