Joanna E. White MSN, RN
VA-STEP Coordinator
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
950 Campbell Avenue
West Haven, CT 06516
(203) 932-5711 ext. 4674
Joanna.White@va.gov
On This Page
VANAP Nurse Scholars
The Veteran Affairs Nursing Academic Partnership (VANAP) is an innovative education and practice collaboration between VA Connecticut Healthcare system and the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. VANAP seeks to address a growing population of veterans with unique and complex care needs who are served within multiple, diverse care settings. Specifically, VANAP intends to promote the safe and effective care of Veterans within and across community healthcare settings by expanding the workforce of BSN-prepared nurses able to provide quality Veteran-centric care that improves patient outcomes.
Students designated as VANAP Nurse Scholars are provided unique clinical experiences with significant time in VA settings throughout the nursing program of study. Learning opportunities with deep immersion in veteran-centric topics with a focus on the unique health care needs of Veterans are guided by clinical content experts, experienced faculty, and VA nursing staff. Graduates will also become eligible to apply and participate in several VA specific programs nationwide (as applicable/where available) including, but not limited to: VA Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency (PB-RNR).
To be considered for this recognition students must be a natural born or naturalized American citizen and agree to complete up to three clinical rotations at the VA Connecticut Health System (geriatrics, mental health, medical surgical nursing 1 and/or 2, public health, and transition to practice course (capstone) as available. Interested students will submit a completed application along with a 300-word essay describing their interest in becoming a VANAP Nurse Scholar beginning in the fall semester of their sophomore year thru 1st semester of Junior Year.
Contact Info
Karen Burrows
DNP, MAHSM, RN, C-EFM, CHSE
Director, Second Degree Nursing
Assistant Professor
Fairfield, CT
x2092
Veterans Affairs Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP)
The Department of Veterans Affairs Student Trainee Experience Program (VA-STEP, formerly called VA Learning Opportunities Residency or VALOR Program) provides opportunities for outstanding incoming senior nursing students to develop competencies at VA Connecticut Healthcare System.
It offers a highly competitive opportunity to spend the summer working individually with an assigned nurse preceptor. A full-time paid summer program, it prepares well qualified students of affiliated nursing schools for a career at VA
To be eligible students must be preparing to enter their senior year of nursing school in an accredited nursing Program that is affiliated with VA Connecticut. Students must have a 3.0 GPA , be a US citizen, and meet physical examination requirements.
Contact Info
VA Connecticut Healthcare System Nurse Residency Programs
VA Connecticut is home to both RN and APRN residency programs. For entry to practice RNs, the facility offers the Post-Baccalaureate RN Residency Program and the RN-Transition to Practice Program. For new graduate APRNs, the facility offers a Nurse Practitioner Residency Program with two tracks: Mental Health and Primary Care. Additional information on each program and track can be found below.
RN Nurse Residency Programs: Are you a new graduate registered nurse? VA Connecticut Health Care System is a great place to begin your career. We have two nurse residency programs for new graduate nurses: - Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program (PB-RNR) and – RN Transition-to-Practice (RNTTP)
Our nurse residency programs include didactic and precepted clinical experiences. These experiences are designed to provide the new graduate RN opportunities to effectively transition to competent professional nurses, with focus on developing effective decision-making skills, incorporating evidence into practice, supporting clinical leadership at point of care, and promoting life-long learning and resilience in nursing practice. You will practice collaboratively in an inter-professional model and gain an integrated perspective of nursing leadership and the VA healthcare system.
- Assigned a preceptor for 12 months with a shared assignment.
- Clinical rotations on inpatient and outpatient units during Phase 1-3 of the program and selection of a nursing unit during Phase 4, the last 3 months of the residency program.
- Weekly Didactic and Evidence-Based Practice Seminars and interactive sessions.
- Matched with a professional mentor
- Participate in comprehensive evidence-based practice program supported by VA Nurse Scientists with completion of an Evidence Based Practice Scholarly Project
- Completion of required program surveys and evaluations for ongoing program improvement
- Valuable experience developing and growing your RN skills and knowledge alongside expert colleagues
- Annual stipend and benefits, no required night shift, weekends, or holidays!
- Structured mentoring opportunities
- Enhance clinical and leadership skills in a variety of clinical settings
- Understand the continuum of care across the entire health care system
- Veteran-centered practice environment to Care for Those Who Have Served Us
Note: Nurse residents are considered trainees and there is no commitment
Contact Info
Jancee Pust-Marcone MSN, RN, CCRN-K
(203) 932-5711 ext. 5353
Jancee.Pust-Marcone@va.gov
RN Transition-to-Practice (RNTTP) Program
RN Transition to Practice is for any new graduate nurse with less than 1-year of practice experience who is hired into a position within VA Connecticut Health Care System. All RNs with less than 1-year of nursing experience who are hired into any care setting are automatically a part of the RNTTP program.
The RNTTP program is a 12-month program with weekly workshop days, debriefing, an evidence-based practice curriculum and more!
- Structured mentoring and precepting experiences
- Networking with your colleagues
- Monthly workshop days
- Clinical debrief
- Evidence based practice curriculum, and more!
- Meet all required qualifications as per job posting (open positions found on USA Jobs)
- Open to BSN or ADN nurses, graduates of a program accredited by the CCNE or ACEN
- Less than 1-year of practice experience to qualify for RNTTP
Contact Info
Megan Collins, MSN, RN, CCRN
203-932-5711 ext 4797
Megan.Collins@va.gov
VA Connecticut Healthcare System Nurse Practitioner Residency Program
The VA Connecticut Healthcare System (VACTHS) Nurse Practitioner Residency Program is a twelve-month postgraduate training program with two tracks: Mental Health, and Primary Care. The program offers the opportunity to expand ones existing knowledge base and strengthen clinical skills as a Mental Health or Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. The mission of the Nurse Practitioner Residency (NPR) Program is to enhance the competencies of new nurse practitioners and to provide a well-qualified workforce to increase access to excellent health services for Veterans. We work to recruit, support, and retain excellent nurse practitioners who are passionate about providing quality care that is holistic and Veteran-centric.
The VACTHS NP Residency program incorporates learning activities which are designed to complement independent learning activities and clinical experiences. The program begins in July of each year and lasts for 12-months. This start-date allows sufficient time for candidates to graduate, take and pass national board exams, and receive state licenses. Nurse Practitioner Residents collaborate with multiple services and clinical settings in mental health as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Together, they provide care for veterans using a patient centered approach, attend learning sessions, and work on a quality improvement project.
Candidates are considered eligible upon successful completion of a nationally accredited nurse practitioner program and who are applying for a first time APRN role. Additionally, the following eligibility requirements include (1) must be a United States citizen, (2) proficient in English, (3) hold an unrestricted State Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse licenses, (4) certified for the program to which they are applying (Primary Care or Mental Health), (5) must successfully pass a national board exam from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) within 90 days of program start. Certification must be in Adult Gerontology or Family Practice for the Primary Care track, or in Psychiatric Mental Health for the Mental Health track.
All candidates must submit an application, cover letter, up-to-date resume, official school transcripts with a minimum grade point average 3.00, and three professional letters of recommendation.
Contact Info
Interested candidates for the Mental Health track should contact Pat Giannelli, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, ACNS-BC
Pat Giannelli, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, ACNS-BC
203-932-5711 ext. 39477
patricia.giannelli@va.gov
Interested candidates for the Primary Care track should contact Faith Harrington, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
Faith Harrington, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC
3-932-5711 ext. 7731
Faith.Harrington@va.gov