Skip to Content

Nurse Practitioner Residency

Welcome to the Veteran Affairs of Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) Post-Graduate Nurse Practitioner Residency Program (NPRP) homepage. We are so excited about your interest in our residency programs. VASNHS is proud to offer the first and only primary care and mental health nurse practitioner residencies in Nevada. It is great that you are exploring post-graduate programs to continue the transition to your new role. Residencies are an excellent pathway to build upon your graduate education foundation.

The intended audience of this web page includes Veterans and nurse practitioner residency applicants.

Welcome to the Veteran Affairs of Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) Post-Graduate Nurse Practitioner Residency Program (NPRP) homepage. We are so excited about your interest in our residency programs. VASNHS is proud to offer the first and only primary care and mental health nurse practitioner residencies in Nevada. It is great that you are exploring post-graduate programs to continue the transition to your new role. Residencies are an excellent pathway to build upon your graduate education foundation.   

Built in 2012, VASNHS’s Medical Center is one of the newest medical centers in the country. This healthcare system serves one of the country’s fastest growing Veteran populations for multiple years in a row. Staffing, employment opportunities and staff/veteran services continue to expand.  Residents will have the opportunity to experience working in a large organization where nurse practitioners are highly utilized, and advanced practice nursing is thriving.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) licensed in Nevada have full practice authority, meaning they can practice to the full scope of their license and training. They are not required to enter collaborate agreements with physicians except for the first year of practice if prescribing Scheduled II controlled substances.

The Las Vegas Metro area provides residents with quick access to year-round outdoor activities like hiking and boating as well as countless options for fine dining, shopping, live performances, and cultural experiences unique to Las Vegas. Self-care and work-life balance are emphasized as fundamental components of resident success. The Las Vegas Metro area offers something for everyone to enjoy during their time away from work. 

Nurse Practitioner team at VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System

Program Goals

  • Transition from entry-level novice to advanced beginner APRN, levels defined by Benner’s “Novice to Expert” theory (1984)
  • Develop effective communication and decision-making related to knowledge, skills and abilities that promote independent and inter-professional practice
  • Meet the complex challenges of translating rapidly expanding knowledge into practice and function in a changing health care environment
  • Analyze and apply knowledge of evidenced-based practice into everyday patient-centered care of the Veteran across the health care delivery system
  • Strengthen participant commitment to advanced practice nursing as a professional career choice
  • Formulate individual career/professional development plans

Design

The VASNHS’ program is a 12-month Post-Graduate training program designed to transition a new graduate nurse practitioner (AGNP, FNP or PMHNP) into experienced novice care providers. Evidence continues to grow in support of residency programs for new nurse practitioners stating these providers have higher self-reported scores pertaining to their competencies and confidence levels in clinical roles and skill sets. Our programs include veteran centric didactics and supervised clinical experiences with opportunities for the residents to grow in areas of interest or need. Early in the program, program faculty assist residents to identify educational needs, professional goals, and potential career paths. 

In addition, residents will receive education covering the organization’s history, culture, and processes to prepare residents to navigate this complex system and provide a foundation for a potential career in Veteran Affairs. There are various didactic experiences available including Grand Rounds, peer education (case studies, educational reviews, treatment maps, evidence based practice projects), chart reviews, reflective journaling, group supervision and an APRN Portfolio. From the residents’ first day, they will be warmly welcomed by the organization and treated as important members of the VA of Southern Nevada Health System team. Primary care and mental health nurse practitioner residents interact extensively to include collaboration on clinical cases and learning activities

The combination of activities fosters improved knowledge, enhanced leadership skills, confidence, and competence. Every aspect of the program is designed to support the residents and propel them towards success. Program faculty are committed to ensuring residents are provided with an optimal learning environment including robust professional supervision and mentorship. The position is designed for nurse practitioner graduates who hope to practice in the Veterans Healthcare System.

