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Nursing Programs

Our nursing team is the backbone of providing world-class health care. One of the many perks to working at TVHS are our tailored nursing residency and training programs.

VA-STEP Program

The purpose of the Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP) is to provide an opportunity for outstanding college students to develop clinical competencies at an approved VA medical facility.

For more than 20 years the VA has offered this exciting, year-long clinical residency for BSN students between their junior and senior years. VA-STEP is a paid nursing internship designed to increase participants’ clinical skills, clinical judgement, and critical thinking while caring for our nation’s Veterans. This program provides opportunities for learning including didactic or classroom experiences and clinical practice with a qualified RN preceptor.

Students recruited for the program must have completed the final semester or quarter of their junior year in an accredited baccalaureate nursing program prior to the program start date. Students are appointed during the summer months for 400 hours. This experience may continue during their senior academic year on a part-time/intermittent basis for no more than 800 hours in total.

The VA-STEP Program begins with 10 weeks of paid, full-time work during the summer months (June-August). Applicants should be available to work 40 hours per week during this time. The summer program includes:

  • New Nurse Orientation
  • Clinical practice with a preceptor on an assigned unit
  • Opportunities to rotate to other units/specialties for observation experiences
  • Other planned educational experiences (nursing boot camp, code blue management, telemetry class, interview essentials, and more).

After completing the initial 10 weeks of full-time work, VA-STEP students may continue to work through the academic year until graduation (within the program guidelines for total hours and earnings).

Eligibility

Eligible students will:

  • Be currently enrolled in an accredited BSN program
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Have completed the final semester/quarter of junior year prior to the program start date
  • Be eligible to graduate from their BSN program by the following June
  • Have had a least one clinical experience in a medical center/hospital
  • Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Provide documentation of immunization status and current Health Care Provider BLS training
  • Submit all application documents to the VA-STEP Program Coordinator by the deadline of 3/15/2024
  • Not have a service obligation to any Federal, state, or private institution, or be a recipient of any Federal scholarship that incurs a service obligation

Apply

VA-STEP Application Process

Click here to access the VA-STEP Application

To learn more and apply, contact:

Yuphavady Vongsavath BSN, RN

VA-STEP Coordinator

TVHSNurseResidency@va.gov

Registered Nurse Transition-to-Practice Program

The Registered Nurse Transition-to-Practice (RNTTP) Program consists of a comprehensive 12-month curriculum built upon standards related to clinical, leadership, and professional dimensions. RNTTP provides a supported transition to autonomous and competent clinical practice.

Enhance your knowledge by collaborating with the health care team to ensure the best care is delivered to Veterans. You will discover an environment marked by commitment, excellence, mutual respect, and professionalism. Program highlights include:

  • Monthly structured didactic educational sessions
  • Group meetings with cohort and coordinators
  • State-of-the-art simulation lab to enhance clinical learning with “real-life” patient-centered case scenarios and skills practice
  • Evidence-based practice exploration and research project development
  • Advanced leadership and role development
  • Preceptor guided transition to competent independent practice
  • Mentoring for ongoing professional growth

Eligibility

  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Graduate of an NLN or CCNE accredited Nursing program
  • Less than 1 year RN experience
  • Active / unrestricted RN Licensure in the U.S.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary individually determined by participant education, experience, and local unit openings.
  • Retirement savings plan / 401K
  • 5 weeks vacation per year (accrual begins immediately)
  • 13 paid sick days per year
  • 11 paid holidays per year
  • Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long-term care
  • Evening/night shift and weekend differentials.
  • Opportunities for career growth and advancement
  • Education scholarships (for qualified employees after first year)

Apply

To learn more and apply, send your cover letter and resume to TVHSNurseResidency@va.gov

Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program

The Post Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program (PB-RNR) is a premier education and training RN residency program.  PB-RNR is designed to improve the quality of care by providing additional training and support to new Bachelor of Science in Nursing or entry-level Masters of Science in Nursing graduates.

