Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program (PB-RNR)

About the PB-RNR

Throughout the one-year PB-RNR program, the nurse resident receives support through 100% protected learning time to master the complexities of providing nursing care as an advanced beginner to a competent care provider. The design of our robust Veteran-centric curriculum uses the 2021 CCNE Standards for Accreditation of Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Programs and consists of a comprehensive four-part clinical rotation and didactic training program. Residents participate in precepted clinical rotations in ambulatory, acute, and specialty care areas and conclude the program with leadership development training. Nurse residents participate in engaging and interactive didactic learning experiences, specialized training opportunities, inter-professional collaboration, and professional role socialization in areas like evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and early career development. Upon completion of the one-year PB-RNR, nurse residents are eligible for hire in a variety of locations within San Francisco VA Health Care System.

The PB-RNR program at San Francisco VA Health Care System is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)

PB-RNR Program Objectives

At the conclusion of the Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program, the participant will be able to:

• Demonstrate enhanced confidence and competence from entry-level, advanced beginner nurse to competent, autonomous professional nurse through a one-year, Veteran-centric PB-RNR
• Apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide effective decision-making skills and sound clinical judgment for the care of Veterans
• Use effective communication and collaboration skills with nursing and inter-professional teams to ensure quality and safety in the care of Veterans
• Apply research and develop evidence-based practice standards to support quality and safety in the care of Veterans
• Demonstrate professional role socialization as a member of the health care team through the one-year PB-RNR
• Apply clinical leadership skills in the care of Veterans
• Create an individual nursing career plan promoting lifelong learning and a commitment to professional nursing practice

Nurse Resident Qualifications

• Be a graduate of baccalaureate or master's level entry to practice program with a 3.0 or higher from an accredited school of nursing by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Possess a current, full, active, and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a state, commonwealth, or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, prior to the start of the PB-RNR program
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be serving in their first registered nurse role
• Be a recent graduate within the past 12 months
• Provide proof of current immunizations
• Pass the VA pre-employment medical exam/drug testing

Upon Selection to the PB-RNR the resident will receive:

• 12-month stipend in the amount of $70,865
• Health insurance
• Accrued annual and sick paid leave
• Paid federal holidays off

Application Process

The application cycle for the Fall 2024 cohort is closed. The next application cycle will be in May 2025 with a September 2025 start date. 

To apply to the San Francisco VA PB-RNR program you will need the following:

1. Cover letter to include your interest in the residency program
2. Resume not to exceed two pages
3. VA Application Form 10-2850D (link: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/VA_Form_10-2850d.pdf)
4. Three letters of recommendation written on official letterhead
   1. (1) from a nursing school faculty
   2. (1) from a clinical faculty and
   3. (1) from a current or previous work manager
5. School transcripts (may be unofficial)
6. If you are a Veteran, Form DD 214

Any questions?

Contact us at VHASFCSFVANewGradRNResidencyPrograms@va.gov

Reference:

1. VA OAA Nurse Residency Expansion Initiative Program Announcement. Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Office of Academic Affiliations. 2021. 1-11.
2. Benner, P. From novice to expert. "The American Journal of Nursing." 1982; 82(3) 402-407.
3. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Standards for accreditation of entry-to-practice nurse residency programs. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/Accreditation-Resources/Standards-Procedures-Guidelines. Amended 2015.