These programs include an educational partnership between the VASNHS and University of Nevada in Las Vegas and the University of Nevada in Reno. The Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) provides generous support for the development and administration of VA health professions clinical training programs and oversees the NPR programs in collaboration with the VA’s Office of Nursing Services.

For more information about Students and Trainees.

Program Values

The VASNHS utilizes the same Core Values of the VA system. Integrity is important with the expectation of acting with high moral principles and standards maintaining trust and confidence of all engaged parties. Commitment is another core value meaning that residents will work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries, being driven by earnest belief in the mission and fulfilling individual and organizational responsibilities. In the NPR, commitment to the profession of nursing is discussed and promoted. Advocating for the veteran by providing veteran-centric care and considering the veteran and beneficiaries best interest. Respecting all that are served with dignity and working to earn the esteem of those that have served our country is an essential value as well. Excellence or striving for the highest quality and continuous improvement being thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountability of personal actions and being willing to admit mistakes and working with rigor to correct them.  These are necessary values to care for those who are battle borne, their widows and their orphans, in addition to those veterans who did not see battle. These will be practiced throughout the residency. 

In order to manage the complex Veteran population, the OAA VASNHS NPRs also abide by core characteristics including being trustworthy to both veterans and co-workers through everyday actions, being accessible to veterans and their beneficiaries with positive and productive interaction, providing the highest standard of quality care and services and being good stewards of all resources entrusted by the American people. Core characteristics also include encouraging innovation by seeking  continuous improvement and staying on the forefront of knowledge, proficiency, and capability to deliver quality care. It is important to be agile to anticipate and adapt quickly to current challenges and new requirements by continuously assessing the environment to better serve the veterans, other beneficiaries and service members. Finally being integrated as the VA links care and services across the department including other federal, state and local agencies, partners and Veteran Services Organization to provide useful and understandable programs to veterans and other beneficiaries including a unique relationship with the Department of Defense will nurture it for the benefit of Veterans and service members. These are all characteristics supported by the OAA NPR and will be practiced throughout the program to ensure consistency with the VA mission, values and core characteristics. 

Program Philosophy

VASNHS's NPR Program philosophy blends Benner’s levels of learning and Watson’s Theory of Caring. Caring and respect is an essential component of all interactions with every resident, colleague, co-worker, and to every client and their support system. This philosophy compels developers and instructors of the NPR to look at every activity of the residency program through lenses colored by caring and respectful attitudes. This philosophy fosters the notion that the professional nurse learns to care for self, as a basis to provide caring for others. The transitional first year of advanced nursing practice is an evolutionary pathway that should instill in the resident a commitment to life-long learning and inspire a passion for respecting and caring for America’s military Veterans. 

Respect and honor for America’s heroes are essential characteristics of the VA nurse practitioner resident. The VA NPR incorporates an understanding of the social, psychological, and economic realities that influence the delivery of care to the military Veteran. Creativity in problem-solving is encouraged, and scientific exploration for evidence to support practice is expected. 

The conceptual framework for the NPR curriculum structure is based on Benner’s Novice to Expert theory that posits, “Expert nurses develop skills and understanding of patient care over time through a sound educational base as well as a multitude of experiences” (Benner, 1984). From the point of onboarding to progressing through a full year of supported transition, nurse practitioner residents are guided by expert advanced practice nurses. 

The program is centered on professionalism that is based on quality patient care, effective communication, and collaboration. Nurse practitioner residents participate in structured classes, precepted clinical practice, and a variety of general and individualized learning experiences to support skill development and enhance the professional role through quality and performance improvement. Residents are provided with rich curriculum that enhances the ability to care for the unique American military Veterans across the lifespan. The residents are enlightened to the diverse culture background characteristics of Veterans through didactics and get to practice their knowledge by working to meet the Veteran’s medical, psychosocial, and mental health need 

Mission Statement

The mission of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) Nurse Practitioner Residency is to develop entry level Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) into prepared, novice providers through didactics and interprofessional clinical experience to improve access to care for Veterans with complex healthcare needs. The Nurse Practitioner Residency program helps fulfill VA mission and vision. The program is set up to provide Veteran centric didactics, in addition to, clinical learning in a supervised practice environment. This allows the new APRNs to have a safe transition into autonomous professional practice as a licensed independent practitioner, thereby providing excellent care to Veterans. 

