Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency (MH NPR) Program

This OAA training program is a comprehensive one-year program during which time trainees have 100% protected time to master skills and transition from the academic to professional environment in a supportive education-oriented environment. The program provides an intensive clinical experience supplemented by professional development activities resulting in skillfully prepared psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners providing the highest level of mental health care. Graduates will be prepared to practice anywhere in the state of Montana.

Program objectives

• Successfully transition the PMHNP resident from advanced beginner to competent nurse practitioner
• Recruit well-qualified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner residents with the potential for retention within the VA Healthcare System following completion of the residency program
• Enhance inter-professional collaboration and educational opportunities for PMHNP residents
• Enhance the partnerships between VAMTHCS and university PMHNP affiliates
• Improve the quality of mental health services for Veterans
• Strengthen the commitment to nursing as a professional career choice
• Facilitate dedication to life-long learning and use of evidence-based nursing practice

Application process

Thank you for your interest in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Residency Program in Helena, MT. This residency is designed for new nurse practitioners with a commitment to serve the Veteran population. The program prepares new NPs to become confident and competent specialty care providers by providing didactic seminars, supervised and independent clinical practice, specialty rotations, leadership training, inter-professional simulations, and tele mental health experience during the 12-month period. Upon completion of this program graduates will receive a Residency Completion Certificate. Our program will support a total of three to four residents throughout the year between two cohorts each year. Follow the Application Link to VA Form 2850D HERE. 

Residency eligibility

• U.S. Citizenship
• Graduate of Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited psychiatric nurse practitioner program
• Recent graduate from a PMHNP program within the past 12 months
• Hold a masters or doctorate degree with a specialty in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• If accepted to the residency program each of the following will be required from Human Resources: drug screen, background investigation, lab and physical exam, tuberculosis skin testing, flu shot, and Hep B titer

Application requirements

• Completed PMHNP Residency application
• A Letter of Interest (no more than two double-spaced pages to include but not limited to the following): Your three most important professional goals; a discussion of your experience with a variety of patient populations—for example veterans, vulnerable, underserved, or elderly populations; and how your career goals align with the PMHNP role and with furthering the profession.
• Curriculum vitae/resume to include each of the following in this order:
  • Education
  • Work experience
  • Research, publications, Evidence Based Project  
  • Leadership service
  • Professional memberships
  • Awards/honors
• Graduate school transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable if still in school, official transcripts are required upon graduation)
• A copy of recent BLS
• A copy of APRN License (not required with application but required prior to beginning residency)
• A copy of PMHNP Board-Certification (not required with application but required prior to beginning residency)
• Three (3) letters of recommendation. Content in each letter should include the nature of the work relationship with the candidate, the candidate’s work performance, the candidate’s interpersonal skills, and any strengths/ talents the candidate would bring to the residency program.
  • One (1) letter from an academic instructor
  • One (1) letter from a preceptor (a different person from the above-mentioned academic instructor)
  • One (1) letter from an employer or co-worker
• Applications can be submitted as a single pdf document or multiple attachments. Word document files are not acceptable because they can be edited. Please convert letters of interest and recommendations to a pdf file instead.  

Application Dates

Application Opens:

March 2025 cohort:

Application deadline:  12/1/24

Acceptance notification: No later than 12/13/24

September 2025 cohort 

Application deadline: 3/2/25

Acceptance notification: No later than 3/14/25

Early submission is highly recommended.

For eligible candidates, in person or virtual interviews with VA faculty will be scheduled during April. You will be contacted regarding the specific date and time. The letter will include follow-up instructions regarding completion of the HR process, appointment with individual supervisors, and Mental Health Orientation.

Residency information

VA Montana Health Care System (VAMTHCS) offers an innovative 12-month Post-Graduate PMHNP Residency training. This residency is designed for new nurse practitioners with a commitment to serve the Veteran population. The program prepares new NPs to become confident and competent specialty care providers by providing didactic seminars, Grand Rounds, supervised and independent clinical practice, specialty rotations, leadership training, inter-professional simulations, and Tele-Mental Health training during the 12 months of the residency.

Didactic seminars

Residents will attend didactic seminars one day per week.  Didactics are comprised of lectures, inter-disciplinary lectures or case presentations,   journal club, Evidence Based Project, psychopharmacology training, etc.

Rotations

Clinical rotations may include Outpatient Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry, Emergency Psychiatry (Access & Crisis Team), Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison, Primary Care/Mental Health Integration Clinic, PTSD Clinic, Intensive Community Mental Health, and Homeless Outreach Program.

Valuable benefits include

Residents in our program are considered federal trainees with a competitive salary and benefit package. Salary is based on the current year’s allocation rate. In addition, residents accrue annual/sick leave (time off) and other benefits listed below:

• Competitive pay 12-month stipend (expected 2024-2025 rate approx. $80,000)
• 40-hour dayshift work week (no nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call shifts)
• 100% protected time as a health trainee – no cross coverage to other units
• A commitment to the VA after completion of the residency program. After 6 months into the residency program you will be afforded the opportunity to apply to any PMHNP position in the VA that has a start date after graduation from the program. 
• Insurance – multiple options are available for medical. Per current federal regulations temporary employees (health professions trainees) are not eligible for vision, dental, federal medical leave act (FMLA) or paid parental leave
• Sick and Annual Leave – 4 hours of sick leave and 4 hours of annual leave earned every 2 week pay period.  If a resident has prior federal service totaling more than 3 years then this is leave hours are double this rate. 

More information

For more information, contact the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency  team at: VHAFHMMHNPR@va.gov

Richard Schulz DNP, MBA/HCM, RN, PMHNP-BC – Program Director

Michael Spinelli, MD - Designated Education Officer

Roxanne Ore - Administrative Officer