Post Baccalaureate - Registered Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) Program
Send applications to V21HONnurseresidency@va.gov The VA Pacific Islands Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) Program is a 1-year comprehensive nurse residency and part of a nationwide network of federally funded residency programs.
What do I need to apply?
- Current resume (including clinical hours)
- School transcript reflecting a minimum GPA of 3.0 (unofficial, electronic copy is sufficient)
- One-page essay on why you want to be a VA Pacific Islands health care nurse
- Two letters of recommendation (such as from academic faculty, clinical faculty, formal preceptors or mentors)
-If you are a Veteran, Form DD 214
To apply to the VAPIHCS PB-RNR program you will need the following:
Please email all of the above information to VAPIHCS PBRNR Recruitment v21honnurseresidency@va.gov
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Important Note: Applicants MUST be a U.S. Citizen, vaccinated against COVID-19 or exempt from vaccination and a new RN graduate who have successfully passed the NCLEX by the due date to be selected for the Residency Program.
This program provides immersive clinical and classroom opportunities, supporting the evolution of the new graduate nurse into a competent professional nurse. The goal of the PB-RNR program is to recruit new graduate nurses seeking lifelong learning and the pursuit of nursing leadership while providing excellent and compassionate care to our nation’s heroes, our Veterans.
Why VA Pacific Islands Post Baccalaureate - Registered Nurse Residency Program?
We utilize multimodal approaches to facilitate learning that will assist the residents from a novice nurse to professionally competent nurse through:
- Clinical immersion
- Dedicated Preceptor Model
- On-going professional mentoring
- Interactive learning sessions that include:
- Case Studies
- Clinical narratives
- Evidence Based Projects
- Grand rounds
- Guided discussion
- Presentations
- Role modeling
Our residency training consists of precepted clinical rotations:
- Outpatient (Primary and Specialty Care, Home Health)
- Mental Health (Including inpatient)
- Leadership
- Select additional opportunities (examples: nursing education, disease management, quality, ethics)
Valuable Benefits to VAPIHCS PB-RNR Residents
- Competitive Pay
- Insurance – options available for medical, dental, vision & life
- Sick and Annual Leave – 4 hours of sick leave and 4 hours of annual leave every 2 weeks
- Graduate program scholarships- eligibility to apply one-year after residency completion with full time employment
Accepting applications January 1, 2026- March 29, 2026 for 2026-2027 Cohort 4
(Projected Cohort 4 start date September 8, 2026)
About the PB-RNR Program
- Engage in a 12-month curriculum, based on CCNE RN Residency Program objectives that fosters a supportive learning and working environment that enables you to perform as an experienced RN at the program’s conclusion
- The program has three phases:
- Phase 1 focuses on developing initial competencies on home unit
- Phase 2 focuses on learning about the VA system with rotations in a variety of clinical areas
- Phase 3 focuses on honing clinical care provision, leadership development, and professional development
- Participate in supervised and precepted clinical experience, with 100% protected learning time
- Enhance clinical and leadership skills in a variety of clinical settings while applying research and developing evidence-based practice standards to support quality and safety in the care of Veterans
- Attend weekly/bi-weekly didactic instruction, seminars, and simulation exercises
- Participate in a Veteran-centered practice environment to fulfill the VHA mission to “Honor America’s Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being”.
- Travel to the neighboring to conduct clinicals with the Community Based Outpatient Clinic
Our TEAM
K. Dwayne McDonald
Post Baccalaureate Register Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) Program Support Assistant
Office:
Dr. Jessica Taylor Spurrier, DNP, MS, MSN-APHN RN CDCES
Post Baccalaureate Register Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) Coordinator
Email: jessica.spurrier@va.gov
Elizabeth Yarbrough MSN, RN
Post Baccalaureate Register Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) Program Director
Email: Elizabeth.Yarbrough@va.gov
Email: V21HONnurseresidency@va.gov
Faculty
Elizabeth Yarbrough MSN, RN
Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) Program Director
VANAP Faculty, VA Nursing Academic Education
VA Pacific Island Health Care System
Phone:
Email: elizabeth.yarbrough@va.gov