Nursing Programs

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 priority application deadline: February 2, 2026.
• 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

VA-STEP Application Process

Click here to access the VA-STEP Application

To learn more and apply, contact:

Yuphavady Vongsavath MSN, RN

VA-STEP Coordinator

TVHSNurseResidency@va.gov

• Are VA-STEP students paid? VA-STEP students are paid hourly but are not eligible for overtime pay, holiday pay, or shift differential. They do not qualify for benefits.
• Can VA-STEP students choose the unit where they work? VA-STEP students are assigned to a Medical/Surgical unit at either the Nashville or Alvin C. York Campus.
• I'm in an accelerated BSN program. Can I apply for VASTEP?  Yes, if you meet the requirements and can work full-time from May to August of the program start year.
• How will applicants be evaluated? After receiving online application packages, they are reviewed to ensure all required documents are submitted. Applicants will be contacted by email or phone to schedule an interview. All applicants will be interviewed for available positions.

• U.S. Citizen.
• BSN or entry-level MSN graduate from CCNE or ACEN accredited programs by the designated dates.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred.
• Pass all pre-employment clearances, including medical exam and drug testing.
• New RN (less than 1-year post-graduation); PB-RNR must be your first RN role.
• Current, unrestricted RN license obtained before the program starts.
• Commitment to complete the entire program.

• Competitive Stipend paid according to VA guidelines.
• Earns 4 hours of annual (vacation) and 4 hours of sick leave per pay period. 11 paid federal holidays. No holidays, weekends, or night shifts.
• Eligibility for health, vision, and dental insurance.
• 100% protected training time, not included in staffing for the duration of the program.

• The federally funded traineeship entry-to-practice nurse residency program at Tennessee Valley Healthcare is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
• Experience diverse clinical settings including inpatient, outpatient, critical care, acute care, long-term care, and mental health.
• Focus on continuity of care for Veterans, involving teamwork in interdisciplinary settings to enhance clinical and leadership skills.
• Includes PB-RNR Faculty, clinical educators, and skilled preceptors.
• Utilize advanced simulation labs for hands-on learning with real-life patient scenarios.
• Opportunities for leadership and role development, evidence-based practice, and research project development.
• The PB-RNR program residents have 100% protected training time and are not counted in staffing for the duration of the residency. Didactic hours are built into work schedules to support experiential learning.

Application Submission

For priority review, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required materials within the indicated Spring or Fall priority application period. Rolling admissions may continue beyond the priority window, contingent upon available program capacity. 

All application materials must be submitted through our secure online portal. Please use the following link to access the submission platform:

Submit Application Here

This program offers a unique chance to explore various nursing areas without long-term commitment to a single specialty. Join us to enhance your clinical and leadership skills while serving our nation’s Veterans! 

To learn more, email TVHSNurseResidency@va.gov

The TVHS Nurse Practitioner Residency Program is a 12‑month, full-time training experience for newly graduated, board-certified, licensed NPs who are passionate about serving Veterans. Residents spend approximately 80% of their time in a mentored clinical practice environment and 20% in structured didactics, seminars, case conferences, and leadership development. The academic affiliate for all NP residency tracks is Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. ​

Across all three tracks—GEC, MH, and PC—residents refine advanced assessment, diagnostic reasoning, pharmacologic and non‑pharmacologic management, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills. Residents also complete a quality improvement project and develop professional leadership and advocacy capabilities aligned with the needs of the VA healthcare system.

TVHS offers three distinct NP residency tracks so residents can build depth in their area of interest while maintaining broad exposure to the Veteran population:

• Geriatric & Extended Care NP Residency (GEC-NPR)
• Mental Health NP Residency (MH-NPR)
• Primary Care NP Residency (PC-NPR)​

All tracks follow the same 12‑month structure, full-time trainee status, and shared core competencies in Veteran-centric care, with population-specific clinical rotations and didactic content.

