Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program
Our Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program at VA New Mexico prepares nurse practitioners to provide high-quality primary care for our Veterans through a comprehensive curriculum. Our academic partnership with the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University enhances your clinical, leadership, and teaching skills. A competitive stipend and benefits package is also offered. Explore our page to learn more!
Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program
I appreciate your interest in Albuquerque, NM's Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program (PC-NPR). This program aims to provide novice nurse practitioners with exceptional clinical training, didactics, and mentorship to enhance clinical competence, increase confidence in practicing independently, and prepare them to provide high-quality primary care for Veterans.
Raymond G. Murphy VA New Mexico Health Care System
The New Mexico VA Health Care System (NMVAHCS) is centered in Albuquerque on a busy, historic campus. Its expansive service area covers the entire State of New Mexico and parts of Southern Colorado and Eastern Arizona. The PC-NPR offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes rotations through primary care, chronic pain, diabetes, surgical, and medical clinics.
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PC-NPR Program Structure
The residency is 12 months in length and will include clinical rotations and multidisciplinary didactic experiences focused on 1) strengthening confidence as a licensed, independent practitioner in health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling and 2) enhancing clinical skills and knowledge to provide a practical, evidence-based, and ethical approach to diagnosing and managing acute and chronic medical conditions.
Residents will also develop and implement a VA-related evidence-based quality enhancement and system redesign project, which will be formalized and presented to peers, faculty, and interdisciplinary colleagues during the program's completion.
Training areas at the NMVAHCS will include the following clinics, programs, or services: General Outpatient Primary Care, Diabetes clinic, Mental Health clinic (Primary care mental health), Chronic pain (opioid management), Surgical rotations (urology, general surgery, podiatry, orthopedics, plastics, and ENT) and Medical rotations (cardiology, Hematology, GI, Pulmonary and Neurology).
The solid academic partnership between NMVAHCS, the University of New Mexico College of Nursing (UNM CON), and the New Mexico State University School of Nursing (NMSU SON) will enable the PC-NPR residents further to enhance clinical, leadership, and teaching skills. Residents will participate in structured clinical simulations as learners and simulation developers. They will also participate as learners in educational training courses for faculty and preceptors at the UNM CON and as guest presenters for nursing students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Didactic content presented to students will be related to Veteran-centered health care and chronic disease management. The Primary Care NP Residency is undergoing CCNE accreditation from March 25-27th. For more certification information, visit their website.
PC-NPR Salary and Benefits
Residents in our program are considered federal trainees. They receive a competitive stipend and comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation and sick leave, ten paid holidays, and health benefits. The resident stipend is based on the current year’s allocation rate for the local area.
Application Process
Our program will support Four (4) residents each year.
C-NPR Residency Eligibility
- US Citizenship
- Graduate from a nurse practitioner program with a Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
- Recent graduate (within the past 12 months)
- Hold a Master and/or Doctorate degree with a specialty in Family Practice or Adult Gerontology
- Proficient in written and spoken English
Completion of each of the following upon program acceptance: drug screen, background investigation, lab and physical exam, tuberculosis skin testing, flu shot, Hep B titer
*Diploma and NP license are not required at time of application. Please email Erin Baragiola if you have any questions. Erin.Baragiola@va.gov
Application Requirements
- Completed PC-NPR Residency Application- See below for the application form.
- A Letter of Interest (no more than two double-spaced pages to include but not limited to the following): Three professional goals, how your goals align with the PC-NPR role and with furthering the profession. Discuss your experience with various patient populations (e.g., Veterans, vulnerable, underserved, or elderly populations). Integrity and values. Quality improvement projects or research and publications.
- “Unofficial” nursing school transcripts (Official transcripts are required upon graduation)
- copy of recent BLS
- A copy of APRN License (not required with application)**
- A copy of the DEA License (the NMVAHC will pay for the DEA if accepted)
- A copy of FNP or AGNP Board Certification (not required with application)
- Three (3) letters of recommendation: 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.* (please have references email Ophelia directly)
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume (Must include education, experience, research and publication, leadership service, life experience-volunteer, and professional memberships or awards)
* 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
**Residents are strongly encouraged to hold APRN licensure from a State that provides licensed independent practice without practice restrictions or physician collaborative agreement requirements. A 90 day waiver can be applied during application.
Application Dates:
The deadline for application submission is March 28th, 2025 for Academic year 25/26.
Early submission is highly encouraged
For questions regarding the application process or residency program, please email Erin Baragiola.
Erin Baragiola DNP, FNP-BC
Program Director-Primary Care Residency Program
Application Form-VA Form 10-2850D (PDF)
Submit application documents electronically via email to Ophelia Brahmer and Dr Nuttall at:
Ophelia Brahmer
Cynthia K. Nuttall, MSN, MPA, PhD, RN, NE-BC
Chief Nurse, Academic Affairs, Professional Development and Research
Program Start Date:
Monday, August 25, 2025
The acceptance letter will include follow-up instructions regarding the completion of the HR process, introductory meetings with the Residency Coordinator and Director, information regarding residency appointment, and new employee orientation.
TEAMs INFO SESSION will be held on Feb 25th at 6pm with PDs Erin Baragiola and Deb Day