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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. VANAP 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 Nurse Residency.
To be considered for this recognition students must be a natural born or naturalized American citizen and agree to complete three clinical rotations at VACT (geriatrics, mental health, medical surgical nursing 1 and/or 2, public health, and transition to practice course (capstone). 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
VA Connecticut Healthcare System Post-Baccalaureate Nurse Residency Training Program (PBNR)
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 medical exam, drug testing, background & security Investigation.
- Current, unrestricted RN license (or NCLEX scheduled before July 1, for September start).
Contact Info
Jancee Pust-Marcone MSN, RN, CCRN-K
VA Connecticut Healthcare System Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Residency Program
This 12-month OAA funded transition training program has been developed to improve the quality of care of the veteran by providing the new Nurse Practitioner with evidence- based training and support as they transition into practice.
Contact Info
Christopher Cimino BS, MSN, APRN