The mission of the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS) and the University of Alabama School of Nursing (UABSON) Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency (PC-NPR) is to enhance the competencies of Nurse Practitioner residents and to prepare highly qualified leaders in an interprofessional environment with expertise in Veteran-centric care while emphasizing practice-based learning and improvement. BVACHS and UABSON partner in a shared vision of transforming the care of Veterans and their families by working collaboratively to educate compassionate, highly competent nurses and nurse practitioners through the PC-NPR.
The program supports excellence in interprofessional education by emphasizing an understanding of respective roles and responsibilities while addressing barriers to care. There is a focus on honing interprofessional skills thereby advancing ethical, safe Veteran-centric care.
By applying evidence-based findings, residents are expected to define, analyze and synthesize Veteran-centric approaches to whole, person-centered care. Residents must then apply this knowledge to reflect, appraise and adopt Veteran-centric care practices.
Through immersive clinical and didactic experiences, the program enhances practice-based learning and quality improvement skills. Experiences are designed to guide residents in the application and evaluation of strategies aimed at supporting and advancing Veteran outcomes.
The program fosters professional leadership by delivering sustained, high-quality care for Veterans. Residents utilize leadership theories and collaborate with faculty to assess the responsiveness and effectiveness of the Veteran healthcare system.
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. Citizen
- Recent graduate (within 12 months of program start date) from an accredited advanced practice primary care (e.g., family nurse practitioner or adult-gerontology primary care) nurse practitioner pathway
- Certification as a family or adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (obtained by start of residency)
- Eligible for an Alabama nurse practitioner license
- The residency must be your first position serving as an NP in the same specialty as the residency’s focus
- Proficient in written and spoken English
Residency Benefits:
- Competitive stipend
- Comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, paid holidays and health benefits
- Hiring preference for open positions at BVAHCS and other VA facilities upon completion of the residency
Application Timeline:
- Applications are accepted on a continual basis from October- February each year
- Interviews are conducted: March-April
- Selection notifications: May
- Residency start date: Late September
Application Requirements:
- Current resume/curriculum vitae
- Personal statement (250 words or less) describing your aspirations for the residency program, your short-term and long-term career goals and your interest in working with Veterans
- Three (3) letters of recommendations (1 supervisor, 1 academic and 1 of your choice)
For additional information and to apply, please contact:
Beth Sasser, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
PCNPR VA Director
Beth.Sasser@va.gov
Alice Springer Bristow, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC, CNE, BC-ADM
SON Affiliate Residency Director
abristow@uab.edu
The Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency (PB-RNR) is designed to strengthen the competence and confidence of entry-level nurses within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Through a strong academic-practice partnership between the UAB School of Nursing and the Birmingham VA Health Care System (BVAHCS), the program prepares nurses to deliver safe, high-quality, Veteran-centered care.
Veterans often present with unique and complex health needs. This residency supports the preparation of highly trained nurses who are equipped to provide excellent care at the bedside and in the community. The collaborative model between UAB and BVAHCS represents an innovative approach to nursing education and supports the development of the future VA nursing workforce.
Program Structure
The PB-RNR is a full-time, paid, year-long residency program. Residents are provided 100% protected time to participate in structured training across four progressive phases designed to build clinical competence, leadership skills, and professional confidence.
- Two months in a primary care setting
- Six months in a medical-surgical setting
- Ten weeks in a specialty care area (such as the Intensive Care Unit or Emergency Department)
- Six weeks in a leadership setting alongside nurse managers, clinical nurse leaders, and interdisciplinary partners
This phased approach supports the development of strong clinical judgment, effective decision-making, and leadership capabilities. Residents also gain experience incorporating evidence-based practice into care delivery and functioning as active members of interprofessional healthcare teams.
For additional information regarding the Post-Baccalaureate Registered Nurse Residency Program, please contact:
Icy Hale, DNP, RN
Icy.Hale@va.gov
Tracey K. Dick, PhD, RN, CNE, COI, CPPS
tdick@uab.edu
Through a partnership with the Birmingham VA Health Care System, candidates appointed to this 2-year Fellowship opportunity are supported in their development as leaders and scholars in healthcare improvement. The interprofessional emphasis of the program is one of its many strengths with program Fellows representing physicians, pre- and post-doctoral nurses, clinical psychologists and pharmacists.
Current Fellows
Stephanie Hammond, DNP
Post-doctoral
Cheryl Elliott-Dawe, PhD
Post-doctoral
Becky D. Suttle, DNP
Post-doctoral
Past Fellows
Elizabeth M. Byrd, PhD
Tracey K. Dick, PhD
Shannon S. Layton, DNP
Asiah Ruffin, PhD
VAQS Resources
For more information
Tracey K. Dick, PhD, RN, CNE, COI, CPPS
tdick@uab.edu
The UAB School of Nursing offers a special initiative. The Veterans Career Advancement in Nursing (Veterans CAN!) is for our military veterans, active duty reservists and members of the National Guard who wish to transition into a professional nursing career and earn a BSN degree in nursing.
UAB School of Nursing also supports the Nurse Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP) and AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP). For information on UAB School of Nursing eligibility requirements and the processes for applying for NECP/AECP at the School, contact Crimsynn Dover at cdover@uab.edu.
Goals of Veterans CAN!:
- Recognize the experience and training of veterans and members of the military who desire a career in nursing.
Highlights:
- Early admission review for qualified applicants.
- Dedicated advisors and peer support.
- Opportunity for academic credit for select coursework based on military training and experience completed within the past 5 years (training and experience completed longer than 5 years ago will require a waiver and additional validation process).
Eligibility:
- For military veterans, active-duty reservists, and those in the National Guard
- Must be admitted to UAB prior to applying for Veterans CAN
- Career goal is to become a registered professional nurse
- Provide a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty
- Completion of a minimum of eight nursing pre-requisite courses, including a minimum of two science courses and an English composition course equivalent to EH 101 with a minimum 2.75 GPA
- Students transferring in less than 24 credit hours to UAB will follow the Blazer Core curriculum. Students transferring 24 or more credit hours into UAB can select between the Blazer Core curriculum or the Core Curriculum (AGSC).
Detailed information regarding the BSN Pathway, including required pre-nursing coursework to be completed prior to entry, can be found on the BSN academic webpage.
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