**The program’s mission statement aligns with the Veteran Health Affairs (VHA) national goal to provide access to care, customer service, accountability and suicide prevention.

Program Objective

By the end of the APRN residency program, the Nurse Practitioner Residents will:

1. Integrate evidence-based knowledge, ethical principles, and clinical excellence in advanced practice nursing while caring for the Veteran population 

2. Develop the role of the independent advanced practice nurse with a commitment to excellence and quality outcomes 

3. Develop collaborative skills through interprofessional relationships and team-based care approaches 

4. Integrate quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness while supporting awareness of the complex health care delivery system 

5. Develop an in depth, breadth, volume, and intensity of clinical training necessary to serve as primary and mental health care providers in the VA 

6. Understand and practice a model of Veteran-centric care that is compassionate, valued, and effective in promoting health and preventing illness 

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System firmly believes that Diversity is Power and Inclusion is Strength. We serve all those who served, a diverse group of Veterans from different walks of life. We strive to acknowledge, respect, and accept the many identities our Veteran’s hold. We seek trainees who are willing to create an environment of inclusivity, who are open to the ever-evolving journey of multicultural competence. Train with us and together we can work toward a more equal, equitable, creative, diverse, and inclusive Veteran and employee experience.

Additional information about the VA’s commitment to diversity can be found at www.diversity.va.gov

Design

The VASNHS’ program is a 12-month Post-Graduate training program designed to transition a new graduate nurse practitioner (AGNP, FNP or PMHNP) into experienced novice care providers. Evidence continues to grow in support of residency programs for new nurse practitioners stating these providers have higher self-reported scores pertaining to their competencies and confidence levels in clinical roles and skill sets. Our programs include veteran centric didactics and supervised clinical experiences with opportunities for the residents to grow in areas of interest or need. Early in the program, program faculty assist residents to identify educational needs, professional goals, and potential career paths. 

In addition, residents will receive education covering the organization’s history, culture, and processes to prepare residents to navigate this complex system and provide a foundation for a potential career in Veteran Affairs. There are various didactic experiences available including Grand Rounds, peer education (case studies, educational reviews, treatment maps, evidence based practice projects), chart reviews, reflective journaling, group supervision and an APRN Portfolio. From the residents’ first day, they will be warmly welcomed by the organization and treated as important members of the VA of Southern Nevada Health System team. Primary care and mental health nurse practitioner residents interact extensively to include collaboration on clinical cases and learning activities

The combination of activities fosters improved knowledge, enhanced leadership skills, confidence, and competence. Every aspect of the program is designed to support the residents and propel them towards success. Program faculty are committed to ensuring residents are provided with an optimal learning environment including robust professional supervision and mentorship. The position is designed for nurse practitioner graduates who hope to practice in the Veterans Healthcare System.

These programs include an educational partnership between the VASNHS and University of Nevada in Las Vegas and the University of Nevada in Reno. The Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA) provides generous support for the development and administration of VA health professions clinical training programs and oversees the NPR programs in collaboration with the VA’s Office of Nursing Services.