Residency programs ensure a supervised transition to autonomous and competent clinical practice. Clinical settings provide a range of experiences in the application of nursing science and practice, provide exposure to Veterans of varying backgrounds and cultures, and foster graduated responsibility in carrying out professional functions. Veteran-centric continuity of care is stressed in the of care from inpatient to outpatient settings, acute and long-term care, spinal cord injury/illness, and mental health programs. You will be an integral part of interdisciplinary teams that will enhance clinical and leadership skills in a variety of clinical settings.

Your support network includes a dedicated group of nurse leaders comprised of peer participants, PB-RNR Faculty, clinical educators, skilled preceptors, and supportive mentors. Enhance your knowledge by collaborating with the healthcare team to ensure the best care is delivered to our Veterans. You will discover an environment marked by commitment, excellence, mutual respect, and professionalism.

  • State-of-the-art simulation lab to enhance clinical learning with “real-life” patient-centered case scenarios and skills practice.
  • Advanced leadership and role development.
  • Preceptor-guided practice to prepare for your transition to competent nurse.
  • Mentoring for ongoing professional growth.
  • Evidence-based practice exploration and research project development.

The VA TVHS Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) program will be hosting an accreditation review by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) February 28 - March 1, 2024. PB-RNR is our federally funded traineeship for registered nurses designed to develop competent, confident, practice ready RNs; bridging the gap between academia and practice through ongoing comprehensive competency development with a focus on Veteran-centric care and leadership skills. As part of the accreditation review process,  CCNE provides the opportunity for program constituents and other interested parties to submit, in writing, comments concerning a program's qualifications for accreditation. CCNE shares third-party comments with the evaluation team prior to the on-site evaluation, but at no time during the review process are these comments shared with the program, the Residency Accreditation Committee, or the Board. Any third-party comments must be directed to thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org and must be received by CCNE no later than Feb. 7, 2024

Eligibility

  • United States Citizen.
  • Be a graduate of a BSN program or entry level MSN program accredited by CCNE or ACEN (NLNAC) by December 2023 for spring or May 2024 for fall.
  • Preferred minimum GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Must pass all pre-employment clearances, including medical exam and drug testing.
  • Must be new RN – defined as less than 1-year post graduation and PB-RNR must be your first RN Role.
  • Current, unrestricted RN license obtained prior to program start.
  • Be committed to complete the entire program.

Benefits

Due to its unique set-up, PB-RNR provides a hospital-wide experience with learning opportunities in a variety of nursing settings. If you want to explore the different areas of nursing without having to make a commitment to one area—this is the opportunity for you!

  • Paid with a competitive stipend set by VA.
  • Earns leave at a rate of 4 hours of annual (vacation) and 4 hours of sick per pay period.
  • Qualifies for benefits such as health, vision and dental insurance.
  • No holidays worked and limited night/weekend shifts for the duration of the program.
  • The PB-RNR program residents have 100% protected training time and are not counted in staffing for the duration of the residency.
Apply

Detailed instructions and VA application form attached below. For questions or to learn more, please send your cover letter and resume to TVHSNurseResidency@va.gov

Nurse Practitioner Residency Program

Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) Nurse Practitioner Residency Program is a twelve-month postgraduate training program with three tracks: Geriatric & Extended Care, Mental Health, and Primary Care. The program offers the opportunity to expand one's existing knowledge base and strengthen clinical skills as a geriatric, mental health or primary care nurse practitioner.  

The Nurse Practitioner Residency (NPR) Programs are designed to develop competent, confident, practice-ready nurse practitioners (NP) equipped with the knowledge and skills to address the specific needs of Veterans. The program will prepare the novice NP to function independently with confidence by expanding knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and norms associated with NP practice across various sites that focus on Veteran care. The NPR program fosters advanced practice professional role socialization and facilitate the NP’s journey toward population specific expertise. Our academic affiliate for the NPR training programs is the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing.

The trainees will spend 40 hours in clinical and didactic learning activities weekly to become proficient in competencies specified within the population for the NPR specific program. Twenty percent of the NPR resident time will be dedicated to didactic learning.

Upon successful completion of the residency, the trainees will be given the opportunity to apply for available vacancies within the VA health care system across the country.

