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
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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
203-254-4000 x 2092
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 Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Training Program (PB-RNR)
This twelve month residency is designed to support the transition of the new graduate RN from advanced beginner to a competent and confident professional nurse who can provide safe, high quality evidence based care to our nation’s veterans.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be U.S. Citizen.
- Graduated from a CCNE or NLNAC accredited program with a BSN or Direct Entry MSN, serving in their FIRST nursing role and less than one year since graduation.
- Minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00 on a 4.00-point scale).
- Proficient in written and spoken English.
- Must pass pre-employment background and security investigation.
- Current, unrestricted RN license (or NCLEX scheduled before October 1, for February start).
Contact Info
Jancee Pust-Marcone MSN, RN, CCRN-K
(203)932-5711 ext. 5353
VA Connecticut Healthcare System Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency Program
This residency program is designed for new nurse practitioners who desire to become a more confident and competent specialty care provider with a commitment to serving our Veteran’s. The program goal is to provide an intensive clinical experience supplemented by professional development activities that result in skillfully prepared Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners available to function independently and who can provide evidence-based, quality services for the Veteran population.
This twelve (12) month residency program provides for varied experiences that include didactic seminars, Grand Rounds programming, supervised and independent clinical practice, leadership training, inter-professional simulations and Tele-Health training. There are also numerous specialty rotations though the Psychiatric Emergency Room, the in-patient Mental Health Unit, the Methadone Clinic, the Substance Abuse Day Program, the Geropsychiatry Unit, the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Residential Treatment Program, the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Program, the Neuropsychiatry and/or PTSD Clinics, and the Outpatient Addiction Recovery Services. While involved in the above programming, the nurse practitioner resident will participate in the advanced practice role under the guidance of a qualified preceptor.
Contact Info
Pat Giannelli, DNP, APRN, PMHCNS-BC, FNP-BC, ACNS-BC
Director, PMH-NPR Program
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
950 Campbell Avenue, Building 6A, #117A
West Haven, CT 06516
(203) 932-5711 ext. 3947
patricia.giannelli@va.gov
VA Connecticut Healthcare system Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Residency ( NPR-PC)
The mission of the COE Nurse Practitioner Residency program is to prepare post-graduate nurse practitioners as highly effective primary care clinicians, devoted to patient-centered care, with the interprofessional and leadership experience necessary to assist in the transformation of healthcare.
NP Residency Goal: To prepare and facilitate the transition of new NPs through the interprofessional training program by providing education, role modeling and mentoring as NP residents develop advanced nursing practice, leadership and scholarly skills.
Contact Info
Heather Green
Administrative Officer
VACHS COE
(203) 932-5711 ext. 7737
Heather.green3@va.gov