For more information for Trainees (Students and Trainees (va.gov)

Program Values

The VASNHS utilizes the same Core Values of the VA system. Integrity is important with the expectation of acting with high moral principles and standards maintaining trust and confidence of all engaged parties. Commitment is another core value meaning that residents will work diligently to serve Veterans and other beneficiaries, being driven by earnest belief in the mission and fulfilling individual and organizational responsibilities. In the NPR, commitment to the profession of nursing is discussed and promoted. Advocating for the veteran by providing veteran-centric care and considering the veteran and beneficiaries best interest. Respecting all that are served with dignity and working to earn the esteem of those that have served our country is an essential value as well. Excellence or striving for the highest quality and continuous improvement being thoughtful and decisive in leadership, accountability of personal actions and being willing to admit mistakes and working with rigor to correct them.  These are necessary values to care for those who are battle borne, their widows and their orphans, in addition to those veterans who did not see battle. These will be practiced throughout the residency. 

In order to manage the complex Veteran population, the OAA VASNHS NPRs also abide by core characteristics including being trustworthy to both veterans and co-workers through everyday actions, being accessible to veterans and their beneficiaries with positive and productive interaction, providing the highest standard of quality care and services and being good stewards of all resources entrusted by the American people. Core characteristics also include encouraging innovation by seeking  continuous improvement and staying on the forefront of knowledge, proficiency, and capability to deliver quality care. It is important to be agile to anticipate and adapt quickly to current challenges and new requirements by continuously assessing the environment to better serve the veterans, other beneficiaries and service members. Finally being integrated as the VA links care and services across the department including other federal, state and local agencies, partners and Veteran Services Organization to provide useful and understandable programs to veterans and other beneficiaries including a unique relationship with the Department of Defense will nurture it for the benefit of Veterans and service members. These are all characteristics supported by the OAA NPR and will be practiced throughout the program to ensure consistency with the VA mission, values and core characteristics. 

Program Philosophy

VASNHS's NPR Program philosophy blends Benner’s levels of learning and Watson’s Theory of Caring. Caring and respect is an essential component of all interactions with every resident, colleague, co-worker, and to every client and their support system. This philosophy compels developers and instructors of the NPR to look at every activity of the residency program through lenses colored by caring and respectful attitudes. This philosophy fosters the notion that the professional nurse learns to care for self, as a basis to provide caring for others. The transitional first year of advanced nursing practice is an evolutionary pathway that should instill in the resident a commitment to life-long learning and inspire a passion for respecting and caring for America’s military Veterans. 

Respect and honor for America’s heroes are essential characteristics of the VA nurse practitioner resident. The VA NPR incorporates an understanding of the social, psychological, and economic realities that influence the delivery of care to the military Veteran. Creativity in problem-solving is encouraged, and scientific exploration for evidence to support practice is expected. 

The conceptual framework for the NPR curriculum structure is based on Benner’s Novice to Expert theory that posits, “Expert nurses develop skills and understanding of patient care over time through a sound educational base as well as a multitude of experiences” (Benner, 1984). From the point of onboarding to progressing through a full year of supported transition, nurse practitioner residents are guided by expert advanced practice nurses. 

The program is centered on professionalism that is based on quality patient care, effective communication, and collaboration. Nurse practitioner residents participate in structured classes, precepted clinical practice, and a variety of general and individualized learning experiences to support skill development and enhance the professional role through quality and performance improvement. Residents are provided with rich curriculum that enhances the ability to care for the unique American military Veterans across the lifespan. The residents are enlightened to the diverse culture background characteristics of Veterans through didactics and get to practice their knowledge by working to meet the Veteran’s medical, psychosocial, and mental health need 

Mission Statement

The mission of the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS) Nurse Practitioner Residency is to develop entry level Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) into prepared, novice providers through didactics and interprofessional clinical experience to improve access to care for Veterans with complex healthcare needs. The Nurse Practitioner Residency program helps fulfill VA mission and vision. The program is set up to provide Veteran centric didactics, in addition to, clinical learning in a supervised practice environment. This allows the new APRNs to have a safe transition into autonomous professional practice as a licensed independent practitioner, thereby providing excellent care to Veterans. 

**The program’s mission statement aligns with the Veteran Health Affairs (VHA) national goal to provide access to care, customer service, accountability and suicide prevention.

