RN New Graduate Programs

Baccalaureate RN Residency Program (PBRNR)

Mission, Vision, & Goals

Mission

To provide support for newly licensed nurses in a structured environment to facilitate the development of skills clinical decision making, and teamwork in the transition from a novice nurse to a competent and confident nursing professional.

Vision

VA Maine Healthcare System will be recognized as a leader in the development of superior nursing staff who are fully competent and confident in their ability to practice at the fullest extent of their license.

Program Goals

1. Produce PBRNR graduates who practice evidence-based, high-quality, patient-centric care in complex care environments.
2. Foster the integration of inter-professional collaboration into PBRNR graduates' practice
3. Increase retention rates of new graduate RNs within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
4. Increase new graduate RN satisfaction with their transition from entry-level, advanced beginner nurse to competent professional nurse.

5. Produce skilled, proficient, and effective PBRNR program educators and preceptors.

    

Program Description

The PBRNR program is a federally funded, year-long program that is administered by the VA’s Office of Academic Affiliations. It provides a robust curriculum that is consistent with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education’s, Standards for Accreditation of Entry-to-Practice Nurse Residency Programs. Residents are paid a stipend during this residency and are also eligible for health insurance if they wish to sign up for it.  Resident schedules are Monday thru Friday with no weekends, no off-tour shifts, and no holidays.  Residents will receive 13 paid sick days and 13 paid vacation days throughout the year, both earned at 4 hours per pay period.

As a Health Professions Trainee, the resident’s time is 100% protected for learning and is modeled after the internships that medical interns experience.  The resident’s time is supervised allowing for time to learn and develop into a confident nursing professional.

The PBRNR program includes clinical experiences in multiple specialty areas.  During the first half of the program, required clinical experiences will be completed in Med/Surg, Telemetry, Primary Care, Inpatient Mental Health, and Long-Term Care.  In the second half of the program, clinical experiences will be tailored to the resident’s interests and career goals within the confines of available preceptors.

Residents will work on the development of leadership skills, improvement of patient outcomes and development as an interprofessional team member.  Each resident will be responsible for completing an evidence-based initiative in partnership with another resident to include implementation. 

Eligibility Requirements

• United States Citizen
• Graduate of a CCNE or ACEN accredited BSN program withing the last 12 months
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Proficient in written and spoken English
• Random Drug Testing Required

• Current and unrestricted RN License at time of program start

   

Benefits

• 1-year Residency
• Paid Internship
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance available
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time earned at 4 hours per pay period
• Paid Annual Leave time earned at 4 hours per pay period

• 100% Protected Time for Learning

   

Program Accreditation

The Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program at VA Maine Healthcare System is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Important Dates

1. Applications open: 
2. Final Application deadline: February 21, 2025 
3. Interviews: To be scheduled for February 24-28, 2025.
4. Selection Emails: to be sent no later than March 7, 2025
5. Second Application deadline: May 2, 2025 (if cohort is not full after initial call for applications)
6. Program Start Date: September 8, 2025

7. Program End Date: September 4, 2026

    

Application Process

1. Required documents:
   1. Cover Letter – Include why you would like to participate in the VA Maine PBRNR Program and why you feel you would be a good fit for our program.
   2. Current Resume/CV
   3. Unofficial transcripts – electronic is preferrable, official transcripts will be required after graduation
   4. Minimum of 3 references from the following (note: references may not come from a relative)
      1. College faculty member where degree was earned
      2. Clinical instructor where degree was earned
      3. One reference from a previous supervisor (personal reference may be used if you do not have previous work history)
   5. Active/Unrestricted RN License must be obtained prior to the start of the program.
2. Send all application documents to VHATOGRNResidencyPro@va.gov 

3. Documents will be reviewed, and an interview will be scheduled.

    

Program Point of Contact

Latricia Pawson, MSN, RN, CNL

PBRNR Program Director

Latricia.Pawson@va.gov

References

Patricia, B. (1982). From novice to expert. The American Journal of Nursing, 82(3), 402–407, Retrieved from CINAHL database, February 21, 2023.