Nurse practitioner residency

NPR's Mission is to help novice nurse practitioners transition into competent, confident professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to provide exceptional care to Veterans.

The NPR program philosophy is to provide a supportive environment where novice NPs are empowered to bridge their academic foundations to independent practice. The NPR program provides a multi-faceted supportive environment through the following: clinical faculty, mentors/preceptors, subject matter experts, experiential learning, interprofessional collaboration, and a scholarly approach to guide novice NPs in the delivery of safe, quality Veteran-centered care. Focus is placed on promoting personal and professional growth while increasing confidence and competence.

The candidates for Residency must meet the following criteria:

• Recent graduate (within 12 months) of a master’s, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral level NP program accredited by CCNE and ACEN and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Applying for their first NP role in specialty area of schooling.
• A citizen of the United States.
• CPR certified
• Immunized in accordance with CDC immunizations for healthcare workers.
• Current with tuberculosis (TB) screening in past 12 months.
• Willing to submit to random drug testing throughout the program.
• *Provide health screening attestation.
• *Licensed with a current, full active and unrestrictive license as nurse practitioner in a state, commonwealth, or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
• *Board certified in the same program specialty area as the program’s
  • PMHNP: Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (Across Lifespan) board certification.
  • FNP/AGNP: Family NP board certification OR Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner certification
• *NPI number.
• *Pass KCVA background investigation.

Items with an asterisk* can be submitted after application but must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the program.

• Limited positions available.
• Estimated Stipend: >$81k per 12-months. Salary is funded by the VA Office of Academic Affiliations and rates may increase depending on the current year allocation rate.
• Duration: 12 months
• Position: Direct Paid Health Professional Trainee, temporary employee.
• Schedule: Full-time. 8 hours a day, Monday-Friday. Start and end time varies throughout the program. Typically, 4 days a week are spent with clinical faculty in a patient care setting and one day a week in academic activities which may include experiential learning, interprofessional collaborations, workshops, simulations, and self-reflection.
• Accrue Leave based on Federal Service Computation Date (SCD), at a minimum:
  • Annual leave: 1 hour for every 20 hours in pay (4 hours a bi-weekly pay period)
  • Sick leave: 1 hour for every 20 hours in pay (4 hours a bi-weekly pay period)
  • NOTE: if previous federal employment or military service this may increase.
• 11 paid federal holidays
• Protection from personal liability while providing services at the KCVA in accordance with this program under the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act, 28 USC 2679 (b)-(d).
• Residents are considered temporary employees and are NOT eligible for:
  • Vision & Dental Insurance
  • Federal Medical Leave Act
  • Paid Parental Leave

• Develop competent nurse practitioners with the confidence, knowledge, and skills required to care for the complex needs of Veterans.
  • Outcome: 100% of graduates will achieve the Advance Beginner level on the 12-month OAA Competency Assessments.
  • Outcome: 100% of graduates will show improved scores on OAA Confidence in Practice Instrument from month 6 to month 12.
• Facilitate the utilization of scientific evidence to support advanced nursing practice.
  • Outcome: 100% of graduates will complete and disseminate a Veteran- focused scholarly project.
• Promote APRN residency graduates as quality Veteran-centered care providers.
  • Outcome: 66% of residents who start the program, will graduate from the program.
  • Outcome: 100% of graduates hired by VHA will enter as an APRN II
  • Outcome: 50% of graduates who are hired in a NP role by the VA, will be retained at 2 years.

For questions or more information please contact:

Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency Director:
Traci Wentz
Traci.Wentz@va.gov

Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Director:
Susan Bennett, MSN, ARNP 
Susan.Bennett3@va.gov

Academic Partners:
University of Missouri Kansas City School of Nursing and Health Studies
Kansas University School of Nursing