Program Objectives

By the end of the APRN residency program, the Nurse Practitioner Residents will:

1. Integrate evidence-based knowledge, ethical principles, and clinical excellence in advanced practice nursing while caring for the Veteran population 

2. Develop the role of the independent advanced practice nurse with a commitment to excellence and quality outcomes 

3. Develop collaborative skills through interprofessional relationships and team-based care approaches 

4. Integrate quality, efficiency, and cost effectiveness while supporting awareness of the complex health care delivery system 

5. Develop an in depth, breadth, volume, and intensity of clinical training necessary to serve as primary and mental health care providers in the VA 

6. Understand and practice a model of Veteran-centric care that is compassionate, valued, and effective in promoting health and preventing illness 

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System firmly believes that Diversity is Power and Inclusion is Strength. We serve all those who served, a diverse group of Veterans from different walks of life. We strive to acknowledge, respect, and accept the many identities our Veteran’s hold. We seek trainees who are willing to create an environment of inclusivity, who are open to the ever-evolving journey of multicultural competence. Train with us and together we can work toward a more equal, equitable, creative, diverse, and inclusive Veteran and employee experience.

Additional information about the VA’s commitment to diversity can be found at www.diversity.va.gov

More Information on the Application Process

Application Process Forms: 

  1. U.S. citizenship. VA is unable to consider applications from anyone who is not currently a U.S. citizen. Verification of citizenship is required following selection. All interns and fellows must complete a Certification of Citizenship in the United States prior to beginning VA training.
  2. All applicants must have a US social security number (SSN) prior to beginning the VA pre-employment, on boarding process.
  3. A male applicant born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the draft by age 26 to be eligible for any US government employment, including selection as a paid VA trainee. Male applicants must sign a pre-appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration before they can be processed into a training program. Exceptions can be granted only by the US Office of Personnel Management; exceptions are very rarely granted.
    Selective Service System - It’s Your Country. Protect it. : Selective Service System (sss.gov)
  4. Onboarding requires two source identification documents (IDs) to prove identity Documents must be unexpired and names on both documents must match. For more information visit:
    https://www.osp.va.gov/How_To_Get_A_VA_ID_Badge.asp
    States have begun issuing Secure Driver’s Licenses. Be sure yours will be accepted as a Real ID:  https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
  5. Applicants who are currently licenses, or who previously held a license in the same or a different discipline, must be screened again the NPDB. Visit the site to perform a self-query and confirm you are eligible for VA appointment.
     https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov
  6. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General has compiled a list of individuals excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal Healthcare programs. Visit the site to confirm you are NOT on this list.
    https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/
    Information about the exclusion program is located at:
    Exclusions | Office of Inspector General | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (hhs.gov)
  7. VA conducts drug screening exams on randomly selected personnel as well as new employees. Interns and Fellows are not required to be tested prior to beginning work, but once on staff they are subject to random selection for testing as are other employees. 
    VA Drug-Free Workplace Program Guide for Veterans Health Administration Health Professions Trainees 
  8. As a condition of appointment, applicants must furnish evidence of satisfactory physical condition based on a physical examination in the past 12 months, have up-to-date vaccinations for healthcare workers as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
    Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers | CDC
    and have undergone baseline tuberculosis (TB) screening and testing per CDC health care personnel guidelines:
    TB Screening and Testing of Health Care Personnel | TB | CDC
    (for direct hire VA-paid Trainees, this means within 90-days of hire).
  9. Fingerprint Screening and Background Investigation. HPTs will be fingerprinted and undergo screenings and background investigations. A VA Human Resources Security Specialist will determine suitability. Additional details can be found here:
    Executive Orders | National Archives
  10. Additional pre-employment forms include the: See Downloadable information below for documents.
  11. Health Professions Trainees (HPTs) are appointed as temporary employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. As such, HPTs are subject to laws, policies, and guidelines posted for VA staff members.  There are infrequent times in which this guidance can change during a training year which may create new requirements or responsibilities for HPTs. If employment requirements change during the course of a training year, HPTs will be notified of the change and impact as soon as possible and options provided. The Training Director will provide you with the information you need to understand the requirement and reasons for the requirement in timely manner

