Workforce/Learning
VA nurses are highly valued members and leaders of the healthcare team, contributing their knowledge and expertise to the optimization of patient driven care. ONS promotes policies and national initiatives that create the elements to ensure VA employs the best nursing professionals and personnel to help advance VAs goals for patient driven, safe, effective, high quality care. VA nurses have many opportunities for learning and career advancement.
Visit the VA Careers site to learn more about Nursing jobs at the VA.
RN Transition to Practice
The RN Transition-to-Practice Program is a comprehensive 12-month standardized curriculum designed to assist the post-graduate nurse in the transition from entry-level, advanced beginner nurse to competent professional RN. This program is a comprehensive developmental training program that has both didactic and clinical components designed to afford the post-graduate RN the opportunity to perform the role, duties, patient care activities and procedures that are carried out by RNs. Availability of the RN Transition to Practice program varies by VA facility, so please contact the Nurse Educator/Instructor or Nurse Recruiter at the facility near you for more information.
VA Nursing Academic Partnerships
In August 2012, based on the success of the pilot VA Nursing Academy (VANA) partnership programs, VHA leadership approved a new initiative, the VA Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) program. This includes a number of partnerships at competitively selected schools throughout the country.
VA Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency
The Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) also manages the VA Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency in collaboration with VA’s Office of Nursing Services (ONS) for baccalaureate-prepared or master's level entry to practice-prepared nurses. For additional information, see the program announcement on the OAA website.
VA Nursing Careers
With more than 80,000 RNs, APNs, LPNs/LVNs, and nursing assistants, VA is the largest employer of nurses in the Nation. VA nurses are at the bedside and in outpatient clinics working with the entire patient care team to deliver quality care. They are also developing patient safety initiatives, conducting research to evaluate and improve care delivery, and taking on leadership roles to help guide the next generation of nurses. Explore VA nursing opportunities on the VA Careers website.
VA Travel Nurse Corps
The VA Travel Nurse Corps Program (TNC) is a VA operated internal pool of Registered Nurses available for temporary short term assignments at VA Medical Centers throughout the country. The goals of the program are to maintain high standards of patient care quality and safety; reduce the use of outside supplemental staffing, improve recruitment of new nurses into the VA system; improve retention by decreasing turnover of newly recruited nurses, support the delivery of VA health care in rural or underserved areas, provide alternatives for experienced nurses considering leaving the VA system; and to establish a potential pool of Registered Nurses for national emergency preparedness efforts. For additional information, see the TNC page.
Magnet Recognition® and Pathway to Excellence® Designation Journey for VHA Medical Centers
The Magnet Recognition Program®, and the related Pathway to Excellence® program refer to facilities demonstrating nursing excellence and innovation in practice and leadership, resulting in positive nurse satisfaction, low turnover and vacancies. These qualities when combined with collaborative interdisciplinary professional practice, promote excellence in health care delivery and enhancement of an organization’s overall health. VA Magnet/Pathway Initiative