Eligibility

To be eligible, candidates must:

  • Be a U.S. born or naturalized citizen.
  • Be a graduate of an accredited nurse practitioner program within the past 12 months of the program start date September 25, 2023.
  • Hold national certification by the start of the program:
  • GEC & Primary care must be certified as an FNP or AGPCNP
  • Mental Health must be certified as a PMHNP
  • Licensure: Current and unrestricted registration as an RN and NP in any state in the United States.
  • Proficient in written and spoken English.
  • Pass a background/security investigation.
  • Pass pre-employment physical examination.

Residency Stipend and Benefits

The residents in our program are considered federal full-time trainees with a one-year commitment. The salary and benefit package is defined by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). Please recognize this is a temporary position. Employment after completion of the program is not guaranteed. Time worked does not go towards federal service and union representation is not available for residents participating in this program.

  • Government health care medical plan (medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, life insurance)
  • 11 paid federal holidays
  • Paid time off (PTO) & sick leave accrued per pay period
  • No call or weekend shifts required
  • 100% protected learning time

Apply

The application submission window for the 2024/2025 residency will open February 15th of 2024. There will be a priority review for all applications submitted prior to March 15th. Priority review will close March 15th; however, applications will continue to be received until all positions are filled. Please check back on this webpage for updates. To be considered, you will need to submit the following documents:

Email the following documents to TVHNursePractitionerResidencies@va.gov  

  • Curriculum vitae- Include details of academic preparation, professional experience, professional activities, scholarly activities, leadership involvement, awards, and volunteering.
  • Personal Statement - Address these prompts in your personal statement (word limit 750).
    • Why are you interested in the NP Residency program you are applying for (speak the population specific program for example geriatrics, primary care or mental health)? 
    • How will you contribute to the cohort of this residency program?
    • What are your career goals after completion of this program?
  • Reference - Provide name, email address, and telephone contact information of TWO individuals who can serve as your reference. Reference must include the following categories.
    • One faculty member from your graduate/NP program (ideally your program director or clinical supervising faculty member)
    • One preceptor for your clinical rotation as a nurse practitioner student
  • Transcript from APRN program
  • Application for Health Professions Trainees (HPT’s) VA Form 10-2850D 

NPR Program Tracks

Geriatric and Extended Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (GEC-NPR)

TVHS is one of the eight pilot sites for the Geriatric and Extended Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (GEC-NPR) Program by the Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA). The first cohort of residents started in the fall of 2022.

The GEC-NPR program will enhance the novice nurse practitioners' knowledge and skills acquired during their nursing practice and graduate-level academic education and prepare them to be proficient in the care of aging Veterans with multimorbidity and frailty.

The primary goal of the GEC- NP Residency Program is to:

Enhance geriatric workforce by producing nurse practitioners proficient in the following:

  •  Comprehensive geriatric evaluation
  •  Assessment, diagnostic testing, treatment, and planning of care for aging Veterans with complex medical and psychosocial needs.
  •  Management of polypharmacy, including consideration of risks and benefits of medications in the older Veteran
  •  Palliative care, end-of-life care, and advanced care planning
  •  Transitions of care 
  •  System-based approach to anticipate and deploy resources to optimize outcomes
  •  Leadership of interprofessional teams in providing high quality care and designing quality improvement initiatives

 The trainees will spend 40 hours in clinical and didactic learning activities weekly to become proficient in competencies specified in GEC-NPR curriculum.

  • Residency curriculum includes: 80% experiential and 20% didactic learning.
    • GEC NP Residency clinical sites include various clinical areas of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, community-based programs, and home-based programs. 
    • Clinical rotation sites include: Community Living Center, Geri-PACT, Home Based Primary care (Nashville, Murfreesboro and other areas), Hospice and Palliative Care, Caring for Older Adults and Caregivers at Home (COACH), & other geriatric models of care (80%)
    • Clinical and didactic activities are planned as face-to-face and virtual activities.
    • Integrated and parallel clinical didactic sessions (20%)
    • Quality-improvement project

Contact information

Kanah Lewallen, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, GNP-BC

Geriatric and Extended Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (GEC-NPR)
Program Director

Tennessee Valley Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

Assistant Professor in Nursing

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (Academic Affiliate)

Kanah.lewallen@va.gov  or TVHNursePractitionerResidencies@va.gov

Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency (MH-NPR)

TVHS will begin its first cohort for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency (MH-NPR) in the fall of 2023. 