Additional Program Requirements

  • Official Transcripts from an accredited PMHNP, ANP, AGNP, FNP Program, Completed within the last 12 months
  • National Certification through AANP/ANCC (deadline by 7/1/2024-preferred) as a PMHNP, ANP, AGNP, FNP 
  • State Nurse Practitioner Licensure (Nevada preferred but other states accepted) 
  • State Pharmacy License  (Nevada Preferred but other states accepted)
  • VASNHS Trainee Application (VA 10-2850D) 
  • 500 Word Essay per prompt of each program
  • 3 letters of reference per specifics of each program
  • Curriculum Vitae versus Resume
  • BLS (Basic Life Support)/CPR current American Heart Certificate required
  • No previous Nurse Practitioner experience
  • 3 years of RN experience (highly preferred)

If You Meet Eligibility and Other Qualifications, What is Next?

  • Be willing to commit to a 12-month program that includes didactics and clinical work experience
  • DEA-recommended prior to program completion
  • Pass background check
  • Pass drug test
  • Participate in a comprehensive interview process
  • Provide all other required information necessary per OAA and VASNHS
  • Fill out and return all required paperwork for the on-boarding process
  • Attend a 2-week comprehensive orientation

TIMELINE: 2024-2025

  • Program Start Date July 22nd, 2024
  • End date July 18th, 2025

TIMELINE: 2025-2026

  • November 11th, 2024 through February 14th, 2025 Accept Application & Other Required Documents- All required documents must be submitted at the same time (except for official transcripts) and must be in pdf format including Letters of Recommendation or the application will not be accepted. 
  • Unofficial transcripts are acceptable if still attending NP program.
  • Interviews will start March 4th, 2025 Primary Care and March 11th, 2025 Mental Health
  • 2025-2026 Program start date: July 28th, 2025, end date is July 24th, 2026 
     