The GEC-NPR prepares NPs to care for aging Veterans living with multimorbidity, frailty, and complex medical and psychosocial needs. The program emphasizes comprehensive geriatric evaluation, person-centered care planning, management of polypharmacy, palliative and end-of-life care, and seamless transitions of care across settings.​

Residents rotate through multiple geriatric care environments, including the Community Living Center, Geri-PACT, Home Based Primary Care (in Nashville, Murfreesboro, and surrounding areas), Hospice and Palliative Care, COACH (Caring for Older Adults and Caregivers at Home), and other geriatric models of care. Training blends face-to-face and virtual learning experiences, integrates didactics with clinical practice, and includes a geriatric-focused quality improvement project.​ Throughout the year-long program, mentorship is provided to support resident growth in confidence and clinical practice, using evidence-based treatment approaches.

For more information about the GEC-NPR, contact: 

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

Geriatric & Extended Care NP Residency Program Director

Kanah.Lewallen@va.gov 

The MH-NPR develops Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners who can deliver comprehensive, recovery-oriented mental health care for Veterans with acute and chronic psychiatric needs. The residency program focuses on gaining further skills in comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, medication management, interdisciplinary treatment planning, and Veteran-centric shared decision-making practices. 

Clinical rotations span both Nashville and Murfreesboro campuses. Core rotations include outpatient Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) clinics, inpatient mental health consultation-liaison services, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (RRTP), and inpatient geriatric psychiatry.  Additional experiential learning may occur within Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI), and mental health urgent care areas. Residents utilize both face to face and virtual modalities to deliver care in specified clinical areas. Throughout the year-long program, mentorship is provided to support resident growth in confidence and clinical practice, using evidence-based treatment approaches.

For more information about the MH-NPR contact: 

Karin Glenn, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC 

Mental Health NP Residency Program Director

Karin.Glenn@va.gov 

The PC-NPR advances Family and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NPs from novice to competent primary care providers for Veterans across the continuum of health and illness. Residents gain expertise in comprehensive primary care evaluations, differential diagnosis, management of common and complex chronic conditions, and safe, evidence-based pharmacologic care.

Primary care residents rotate across diverse settings within TVHS, including primary care clinics, Home Based Primary Care, Geriatric Primary Care (Geri-PACT), telehealth primary care, and primary care subspecialty clinics. The curriculum emphasizes Veteran-centric, team-based care, clinical reasoning, quality improvement, and leadership in ambulatory care settings. Throughout the year-long program, mentorship is provided to support resident growth in confidence and clinical practice, using evidence-based treatment approaches.

For more information about the PC-NPR contact: 

Leslie Hopkins, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, ANP-C

Primary Care NP Residency Program Director

Leslie.Hopkins@va.gov ​

Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens who have graduated from an accredited NP program within 12 months of the program start date and hold national certification by the start of the residency. GEC and Primary Care applicants must be certified as FNP or AGPCNP, Mental Health applicants must be certified as PMHNP, and all residents must hold an unrestricted RN and NP license in any U.S. state, be proficient in written and spoken English, and pass VA pre-employment requirements.

Residents are appointed as full-time federal trainees for one year, with salary and benefits defined by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations. Benefits include a government-sponsored health care plan (medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, life insurance), 11 paid federal holidays, accrued paid time off and sick leave, no call or weekend shifts, and 100% protected learning time; employment after graduation is not guaranteed and trainee time does not count toward federal service. ​

Applications are accepted annually beginning on January 1. For priority review, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all required materials by March 15. Rolling admissions may continue through May 31, contingent upon available program capacity. All application materials must be submitted via the following secure portal: TVHS NP Residency Application Portal 

1. A resume or curriculum vitae (upload to application portal)

• including details of academic preparation, professional experience, professional activities, scholarly activities, leadership involvement, awards, and volunteering.
• including contact information for two references
  • one NP faculty member from your NP program who can speak to your academic and clinical performance
  • one NP preceptor who supervised you during your APRN clinical rotations as an NP student.

2. A personal statement (up to 750 words) addressing:

• Why are you interested in the NP Residency program you are applying for (be sure to 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?

  (upload to application portal)

3. A transcript from the APRN program
4. Application for Health Professions Trainees VA Form 10-2850D (upload completed document to application portal)
5. Declaration for Federal Employment Form OF 306