The PMHNP residents will advance from novice to competent psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners while developing competencies in Veterans' health care needs. Through mentored clinical experiences and professional development activities, PMHNPs will be prepared to provide mental health services for the veteran population. The primary goal of the MH-NPR Program is to:

Nurse Practitioner Residents will:

  • Strengthen the ability to conduct comprehensive mental health evaluations using advanced knowledge of mental health disorders and diagnostic strategies
  • Enhance clinical skills and knowledge to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings to develop differential and definitive diagnoses, including determination of medical co-morbidities
  • Demonstrate competent, safe, evidence -based management of mental health related pharmacotherapy and polypharmacy
  • Demonstrate both informal and formal leadership qualities using critical and reflective thinking, and scholarly inquiry to continuously improve the quality of clinical practice
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the interdependence of policy and practice and their impact on clinical care and patient advocacy
  • Provide patient-centered care that incorporates individual cultural and spiritual preferences, values, beliefs, and Veteran centered care principles

The trainees will spend 40 hours in clinical and didactic learning activities weekly to become proficient in competencies specified in MH-NPR curriculum.

  • Residency curriculum includes: 80% experiential and 20% didactic learning.
    • Residents will serve a diverse population of Veterans in the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System in the settings of outpatient psychiatry, inpatient psychiatry, and an elective mental health specialty program
    • Clinical rotation sites include: Acute Impatient, Geriatric Psychiatry, Psychiatric Walk-in clinic, Mental Health Urgent Care, Suicide Prevention Team, Women’s Comprehensive Care Clinic, Consult Liaison Team, Tele-mental Health, Rural Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders, Neuromodulation Clinic, and additional electives. 
    • Clinical and didactic activities are planned as face-to-face and virtual activities.
    • Integrated and parallel clinical didactic sessions (20%)
    • Quality-improvement project

Contact information

Karin Glenn, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC

Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency (MH-NPR)

Program Director

Tennessee Valley Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

Karin.Glenn@va.gov or TVHNursePractitionerResidencies@va.gov

 

Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (PC-NPR)

TVHS will begin its first cohort for the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (PC-NPR) in the fall of 2023.

The PC-NPR residents will advance from novice to competent primary care mental health nurse practitioners while developing competencies in Veterans' health care needs. Through mentored clinical experiences and professional development activities, PC-NPRs will be prepared to provide primary care services for the Veteran population. The primary goal of the PC-NPR Program is to:

Nurse Practitioner Residents will:

  • Strengthen the ability to conduct comprehensive primary care evaluations using advanced knowledge of health disorders and diagnostic strategies
  • Enhance clinical skills and knowledge to differentiate between normal and abnormal findings to develop differential and definitive diagnoses, including determination of medical co-morbidities
  • Demonstrate competent, safe, evidence -based management of primary care related pharmacotherapy and polypharmacy
  • Demonstrate both informal and formal leadership qualities using critical and reflective thinking, and scholarly inquiry to continuously improve the quality of clinical practice
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of the interdependence of policy and practice and their impact on clinical care and patient advocacy
  • Provide patient-centered care that incorporates individual cultural and spiritual preferences, values, beliefs, and Veteran centered care principles

The trainees will spend 40 hours in clinical and didactic learning activities weekly to become proficient in competencies specified in the Primary Care NPR curriculum.

  • Residency curriculum includes: 80% experiential and 20% didactic learning.
    • Primary Care NP Residency clinical sites include various clinical areas of the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (Nashville, Murfreesboro and other areas).
    • Clinical rotation sites include: Primary Care Clinic, Home Based Primary Care, Geriatric Primary Care (Geri-PACT), Tele-health Primary Care, Integrative Medicine Clinic, & Primary Care Sub-Specialty Clinics (80%).
    • Clinical and didactic activities are planned as face-to-face and virtual activities.
    • Integrated and parallel clinical didactic sessions (20%)
    • Quality-improvement project

Contact information

Charlotte Ellerby, MSN, ANP-C

Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (PC-NPR) 

Program Director

Tennessee Valley Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

Charlotte.Ellerby@va.gov or TVHNursePractitionerResidencies@va.gov