TIMELINE: 2026-2027

  • November 10th, 2025 through February 13th, 2026 Accept Application & Other Required Documents- All required documents must be submitted at the same time (except for official transcripts) and must be in pdf format including Letters of Recommendation or the application will not be accepted. 
  • Unofficial transcripts are acceptable if still attending NP program.
  • Interviews will start March 3rd, 2026 Primary Care and March 10th, 2026 Mental Health
  • 2026-2027 Program start date: July 20th, 2026, end date is July 16th, 2027
  1. U.S. citizenship. VA is unable to consider applications from anyone who is not currently a U.S. citizen. Verification of citizenship is required following selection. All interns and fellows must complete a Certification of Citizenship in the United States prior to beginning VA training.
  2. All applicants must have a US social security number (SSN) prior to beginning the VA pre-employment, on boarding process.
  3. A male applicant born after 12/31/1959 must have registered for the draft by age 26 to be eligible for any US government employment, including selection as a paid VA trainee. Male applicants must sign a pre-appointment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration before they can be processed into a training program. Exceptions can be granted only by the US Office of Personnel Management; exceptions are very rarely granted.
    Selective Service System - It’s Your Country. Protect it. : Selective Service System (sss.gov)
  4. Onboarding requires two source identification documents (IDs) to prove identity Documents must be unexpired and names on both documents must match. For more information visit:
    https://www.osp.va.gov/How_To_Get_A_VA_ID_Badge.asp
    States have begun issuing Secure Driver’s Licenses. Be sure yours will be accepted as a Real ID:  https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.
  5. Applicants who are currently licenses, or who previously held a license in the same or a different discipline, must be screened again the NPDB. Visit the site to perform a self-query and confirm you are eligible for VA appointment.
     https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov
  6. The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General has compiled a list of individuals excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal Healthcare programs. Visit the site to confirm you are NOT on this list.
    https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/
    Information about the exclusion program is located at:
    Exclusions | Office of Inspector General | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (hhs.gov)
  7. VA conducts drug screening exams on randomly selected personnel as well as new employees. Interns and Fellows are not required to be tested prior to beginning work, but once on staff they are subject to random selection for testing as are other employees. 
    VA Drug-Free Workplace Program Guide for Veterans Health Administration Health Professions Trainees 
  8. As a condition of appointment, applicants must furnish evidence of satisfactory physical condition based on a physical examination in the past 12 months, have up-to-date vaccinations for healthcare workers as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
    Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers | CDC
    and have undergone baseline tuberculosis (TB) screening and testing per CDC health care personnel guidelines:
    TB Screening and Testing of Health Care Personnel | TB | CDC
    (for direct hire VA-paid Trainees, this means within 90-days of hire).
  9. Fingerprint Screening and Background Investigation. HPTs will be fingerprinted and undergo screenings and background investigations. A VA Human Resources Security Specialist will determine suitability. Additional details can be found here:
    Executive Orders | National Archives
  10. Additional pre-employment forms include the: See Downloadable information below for documents.
  11. Health Professions Trainees (HPTs) are appointed as temporary employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs. As such, HPTs are subject to laws, policies, and guidelines posted for VA staff members.  There are infrequent times in which this guidance can change during a training year which may create new requirements or responsibilities for HPTs. If employment requirements change during the course of a training year, HPTs will be notified of the change and impact as soon as possible and options provided. The Training Director will provide you with the information you need to understand the requirement and reasons for the requirement in timely manner

Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency (MH-NPR)

General Information: 

VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System welcomes you to the Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency. We invite you to explore the information about VASNHS’ Nurse Practitioner Residencies and the organization.

Throughout the program, residents receive daily one-on-one supervision with carefully selected clinical faculty who are excellent clinicians and caring mentors. Program faculty and preceptors make every effort to support each resident in their professional and personal wellness. 

Residents are encouraged to ask questions, broaden their knowledge base, and refine their clinical skills in assessment, psychopharmacology, and psychotherapy. They gain ample hands-on experience using their clinical skills with a diverse population and a range of clinical settings. Each clinical experience will be of substantial duration (minimum of 3 months) so residents can work closely with their clinical faculty, site, and Veterans. Residents will gain hands-on experience using their clinical skills while providing direct care to Veterans.

Residents will serve a diverse population of Veterans in the Southern Nevada region in the settings of outpatient psychiatry, inpatient psychiatry, and an elective mental health specialty program.  During each clinical experience, mental health nurse practitioner residents routinely collaborate with colleagues of different professional backgrounds including nursing, medicine, social work, pharmacy, psychology, primary care, as well as other professions and specialties. Graduates of MSN and DNP psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner programs are encouraged to apply for the residency. 

Program Structure: 

The mental health nurse practitioner residency program is designed to identify and meet the individual learning needs of new psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners without work experience as a nurse practitioner. The residency seeks to develop mental health clinicians who are highly skilled in evidence-based practices who are ready to meet the challenge of serving our country’s veterans. 

VASNHS’s Behavioral Health Services has a broad array of programs specializing in treating Veterans affected by severe mental illness, substance use disorders, gambling disorder, post-traumatic stress disorders, neurocognitive disorders, sleep disorders, and couples and family relationship conflict. Additional services offered through BHS include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Dialectical and Behavioral Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, transcranial magnetic stimulation, medication assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders. 

The residency program structure is based on Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science and Dr. Patricia Benner’s theory of Novice to Expert. At program completion, residents can expect to step confidently into broad range of mental health nurse practitioner positions in complex healthcare environments

This 12-month residency consists of a 40-hour work week. The program is clinically focused 80 percent of the time and includes didactics 20 percent of the time. 

Scholarly Evidence Based Project:

The residency aims to recruit nurse leaders who aspire to improve the healthcare system, patient outcomes and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession. Residents will develop leadership skills in preparation for their role as, stakeholder in the shared model of governance at VASNHS. A range of leadership opportunities are incorporated throughout the residency including leading a evidence based  project and presenting their findings to their colleagues and service line administration in addition to potentially presenting at a professional conference. 

Residents work closely with clinicians throughout the VA of Southern Nevada and there is open communication with the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and Reno. 

Upon completion of this program, graduates will receive a Residency Completion Certificate from the program with the number of documented clinical hours.

**If you are interested in submitting your application and documents during the acceptance time-period, please email the program director and he/she will send you a secure email to submit your personal information.  All required documents must be submitted at the same time (except for official transcripts) and must be in pdf format including Letters of Recommendation or the application will not be accepted. 

Contact the MH-NPR Director:

Dr. Candie Cuneo, email: DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

email: candie.cuneo@va.gov 

Office Cell: 702-715-1581

or

Contact PC-NPR Program Director:

Michelle Dunne, APRN

email: Michelle.dunne@va.gov

Office Cell: 702-600-5502

Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (PC-NPR)

General Information:

Welcome to the Primary Care Residency page!  We are excited to see your interest in our program. Below you will find answers to some commonly asked questions.  If you have further questions/concerns not addressed on this website, feel free to reach out to the program director via email for further clarification.  We look forward to seeing your application. 

Program Structure

The PC-NPR residency program is a one-year comprehensive post-graduate residency to facilitate the transition of the new-graduate to competent and professional Adult, Geriatric or Family nurse practitioners in primary care settings and is exposed to personal, goal-specific specialty care as well. The residency includes didactic and clinical learning and residents are immersed into the Veterans’ Affairs Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Model. The nurse practitioner program structure is based on Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring/Caring Science and Dr. Patricia Benner’s theory of Novice to Expert. The focus of the program is to refine skills, enhance practice and promote independence through mentored clinical practice, professional development, and leadership activities. 

This 12-month residency consists of a 40-hour work week. The program is clinically focused 80 percent of the time and includes didactics 20 percent of the time. The nurse practitioner resident will be assigned a preceptor in a primary care/geriatric setting. The residents will have the opportunity to precept with both a nurse practitioner and a physician to enhance skills and develop a strong personalized philosophy of care.  The nurse practitioner trainee will begin residency with a needs assessment to identify areas of desired learning and opportunities for improvement. 

The didactics are built to be patient focused and experiential to enhance the learning experience. The resident will learn about veteran specific chronic co-morbidities. Some of these co-morbidities include hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, toxic exposures, etc. Didactics that complement the veteran-focused clinical experience include case studies, educational article reviews, journaling, treatment maps, computerized record training amongst others. 

Scholarly/Quality Improvement Project

Based upon organization priorities, residents will conduct an assessment and literature review related to a gap in practice or process that effects the veteran population. They will collect data, provide an evidence-based solution and present this to their colleagues/primary care administration to improve outcomes. 

Collaboration

Residents work closely with clinicians throughout the VA of Southern Nevada Healthcare system. Additionally, the residency administration works closely with academic partners at both the University of Nevada in Las Vegas and Reno to provide an enhanced learning experience for the residents throughout the program. 

Completion

Upon completion of this program which includes both the academic and clinical preceptorship and time commitment of 2080 hours, graduates will receive a residency completion certificate.

Contact PC-NPR Program Director:

Michelle Dunne, APRN

email: Michelle.dunne@va.gov

Office Cell: 702-600-5502

or

Contact the MH-NPR Director:

Dr. Candie Cuneo, email: DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

email: candie.cuneo@va.gov 

Office Cell: 702-715-1581

Downloadable Information